No worries, mate.

I’ve been especially sensitive, lately, to the fact that I’m often to abrupt with people. It’s like, oh dang, I’ve done it again! Not ready yet, put me back in the oven. ~

I see your reaction as a typical problem of those who think that because salvation is by grace that being perfected is unrelated to our own efforts. The magic wand theory of perfection doesn’t sit well with me.”

Agreed. We are sanctified by the Spirit as we genuinely try to keep our covenants and even “purify ourselves.” Controversy over. ~

Thanks for restating your question.

My understanding of these things leads me to believe it is best to use the words that involve deity separately from those we use for the works we do.

I prefer using the word sanctification for the Holy Ghost and the word reformation for the works we do as men and women.

With that said, the scriptures do say:

Purge ye out the iniquity which is among you; sanctify yourselves before me… D&C 43:11

This would seem to agree with what you’ve said.

But even then I would think the intent of the verse is to seek the Holy Ghosts companionship in order to sanctify ourselves.

The purpose of my post was to zero in on preparing for the judgment day by seeking diligently for the Holy Ghost so that we can stand spotless in that day.

Click below for a post on the differences between reformation and repentance.

Thank again for your thoughtful comments.

http://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/2008/01/reformation-or-repentance/

Sanctification is not just being able to control oneself, but has to do with acquiring a Christ-like nature, and having access to his mind, and these things are only accomplished though the companionship of the Spirit.

I’m with you on developing a Christ-like nature, but that is exactly what I mean when I say “keeping the commandments.” The whole point of the commandments is to teach us how to develop a Christ-like nature. I don’t mean to discount the spirit in the process, as though we can do it on our own, but neither do I think the spirit does something to us totally unrelated to our own efforts to follow Christ’s teachings.

I see your reaction as a typical problem of those who think that because salvation is by grace that being perfected is unrelated to our own efforts. The magic wand theory of perfection doesn’t sit well with me.

I don’t think you’ve understood my question yet. I agree that we all need a Savior and that we can’t be perfect on our own. What I don’t understand about your position is why you think keeping the commandments doesn’t sanctify us. Do you agree with my definition of sanctification? Are you saying that learning to love others (sometimes by our own efforts) does not make us holier?

Thanks for coming by. Also, thanks for your insightful comment. I always enjoy it when you’re present and accounted for.

Thanks for coming by and reading this post and making a comment.

I would guess that most church members would have the same reaction to this post as you have.

Keeping the commandments is essential but ultimately insufficient if we are to stand spotless before the Lord at judgment day.

The reason this is true is because men and women can not keep all the commandments perfectly. In order to be saved by the law we can’t sin, even one time, or else we have failed.

The Savior is the only one capable of sinlessness, all the rest of us fail at some point. Therefore, we can not be saved by the law because we are incapable of living the law perfectly. If we could live the law perfectly then we would be spotless at judgment day on our own merits and power–we wouldn’t need a Savior.

But the fact is, we need a Savior, and that is why He came into the world and died for our sins–thus allowing us to repent. But even with the option of repentance we would never be able to overcome the flesh on our own and arrive at a state of perfection. That is where the gift of the Holy Ghost comes in. Through the ordinance of baptism we become eligible for the gift of the Holy Ghost–the sanctifer. Over time the Holy Ghost sanctifies us (fire and the Holy Ghost)as we keep the commandments and serve the Lord. We are commanded to repent (D&C 19) and the Lord has given us the sacrament. Each week we take the sacrament and renew are covenants. If we will endure to the end, sincerely trying to keep the commandments, and repenting we will be found spotless at the last day.

I see this as a typical Mormon problem for those who think that obedience to the law brings salvation. ~