Prophets' frequent plea: 'cleanse inward vessel'
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"Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." (Alma 60:23.)
In an April 1986 general conference address, President Ezra Taft Benson said: "As I have sought direction from the Lord, I have had reaffirmed in my mind and heart the declaration of the Lord to `say nothing but repentance unto this generation.' (D&C 6:9; 11:9.) This has been a theme of every latter-day prophet, along with their testimony that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God."President Benson further said: "A prophet of God stated, `Ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow ... until the good shall overcome the bad.' (Jacob 5:66.) It takes a Zion people to make a Zion society, and we must prepare for that.
"During the past few years a number of resources have been set in place in the Church to help us. New editions of the scriptures have been published - are we taking advantage of them? More temples are located closer to our people - are we going to the house of the Lord more frequently? The consolidated meeting schedule was set up - are we taking advantage of the increased time with our families? A special home evening manual was provided - are we using it? A new hymnal has just been published - are we singing more songs of the heart? And so the list goes on and on. We have received much help. We don't need changed programs now as much as we need changed people."
President Benson, in concluding his address said: "We have made some wonderful strides in the past. We will be lengthening our stride in the future. To do so, we must first cleanse the inner vessel by awaking and arising, being morally clean, using the Book of Mormon in a manner so that God will lift the condemnation, and finally conquering pride by humbling ourselves."
