The condition of our hearts

Recently, I've been drawn to studying about the condition of our spiritual hearts. It started a couple of months ago when I read an article on LDSLiving.com that was entitled "What was the greatest battle fought in the Book of Mormon?" The author, Robin Johnson, explains that as she had been curiously searching for the greatest battle in the Book of Mormon, she discovered something she wasn't expecting to find-that every war scene in the Book of Mormon was proceeded by the same phrase: "they hardened their hearts". Her conclusion was this: "If Satan can win the hearts of men, then destruction is sure to follow."

That was such a profound thought to me, and from that day since, I've tried to pay more attention to the word "heart" as I've read the scriptures and how the condition of the heart plays a major role in either the prosperity or destruction of the people in the Book of Mormon.

In this weeks reading of Come, Follow Me (3 Nephi 27-4th Nephi), we learn about a society of believers that were described as having no contention among them and as people that could not be happier among all the people who had been created by the hand of God because of the love of God that did dwell in their hearts (4th Nephi 1:15-16). But this perfect society only lasts for about 200 years until the power of Satan gets a hold upon their hearts (vs. 28) and the people begin to harden their hearts (vs. 31, 34) and begin to be proud in their hearts (vs. 43)

So why is the heart so important? Elder Marvin J. Ashton gave a talk back in October of 1988 entitled "The Measure of our Hearts" . In this talk he state’s “The Lord... has a different standard by which he measures a person. When it came time to choose a king to replace King Saul, the Lord gave this criteria to his prophet Samuel: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; … for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16: 7). When the Lord measures an individual, He does not take a tape measure around the person’s head to determine his mental capacity, nor his chest to determine his manliness, but He measures the heart as an indicator of the person’s capacity and potential to bless others. The measure of our hearts is the measure of our total performance. As used by the Lord, the “heart” of a person describes his effort to better self, or others, or the conditions he confronts.”

We often hear the word “soft" associated with the word "heart” as a way to judge whether or not our heart is willing to change and be molded. But what does a soft heart look like? Or, what are some other words that can be used to describe a heart that is willing to change? In order to answer this question, I looked in the scriptures to find what other words are associated with the word heart. The scriptures I read were both expansive and instructive. Here's a list of some that I found...

A heart that is lifted up (Ezekial 28:2)

A prepared heart  (1Chronicles 29:18)

A heart that pondereth (2 Nephi 4:16, Luke 2:19, Moroni 10:3)

One heart (Acts 4:32, Moses 7:18) 

Integrity of the heart (Genesis 20:6) 

A cheerful heart (D&C 59:15) 

A heart that trusteth (Psalm 28:7)

Wise hearted (Exodus 36:2)

strength of heart (Psalm 73:26)

a heart that is moved (Isaiah 7:2)

a valiant heart (2 Samuel 17:10)

pure in heart (Matthew 5:8)

a heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23)

a clean heart (Proverbs 20:9)

full purpose of heart (2 Nephi 31:13)

an open heart (Mosiah 2:9)

Real intent of heart (Moroni 7:9)

Lowly of heart (Moroni 7:43-44)

Energy of heart (Moroni 7:48)

Sincere heart (Moroni 10:4)

a song of the heart (D&C 25:12)

Paying attention to the condition of our hearts is so important today. The battle for our hearts has never ended. Satan is still trying to attack our spiritual hearts and we need to be ready. I hope that we can pay more attention to the condition of our hearts and use that information to bring us closer to Christ. I hope that our hearts are soft enough that the Savior can mold and change us into what He needs us to be in order to further His work in the kingdom here on earth.