Exodus 37:1–9; Exodus 40:20–21; Exodus 25:20–22; Guide to the Scriptures, “Ark of the Covenant; Exodus 40:26–27; Exodus 30:1, 6–8; Revelation 8:3–4; Exodus 37:17–24; Matthew 5:14–16; John 8:12; Exodus 27:1; Exodus 29:10–14; Guide to the Scriptures, “Sacrifice”; Exodus 30:17–21; 2 Chronicles 4:6; Isaiah 1:16; Jeremiah 33:8; Leviticus 19; Holiness and the Plan of Happiness By President Henry B. Eyring Second Counselor in the First Presidency

 

As you study the commandments in Leviticus 19, what stands out to you about becoming holy—and what do you feel inspired to change in your own life?

"1 And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it:

2 And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.

3 And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it.

4 And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.

5 And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

6 ¶ And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

7 And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat;

8 One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof.

9 And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims." (Exodus 37:1–9)

"20 ¶ And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the Lord commanded Moses." (Exodus 40:20–21)

"20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.

21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel." (Exodus 25:20–22)

"Also known as the Ark of Jehovah and the Ark of the Testimony, the Ark of the Covenant was an oblong chest or box made of wood overlaid with gold. It was the oldest and most sacred of the religious symbols of the Israelites. The Mercy Seat which formed its covering was regarded as the earthly dwelling place of Jehovah (Ex. 25:22). Upon the completion of the temple, the ark was placed in the Holy of Holies, the most holy place in the structure (1 Kgs. 8:1–8).

• Moses made the ark at God’s command, Ex. 25.

• The children of Levi were charged to take care of the ark, Num. 3:15, 31.

• The ark of the covenant went before them, Num. 10:33.

• Take this book of the law, and put it in the ark of the covenant, Deut. 31:24–26.

• The waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant, Josh. 3:13–17; 4:1–7.

• Priests took the ark of the covenant in conquering Jericho, Josh. 6:6–20.

• Philistines captured the ark of God, 1 Sam. 5.

• The Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom because of the ark of God, 2 Sam. 6:11–12.

• Uzza was slain by the Lord when he disobediently attempted to steady the ark, 1 Chr. 13:9–12 (D&C 85:8).

• Build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant, 1 Chr. 22:19.

• The contents of the ark of the covenant are described, Heb. 9:4." (Guide to the Scriptures, “Ark of the Covenant)

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"26 ¶ And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the veil:

27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the Lord commanded Moses." (Exodus 40:26–27)

"1 And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.

6 And thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

8 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations." (Exodus 30:1, 6–8)

"3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand." (Revelation 8:3–4)

"17 ¶ And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:

18 And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:

19 Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick.

20 And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:

21 And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it.

22 Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold.

23 And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.

24 Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof." (Exodus 37:17–24)

"14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14–16)

"12 ¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

"1 And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.

2 And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.

3 And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.

4 And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.

5 And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.

6 And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass.

7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards." (Exodus 38:1–7)

"1 And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits." (Exodus 27:1)

"10 And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.

11 And thou shalt kill the bullock before the Lord, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.

13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.

14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering." (Exodus 29:10–14)

"In ancient days, sacrifice meant to make something or someone holy. It has now come to mean to give up or suffer the loss of worldly things for the Lord and His kingdom. Members of the Lord’s Church should be willing to sacrifice all things for the Lord. Joseph Smith taught that “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” In the eternal perspective, the blessings obtained by sacrifice are greater than anything that is given up.

After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, the Lord gave them the law of sacrifice. This law included offering the firstborn of their flocks. This sacrifice symbolized the sacrifice that would be made by the Only Begotten Son of God (Moses 5:4–8). This practice continued until the death of Jesus Christ, which ended animal sacrifice as a gospel ordinance (Alma 34:13–14). In the Church today members partake of the sacrament of the bread and the water in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Members of Christ’s Church today are also asked to offer the sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit (3 Ne. 9:19–22). This means that they are humble, repentant, and willing to obey God’s commandments.

• Abraham bound Isaac his son and laid him on an altar, Gen. 22:1–18 (Jacob 4:5).

• Thou shalt sacrifice thy burnt offerings, Ex. 20:24.

• Animals to be sacrificed must be without blemish, Deut. 15:19–21.

• To obey is better than sacrifice, 1 Sam. 15:22.

• To love is more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices, Mark 12:32–33.

• We are sanctified through the sacrifice of Christ, Heb. 10:10–14.

• Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for sin, 2 Ne. 2:6–7.

• That great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal, Alma 34:8–14.

• Offer no more burnt offerings; sacrifice unto God a broken heart and a contrite spirit, 3 Ne. 9:19–20 (Ps. 51:16–17; D&C 59:8).

