Nearer and Clearer

The more I learn about perfection, the more I come to realize that I can’t perfect myself. I can only be perfected in Christ. Although I can’t perfect myself, I can make choices that will keep me on a path to greater light and truth. And with greater light and truth, I can see things more clearly. This aligns with a statement by Joseph Smith which I call the “nearer and clearer” promise: 

“The nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at the point in faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker and is caught up to dwell with him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 2:8).

This is actually happening to me—on a small scale. When I invite the Savior into me, He changes my heart, little by little, and I take on His attributes a little more. As a result, I have eyes to see things and ears to hear things more readily. Things that may have been hidden from my younger self. 

This has all been a gift, nothing I have earned or deserved, really. 

As I reflect, I can think of a few things that have contributed to this change of heart. 

I think part of it has been the fact that I’m spending more time in the temple. President Nelson promised blessings from increased time in the temple, and I’m realizing that. 

“It is significant that the Savior chose to appear to the people at the temple. It is His house. It is filled with His power. Let us never lose sight of what the Lord is doing for us now. He is making His temples more accessible. He is accelerating the pace at which we are building temples. He is increasing our ability to help gather Israel. He is also making it easier for each of us to become spiritually refined. I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can… My dear brothers and sisters, may you focus on the temple in ways you never have before. I bless you to grow closer to God and Jesus Christ every day” (Russell M. Nelson, CR, November 2022).

Another reason I’m experiencing this is because I’m now retired and have more time to spend serving others. And when we give, we receive back manifold. The Lord is giving me more opportunities to minister and be ministered to. And I’m in a good position to respond to those opportunities. 

“There are doors we can open, blessings we can give, hearts we can heal, burdens we can lift, testimonies we can strengthen, lives we can save, and joy we can bring” (Russell M. Nelson, CR, April 2018).

I give thanks to the Lord for His grace, which has allowed me to see things more clearly.