Real Intent & Full Purpose of Heart
We can’t deceive God, and we can’t fake our way into any spiritual status. The promises, commandments and conditions of the gospel are all tied to “real intent” and “full purpose of heart.” These are the indications of our true character and desires, and if done right (in faith), they are keys that unlock the power of the gospel and God’s promises. What is our true intent and purpose of heart?
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God’s Integrity
Does God have real intent? Will God change his mind on his plans and abandon His designs? In the following scriptures we can see that God’s thoughts and deeds fully integrate. There are a few scriptures here and there that give us hints into how God operates. Consider each of these:
11 What I have spoken, I bring to pass; what I have planned, I do.
Abraham 3:17
17 …and there is nothing that the Lord thy God shall take in his heart to do but what he will do it.
Moses 1:39
39 …this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
According to these scriptures, God does what He plans to do. He does what He says He will do. His work and His glory is one-in-the-same, meaning he values (glories in) what He does (His work).
Because of this, we should consider living the gospel with integrity, bringing our thoughts, actions and desires into balance and unity. This is what “integrity” means: to have all of your characteristics, deeds, thoughts and words integrated and congruent. This idea of how God works will help us understand why He wants us to live with real intent and full purpose of heart.
God Knows Our Intentions & Our Hearts
God knows whether or not we have a real intent, because He knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. Because He created us and comprehends us, He can easily detect when we are prepared for something, an whether we have “full purpose of heart” (or not).
30 …and [God] looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
King Benjamin cautions his people to be careful in how they operate, in regards to the delta between their professions and their actions. Each of these aspects of our conduct reflects who we are, and cannot be divided when it comes to the judgement of our character and readiness for knowledge, blessings or spiritual gifts.
30 if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish…
You Cannot Deceive God
The doctrine declared (by both Father and Son) to Nephi clearly declares that the gate that we must enter into is the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. This full and complete baptism is the “gate” in the following scripture:
41 …come unto the Lord, the Holy One… the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name
Notice that Christ is the only gatekeeper, and nobody else can admit you onto that path or let you through the gate. As the gatekeeper, it’s critical that we understand that we cannot deceive Him or cheat our way into the gate. There is no faking it or pretension when it comes to the condition of our hearts and our souls. We must have real intent.
The Great Commandment, A Closer Look
Jesus was asked what the great commandment was, and most of us know that there are 2 things He said in reply:
- Love God
- Love your neighbor as yourself
However, a closer look at what Jesus taught reveals that he’s asked more of us than that. What part of this commandment do we sometimes forget to mention?
Matthew 22:36-38
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
Jesus expects us to love God and others with real intent and full purpose of heart. Loving God with all of our whole souls should be the focus as disciples. This is the type of worshiper that the Father is seeking after.
John 4:23-24
23 …the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him…24 …and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
As we’ll see later on, this really is a commandment and will be “required” of each of us.
Out of The Heart of Men, Proceeds Evil
Jesus taught the multitudes how the heart plays into the equation. After stating that the Jews were “making the word of God of none effect through your tradition” he invites them all to listen up and learn this lesson. “When he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand” (Mark 7:14):
Mark 7:15-23
15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Jesus taught that our hearts are the source of evil imaginations and thoughts. Therefore, it’s crucial to introspect often whether or not we have a “full purpose of heart” for the things of righteousness.
Full Purpose of Heart
Listen to how the Lord includes this phrase and attaches it to his extended arm of mercy:
3 Nephi 10:6
6 O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.3 Nephi 12:23-24
23 Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee—24 Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.
Jacob 6:5
5 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you.In regards to those in Christ’s church who are unworthy to eat the bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus, He cautions:
3 Nephi 18:32
32 …ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them.Troubleshooting Our Intents & Our Hearts
Sometimes, when trying to live the gospel the best we can, we may ask ourselves or the Lord some questions. Focusing on what “intent” and “purspose of heart” we have within us can help us troubleshoot the gospel and figure out how to course correct ourselves for better results. Have you ever asked yourself these questions:
- “I’m doing everything I know how. Why isn’t it working?”
- “What are the fruits of all these labors?”
- “Where did all the miracles go?”
- “How long, O Lord, until I can have (blank)?”
- “Should I keep asking, when the answer seems to be ‘no’?”
- “Lord, didn’t we do all these great things in your name?”
