Sanctifying Ourselves

“And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.” Doctrine and Covenants 38:42

Earlier this week I explained to my companion that I’ve been feeling like I’m missing something. I’ve been doing everything as best I can. I’ve been striving to be obedient to the mission rules, and to give all of my heart, might, mind and strength to the Lord. However, I still feel like it isn’t enough. I feel like there is something more that I need in order to truly be fulfilling my purpose as a missionary. That’s when she handed me a talk about sanctification.

In this talk, I realized what it is that I have been missing: Sanctification.

I realized that in order to truly devote myself to this work, I need to get rid of certain habits and replace those habits with better ones. Instead of thinking of a Disney quote, I need to sing a hymn. Instead of using sarcasm, I need to simply focus on the positive. Rather than telling a story from high school, I should share an experience I had in life that changed my perspective on faith. Or maybe hope.

The point is, I need to sanctify myself. I need to focus solely on the things of the Lord, not on the things of the world. This is what sanctification means; to purify ourselves. To “go ye out from among the wicked” and to be clean. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I have a right to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. This means that I can be a “vessel of the Lord.” My purpose as a missionary is not to teach my opinions of the gospel or study the scriptures with people. I am simply the vessel by which the Lord uses to spread His gospel and to bring His children unto Him. And in order to be worthy of that Spirit, and of this calling, I need to be sanctified.

So, what can we do to be sanctified?

First, we need to get rid of bad habits. This is what it means to “go ye out from among the wicked.” These habits can be big, like smoking; or they can be small, like thinking negative thoughts. Whatever habit that is keeping us from feeling at peace, we need to drop it.

Often times, it’s hard to drop habits if we don’t have anything to replace it with. Our minds are set up that way. I once read an insightful blog post about how over time, our minds either connect a good or bad thought and feeling to something we do, see or think. Once we connect a good feeling with something, the more our mind wants it. And when we don’t have it for a long time, our mind craves it. In this situation, we need to feed our mind with something that tastes just as good, but is better for us.

This is where Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8 come in:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

When we feed our minds with fruit instead of french fries (both taste good — but one is better for you), our minds become cleansed. And when our minds become cleansed, our whole souls become cleansed. This is sanctification.

I am striving to sanctify myself and give up those things that hinder me from feeling close to the Savior — especially negativity. I encourage each of you to think of something in your life that does the same for you, and to give it up to the Lord. I promise that through prayer and through relying on Jesus Christ, you will receive the strength you need to overcome that habit, and to fill your thoughts, words, and actions with “whatsoever things are of good report.” As you do this, you will have more peace in your life, a stronger relationship with the Savior, and more positive attitude towards life.

Always remember that your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn. :)

Hasta un ratito!

Hermana Stockwell

Email me! kylee.stockwell@myldsmail.net

Originally written February 1, 2016