After testifying that the entire earth belongs to God, David prioritized specific locations. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?” he asked, “or who shall stand in his holy place?” The “holy place” likely refers to the future temple, which David’s son Solomon would build. His answer represents an invitation to greater worthiness: “He that hath clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3-4).
Nephi prophesied that Israel will begin to be gathered when they worship the Father in the name of Christ, “with pure hearts and clean hands” (2 Nephi 25:16). Alma asked the people of Zarahemla if they could imagine themselves at the Final Judgment, looking up to God “with a pure heart and clean hands … having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?” (Alma 5:19).
When Jesus described the turmoil that will precede His Second Coming, His guidance to future disciples also echoed this psalm:
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand).
Matthew 24:15; see also Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:12; Doctrine and Covenants 45:32
In 1832, in response to a prayer about increasing tensions within the United States, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that the nation would be engulfed in a great civil war, beginning in South Carolina. Many other calamities would follow, including wars, famines, plagues, and earthquakes. In that context, He gave the same advice He had given previously:
Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come.
Doctrine and Covenants 87:8
What are these holy places?
Elder Ronald A. Rasband named three examples: “our righteous homes, our dedicated chapels, the consecrated temples.” He testified, “There is no room for fear in these holy places. … When we stand in holy places, we can feel God’s love, and ‘perfect love casteth out all fear'” (“Be Not Troubled,” General Conference, October 2018).
Ann M. Dibb added that holy places can even include “moments in time.” She said, “Any time you have the courage to stand for what is right, especially in situations where no one else is willing to do so, you are creating a holy place.” She encouraged us to “create and stand in holy places” (“Your Holy Places,” General Conference, April 2013).
During the pandemic, President Russell M. Nelson taught that our homes can be “one of the holiest places on earth.” He said:
I urge you to continue to make your home a truly holy place “and be not moved” from that essential goal.
“What We Are Learning and Will Never Forget,” General Conference, April 2021
This week’s Come, Follow Me lesson asks:
What are your “holy places” where you find peace and safety? What makes a place holy? In addition to physical locations, perhaps there are holy times, holy practices, or holy thoughts that can provide peace. For example, how can the words of God’s prophets be a holy place for you? What does it mean to “stand” and “be not moved” from these places?
Today, I will stand in holy places. I will strive to make my home a holy place by filling it with uplifting influences. I will strive to live with clean hands and a pure heart, so that I can be comfortable ascending to God’s temple. I will also strive to create holy moments in time by turning my heart to God and living with integrity.