• Today is a day of sacrifice, D&C 64:23 (D&C 97:12).

• All who are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice are accepted of the Lord, D&C 97:8.

• Joseph F. Smith saw the spirits of the just, who had offered sacrifices in similitude of the Savior’s sacrifice, D&C 138:13.

• Redemption came through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross, D&C 138:35." (See Guide to the Scriptures, “Sacrifice”)

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• "17 ¶ And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

  18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

  19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:

  20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the Lord:

  21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations." (Exodus 30:17–21)

"6 ¶ He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in."  (2 Chronicles 4:6)

"16 ¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;"  (Isaiah 1:16)

"8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me." (Jeremiah 33:8)

"Israel is commanded: Be holy, live righteously, love your neighbor, and keep the commandments—The Lord reveals and reaffirms sundry laws and commandments—Enchantments, wizardry, prostitution, and all evil practices are forbidden.

1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.

3 ¶ Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

4 ¶ Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God.

5 ¶ And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the Lord, ye shall offer it at your own will.

6 It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if ought remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire.

7 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted.

8 Therefore every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the Lord: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

9 ¶ And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.

11 ¶ Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

12 ¶ And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

13 ¶ Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

14 ¶ Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord.

15 ¶ Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

16 ¶ Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord.

17 ¶ Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

18 ¶ Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

19 ¶ Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.

20 ¶ And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

21 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering.

22 And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the Lord for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.

23 ¶ And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

24 But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the Lord withal.

25 And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am the Lord your God.

26 ¶ Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.

27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.

29 ¶ Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

30 ¶ Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.

31 ¶ Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.

32 ¶ Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.

33 ¶ And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.

34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

35 ¶ Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19)

"Greater happiness comes from greater personal holiness.

My dear brothers and sisters, I have prayed for the power to help you in your personal search for happiness. Some might feel happy enough already, yet surely no one would reject the offer of more happiness. Anyone would be eager to accept a guaranteed offer of lasting happiness.

That is what Heavenly Father; His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost have offered every spirit child of Heavenly Father who now lives, will live, or ever has lived in this world. That offer is sometimes called the plan of happiness. It was so called by the prophet Alma as he taught his son, who was mired in the misery of sin. Alma knew that wickedness could never be happiness for his son—or for any child of Heavenly Father.

He taught his son that increasing in holiness was the only path to happiness. He made it plain that greater holiness is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ cleansing and perfecting us. Only by faith in Jesus Christ, continuing repentance, and keeping covenants are we able to claim the lasting happiness we all yearn to experience and retain.

My prayer for today is that I may help you understand that greater happiness comes from greater personal holiness so that you will act upon that belief. I will then share what I know for myself about what we can do to qualify for that gift of becoming ever more holy.

The scriptures teach us that among other things, we can be sanctified or become more holy when we exercise faith in Christ, demonstrate our obedience, repent, sacrifice for Him, receive sacred ordinances, and keep our covenants with Him. Qualifying for the gift of holiness requires humility, meekness, and patience.

One experience of wanting more holiness came for me in the Salt Lake Temple. I entered the temple for the first time having been told little of what to expect. I had seen the words on the building: “Holiness to the Lord” and “The House of the Lord.” I felt a great sense of anticipation. Yet I wondered if I was prepared to enter.

My mother and father walked ahead of me as we entered the temple. We were asked to show our recommends, certifying our worthiness.

My parents knew the man at the recommend desk. So they lingered a moment to speak with him. I went ahead alone into a large space where everything was sparkling white. I looked up at a ceiling so high above me it seemed an open sky. In that moment, a clear impression came to me that I had been there before.

But then, I heard a very soft voice—it was not my own. The softly spoken words were these: “You have never been here before. You are remembering a moment before you were born. You were in a sacred place like this. You felt the Savior was about to come into the place where you stood. And you felt happiness because you were eager to see Him.”

That experience in the Salt Lake Temple lasted only a moment. Yet the memory of it still brings peace, joy, and quiet happiness.

I learned many lessons that day. One was that the Holy Ghost speaks in a still, small voice. I can hear Him when there is spiritual peace in my heart. He brings a feeling of happiness and assurance that I am becoming more holy. And that always brings the happiness I felt in those first moments in a temple of God.

You have observed in your own life and in the lives of others the miracle of happiness coming from growing holiness, becoming more like the Savior. In recent weeks, I have been at the bedside of people who could face death with full faith in the Savior and with happy countenances.

One was a man surrounded by his family. He and his wife were chatting quietly as my son and I entered. I had known them for many years. I had seen the Atonement of Jesus Christ work in their lives and in the lives of their family members.

