Cleanse the Inner Vessel

Alma 60

Cleanse the Inward Vessel

This chapter gives me chills as I transfer its content onto the circumstances of our nation today.  We have “Kingmen” and “Freemen”, and it is a grave concern.  There are those in power who do sit in idleness while letting others die who are willing to risk their lives for the cause of freedom.  Will we be able to turn this around?  Were the Nephites able?  It is only through the cleansing of the inner vessel that we can hope for this scenario.  What is the inner vessel in our nation today?  For sure, it is our government.  We are weeks away from the most critical election I feel this nation has had since perhaps its beginning.  Will there be enough righteous, clear-thinking people who can see the evil of our current leaders to turn this nation around?  Even those claiming to be righteous (some) seem to be lining up behind the most evil man I can ever remember leading this nation.  It is most frightening. 

So how does this affect me personally?  What do I do to cleanse the inward vessel?  Am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?  Well, I do what I can politically.  I’m trying to be an informed voter and I help in that process.  Is this enough?  This is probably not as much as I should, but perhaps as much as I can currently.  Is there deeper meaning in this thought?  Absolutely!  We must strive as individuals to cleanse ourselves and be worthy of the blessings we seek.  We must live worthy of the Spirit as our guide.  They are Sunday School answers, but certainly individual and family scripture and prayer, FHE, Temple attendance are but a few of the resources we must use to cleanse the inward vessel. 

I couldn’t resist the temptation to reread Pres. Benson’s talk on “Cleansing the Inner Vessel”, April 1986 Ensign.  That is an epic talk that needs to be read by everyone on a regular basis.  Here were a few of the lines that stuck out. 

Seldom have the efforts of so few resulted in the blessing of so many!

Watchmen—what of the night? We must respond by saying that all is not well in Zion. As Moroni counseled, we must cleanse the inner vessel (see Alma 60:23), beginning first with ourselves, then with our families, and finally with the Church.

During the past few years a number of resources have been set in place in the Church to help us. New editions of the scriptures have been published—are we taking advantage of them? More temples are located closer to our people—are we going to the house of the Lord more frequently? The consolidated meeting schedule was set up—are we taking advantage of the increased time with our families? A special home evening manual was provided—are we using it? A new hymnal has just been published—are we singing more songs of the heart? (See D&C 25:12.) And so the list goes on and on. We have received much help. We don’t need changed programs now as much as we need changed people!

Lengthen our stride

Forsake sexual sin

Read Book of Mormon individually and as families

Overcome pride – Pride of this nation

Pride does not look up to God and care about what is right. It looks sideways to man and argues who is right. Pride is manifest in the spirit of contention.

The proud do not change to improve, but defend their position by rationalizing. Repentance means change, and it takes a humble person to change.

We must first cleanse the inner vessel by awaking and arising, being morally clean, using the Book of Mormon in a manner so that God will lift the condemnation, and finally conquering pride by humbling ourselves.

It’s pretty clear what my marching orders are for this day.  I would like to say it is to “keep on keeping on”.  There are places where I need to improve.