The First and Greatest Commandment:
An Eye Single to the Glory of God
An Eye Single to the Glory of God
President Ezra Taft Benson once stated that, “If you desire to help your fellowmen the most, then you must put the first commandment first.” (CR, October 1967, p. 35.) As we comply with President Benson’s advice, we are also following the scriptures that tell us to, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Pro. 3:5-6.)
There are many members of the Church who take their membership casually, and who often give lip service rather than service from the heart. This is partly because all of us are on differing planes of progression. The Lord is usually patient with us as we grow and progress. However, a pure attitude and a single-minded relationship with the Savior are paramount if we want to be a TRUE disciple. President Benson also wrote in an Ensign article:
“In the usual sense of the term, Church membership means that a person has his or her name officially recorded on the membership records of the Church. By that definition, we have more than six million members of the Church.
“But the Lord defines a member of His kingdom in quite a different way. In 1828, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, He said, ‘Behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.’ To Him whose Church this is, membership involves far more than simply being a member of record ...
“Therefore, repentance means more than simply a reformation of behavior...
“Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built. If we truly seek to put away sin, we must first look to Him who is the Author of our salvation.” (The Ensign, October 1989, p. 2.)
In first looking to Christ, let’s remember Section 4 in the Doctrine and Covenants. This is a section which all LDS missionaries should be familiar. It lists a series of Christlike attributes which “qualify” them for the work. All these qualities are very important, especially one, and that is the principle of having an “eye single to the glory of God.” (D&C 4:5.)
When we are not singly serving God, we are serving someone else, or some “thing” else. Because of pride, that “someone” is usually ourselves, and that “thing” is often some possession or position. It is interesting to realize that when we serve other entities and not God, it is usually because of some personal selfish reason. That brings us back to pride, which is serving ourselves instead of serving the Lord.
Many Are Called but Few Chosen
The opposite of having an eye single to the glory of God is seeking our own glory. Nephi, when prophesying about the last days, gave us an interesting definition of “priestcrafts.” These are his words: “for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.” (2 Ne. 26:29.) He said that one of the reasons for priestcrafts is to set ourselves up for the purpose of receiving praise.
We cannot serve God and the world, or ourselves, simultaneously. The Master tells us that “No man can serve two masters ... Ye cannot serve God and mammon,” “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation,” and that “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” But He also says, “... if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matt. 6:24; 12:25; James 1:8; Matt. 6:22.) That light is the fulness.
Jesus also said, “I receive not honour from men.” (John 5:41.) While walking the shores of Galilee, the Savior taught, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” (John 7:18.) One of our biggest challenges is not to seek honor from others. Most of us are familiar with the quote from the Doctrine and Covenants that says, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Scripture tells us that, “They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin ...” (D&C 95:5-6.) What is that sin? Let’s read about it. “Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men....” (D&C 121:34-35.)
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul says, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10.) And the Savior’s example is, “I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30.) We are instructed by the Lord to turn our thoughts, minds, and service over to Him, and seek for NO honor and glory from the world.
Alma gloried in the Lord’s work and not in himself. He said, “I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me.” (Alma 29:9.) And to his son, Helaman, he said, “Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. (Alma 37:36.) Satan knows that if we seek for the honor of man, we will lose our focus on Christ. This lack of focus is a major reason many are not called to the Lord’s service, and why they do not have the fulness.
The Greatest Commandment
Once there was a Pharisee who tried to trick Jesus by asking, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus answered him, saying, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” (Matt. 22:37-38.)
In Mark we read that a scribe asked Jesus which is the “first commandment of all,” and Jesus responded with, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30.)
Luke records that a certain lawyer tempted Jesus by asking, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” To which Jesus replied, “... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” (Luke 10:27.)
This commandment was not new when Jesus lived in mortality. In the Old Testament Jehovah gave ancient Israel a similar commandment. Through Moses He proclaims, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deut. 6:5.)
Taking this one step further, let’s turn to a modern revelation from the Lord. In Section 59 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Prophet Joseph Smith records the word of God: “Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.” (D&C 59:5.)
As we consider these attributes together, we could say that there are five that we must demonstrate to become sanctified by the grace of Christ. We are to serve Him with all of our heart, might, mind, strength, and soul. As we study these five attributes, we find that the definitions of one may be similar to another.
The Hebrew word for heart is lebab (lay-bawb’), meaning courage and understanding; the Greek word is kardia (kar-dee’-ah), meaning feelings, thoughts, and so forth. The Hebrew word for might is me‘od (meh-ode’), which means, diligently, wholly, speedily, and the like. The Greek word for mind is dianoia (dee-an’-oy-ah), meaning deep thought, imagination and understanding. The Greek word for strength is ischus (is-khoos’), meaning forcefulness, might and power. The Hebrew word for soul is nephesh (neh’-fesh), meaning vitality; the Greek word is psuche (psoo-khay’), meaning vitality and life.
Other scriptures also refer to some of these attributes. We can read counsel to missionaries that says, “Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.” (D&C 4:2.) And again we read, “Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.” (D&C 11:20.) And from Nephi we read the following: “And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out. (2 Ne. 25:29.)