Next, lets take a look at some of the common things that we seek from the Lord and think through a lot of the possibilities in our intentions.
Spiritual Rebirth
When preparing his audience to enter in at the gate (which is Baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost), Nephi reminds us:
13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ… then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost…
| What do we want the most? | ||
|---|---|---|
| The mighty change of heart | or | God to tell us we’re “good the way we are” |
| A new disposition for righteousness over evil | A cool experience | |
| To please God by doing His will | To know “what it’s like” | |
| Remission of sins & to “abhor sins” | Feeling better about our sins | |
| Become His son or daughter | Become a member of a new church/order/group | |
| Preach God’s redemptive power to others | Tell others your amazing story/journey | |
| Power through God’s Holy Spirit | Power & influence by virtue of a priesthood or a calling | |
| To humbly plead for salvation & grace | An assurance that we’re elect & exalted | |
| A new beginning on a new path | A finish line after all the hard work | |
Prayer with Real Intent
With our prayers, we also should listen closely to the instructions on how to pray so that God will receive our prayers. When we find ourselves feeling that our prayers are waning or losing their power, we should consider the words of Moroni:
6 …if [an evil man] offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
…
9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.
Since vain prayers can frustrate the individual, and lead to questioning the Lord or their faith in Him, it’s better to pray with real intent. This means we’re willing to do what God tells us to do. Otherwise, if we ask for knowledge and are unwilling to accept it, we will be condemned. Alma taught this here:
28 …for after ye have [prayed mightily], if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.
| What are my intentions with this prayer? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Obeying answers, no matter what | or | Obey answers, if it’s convenient |
| To know his revealed will | To confirm what we already know | |
| Truth | Comfort | |
| A true path of discipleship | Carnal security | |
| Bless others | Blessings for ourselves | |
| Mighty prayer | Routine prayer | |
Seeking Forgiveness from the Lord
With receiving forgiveness from the Lord and the remission of sins is another aspect of our worship that should be monitored for intentions. The Lord’s forgiveness is conditional. It doesn’t matter what you want to believe or if that hurts your feelings. It is conditional. So meet the conditions with full purpose of heart and real intent.
8 But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven.
Mosiah 4:10
10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them
| What is your intention? Where is your heart? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Desiring to forsake my sins | or | Seeking to justify or excuse my sins to God |
| To change | To apologize | |
| Strength from God to overcome | Another chance to try again | |
| Rely on mercy or grace for forgiveness | Rely on a “track record” for forgiveness | |
| Stronger faith | Stronger will power | |
| God to show me His strength | Show God my strength or resolve | |
Knowing the Truth of Something
When we pray to know the truth of all things, this is a crucial area where intentions can help or hinder our progress. It’s likely that everyone who either joined the LDS church (or one of the restoration branches), or else served a mission knows this scripture well:
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
| Where’s your heart and mind when asking for the truth? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Know the truth, so I can follow it | or | Know the truth, because I’m curious |
| Receive new or expanded understanding | “Confirm” that my assumptions are right | |
| Rely on God for all truth | Ability to say “Yes, I prayed about it” | |
| Responsibility & obligation to the truth | To be “off the hook” in my responsibilities | |
| Stronger faith | Stronger will power | |
| Truth, despite ramifications on my family, friends, work, reputation, etc. | Truth, but only if it agrees with what my church leaders believe or teach | |
Spiritual Gifts with Full Purpose of Heart
This topic is a breeding ground for priestcraft, if intentions are in any way questionable or hearts need calibration. When the power or authority of God is manifest, either in reality or perception, it can be easy to redirect credit and power to an other-godly source. According to Joseph Smith, his experience was that almost all men couldn’t handle spiritual powers (“as they suppose”) with real intent.
7…that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils. Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts.
| Can we handle gifts of the spirit? Why do we seek them? | ||
|---|---|---|
| For the benefit all who love the Lord | or | So we can “consume it upon our lusts” |
| Belief in God’s gifts, seen or unseen | To seek a sign in order to believe | |
| Show the world how good God is | Show people how amazing we are | |
| Give freely to people in need | Get “gain” (monetary or social) | |
| Be changed into a true believer | Be entertained by supernaturalism | |
| Witness the hand of God & true healing | Exaggerate placebo effects of products | |
Escaping Babylon / Seeking Zion
This is a popular hot topic these days for those who are awake, and rightfully so. The spirit is moving upon millions of people who feel the proximity to Zion shortening, yet feel the iron fist of Babylon squeezing. But even in the Zion movement, we must never forget that Zion is, by one definition… “the pure in heart.”
