Lesson 64

Leviticus 19–27

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remember that studying the gospel prayerfully with a desire to learn will help you invite the Holy Ghost.

Begin your study with prayer.

What efforts are you making in your life to be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost?

Consider your answer to this question as you watch the following video, entitled “Standing in Holy Places.” This video is available on LDS.org.

Becoming More like Him

What are some ways in which you would like to be more like the Savior?

While considering how you would respond to this question, sing or follow along with the words of the hymn “More Holiness Give Me” (Hymns, no. 131).

As you study Leviticus 19–25, look for truths that can help you to become more like the Savior.

The Lord’s Instruction

As recorded in Leviticus 19–20, the Lord commanded Israel to offer sacrifices, to take care of the poor and needy, to love others, and to keep other commandments. Obedience to these commandments would help Israel be separate from the other nations that surrounded them who did not know or follow the true and living God; it would also help them to become holy.

Read Leviticus 19:1–2, looking for the Lord’s instruction to the children of Israel.

How to Be Holy

Read Leviticus 20:7–8, 26, looking for the Lord’s summary of what we can do to be holy. It may be helpful to know that the word statutes refers to the Lord’s commandments.

What principle can we identify from these verses about how we can be holy like the Lord is holy?

We Can Be Holy

From Leviticus 20:7–8, 26 we can identify the principle that if we obey the Lord’s commandments, then we can be holy like the Lord is holy (see D&C 88:74).

Sister Carol F. McConkie, formerly of the Young Women General Presidency, explained what holiness is and why we should seek to become more holy.

Sister Carol F. McConkie, formerly of the Young Women General Presidency, explained what holiness is and why we should seek to become more holy.

You can read the text for this video here: “The Beauty of Holiness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 9, 10.

“Holiness is in the striving and the struggle to keep the commandments and to honor the covenants we have made with God. Holiness is making the choices that will keep the Holy Ghost as our guide [see Doctrine and Covenants 45:57]. Holiness is setting aside our natural tendencies and becoming ‘a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord’ [Mosiah 3:19]. ‘Every moment of [our lives] must be holiness to the Lord’ [Brigham Young, “Remarks,” Deseret News, Apr. 2, 1862, 313]. …

“Elder D. Todd Christofferson has taught: ‘Our Heavenly Father is a God of high expectations. … He proposes to make us holy so that we may “abide a celestial glory” (D&C 88:22) and “dwell in his presence” (Moses 6:57).’ [“As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 97.] Lectures on Faith explains, ‘No being can enjoy his glory without possessing his perfections and holiness’ [(1985), 77]. Our Father in Heaven knows us. He loves us, and He has provided for us all that is required so that we can become holy as He is holy” (Carol F. McConkie, “The Beauty of Holiness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 9, 10).

According to this statement, why is it important to be holy?

Seeking to Be Holy

What have you learned about why it is important to be holy?

What can you do to be more obedient to the Lord so that He can sanctify you and make you holy?

Preparing for Ordinances

Think about all that priesthood holders do to prepare to administer the sacrament. This includes preparing, blessing, and passing the sacrament.

1. What are some of the preparations that priesthood holders must make to be ready to administer the sacrament? List at least three things they do to prepare.

The Lord’s Requirement

Leviticus 21–22 contains instructions from the Lord for priesthood holders of ancient Israel. Some of the restrictions the Lord gave regarding ancient priesthood holders in these chapters had nothing to do with worthiness before the Lord. As you study these chapters, look for a principle that applies to priesthood holders in any time period.

Read Leviticus 21:6, 8 and Leviticus 22:3, looking for what the Lord requires of priesthood holders who participate in priesthood ordinances.

Worthy Priesthood Holders

From Leviticus 21:6, 8 and Leviticus 22:3 we can identify the truth that priesthood holders must be worthy to officiate in priesthood ordinances.

One reason it is important for priesthood holders to be worthy to participate in priesthood ordinances is because they represent the Lord. While speaking to those who hold the priesthood, President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) encouraged them to recognize that worthiness is critical in doing the Lord’s work.

“If we are on the Lord’s errand, brethren, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Never forget that truth. That divine help, of course, is predicated upon our worthiness. Each must ask: Are my hands clean? Is my heart pure? Am I a worthy servant of the Lord? …

“Brethren, are we qualified at all times to perform the sacred duties associated with the priesthood we bear? Young men—you who are priests—are you clean in body and spirit as you sit at the sacrament table on Sunday and bless the emblems of the sacrament? Young men who are teachers, are you worthy to prepare the sacrament? Deacons, as you pass the sacrament to the members of the Church, do you do so knowing that you are spiritually qualified to do so? Does each of you fully understand the importance of all the sacred duties you perform?” (Thomas S. Monson, “Examples of Righteousness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 65).

Blessings for Obedience

When covenants were made in ancient times it was common to list the consequences for keeping or breaking the covenant. As recorded in Leviticus 26, the Lord outlined the blessings the Israelites would receive for obeying His commandments and the consequences they would suffer for disobeying His commandments. Some of the consequences the Lord promised for disobedience were that the Israelites would experience “sorrow of heart” (verse 16) and that the Lord would not protect the Israelites from their enemies.

Now read Leviticus 26:3–4, 6, 9, 11–12, looking for the blessings the Lord promised the Israelites for being obedient. The phrase “set my tabernacle among you” means that the Lord would dwell among His people.

2. What blessings does the Lord promise those who obey?

Temporal and Spiritual Blessings

From Leviticus 26:3–4, 6, 9, 11–12 we can identify the principle that if we obey the Lord, we will be blessed both temporally and spiritually. Temporal blessings come in many forms and are not usually blessings of wealth.

3. Answer one of the following questions:

• Which of the blessings listed in these verses would you be most interested in receiving in your life right now? Why?

• What are some of the temporal or spiritual blessings you or someone you know has received because of obedience to the Lord?

A Summary

We read in Leviticus 27 that the Lord gave instructions about properties that are consecrated to Him.

You may want to mark Leviticus 27:30, 32, which contains the Lord’s instructions to Israel about tithing.

Striving to Be Clean and Worthy

The following truths were identified in this lesson:

• If we obey the Lord’s commandments, then we can be holy like the Lord is holy.

• Priesthood holders must be worthy to officiate in priesthood ordinances.

• If we obey the Lord, we will be blessed both temporally and spiritually.

Think about what you determined to do earlier in the lesson to become more holy. Seek the Lord’s help as you strive to be clean and worthy.

Doctrinal Mastery Review

Using your scriptures only, identify which doctrinal mastery passage helps teach the following doctrine:

Zion refers to the Lord’s covenant people who are pure in heart, united in righteousness, and care for one another.

Review this passage when you find it in your scriptures. Consider memorizing it.