There are other scriptures we could quote that contain one or more of these attributes, which time and space do not permit. It is sufficient only to say that God requires us to serve Him with all of our courage, forcefulness, power, strength, understanding, feelings, thoughts, and imagination. We are to serve Him diligently with all of our ability, and do it speedily, or now, with all of our vitality, life, and whole being. That’s pretty comprehensive service for us to consider. And what all of this truly bowels down to is found in the Master’s words when He simply said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15.)
Putting off Ungodliness
Let’s turn our attention to the words of the prophet Moroni as he said, “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness ... and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ;... if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.” (Moro. 10:32-33.)
Here we have a commandment. That commandment is to “Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him.” We can keep this commandment, for Nephi tells us that God will not give a commandment unless He provides a way for us to keep that commandment. (1 Ne. 3:7.) In verse 32, as we just read, it tells us how to keep that commandment. We are to “deny [ourselves] of all ungodliness,” and “love God with all [our] might, mind and strength.”
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans and said, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,...” (Rom. 1:18.) The same Paul wrote to Titus and said that the grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness. (Titus 2:11-12.) The original word for ungodliness is asebeia (as-eb’-I-ah), meaning impiety, irreverent, and wickedness. To deny ungodliness means that we must do just the opposite, that is, accept the virtues of godliness. Many of these virtues we discussed earlier, some of which were found in 2 Peter 1:4-11. Instead of focusing on the negatives of repenting, we focus on integrating into our lives the positive virtues of God. As we discussed earlier concerning faith, when we are doing good, there is no room for evil. The repenting, or doing away with ungodliness, automatically takes care of itself. What is our reward if we do this? Our reward is that we “become sanctified in Christ,” receive a “remission of [our] sins,” and become “holy, without spot.”
Peter said, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” An attribute that we must possess if we are to partake of the “divine nature” of Christ is to possess the characteristic of “godliness.” One way we do this is to deny ourselves all ungodliness. All of this is done by the “grace of God,” as we have learned. Grace is that unearned gift, that which we cannot obtain for ourselves. Before we can claim that grace, though, we must show forth sincere desire and true intent with faith in Christ, that this endowment is of specific worth. Therefore, we deny ourselves all ungodliness, and love God with all of our heart, might, mind, soul and strength. When we do that, we will be true to the first and greatest commandment.
Key to the Treasure
Many of us want to please others and be accepted by them, and the fear of rejection may at times be greater than our love for our Heavenly Father. The Lord, however, expects our thoughts and affections to be upon Him, and on no one else or anything else. To have an eye single to the glory of God is to have a love for God that is greater than any other love.
The first and great commandment teaches, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” So, there is a question that we might ask: What do I love most? Again, Jesus simply said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:21; 3 Ne. 13:21.)
A treasure is simply that which we treasure most. To the extent that we treasure other things, people, or activities more than we treasure our covenants with the Lord and our devotion to Him, to that same degree our hearts will not be upon Him. President Spencer W. Kimball wrote some excellent words regarding this topic: “... we serve whom we love and give first consideration to the object of our affection and desires ... [which] indicates where ... allegiance and loyalty are.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 41.)
In considering these most important thoughts, we must do some personal and honest soul searching. What do we really treasure most in our hearts? In seeking for the answer, we must become aware and consider where we put our energy; how we use our time; what we buy with our money; where we direct our interest, and so forth.
If we focus more on crude and base things, or immoral thoughts and acts, than we do on the pure life and love of Jesus, then we will truly know what we treasure most. If we mostly pursue our houses, cars, boats, or any other personal and material objects, instead of upon that which will never corrupt, even the Kingdom of God, then we will know what our treasure is. If we spend our energy in pursuit of money, sports, pleasure, and entertainment instead of seeking the treasures of eternal life, then we know where our treasure lies. And if we direct more of our interest toward family, friends, and associates than we do toward Him who has all charity, forgiveness, and light we know where our treasure is, and thus our hearts. These things become our gods—our false gods.
As a Man Thinketh
In Proverbs we read, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7.) We do not think with our hearts, we think with our minds. We previously read: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” That means that where our treasure is, there will our “mind” be also. For the most part, we focus our mind on that which we love. By so doing, we choose that which we love. Love is equated with the heart because that is where the feeling is registered, so it is said that man “thinketh in his heart.” In reality we choose our treasure by permitting our minds to think in that direction. We treasure up in our hearts, or our minds, the things most dear to us. They are what motivate us and help us choose where we go, what we receive, and what type of beings we will become.
We often receive things that we do not pray for. Some may wonder why they have received certain troubles in life when they have not desired them, or certain blessings in life when they have not prayed for them. In too many cases the answer is that our thinking may have been focused on that particular thing. In this case, that thing could be a person, place, tangible object, or condition.
