SANCTIFICATION

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Sanc·ti·fi·ca·tion  /saNG(k)təfəˈkāSH(ə)n/

Dictionary Definition:

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Spiritual Definition:

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The Word of God (Bible and Book of Mormon) emphasizes both physical and spiritual sanctification or cleanliness. While the phrase “cleanliness is next to godliness” isn’t found in the scriptures, it does reflect a core principle: purity and holiness are valued. We often use terms related to cleanliness, including “clean,” “holy,” “pure,” and “sanctified,” highlighting the importance of both outer and inner purity.

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Natural / Physical Sanctification

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Looking through the Old Testament, we find the Mosaic Law (the law of Moses) emphasized physical purity. The law focused on the outward appearance, it focused on ‘works’ and ‘actions’. Its primary purpose was to establish a covenant between God and the Israelites and to reveal God’s holiness, righteousness, and justice. More specifically, it served as a guide for daily life, establishing standards for moral, social, and religious conduct. Ultimately, the law’s purpose was to point toward the need for a savior and to prepare the Israelites for the coming of the Messiah. “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24).

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Throughout the Book of Mormon, we read that the law of Moses was also kept; “Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness…” (Jacob 4:5)

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Yet under the law, physical purity through rituals like washing, purification rituals, and dietary laws became a requirement of obedience. Leviticus 11 outlines which animals were considered clean and unclean for consumption. The Law included detailed instructions on cleansing rituals like bathing and washing clothes. Similarly, there were specific instructions regarding purification after contact with certain items and even certain people such as lepers or those with certain bodily ailments (see Leviticus 13). Leviticus 12 and 15 explain that women were considered unclean at certain times during the month and that anyone she touched was also considered unclean. This is why, with great faith, ‘the woman with the issue of blood’ touched Jesus’s garment, she “fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him…” knowing that she was healed yet also being aware that simply touching Jesus’s garment was a violation of the law. (Mark 5:25-34)

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The prophet Abinadi, speaking about the law of Moses said, “And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the law of Moses. …but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses. And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses. And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law; for they were a stiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their God; Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him. …For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people?” (Mosiah 13:27-33)

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Finally, when Jesus came, He made it clear that He was the fulfillment of the law; “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17, 3 Nephi 9:17). And with the fulfillment of the law, emphasis was now placed on the importance of spiritual cleanliness – focusing on surrendering our heart. The New Testament repeatedly talks about the importance of inner purity, “First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (Matthew 23:26). This highlights the need to address our own internal issues of sanctification before looking at others.

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Spiritual Sanctification

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With the fulfillment of the law, Jesus turned the sanctification process from the outward or physical, to the inward or spiritual. Matthew records His words: “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven… Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:20-48)

Matthew continues by quoting Jesus’s words that draw our attention to the importance of our heart: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21)

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How do we achieve this Spiritual Sanctification?

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The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart“ (2 Timothy 2:22). This verse emphasizes the importance of pursuing righteousness and purity in our life, as these are characteristics of those who call on the Lord. Paul also wrote to the Corinthians, saying “…let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Corinthians 7:1).

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The Book of Mormon emphasizes that sanctification is a process of purifying our hearts through the atonement of Jesus Christ. This is achieved by yielding and surrendering our heart to God and putting off the natural man and allowing the Holy Ghost to work in our lives. This is a crucial step in the sanctification process. It involves willingly submitting our desires and will to God’s will, while the atonement of Christ is the source of both forgiveness and the cleansing power that helps us become pure and holy: “… they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God” (Helaman 3:35).

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In response to King Benjamin’s address, the people “…all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified“ (Mosiah 4:2).

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What role does your Heart play in Spiritual Sanctification?

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Two revelations accepted by The Church Priesthood, separated by more than 50 years, remind us of the importance of having a clean heart: In 1972, a dream revealed that as members of The Church of Jesus Christ, we must rid ourselves of the things that keep us from serving God and that keep God from blessing us. The dreamer was given to understand ‘that the things that were being pulled out of his chest (that we need to rid ourselves of) were hate, envy, jealousy, pride, murmuring, etc.’

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In 2024, a similar revelation was received through a vision, where the members were told that for many years, the Lord has been sending messages regarding the need to cleanse and purify their hearts. Yet many haven’t committed fully to purifying their hearts. We were directed in the vision to ‘take pride and place it on the altar of sacrifice before the Lord. Admit that we are nothing and that He is everything. Repent of these sins and stand before the Lord. Recognize that He is everything and we are nothing.’

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Both of these revelations are humbling and instructional. Christ desires that we surrender our whole heart to Him. If we hold back, we hurt our individual relationship with Jesus and we miss out on the greater blessings that He has promised: “And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.” (Ether 4:7) Let us each seek to sanctify our hearts as individuals and collectively as a Church, that the works of God should be made manifest in us.

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In the love of God,

The Quorum of Twelve Apostles

James Crudup, Joel Gehly, Pete Giannetti, John Griffith, Scott Griffith, Paul Liberto, Thomas M. Liberto, Leonard A. Lovalvo, Frank Natoli, Paul A. Palmieri, Peter Scolaro, Jerry Valenti

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Postscript:  If you’d like more detail regarding the two revelations referenced above, ask your Branch/Mission ministry.

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To learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ, with Headquarters in Monongahela, PA, please visit our website. The World Operations Center for world-wide missionary efforts is in Greensburg, PA.

www.thechurchofjesuschrist.org