Be Ye Clean That Bear the Vessels of the Lord

The Lord said this in His revelation that was meant to be a conclusion to the Doctrine and Covenants: “Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord” (133:5). This language is similar to what Isaiah wrote: “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11). President Holland explained where this injunction comes from. He said, “Let me tell you what that phrase ‘bear the vessels of the Lord’ means. Anciently it had at least two meanings, both related to the work of the priesthood. The first refers to the recovery and return to Jerusalem of various temple implements that had been carried into Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. In physically handling the return of these items, those early brethren were reminded by the Lord of the sanctity of anything related to the temple. Therefore, as they carried back to their homeland these various bowls, basins, cups, and other vessels, they themselves were to be as clean as the ceremonial instruments they bore.” This was around 520 BC when the Jews were allowed by the Persian king Cyrus to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple. These ancient vessels which had been in the temple were sacred to them and it was imperative that those who brought them back were clean. President Holland continued, “The second meaning is related to the first. Similar bowls and implements were used for ritual purification in the home…. In both of these biblical accounts the message is that as priesthood bearers, not only are we to handle sacred vessels and emblems of God’s power—think of preparing, blessing, and passing the sacrament, for example—but we are also to be a sanctified instrument.” Those who participate in the work of the Lord should strive to be both physically and spiritually clean with good language, pure thoughts, and actions consistent with the commandments of the Lord. As deacons have the privilege to pass the sacrament, carrying the bread and the water, they should remember that this is a sacred responsibility and need to strive to clean to bear those vessels.

               The next verse in Doctrine and Covenants 133 reads this way: “Call your solemn assemblies, and speak often one to another. And let every man call upon the name of the Lord” (v6). Those are surely important for us to do in order to be clean. That second sentence can perhaps be interpreted in two different ways. One is that we need to call upon God in prayer. We need His strength and help as we try to serve His children in whatever capacity we are called to labor in. Perhaps we might also read this as an invitation to call on the name of the Savior as we are blessing others. For example, when a priesthood holder gives a blessing, he must always remember to call upon the name of the Savior as He does so. Ultimately it is only through His name that miracles are wrought. Mormon recorded this about Nephi (the son of Nephi): “He truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity” (3 Nephi 8:1). Another passage tells us this about the disciples of Christ: “They did heal the sick, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus” (4 Nephi 1:5). We need to call upon the name of the Lord as we seek to do the work that He has asked us to perform, and miracles take place only in His name. As we both pray beforehand and call upon the name of the Son in the act of service, He will bless our labors and help us become who He wants us to be.

               Joshua gave this stirring invitation to the Israelites of His day: “Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5). As we who bear the vessels of the Lord—whether that be those who administer the sacrament or serve in the temple or take food to a sick neighbor—strive to be clean and sanctify ourselves before the Lord, Joshua’s promise applies to us all.