Perhaps a personal example can illustrate. I enjoy fine music and, notwithstanding large phonograph and cassette tape collections, many years ago I wanted a compact disc (CD) player. On occasion someone would leave theirs with me, which I used. Many years ago, due to the high cost of one of the finer CD players at the time, I figured that I would not purchase one, at least not for a while. However, I kept the thought of one foremost in my mind. Even though I couldn’t play them on anything, I still purchased a few CD’s with the hope of someday owning a player.
A time came when I had the opportunity to share some of my talents and services with a friend of the family at no cost. The friend, not having discussed the CD player issue with me, and to my utter surprise gave me a player in appreciation for my help. For me, this item was a want and not a need, and I certainly didn’t pray for it. However, the CD player was gratefully accepted, realizing from whom this gracious gift really came.
One day, while I was resting and listening as my new CD player produced lovely music, I wondered why the Lord blessed me with such a temporal gift when I felt I was in need of something more spiritual. Through the Spirit the thought came forcefully to me that it was a desire of the heart. It was where I often and unknowingly focused much of my attention. Although I did not pray for it, having more important needs, that energy still reached up to the heavens and a desire of my heart was realized. In other words, the dominant thought of my mind came to pass.
Now there is no inherent evil in a compact disc player. In this case it was a blessing and perhaps a reward for unselfish service. However, the point to be made here is that we often focus our attention on more than that which is godlike, and we reap the results. When someone is serving a mission for the Lord, and his or her mind is not focused on the work, being on other concerns than God’s, the mission could end as an unfortunate and sad experience. It is the same with marriage, employment, schooling, and other things. If our attention is not focused on the important task and object at hand, unexpected disasters could result.
Sanctify Ourselves
The Lord commands us through the Doctrine and Covenants: “Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him ...” D&C 88:68.) The scriptures say sanctify YOURSELF. We are to sanctify ourselves; no one can do it for us. Sanctify means to consecrate, dedicate, hallow, absolve, cleanse or purify. The scripture also says, “that your minds become single to God.”
In the great intercessory prayer that Jesus offered, He expressed His feelings about His beloved disciples. He prayed, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.” (John 17:21.) To be one with Him, we must serve Him. To serve Him is to know Him, as King Benjamin said in his great discourse, “For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?” (Mosiah 5:13.) To increase in the spiritual endowments of God we must be one with the Lord and fully turn to Him.
Heber C. Kimball, speaking of turning to God, once said, “There is no person in this Church who can increase in the knowledge of God, in the spirit of revelation, in the gift of prophecy, in visions or in dreams, unless they cleave unto God with full purpose of heart. By being faithful, though, these gifts will be multiplied unto the Saints.” (JD, 10:245.)
To be sanctified, our purpose must be single with the purpose of the Savior. We must follow Him with full purpose of heart, and without hypocrisy or deception. This should be the single intent of our covenant making and our repenting from ALL sin.
From the scriptures we find that baptism alone will not get us back to the Father. The Lord told William Wines Phelps, “... after thou hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my glory, you shall have a remission of your sins and a reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands;...” (D&C 55:1.) Brother Phelps was told that he must be baptized with an eye single to God’s glory BEFORE he was to receive a remission of his sins.
In like manner, being charitable toward our neighbor is still no guarantee of salvation without an eye single to God’s glory. In Section 82 we learn such truths as, “For of him unto whom much is given much is required;...” (v. 3), and “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (v. 10.) In this same section we learn that an early saint was commanded to bind himself by covenant according to the laws of the Lord, to be equal in all things, to improve upon his talents, and to seek the interest of his neighbor. However, there was no guarantee of salvation if all of this was done without “... an eye single to the glory of God.” (D&C 82:15-19.)
In the pre-mortal existence, Lucifer and his angels had a choice, and we also had a choice. We couldn’t have everything, so choices had to be made. Because of their choices, Lucifer’s followers failed to keep their first estate. Now, we don’t need to fail here in our second estate, for the power is in us, along with the gift of grace, not to fail. But, If we do not intentionally stay focused upon God, by default, we will inadvertently become focused upon the adversary’s plan. A house divided against itself cannot stand, nor can we serve two masters at the same time. We can receive Christ by choice, or Satan by default.
Having No Other Gods
Our treasure is what we think about—what we ponder and see in our mind’s eye. It is where we focus our attention with our mind. There are times when we may not even be aware of this focus, thinking that we love God and are mostly serving Him. We can go through religious rituals of “duty,” while, at the same time, desiring something altogether different.
If our outward appearance is contrary to our inner and true focus, we “deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8.) The Apostle Paul said that we are not to be “unequally yoked together,” but, instead, “be of the same mind,” that we become “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment,” and that we become “like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (2 Cor. 6:14; Rom. 12:16; 1 Cor. 1:10, Philip. 2:2.) These statements cannot only be applied to social relationships but inner, or personal, relationships as well. When our minds are not one with God, and when we divide our loyalties, we cannot have an eye single to His glory. We will be considered “lukewarm.” (Rev. 3:16.)
We condition our minds with what we put into them—with such things as the movies and television we watch, books we read, music we listen to, and people we associate with. All types of input help condition our minds, and we need to be conscious of how we train our thought patterns.