33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
Doctrine & Covenants 64:22,34
22 And after that day, I, the Lord, will not hold any guilty that shall go with an open heart up to the land of Zion; for I, the Lord, require the hearts of the children of men… Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.
Doctrine & Covenants 42:40,42
thou shalt not be proud in thy heart; let all thy garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work of thine own hands… he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.
| Why do you want to escape Babylon and be a part of Zion? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Be unified (“one heart”) with peers | or | Be elite, exclusive “cream of the crop” |
| Consecrate excess to the poor | Consume excess from the rich | |
| Evolve towards full human potential | To avoid being “left behind” or destroyed | |
| Overcome dependencies on materialism | Get “first dibs” on prime real estate | |
| Joy in actively participating in Zion | FOMO (“fear of missing out”) | |
| Your only guide is the Holy Spirit | You’re awaiting the Brethren’s “callout” | |
| You’ve faithfully studied God’s prophecies | You read “Visions of Glory” eight times | |
Examples of Real Intent & Full Purpose of Heart
What does this look like in all practicality? Are there examples of full purpose of heart in the scriptures? Yes. I’ll show you just two examples of people (or groups of people) who had real intent before and after their conversions.
Lamoni’s “Thoughts & Intents of the Heart”
15 …after Aaron had expounded these things unto [Lamoni], the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
17 And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:
18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day…
Whether or not it was necessary for Lamoni to forsake “all that he possessed” is besides the point. In fact, he was able to keep his kingdom and probably all that he possessed. As the story goes, that sacrifice was never asked of him. However, it was crucial that Lamoni was willing to give those things up (if required), and not make them an idol, or a barrier to knowing God.
The most important sacrifice we can make is a willingness to “give away all our sins to know God.” That’s what Christ died for! Our sins. That’s what he wants. He didn’t die for our possessions or our kingdoms.
A full purpose of heart and real intent is to seek redemption at all costs and keep it at all costs. One interesting aspect of this story is that a few chapters earlier Lamoni was only willing to offer up half of his kingdom to spare his own life.
Now the king, fearing he should lose his life, said: If thou wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the kingdom
In summary, Lamoni valued knowing God more than his own life, possessions, status, reputation and his own little kingdom. That’s a hard-to-beat example of “full purpose of heart.”
Pentecostal Saints of the New Testament
In this next example, let’s see how a group of 3,000 New Testament Christians demonstrated real intent after their conversions.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
These 3,000 newly baptized Christians were not flaky in their commitments or apathetic social converts. They lived their religion actively, continuing on passionately in their discipleship. They learned and gathered together often to fellowship, take the Lord’s sacrament and strengthen each other. In other words they lived the commitment they made at Pentecost with full purpose of heart.
These people probably didn’t see Jesus in Jerusalem (maybe some), and their joining this “movement” came at great peril to their reputations and their lives.
Blessed Are They Who Believe With Real Intent
Jesus told us that these types of people would be blessed accordingly, even if it was only based on the teaching of His servants:
2 And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins. 3 Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Part 2: An extension of this presentation covers the church’s condemnation that occurred when the early saints did not fulfill their responsibilities with real intent and full purpose of heart. The effects of this condemnation in the LDS church still exist today, according to current LDS church leadership.
Read part 2 here: Is the LDS Church Still Under Condemnation?
Scriptures covered:
- Real intent – Isaiah 46:11, Abraham 3:17, Moses 1:39, Alma 18:30, Hebrews 4:12, Mosiah 4:30, 2 Nephi 9:41, 2 Nephi 31:13, Moroni 7:6-9, Moroni 6:8, Moroni 10:4, Alma 22:15-18 + Alma 20:23, Acts 2:37-42, James 1:22-25
- Full purpose of heart – Matthew 22:36-38, John 4:23-24, 3 Nephi 10:6, 3 Nephi 12:23-24, Jacob 6:5, 3 Nephi 18:32, Mosiah 4:10, Mosiah 7:33, D&C 64:22,34, D&C 42:40,42, 3 Nephi 12:2-3
