Make yourselves clean, holy, by ritual washing and proper behavior…
Joshua 3:5 opens a pattern for us: when the Lord is preparing to do wonders among His people, He first calls us to sanctify ourselves. That ancient command becomes a living invitation for us today—to cleanse our hearts, align our desires, and step into covenant readiness as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Joshua 3:5
“Sanctify yourselves”
Dissecting Scripture: Joshua 3:5
“And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
In our ministry voice, we hear this as a communal call:
- We sanctify ourselves because God is ready to move among us.
- He invites us to prepare—not by fear, but by cleansing, covenant, and consecration.
What “Sanctify Yourselves”
Meant Then and Means for Us Now
1. Exodus 19:10 — Washing and Readiness
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,”
God told Moses to “consecrate the people… and let them wash their clothes.”
This was outward cleansing pointing to inward readiness.
For us, baptism becomes the deeper fulfillment—
we wash not only garments but our souls, entering a covenant to follow Christ.
2. Joshua 7:13 — Removing the Unclean Thing
“Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.”
Israel was told: “Sanctify yourselves… you cannot stand before your enemies until you remove the accursed thing.”
Sanctification requires removing what corrupts our hearts.
For us, this is repentance—a turning away from sin so we can walk in Christ’s power.
3. D&C 43:16 (11–16) — Purify, Be Taught, Be Endowed
“Purge ye out the iniquity which is among you; sanctify yourselves before me;”
“And if ye desire the glories of the kingdom, appoint ye my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and uphold him before me by the prayer of faith.”
“And again, I say unto you, that if ye desire the mysteries of the kingdom, provide for him food and raiment, and whatsoever thing he needeth to accomplish the work wherewith I have commanded him;”
“And if ye do it not he shall remain unto them that have received him, that I may reserve unto myself a pure people before me.”
“Again I say, hearken ye elders of my church, whom I have appointed: Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit;”
⚓︎ “And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken.”
The Lord commands us to:
- purify our hearts,
- assemble,
- be taught,
- be endowed with power from on high.
This is the Restoration echo of Joshua’s call:
sanctification prepares us for divine power and divine work.
How These Scriptures Point Us to Baptism
Across all these passages, the pattern is the same:
• Washing → Baptism
Israel washed garments; we wash our souls in the waters of baptism.
Baptism is our covenantal cleansing—our entrance into discipleship.
• Removing impurity → Repentance
Israel removed the accursed thing;
we remove sin through repentance and a broken heart.
• Readiness for God’s presence → Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Israel prepared for God to appear;
we prepare to receive the Spirit, who sanctifies us continually.
• Consecration → Christlike Attributes
Israel consecrated themselves for wonders;
we consecrate ourselves to follow Jesus Christ and become like Him.
The Change of Heart and Mind
Sanctification is not merely ritual—it is transformation.
We choose to:
- desire Christ more than the world,
- align our will with His,
- let the Spirit reshape our thoughts, motives, and actions,
- walk in newness of life.
This is the heart-change Alma described, the mighty change that turns us outward in love, service, and covenant loyalty.
Principles for Our Celestial Spiritual Growth
1. Covenant Readiness
We prepare ourselves so God can work wonders in us and through us.
2. Purity of Heart
Sanctification begins with repentance and continues through the Holy Ghost.
3. Consecrated Living
We set ourselves apart for God’s purposes—our time, our gifts, our desires.
4. Christlike Transformation
Sanctification is becoming, not just behaving.
5. Community Strengthening
A sanctified people blesses the Church and the neighborhoods we live in.
Our Service in the Church and Community
When we sanctify ourselves:
- We become vessels the Lord can trust.
- We carry His Spirit into our homes, quorums, wards, and cities.
- We serve with clean hands and willing hearts.
- We lift others because Christ is lifting us.
Sanctification is not isolation—it is preparation for ministry, fellowship, and service.
Ministry Summary
We sanctify ourselves because God is ready to do wonders among us.
Through baptism, repentance, and the Holy Ghost, we cleanse our hearts, align our desires, and step into Christ’s path. As we grow in holiness, we become more capable disciples—ready to bless our families, strengthen the Church, and serve our communities with Christlike love.
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