I came across this scripture one day as I was trying to find another and have been thinking on it for quite some time. We are told to apply scriptures to ourselves. One of my leaders once gave me a card that took a scripture from D&C but put my name in it. I put it on my mirror so I saw it every day to remind me of it's message.
So naturally I've been contemplating how I can apply this scripture to my life. I've seen a few graphics of it on Pinterest (but seeing as most aren't perfect quotes I didn't see it fit to put them here). And I've even thought about writing it on an index card to put on my mirror.
Instead what I think I'm going to do is change the emphasis. Any time something is written in italics it's for emphasis. Those are the words one must pay the most attention to.
Finally, bretheren, 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.
Now let's stop and think about how this can be applied to our lives. True, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, and praise are the words in question here. This scripture is telling us to think on these things. I'd even go so far as to say "seek after these things." (thirteenth article of faith anyone?)
But I think it's more than that. We shouldn't just seek after these things or think on these things. We should become these things. Lately this scripture has been my motto. I think about it every day and how I can become like each of these things. So we could change it even more.
Finally, bretheren, 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, become these things.
In short: Strive to become true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praise worthy.
It probably doesn't come as a surprise to anyone that these words describe Christ. And they can, in time, come to describe us. Sometimes I focus on one thing at a time. I say, "I want to work on being honest." And I work towards being more honest. I don't like to try to get myself to work on all of them at once. That's too hard and daunting.
Take it small and grow from there. Heavenly Father isn't expecting a huge change over night. And he's okay with that. He's the king of patience.
So how can we come to become these things? There are the usual answers: prayer, scripture study, and going to church, but there's more to it than that. Each one of these holds a different and very powerful meaning. Each one takes work and effort to improve in, and none of them are black and white. It's not as simple as say staying a virgin until marriage or not watching an R rated film. It's more than that. It takes work.
It takes the Holy Ghost.
When you were confirmed a member (assuming you were) you received the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the ultimate guide. He's the ultimate friend. He knows you and wants to lead you to your Heavenly Father. If you trust in the Holy Ghost you will never and I mean never be lead astray. You might go through some tough times or even some awkward times, but he will lead you to victory.
I don't talk often of the Holy Ghost because I think that's a personal thing. But the Holy Ghost really is a key role in this journey back to our Heavenly Father. We cannot progress in this great work without the Holy Ghost. We cannot become those things without the Holy Ghost. We can't do anything without the Holy Ghost. It is absolutely crucial to have the Holy Ghost if we are to endure this life.
I'm not going to tell you what you need to do to become each of those things. I would think everyone has a desire to become those things. Why wouldn't you? They're all wonderful. I will, however, address three that I think need to be explained. The rest can be looked up in the dictionary for help (I recommend the Bible Dictionary).
The first I want to explain is lovely. Most of us probably read that and think it means physical looks. I disagree. Yes, it does say it stands for beauty in the scriptures if you look down at the annotations but forget that for a moment.
I've always thought that being called lovely was the highest physical compliment one could give another. It's not the same as cute, hot, pretty, or even beautiful. Dictionary.com defines lovely as: having a beauty that appeals to the heart or mind as well as to the eye, as a person or a face. And also of a great moral or spiritual beauty.
Now we can apply it in a different way. When I think of this and how I can become this, I don't think about wearing makeup or pretty dresses. I think about being a person with great morals and a spiritual beauty. How wonderful is that phrase? Spiritual beauty. Spiritual beauty is one that never fades. It lasts forever.
How do we achieve spiritual beauty? Honestly I'm still working on that. But I would think that it's the same as having a beautiful and healthy body. You have to take care of your spirit, feed it with spiritual nutrition (scriptures, prayer, going to church), nourish and cleanse it (i.e. sacrament) and work out for it (fulfilling callings, being a servant of the Lord, service). And you have to love it and treat it with respect. (follow the commandments) When I look at it that way I've come to realize I know many people who are spiritually beautiful.
The next word is of good report. I don't want people to misunderstand this for "having a good reputation." So let me explain it as I see it. You are representatives of Christ and your Heavenly Father. You are. You make a promise to take his name upon yourself when you partake of the sacrament (or if you're like me you've been doing that your whole life). You need to be a good representative of your faith and your Savior and Father. By that I mean trying your best not to be a hypocrite, treating others as He would, and taking care of yourself spiritually.
This is in no way to sound like I'm attacking anyone for hypocrisy. If the world opened its eyes it would realize every single human being is a hypocrite and no one has the right to point fingers. But you should try to be the best representative you can be. You made a promise. That's huge. It's more than a promise. It's a covenant. You do that and Heavenly Father will bless you and make sure you may "always have the spirit to be with [you.]"
You don't want to offend your Savior by misusing his name, do you? I once heard a guy say when you do something against the commandments when you took the sacrament that week you're using the Lord's name in vain. Woah. How huge is that? It really got me thinking about how I could better strive to be of good report.
And the final one I wanted to dissect goes along with that. Praise worthy shouldn't be confused with of good report. This isn't vying for attention or hoping people praise you. When I look at this I don't think about getting praise from the world, the relief society, or even that guy I'm crushing on. I think about what I can do to earn praise from my Heavenly Father.
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Don't seek praise from your fellow man. You'll always end up disappointed. Seek praise from your Heavenly Father. If you do anything praise worthy He will not let it go unnoticed. He will always recognize your efforts. He will always appreciate it. And He will always find a way to bless you. Why wouldn't you want to live in a way that would make Him praise you?
So these are the things I've come to know from one little scripture. And every day I strive to improve on these things little by little. Hopefully you've read this and have been inspired. Scriptures are powerful and can bring great joy and meaning into our lives. Remember to strive to think on these things, seek after these things, and become these things. And you will find your life will be fuller and richer. I promise.
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