Cleansing the Inner Vessel

During the most recent General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave a talk entitled, “Cleansing the Inner Vessel.” (The Church also has a new site in which makes watching and listening to past General Conference talks easier.)

In his talk, President Packer reiterated teachings about temptation, sin, the degradation of the conditions of the world in which we live, the power of the devil, the love our Heavenly Father has for us, the power we have to resist temptation, and the wonderful rewards available to those who repent and strive to live righteously.

He spoke of the blessings of procreation and said of such power, “Through the righteous exercise of this power, as in nothing else, we may come close to our Father in Heaven and experience a fulness of joy.”

He spoke of those who wish to, “change laws that would legalize immorality, as if a vote would somehow alter the designs of God’s laws and nature.” Of such laws he said, “There are both moral and physical laws ‘irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world’ that cannot be changed (D&C 130:20). . . . To legalize that which is basically wrong or evil will not prevent the pain and penalties that will follow as surely as night follows day.”

Of repentance President Packer taught of the help of angels and the lack of power the adversary has to hold us when we repent. I love the way he taught repentance! “Nowhere are the generosity and the kindness and mercy of God more manifest than in repentance. Do you understand the consummate cleansing power of the Atonement made by the Son of God, our Savior, our Redeemer? He said, “I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent” (D&C 19:16). In that supernal act of love, the Savior paid the penalties for our sins so that we might not have to pay.” He continued, “I know of no more beautiful and consoling words in all of revelation than these: ‘Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more’ (D&C 58:42).”

Repentance is real! The laws of God are before us and we have the opportunity and ability to choose happiness and eternal life or captivity and death. When we find ourselves becoming captive, the Lord, our Savior, is there to help us return to His arms of safety and love. Read and/or listen to the talk. Pray for the Spirit to speak to you and tell you how you can best apply the teachings of the Lord’s apostle that you may qualify for the promise of “peace and happiness for you and your family.”

I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He loves us enough to give us commandments and laws that we may know how to receive a fullness of joy in this life and in the life to come. I am grateful that God calls prophets and apostles that we may know of His will and commandments and laws. I know that President Packer is His apostle and that what he says is the word of God.

Jeremy