Whatever our treasure is becomes our idol, because it is what we “idolize” most. Some people do not look at it this way though. Many consider an idol to be something such as a golden statue or image that represents a God and is worshiped as divine. However, an idol can be where our attention is focused most of the time. Have we thought, for example, what it means to “idolize” another person? How does that fit in with the first commandment when we venerate, reverence, glorify and even “worship the ground” someone “walks on”? Many of us idolize movie stars, singing stars, athletic stars, political stars, and some of us wrestle other fans for coveted autographs. When such is our central focus, how can we truly be committed to the Lord? Maybe it would be well for us to ponder what it means to be an idolatrous people.
Let’s take for example, the fourth commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour ... But on the seventh day ... thou shalt not do any work.....” (See Ex. 20:8-11.) Should we feel that earning a living justifies the means in doing so, such as taking harmful or unfair advantage of our neighbor, or working or having a business open on the Sabbath? Do we treasure money more than treasuring God’s approval for obedience?
I know of a grocery store owner who once said, “If people wouldn’t shop on the Sabbath, I wouldn’t have to stay open.” Now, are his customers making him stay open, or is that his rationalization because he’s afraid of not making money? Doesn’t such Sabbath-breaking show our defiance toward God’s fourth commandment of keeping the Sabbath day holy? To some it may seem that such open and blatant defiance of one of God’s most important commandments shows that such a one covets riches more than he desires to obey the first and great commandment, that of loving God above all else. It might show that he may have a basic moral weakness and should not be trusted in his business dealings. If he will try to cheat God he might try and cheat anyone. As a note, I also know of a grocer, in the same city, who chose not to open on the Sabbath. And I know of many people who have chosen not to work on the Sabbath, and they have been blessed with alternative jobs that offered more than what they might have chosen. I wonder who God might be more pleased with when He has given working man, and the shopping public, the intellect to choose and plan ahead?
Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not saying that there may not be a valid reason to work on a Sabbath, such as in hospitals, the feeding of livestock, pulling the proverbial ox out of the mire, and so on, but is all work done on the Sabbath justifiable, or cleverly rationalized because we treasure money more than pleasing God? As a supposed religious nation, have we become rather defiant or lackadaisical when it comes to honoring the Sabbath day to keep it holy? It’s good that God is the judge, and He will consider who receives His fulness.
Of course, we could separately consider all of the Ten Commandments, and how we often treasure our selfishness, pride, jealousies, and wickedness instead of pleasing God. But that could take an entire book of its own, which is not our purpose at this time. Besides, I believe the honest in heart understand the message of this chapter without doing so.
Our Only Treasure
An act is a direct response to thinking, and we become what we mostly think about. When we think worldly thoughts, we become like the world. When we think Godly thoughts, we become more like God. Though we may be in the world, we do not have to be of the world. It is important to put off all ungodliness of mind, all evil or unclean thinking, and even all casual acceptance or tolerance for things that are slightly off color. If we do not, it will inevitably lead to the realization of a worldly mind set. In these latter days the Lord said, “... Go ye out of Babylon;...” (D&C 133:7.) And anciently He said, “... come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 18:4.)
It has been said that: “When you keep THINKING what you are thinking, you will BE what you have always been. And when you DO what you have always done, you will RECEIVE what you have always received.”
Whereas you ARE a certain way because you THINK a certain way, you cannot but RECEIVE the consequences of your actions — be they positive or negative.
Since the Lord said that what you think about most is what you treasure, and what you treasure is where your heart is, then it follows that you cannot help but worship that which you think about most. Mentally dwelling upon or verbally rehearsing the negative conditions in your current or past life is a form of worship. You give it unnecessary energy, and that energy comes back as a self-fulfilled prophecy — a never-ending downward spiral of dreams never realized.
Through Moses the Lord commanded, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Ex. 20:3.) So:
—When we set other people up as heroes and choose them before Jesus Christ, we are honoring them more than Jesus, and those heroes become false gods.
—When we allow other activities to take the place of worshiping and praising the only true God, those activities then become false gods.
—When we let the words of any other person take precedent over the whisperings of the Spirit, we are esteeming that person more than God and that other person then becomes a false god.
When one desires to serve and worship the Lord with all his might, mind and strength (Moro. 10:32; D&C 11:20; 33:7; 59:5), and only has an eye single to His glory, then he will have a basis for a belief which eventually leads to the working of great miracles in his life. Jesus is to be our role model and our hero. Only with an eye (mind’s eye) single to the glory of God and not to our own praise, or praise for someone else, can we unselfishly serve Him.
We must have faith and remember that Jesus is the only worthwhile treasure. We are not to lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, but to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. For where our treasures are, there will our hearts be also. If, therefore, our mind’s eye is single to His glory, our whole body shall be full of light. (Matt. 6:19-23.)
