When God commanded Nephi to make plates on which to record the records of the people and the church, Nephi explained that he wrote only that which he considered sacred. However, he noted that many had little respect for that which is sacred.
For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet. Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels. 1 Nephi 19: 7
This parallels a serious problem we face in today’s society. Many people have come to lack respect for that which is sacred, even in their own beliefs or those of others. Today, God is often not treated with the respect He most certainly deserves.
Too many people take lightly their obligations to their Father in Heaven. They use his name, and that of His Son as mere profanity, or casual expression. They take credit for their own blessings, ignoring who the blessings came from. Some people devote their lives to convincing others that God isn’t real; that we don’t need God to exist or to live. Some say there is no power greater than themselves, a dangerous thought, certainly.
All of this mocks that which is sacred. God asks us again and again to show respect for sacred things, sacred moments, and sacred places. By doing so, by honoring those moments and places He has designated as sacred, we show respect for Him. We demonstrate the depth of our love for the Creator and for our Savior.
How can you show respect for that which is sacred? You can begin by showing respect for those things others consider sacred, even if they aren’t sacred to you. Then you can start to pay attention to what is sacred to you. What do you feel best shows your love and devotion to your Father in Heaven and to your Savior?
How do you dress when you visit His home? God doesn’t ask us to show up in expensive, prestigious finery. He does ask us to come in our best clothing—modest, respectful, and appropriate.
Once there, He asks us to behave respectfully. We enter quietly, speak quietly, and sit quietly. When church meetings are in progress, we listen carefully and apply the words to our own lives, so we can improve our ability to live the gospel.
At home, we can treat sacred things as sacred. This means treating our bodies with respect, honoring our responsibility as parents or spouses, keeping the covenants we’ve made with God, and living the gospel as best we can.
God gives us sacred spaces and moments to help us feel closer to Him. Honoring those sacred things is one way we thank Heavenly Father for the gift of sacred things.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
