Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Pure in heart. What does it mean to be pure in heart? Does it mean we are clean and have not made any mistakes? To my understanding, this is now what it means. As I understand the definition, to be pure in heart is to have a desire to be perfect, to do things right and be working towards that, using the Atonement every step of the way.
In this life, it is impossible to not make mistakes, whether they are big or small. We are not being pure in heart when we are making the big mistakes, but when we are working to overcome those things, we are becoming pure in heart. The more we work at and desire to be good and follow God’s commandments, the more pure in heart we are becoming. It is not the act of being perfect that makes us pure in heart, but our honest desire to overcome our faults, defeat our weaknesses and develop Christlike attributes. When we do make mistakes, we can renew our ‘pureness’ by repenting and using the Atonement to wash ourselves clean and then recommit to overcoming that particular thing.
Sometimes when I make mistakes or when I think about things I struggle with, I worry that I will never be able to overcome these things. My temper is a lot better than it used to be, but I still get annoyed or upset about stupid things. I worry that I will never be able to overcome this fault. Even with this thing I struggle with, I can still become pure in heart by desiring to overcome it and by finding ways to keep myself from getting annoyed or upset. I keep reminding myself that some things just don’t matter or that I have no control over whatever it is and to just let it go. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But the fact that I’m actively working on it and trying to do better qualifies me to be pure in heart in that area.
So, if you want to become pure in heart, all you have to do is try. Try to do better. Try to be more like Christ. Try to overcome your weaknesses and the things you struggle with. That is all God wants. He wants you to try and to put your best effort forth. If you make a mistake, He has give us the Atonement so we can get right back on the path. We need to do our best and after that, He will make up the rest.
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