Justification and Sanctification, Part 3

Here is the conclusion (for now) of my justification and sanctification essay.

The precious blood of the Savior was shed for each of us. He suffered so that we need not suffer if we repent. His blood purifies us; it sanctifies us and allows us to return to dwell with God. Sanctification makes us holy, or consecrated. Just as the temple is holy, a place of holiness to the Lord, a sanctuary from the world, when we are sanctified, we become holy and protected from the world. Through temple service and worship we can become sanctified.

The Lord described those who are sanctified with these words: "But first let my army become very great, and let it be sanctified before me, that it may become fair as the sun, and clear as the moon, and that her banners may be terrible unto all nations" (D&C 105:31). In preparation for the Second Coming the Lord's people were commanded, "Wherefore, prepare ye, prepare ye, O my people; sanctify yourselves.... Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord." (D&C 133:4-5).

Sanctification is the process and the state of exaltation. Those who are sanctified become one with the Savior: "Ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father; and the Father and I are one." (3 Ne. 28:10). Those who are "sanctified in holiness before the Lord [will] dwell in his presence day and night, forever and ever." (D&C 133:35). The sanctifying presence of the Lord is "as the melting fire that burneth, and as the fire which causeth the waters to boil." (D&C 133:41). This fire cleanses and purifies. It allows us to become more like the Savior and allows us to return to live with Him.