When our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, instead of man or the things of this world, when we treasure Him above all, then we will move toward that mighty faith that brings light, which light is the miracle of the fulness of God’s Glory. We shall not be “barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We shall be full of the pure love of Christ, and “partakers of the divine nature,” (2 Pet. 1:4-8) which is the greatest treasure and miracle of all.
There are many members of the Church who take their membership casually, and who often give lip service rather than service from the heart. This is partly because all of us are on differing planes of progression. The Lord is usually patient with us as we grow and progress. However, a pure attitude and a single-minded relationship with the Savior are paramount if we want to be a TRUE disciple. President Benson also wrote in an Ensign article:
“In the usual sense of the term, Church membership means that a person has his or her name officially recorded on the membership records of the Church. By that definition, we have more than six million members of the Church.
“But the Lord defines a member of His kingdom in quite a different way. In 1828, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, He said, ‘Behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.’ To Him whose Church this is, membership involves far more than simply being a member of record ...
“Therefore, repentance means more than simply a reformation of behavior...
“Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built. If we truly seek to put away sin, we must first look to Him who is the Author of our salvation.” (The Ensign, October 1989, p. 2.)
In first looking to Christ, let’s remember Section 4 in the Doctrine and Covenants. This is a section which all LDS missionaries should be familiar. It lists a series of Christlike attributes which “qualify” them for the work. All these qualities are very important, especially one, and that is the principle of having an “eye single to the glory of God.” (D&C 4:5.)
When we are not singly serving God, we are serving someone else, or some “thing” else. Because of pride, that “someone” is usually ourselves, and that “thing” is often some possession or position. It is interesting to realize that when we serve other entities and not God, it is usually because of some personal selfish reason. That brings us back to pride, which is serving ourselves instead of serving the Lord.
Many Are Called but Few Chosen
The opposite of having an eye single to the glory of God is seeking our own glory. Nephi, when prophesying about the last days, gave us an interesting definition of “priestcrafts.” These are his words: “for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.” (2 Ne. 26:29.) He said that one of the reasons for priestcrafts is to set ourselves up for the purpose of receiving praise.
We cannot serve God and the world, or ourselves, simultaneously. The Master tells us that “No man can serve two masters ... Ye cannot serve God and mammon,” “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation,” and that “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” But He also says, “... if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matt. 6:24; 12:25; James 1:8; Matt. 6:22.) That light is the fulness.
Jesus also said, “I receive not honour from men.” (John 5:41.) While walking the shores of Galilee, the Savior taught, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” (John 7:18.) One of our biggest challenges is not to seek honor from others. Most of us are familiar with the quote from the Doctrine and Covenants that says, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Scripture tells us that, “They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin ...” (D&C 95:5-6.) What is that sin? Let’s read about it. “Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men....” (D&C 121:34-35.)
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul says, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10.) And the Savior’s example is, “I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30.) We are instructed by the Lord to turn our thoughts, minds, and service over to Him, and seek for NO honor and glory from the world.
Alma gloried in the Lord’s work and not in himself. He said, “I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me.” (Alma 29:9.) And to his son, Helaman, he said, “Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. (Alma 37:36.) Satan knows that if we seek for the honor of man, we will lose our focus on Christ. This lack of focus is a major reason many are not called to the Lord’s service, and why they do not have the fulness.
The Greatest Commandment
Once there was a Pharisee who tried to trick Jesus by asking, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus answered him, saying, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” (Matt. 22:37-38.)
In Mark we read that a scribe asked Jesus which is the “first commandment of all,” and Jesus responded with, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30.)
Luke records that a certain lawyer tempted Jesus by asking, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” To which Jesus replied, “... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” (Luke 10:27.)
This commandment was not new when Jesus lived in mortality. In the Old Testament Jehovah gave ancient Israel a similar commandment. Through Moses He proclaims, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deut. 6:5.)
Taking this one step further, let’s turn to a modern revelation from the Lord. In Section 59 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Prophet Joseph Smith records the word of God: “Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.” (D&C 59:5.)
As we consider these attributes together, we could say that there are five that we must demonstrate to become sanctified by the grace of Christ. We are to serve Him with all of our heart, might, mind, strength, and soul. As we study these five attributes, we find that the definitions of one may be similar to another.
The Hebrew word for heart is lebab (lay-bawb’), meaning courage and understanding; the Greek word is kardia (kar-dee’-ah), meaning feelings, thoughts, and so forth. The Hebrew word for might is me‘od (meh-ode’), which means, diligently, wholly, speedily, and the like. The Greek word for mind is dianoia (dee-an’-oy-ah), meaning deep thought, imagination and understanding. The Greek word for strength is ischus (is-khoos’), meaning forcefulness, might and power. The Hebrew word for soul is nephesh (neh’-fesh), meaning vitality; the Greek word is psuche (psoo-khay’), meaning vitality and life.
Other scriptures also refer to some of these attributes. We can read counsel to missionaries that says, “Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.” (D&C 4:2.) And again we read, “Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.” (D&C 11:20.) And from Nephi we read the following: “And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out. (2 Ne. 25:29.)