They had together chosen to end medical efforts to prolong his life. There was a quiet feeling as he spoke to us. He smiled as he expressed gratitude for the gospel and its purifying effects on him and the family he loved. He spoke of his happy years of service in the temple. At this man’s request, my son anointed his head with consecrated oil. I sealed the anointing. As I did, I had a clear impression to tell him that he would soon see his Savior, face-to-face.

I promised him that he would feel happiness, love, and the Savior’s approval. He smiled warmly as we left. His last words to me were “Tell Kathy I love her.” My wife, Kathleen, over many years had encouraged generations of his family to accept the Savior’s invitation to come unto Him, make and keep sacred covenants, and so qualify for the happiness that comes as a result of that greater holiness.

He died hours later. Within weeks of his passing, his widow brought a gift to my wife and me. She smiled as we talked. She said pleasantly, “I expected that I would feel sad and lonely. I feel so happy. Do you think that’s all right?”

Knowing how much she loved her husband and how both of them had come to know, love, and serve the Lord, I told her that her feelings of happiness were a promised gift because she had, by her faithful service, been made more holy. Her holiness had qualified her for that happiness.

Some listening today may be wondering: “Why do I not feel the peace and happiness promised to those who have been faithful? I have been faithful through terrible adversity, but I don’t feel happiness.”

Even the Prophet Joseph Smith faced this test. He prayed for relief when he was confined in a jail in Liberty, Missouri. He had been faithful to the Lord. He had grown in holiness. Yet he felt happiness had been denied.

The Lord taught him the lesson of patience we all will need at some time, and perhaps for long periods, in our mortal testing. Here is the Lord’s message to His faithful and suffering prophet:

“And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

“The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

“Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”

That was the same instructive lesson the Lord gave Job, who paid a heavy price to allow the Atonement to make him more holy. We know that Job was holy, from the introduction we have of him: “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”

Then Job lost his wealth, his family, and even his health. You might remember that Job doubted that his greater holiness, gained through greater adversity, had qualified him for greater happiness. It seemed to Job that holiness had brought misery.

Yet the Lord gave Job the same correcting lesson He gave Joseph Smith. He let Job see his heartbreaking situation with spiritual eyes. He said:

“Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

“Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

“Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

Then, after Job repented of calling God unfair, Job was permitted to see his trials in a higher and holier way. He had repented.

“Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

“Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

“Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

“I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

“Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

After Job repented and so became more holy, the Lord blessed him beyond all he had lost. But perhaps the greatest blessing for Job was to have increased in holiness through adversity and repentance. He was qualified to have greater happiness in the days he had yet to live.

Greater holiness will not come simply by asking for it. It will come by doing what is needed for God to change us.

President Russell M. Nelson has given what seems to me the best counsel of how to move along the covenant path to greater holiness. He pointed the way when he urged:

“Experience the strengthening power of daily repentance—of doing and being a little better each day.

“When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!”

President Nelson went on to give us this encouragement in our efforts to become holier: “The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point. … But He does expect us to become increasingly pure. Daily repentance is the pathway to purity.”

President Dallin H. Oaks, in an earlier conference address, also helped me see more clearly how we grow in holiness and how we can know we are moving toward it. He said: “How do we achieve spirituality? How do we attain that degree of holiness where we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost? How do we come to view and evaluate things of this world with the perspective of eternity?”

President Oaks’s answer begins with greater faith in Jesus Christ as our loving Savior. That leads us to seek forgiveness every day and to remember Him every day by keeping His commandments. That greater faith in Jesus Christ comes as we feast daily on His word.

The hymn “More Holiness Give Me” suggests a way to pray for help in becoming more holy. The author wisely suggests that the holiness we seek is a gift from a loving God, granted over time, after all we can do. You remember the last verse:

More purity give me,

More strength to o’ercome,

More freedom from earth-stains,

More longing for home.

More fit for the kingdom,

More used would I be,

More blessed and holy—

More, Savior, like thee.

Whatever our personal circumstance, wherever we may be on the covenant path home, may our prayers for greater holiness be answered. I know that as our petition is granted, our happiness will increase. It may come slowly, but it will come. I have that assurance from a loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

I testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that President Russell M. Nelson is our living prophet today. God the Father lives and loves us. He wants us to come home to Him in families. Our loving Savior invites us to follow Him on our journey there. They have prepared the way. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen." (Holiness and the Plan of Happiness By President Henry B. Eyring Second Counselor in the First Presidency)

"

And here's the commentary entitled: "The Lord wants me to become holy." : 

Exodus 35–40 describes the Israelites’ efforts to build a tabernacle, where sacred ordinances would help them become a holy people. As you read these chapters, look for the things the Lord asked His people to place in the tabernacle. What might these items represent? What do they suggest to you about increasing in holiness? Especially consider how these items turn your thoughts toward the Savior. A table like this might help you:

