The Hebrew word that the word vanity is translated from literally means “vapor” or “breath,” implying something that has no substance or permanence, such as the worship of idols or worldly things.Įditor’s note: This page is not meant to be a comprehensive explanation of the selected scripture verse, only a starting point for your own study. Hinckley, “Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children,” Ensign, Nov. It does hurt, because small lying leads to large lying, and the prisons of the nation are the best proof of that fact.” President Gordon B. He or she can walk with head high, standing above the crowd of lesser folk who constantly indulge in lying, cheating, and who excuse themselves with statements that a little lying hurts no one. No act of duplicity colors his or her conscience. No false words besmirch his or her reputation. “There is no substitute under the heavens for the man or woman, the boy or girl who is honest. For a poster on this topic, see the January 1993 New Era, page 7. Having clean hands means living righteously and repenting when we have sinned (see Isaiah 1:18). Having a pure heart means having virtuous thoughts and righteous intentions. Faust 1920–2007, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Who Shall Ascend into the Hill of the Lord?” Ensign, Aug. In our homes all of the security, the strengthening love, and the sympathetic understanding that we all so desperately need should be found.” President James E. Our homes should be committed and dedicated only to holy purposes. “As we recall the commandment to stand in holy places, we should remember that beyond the temple, the most sacred and holy places in all the world should be our own dwelling places. How is this like increasing your spirituality or going to the temple? What are you doing to strengthen yourself to “ascend into the hill of the Lord”? Read For the Strength of Youth for ideas. When you climb a hill for the first time, it may seem difficult, but if you climb the hill regularly, you become stronger and better able to handle the climb. A hill or mountain also often symbolizes the temple (see, for instance, Isaiah 2:2). The hill of the Lord represents higher spiritual ground, which brings us closer to God. “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” Hill of the Lord Give me grace to overcome.“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? I can think of no greater call than to know Him, to stand before Him and worship Him with all my heart. I want to walk each day living that motto. I will read them, memorize them, meditate on them, and put all of my heart into them. He doesn’t use the name of that god when he makes a promise. So today I have taken those two verses as my motto. Psalm 24:4 New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV) 4 Anyone who has clean hands and a pure heart. And my soul must not be lifted up to idols, there is only Jesus. My heart must be pure, I need to purify my motives, my feelings and desires. Who can ascend up to the Lord? My hands must be clean, I must break free from these sins that entagle me. That’s why today I came across the Psalm up above. I’ve written a post about Holiness, and I believe it to be so true, yet I cannot get myself there. I keep coming back to the verse in Matthew that says “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”. I’ve given up lots of sleep, free time, and my desires. I think the humility I’ve had from such struggles draws Him near. That’s part of why I believe it is His presence, because peace follows the realization of Him. Just a presence, a sort of pressure upon my mind. As I write, his presence or maybe just a slight anointing is there. In one way I look at it as being under an attack as I’m having so much more trouble than usual, so maybe that’s a good sign, that the enemy is concerned.Įither way, I have found that even through this, I’ve been feeling the presence of the Lord more. I find myself just suddenly slipping and kicking myself immediately afterward. I’ve had a couple areas where I’ve falling back into sins I’m struggling to get away from, pride being one of them. I’ve had a bit of pride knocked out of me lately. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. – Psalm 24:3-4