There are other scriptures we could quote that contain one or more of these attributes, which time and space do not permit. It is sufficient only to say that God requires us to serve Him with all of our courage, forcefulness, power, strength, understanding, feelings, thoughts, and imagination. We are to serve Him diligently with all of our ability, and do it speedily, or now, with all of our vitality, life, and whole being. That’s pretty comprehensive service for us to consider. And what all of this truly bowels down to is found in the Master’s words when He simply said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15.)
Putting off Ungodliness
Let’s turn our attention to the words of the prophet Moroni as he said, “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness ... and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ;... if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.” (Moro. 10:32-33.)
Here we have a commandment. That commandment is to “Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him.” We can keep this commandment, for Nephi tells us that God will not give a commandment unless He provides a way for us to keep that commandment. (1 Ne. 3:7.) In verse 32, as we just read, it tells us how to keep that commandment. We are to “deny [ourselves] of all ungodliness,” and “love God with all [our] might, mind and strength.”
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans and said, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,...” (Rom. 1:18.) The same Paul wrote to Titus and said that the grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness. (Titus 2:11-12.) The original word for ungodliness is asebeia (as-eb’-I-ah), meaning impiety, irreverent, and wickedness. To deny ungodliness means that we must do just the opposite, that is, accept the virtues of godliness. Many of these virtues we discussed earlier, some of which were found in 2 Peter 1:4-11. Instead of focusing on the negatives of repenting, we focus on integrating into our lives the positive virtues of God. As we discussed earlier concerning faith, when we are doing good, there is no room for evil. The repenting, or doing away with ungodliness, automatically takes care of itself. What is our reward if we do this? Our reward is that we “become sanctified in Christ,” receive a “remission of [our] sins,” and become “holy, without spot.”
Peter said, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” An attribute that we must possess if we are to partake of the “divine nature” of Christ is to possess the characteristic of “godliness.” One way we do this is to deny ourselves all ungodliness. All of this is done by the “grace of God,” as we have learned. Grace is that unearned gift, that which we cannot obtain for ourselves. Before we can claim that grace, though, we must show forth sincere desire and true intent with faith in Christ, that this endowment is of specific worth. Therefore, we deny ourselves all ungodliness, and love God with all of our heart, might, mind, soul and strength. When we do that, we will be true to the first and greatest commandment.
Key to the Treasure
Many of us want to please others and be accepted by them, and the fear of rejection may at times be greater than our love for our Heavenly Father. The Lord, however, expects our thoughts and affections to be upon Him, and on no one else or anything else. To have an eye single to the glory of God is to have a love for God that is greater than any other love.
The first and great commandment teaches, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” So, there is a question that we might ask: What do I love most? Again, Jesus simply said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:21; 3 Ne. 13:21.)
A treasure is simply that which we treasure most. To the extent that we treasure other things, people, or activities more than we treasure our covenants with the Lord and our devotion to Him, to that same degree our hearts will not be upon Him. President Spencer W. Kimball wrote some excellent words regarding this topic: “... we serve whom we love and give first consideration to the object of our affection and desires ... [which] indicates where ... allegiance and loyalty are.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 41.)
In considering these most important thoughts, we must do some personal and honest soul searching. What do we really treasure most in our hearts? In seeking for the answer, we must become aware and consider where we put our energy; how we use our time; what we buy with our money; where we direct our interest, and so forth.
If we focus more on crude and base things, or immoral thoughts and acts, than we do on the pure life and love of Jesus, then we will truly know what we treasure most. If we mostly pursue our houses, cars, boats, or any other personal and material objects, instead of upon that which will never corrupt, even the Kingdom of God, then we will know what our treasure is. If we spend our energy in pursuit of money, sports, pleasure, and entertainment instead of seeking the treasures of eternal life, then we know where our treasure lies. And if we direct more of our interest toward family, friends, and associates than we do toward Him who has all charity, forgiveness, and light we know where our treasure is, and thus our hearts. These things become our gods—our false gods.
As a Man Thinketh
In Proverbs we read, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7.) We do not think with our hearts, we think with our minds. We previously read: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” That means that where our treasure is, there will our “mind” be also. For the most part, we focus our mind on that which we love. By so doing, we choose that which we love. Love is equated with the heart because that is where the feeling is registered, so it is said that man “thinketh in his heart.” In reality we choose our treasure by permitting our minds to think in that direction. We treasure up in our hearts, or our minds, the things most dear to us. They are what motivate us and help us choose where we go, what we receive, and what type of beings we will become.
We often receive things that we do not pray for. Some may wonder why they have received certain troubles in life when they have not desired them, or certain blessings in life when they have not prayed for them. In too many cases the answer is that our thinking may have been focused on that particular thing. In this case, that thing could be a person, place, tangible object, or condition.
Perhaps a personal example can illustrate. I enjoy fine music and, notwithstanding large phonograph and cassette tape collections, many years ago I wanted a compact disc (CD) player. On occasion someone would leave theirs with me, which I used. Many years ago, due to the high cost of one of the finer CD players at the time, I figured that I would not purchase one, at least not for a while. However, I kept the thought of one foremost in my mind. Even though I couldn’t play them on anything, I still purchased a few CD’s with the hope of someday owning a player.