What object did you find?	What can this represent?
Ark of the covenant (Exodus 37:1–9; 40:20–21)	(See Exodus 25:20–22; Guide to the Scriptures, “Ark of the Covenant”)
Altar of incense (Exodus 40:26–27; see also Exodus 30:1, 6–8)	(See Revelation 8:3–4)
Candlestick or lampstand (Exodus 37:17–24)	(See Matthew 5:14–16; John 8:12)
Altar of sacrifice (Exodus 38:1–7; see also Exodus 27:1; 29:10–14)	(See Guide to the Scriptures, “Sacrifice”)
Laver (basin) of water (Exodus 30:17–21)	(See 2 Chronicles 4:6; Isaiah 1:16; Jeremiah 33:8)

Of course, simply being in holy places doesn’t make us holy. Leviticus 19 describes laws and commandments the Lord gave to help the Israelites increase in holiness. What do you find in these commandments that could help you seek holiness from the Lord? What do you feel impressed to do to more fully live these principles?

See also Henry B. Eyring, “Holiness and the Plan of Happiness,” Liahona, Nov. 2019, 100–103; “The Tabernacle” (video), Gospel Library."

What object did you find?	What can this represent?
Ark of the covenant (Exodus 37:1–9; 40:20–21)	(See Exodus 25:20–22; Guide to the Scriptures, “Ark of the Covenant”)  Jesus Christ, My covenant relationship with Him, and His commandments
Altar of incense (Exodus 40:26–27; see also Exodus 30:1, 6–8)	(See Revelation 8:3–4) Morning, and Evening Prayers; Never-ending prayers in our hearts
Candlestick or lampstand (Exodus 37:17–24)	(See Matthew 5:14–16; John 8:12) Holding Jesus Christ up as my light
Altar of sacrifice (Exodus 38:1–7; see also Exodus 27:1; 29:10–14)	(See Guide to the Scriptures, “Sacrifice”) Everything I sacrifice to receive more holiness from the Lord
Laver (basin) of water (Exodus 30:17–21)	(See 2 Chronicles 4:6; Isaiah 1:16; Jeremiah 33:8) Baptism

 

How these items turn my thoughts toward the Savior:

Ark of the covenant 

Being overlaid with pure gold within and without, it helps me think how perfectly pure and holy the Savior is. 

Gold becomes pure as it passes through fire. I am like gold as I go through challenging experiences similar to what Jesus went through in this earthly existence. And as I follow His perfect example, I can become pure as He is.

Being placed in the Holy of Holies inside the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant helps me think that as I strive to keep the covenants I have made with the Lord and as I strive to keep His commandments, He will bless me with holiness so I can become more like Him. 

Altar of incense 

Just as the smoke of the incense goes up, my prayers go up to the Lord. Aaron's setting up of perpetual incense helps me think that my communication with God through prayer is ongoing throughout the day every single day. My Lord's place in my heart and in my mind is fixed forever as my prayers are never-ending. 

Candlestick or lampstand

Being made of pure gold, the candlestick or lampstand helps me think of Jesus Christ. It also carries light which makes me think of Jesus Christ being the light of the world. So, the candlestick and the light it carries help me think of holding Jesus Christ up as my light that it may shine into the world.

Altar of sacrifice

The altar of sacrifice being made of brass helps me think that my sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit as well as my sacrifice of time, energy, money, talent, etc. will transform me so that I become purer like Jesus Christ. And then He will give me more holiness--my altar made of brass transforming to that of pure gold. 

Laver (basin) of water

The laver of water helps me think of how Jesus Himself made the choice to be baptized even though He didn't have to because He's already pure and perfect. I needed to be baptized to begin my journey as His disciple and to be cleansed from my sins and become pure as He is. Even after getting baptized, I still got the tendency to sin again. And I have the opportunity to become pure again as I repent and renew my baptismal covenants with the Lord when I partake of the sacrament during the sacrament meeting each and every Sunday at church. As I repent daily and strive to become purer, the Lord gives me more holiness. 

Here are the commandments I find in Leviticus 19: 

10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.

15 ¶ Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

18 ¶ Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself

28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you

30 ¶ Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary

34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

35 ¶ Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the Lord.

What I find in these commandments that could help me seek holiness from the Lord is that the Lord wants me to love myself, and He wants me to love my neighbor the same way. He wants me to love the poor and the stranger. He wants me to love Him by keeping His Sabbaths, showing reverence to His sanctuary, and by observing and doing all laws and commandments. I feel impressed to give more to the poor and the stranger. And also to prepare each day so I could keep the Sabbath day holy better than ever before.