FIVE PATHS OF PURIFICATION TOWARD PERFECTION

1.       LOVE (Matthew 5:21-48; Romans 8:28; Galatians 5:14)

·         Work on being perfect in love, mercy, forgiveness, patience, tolerance

·         Focus on being loving in all situations and in all relationships

·         Try to give more love than is deserved, more than can be handled

·         We also have a personal responsibility to be lovable

·         A true test of Christ-like character is to love those that are ‘the least of these’

2.       SEEK AND FOLLOW THE HOLY GHOST (Moroni 6:4, 10:5; D&C 21:2)

·         If there were a ‘single way’ to qualify for the Celestial Kingdom - follow the Comforter

·         He is the God presiding over the Telestial Kingdom and as such is our primary connection to Heavenly Father and the Savior, and all spiritual things

·         The Holy Ghost can become our closest confidant and friend, but spiritual things must become our highest priority

·         There is nothing we can’t learn or know through the Holy Ghost

·         Great faith and spiritual power is only developed with the Holy Ghost at our side

3.       THE THIRD COMMANDMENT (Exodus 20:8; Mosiah 13:16)

·         “Our grandfathers called that the Holy Sabbath, are great-grandfathers called it the Sabbath, our parents called it Sunday, and now we just call it the weekend”

·         An opportunity to become more like our Father in Heaven with a concentrated effort

·         A barometer of our overall spirituality, spiritual integrity

·         The test: to consistently prioritize spiritual things over temporal and worldly things

·         The key to unlock an untold wealth of spiritual blessings

4.       MAKE AND KEEP SACRED COVENANTS (Exodus 19:5; 1 Nephi 14:14; D&C 54:6)

·         Baptism, marriage, temple, sacrament

·         Our Savior God Christ Crucified - garments

·         Gifts from God to help us live righteously and find the most happiness in life

·         God’s tools for sanctification and purification

·         The level of our comfort and enthusiasm for the Temple is a measure of how comfortable and enthusiastic we will be living in the Celestial Kingdom!

5.       CONTROLLING THOUGHTS (Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:2; D & C 121:45-46, D&C 88:67-68)

·         Anger, frustration, depression, lusts, disappointment, discouragement

·         Number one way to take control of the Adversary’s influence in your life

·         Determines the strength and power of the Priesthood

·         The path to “receive His image in our countenance”

·         The definition of “having an eye single to His glory”

– Bishop Wm. Calvin Hughes

Temescal Canyon Ward High Priest Fireside - October 19, 2013