A time came when I had the opportunity to share some of my talents and services with a friend of the family at no cost. The friend, not having discussed the CD player issue with me, and to my utter surprise gave me a player in appreciation for my help. For me, this item was a want and not a need, and I certainly didn’t pray for it. However, the CD player was gratefully accepted, realizing from whom this gracious gift really came.
One day, while I was resting and listening as my new CD player produced lovely music, I wondered why the Lord blessed me with such a temporal gift when I felt I was in need of something more spiritual. Through the Spirit the thought came forcefully to me that it was a desire of the heart. It was where I often and unknowingly focused much of my attention. Although I did not pray for it, having more important needs, that energy still reached up to the heavens and a desire of my heart was realized. In other words, the dominant thought of my mind came to pass.
Now there is no inherent evil in a compact disc player. In this case it was a blessing and perhaps a reward for unselfish service. However, the point to be made here is that we often focus our attention on more than that which is godlike, and we reap the results. When someone is serving a mission for the Lord, and his or her mind is not focused on the work, being on other concerns than God’s, the mission could end as an unfortunate and sad experience. It is the same with marriage, employment, schooling, and other things. If our attention is not focused on the important task and object at hand, unexpected disasters could result.
Sanctify Ourselves
The Lord commands us through the Doctrine and Covenants: “Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him ...” D&C 88:68.) The scriptures say sanctify YOURSELF. We are to sanctify ourselves; no one can do it for us. Sanctify means to consecrate, dedicate, hallow, absolve, cleanse or purify. The scripture also says, “that your minds become single to God.”
In the great intercessory prayer that Jesus offered, He expressed His feelings about His beloved disciples. He prayed, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.” (John 17:21.) To be one with Him, we must serve Him. To serve Him is to know Him, as King Benjamin said in his great discourse, “For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?” (Mosiah 5:13.) To increase in the spiritual endowments of God we must be one with the Lord and fully turn to Him.
Heber C. Kimball, speaking of turning to God, once said, “There is no person in this Church who can increase in the knowledge of God, in the spirit of revelation, in the gift of prophecy, in visions or in dreams, unless they cleave unto God with full purpose of heart. By being faithful, though, these gifts will be multiplied unto the Saints.” (JD, 10:245.)
To be sanctified, our purpose must be single with the purpose of the Savior. We must follow Him with full purpose of heart, and without hypocrisy or deception. This should be the single intent of our covenant making and our repenting from ALL sin.
From the scriptures we find that baptism alone will not get us back to the Father. The Lord told William Wines Phelps, “... after thou hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my glory, you shall have a remission of your sins and a reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands;...” (D&C 55:1.) Brother Phelps was told that he must be baptized with an eye single to God’s glory BEFORE he was to receive a remission of his sins.
In like manner, being charitable toward our neighbor is still no guarantee of salvation without an eye single to God’s glory. In Section 82 we learn such truths as, “For of him unto whom much is given much is required;...” (v. 3), and “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (v. 10.) In this same section we learn that an early saint was commanded to bind himself by covenant according to the laws of the Lord, to be equal in all things, to improve upon his talents, and to seek the interest of his neighbor. However, there was no guarantee of salvation if all of this was done without “... an eye single to the glory of God.” (D&C 82:15-19.)
In the pre-mortal existence, Lucifer and his angels had a choice, and we also had a choice. We couldn’t have everything, so choices had to be made. Because of their choices, Lucifer’s followers failed to keep their first estate. Now, we don’t need to fail here in our second estate, for the power is in us, along with the gift of grace, not to fail. But, If we do not intentionally stay focused upon God, by default, we will inadvertently become focused upon the adversary’s plan. A house divided against itself cannot stand, nor can we serve two masters at the same time. We can receive Christ by choice, or Satan by default.
Having No Other Gods
Our treasure is what we think about—what we ponder and see in our mind’s eye. It is where we focus our attention with our mind. There are times when we may not even be aware of this focus, thinking that we love God and are mostly serving Him. We can go through religious rituals of “duty,” while, at the same time, desiring something altogether different.
If our outward appearance is contrary to our inner and true focus, we “deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8.) The Apostle Paul said that we are not to be “unequally yoked together,” but, instead, “be of the same mind,” that we become “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment,” and that we become “like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (2 Cor. 6:14; Rom. 12:16; 1 Cor. 1:10, Philip. 2:2.) These statements cannot only be applied to social relationships but inner, or personal, relationships as well. When our minds are not one with God, and when we divide our loyalties, we cannot have an eye single to His glory. We will be considered “lukewarm.” (Rev. 3:16.)
We condition our minds with what we put into them—with such things as the movies and television we watch, books we read, music we listen to, and people we associate with. All types of input help condition our minds, and we need to be conscious of how we train our thought patterns.
