"Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with adhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.
I had so many wonderful notes added to many verses in this chapter. I enjoyed reading all of them. This one I have both sanctification and entering into the rest of the Lord and I can see how closely they fit together.
President Brigham Young defined sanctification as follows:
"I will put my own definition to the term sanctification, and say it consists in overcoming every sin and bringing all into subjection to the law of Christ. God has placed in us a pure spirit; when this [the spirit] reigns predominant, without let or hindrance, and the triumphs over the flesh and rules and governs and controls..., this I call the blessing of sanctification. Will the sin be perfectly destroyed? No, it will not, for it is not so designed in the economy of heaven.
Do not suppose that we shall ever in the flesh be free from temptations to sin. Some suppose that they can in the flesh be sanctified body and spirit and become so pure that they will never again feel the effects of the power of the adversary of truth. Were it possible for a person to attain to this degree of perfection in the flesh, he could not die, neither remain in a world where sin predominates. Sin has entered into the world, and death by sin. I think we shall more or less feel the effects of sin so long as we live, and finally have to pass the ordeals of death."
(Daniel H. Ludlow, "A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon" [1976], 2:248-49); (Journal of Discourses, Vol 10, pg 173)
"President Joseph F. Smith commented on the meaning of this phrase when he said: "What does it mean to enter into the rest of the Lord? Speaking for myself, it means that through the love of God I have been won over to Him, so that I can feel at rest in Christ, that I may no more be disturbed by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning and craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; and that I am established in the knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ, so that no power can turn me aside from the straight and narrow path that leads back into the presence of God, to enjoy exaltation in His glorious kingdom; that from this time henceforth I shall enjoy that rest until I shall rest with Him in the heavens"
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 426)
I think a man is perfectly able to determine where they stand in this matter, supposing they are perfectly honest with themselves. When the time of final judge comes we will know the Lord judged us righteously.
Day 1871
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