Whatever our treasure is becomes our idol, because it is what we “idolize” most. Some people do not look at it this way though. Many consider an idol to be something such as a golden statue or image that represents a God and is worshiped as divine. However, an idol can be where our attention is focused most of the time. Have we thought, for example, what it means to “idolize” another person? How does that fit in with the first commandment when we venerate, reverence, glorify and even “worship the ground” someone “walks on”? Many of us idolize movie stars, singing stars, athletic stars, political stars, and some of us wrestle other fans for coveted autographs. When such is our central focus, how can we truly be committed to the Lord? Maybe it would be well for us to ponder what it means to be an idolatrous people.
Let’s take for example, the fourth commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour ... But on the seventh day ... thou shalt not do any work.....” (See Ex. 20:8-11.) Should we feel that earning a living justifies the means in doing so, such as taking harmful or unfair advantage of our neighbor, or working or having a business open on the Sabbath? Do we treasure money more than treasuring God’s approval for obedience?
I know of a grocery store owner who once said, “If people wouldn’t shop on the Sabbath, I wouldn’t have to stay open.” Now, are his customers making him stay open, or is that his rationalization because he’s afraid of not making money? Doesn’t such Sabbath-breaking show our defiance toward God’s fourth commandment of keeping the Sabbath day holy? To some it may seem that such open and blatant defiance of one of God’s most important commandments shows that such a one covets riches more than he desires to obey the first and great commandment, that of loving God above all else. It might show that he may have a basic moral weakness and should not be trusted in his business dealings. If he will try to cheat God he might try and cheat anyone. As a note, I also know of a grocer, in the same city, who chose not to open on the Sabbath. And I know of many people who have chosen not to work on the Sabbath, and they have been blessed with alternative jobs that offered more than what they might have chosen. I wonder who God might be more pleased with when He has given working man, and the shopping public, the intellect to choose and plan ahead?
Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not saying that there may not be a valid reason to work on a Sabbath, such as in hospitals, the feeding of livestock, pulling the proverbial ox out of the mire, and so on, but is all work done on the Sabbath justifiable, or cleverly rationalized because we treasure money more than pleasing God? As a supposed religious nation, have we become rather defiant or lackadaisical when it comes to honoring the Sabbath day to keep it holy? It’s good that God is the judge, and He will consider who receives His fulness.
Of course, we could separately consider all of the Ten Commandments, and how we often treasure our selfishness, pride, jealousies, and wickedness instead of pleasing God. But that could take an entire book of its own, which is not our purpose at this time. Besides, I believe the honest in heart understand the message of this chapter without doing so.
Our Only Treasure
An act is a direct response to thinking, and we become what we mostly think about. When we think worldly thoughts, we become like the world. When we think Godly thoughts, we become more like God. Though we may be in the world, we do not have to be of the world. It is important to put off all ungodliness of mind, all evil or unclean thinking, and even all casual acceptance or tolerance for things that are slightly off color. If we do not, it will inevitably lead to the realization of a worldly mind set. In these latter days the Lord said, “... Go ye out of Babylon;...” (D&C 133:7.) And anciently He said, “... come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 18:4.)
It has been said that: “When you keep THINKING what you are thinking, you will BE what you have always been. And when you DO what you have always done, you will RECEIVE what you have always received.”
Whereas you ARE a certain way because you THINK a certain way, you cannot but RECEIVE the consequences of your actions — be they positive or negative.
Since the Lord said that what you think about most is what you treasure, and what you treasure is where your heart is, then it follows that you cannot help but worship that which you think about most. Mentally dwelling upon or verbally rehearsing the negative conditions in your current or past life is a form of worship. You give it unnecessary energy, and that energy comes back as a self-fulfilled prophecy — a never-ending downward spiral of dreams never realized.
Through Moses the Lord commanded, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Ex. 20:3.) So:
—When we set other people up as heroes and choose them before Jesus Christ, we are honoring them more than Jesus, and those heroes become false gods.
—When we allow other activities to take the place of worshiping and praising the only true God, those activities then become false gods.
—When we let the words of any other person take precedent over the whisperings of the Spirit, we are esteeming that person more than God and that other person then becomes a false god.
When one desires to serve and worship the Lord with all his might, mind and strength (Moro. 10:32; D&C 11:20; 33:7; 59:5), and only has an eye single to His glory, then he will have a basis for a belief which eventually leads to the working of great miracles in his life. Jesus is to be our role model and our hero. Only with an eye (mind’s eye) single to the glory of God and not to our own praise, or praise for someone else, can we unselfishly serve Him.
We must have faith and remember that Jesus is the only worthwhile treasure. We are not to lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, but to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. For where our treasures are, there will our hearts be also. If, therefore, our mind’s eye is single to His glory, our whole body shall be full of light. (Matt. 6:19-23.)
When our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, instead of man or the things of this world, when we treasure Him above all, then we will move toward that mighty faith that brings light, which light is the miracle of the fulness of God’s Glory. We shall not be “barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We shall be full of the pure love of Christ, and “partakers of the divine nature,” (2 Pet. 1:4-8) which is the greatest treasure and miracle of all.
