Study Guide for "The Beauty of Holiness"

In her General Conference talk titled "The Beauty of Holiness," Sister Carol F. McConkie, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, explores the profound concept of holiness and its significance in our daily lives. She draws upon scriptural references, personal anecdotes, and teachings from Church leaders to illustrate how holiness can be achieved through keeping covenants, following the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and embracing the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Sister McConkie emphasizes that holiness is not just a state of being but a continuous striving towards becoming more like the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What does it mean to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness?
How can we see the beauty of holiness in our everyday lives?
What role do covenants play in our journey towards holiness?
How does the Holy Ghost guide us in becoming holy?
What are the characteristics of those who become saints through the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

Topics

Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness

Sister McConkie begins by highlighting the beauty of holiness as described in the Psalms. She explains that holiness involves striving to keep commandments, honoring covenants, and making choices that invite the Holy Ghost into our lives.

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Holiness is in the striving and the struggle to keep the commandments and to honor the covenants we have made with God.

What does it mean to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness?
How does striving to keep commandments contribute to our holiness?
Why is it important to honor our covenants with God?
How can you incorporate the beauty of holiness into your daily worship?
What specific commandments do you feel prompted to focus on to increase your holiness?
How can you better honor the covenants you have made with God?

Holiness Is Keeping Our Covenants

Keeping our covenants is essential to becoming holy. Sister McConkie shares examples of individuals who have made sacrifices to keep their covenants, illustrating how these sacrifices sanctify us and prepare us to enter the presence of the Lord.

Most often it is the sacrifices we make to keep our covenants that sanctify us and make us holy.

If we will keep the associated covenants, the sacred priesthood ordinances will change us, sanctify us, and prepare us to enter the presence of the Lord.

What role do sacrifices play in keeping our covenants?
How do priesthood ordinances help us become holy?
Why is it important to keep the Sabbath day holy?
What sacrifices are you willing to make to keep your covenants?
How can you more fully participate in priesthood ordinances to increase your holiness?
What steps can you take to keep the Sabbath day more holy?

Holiness Is Taking the Holy Ghost as Our Guide

Holiness is a gift of the Spirit, and we can increase the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost in our lives by choosing to do things that invite His presence. Sister McConkie encourages us to prioritize spiritual activities over worldly concerns.

Holiness is a gift of the Spirit. We accept this gift when we choose to do those things that will increase the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost in our lives.

Let us take time to be holy, that we may be filled with His sacred and sanctifying Spirit.

How can we invite the Holy Ghost into our lives?
What are the benefits of having the Holy Ghost as our guide?
Why is it important to prioritize spiritual activities?
What changes can you make in your daily routine to invite the Holy Ghost more fully into your life?
How can you better prioritize spiritual activities over worldly concerns?
What experiences have you had where the guidance of the Holy Ghost was evident?

Holiness Is Becoming a Saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Becoming a saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ involves being submissive, meek, humble, patient, and full of love. Sister McConkie shares the example of King Benjamin’s people, who recognized their dependence on Christ's grace and mercy.

According to the inspired words of King Benjamin, those who become saints through the Atonement of Jesus Christ are those who are submissive, meek, humble, patient, and full of love, as the Savior is.

Do we see our utter dependence on the grace and mercy of Christ, our Lord?

What are the characteristics of those who become saints through the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
How does recognizing our dependence on Christ's grace and mercy help us become holy?
Why is it important to be submissive, meek, humble, patient, and full of love?
How can you develop the characteristics of being submissive, meek, humble, patient, and full of love?
What steps can you take to recognize your dependence on Christ's grace and mercy more fully?
How has the Atonement of Jesus Christ helped you in your journey towards holiness?

Holiness Is Making Our Lives a Sacred Offering

Our lives should be a sacred offering to the Lord. Sister McConkie emphasizes that by keeping our covenants, taking the Holy Ghost as our guide, and having faith in Jesus Christ, we can become holy and give glory to God.

May our lives ever be a sacred offering, that we may stand before the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

With faith in Jesus Christ, we become saints through His Atonement, that we may receive immortality and eternal life and give God our Father the glory due His name.

What does it mean to make our lives a sacred offering?
How does keeping our covenants contribute to making our lives a sacred offering?
Why is it important to give glory to God in all that we do?
How can you make your life a more sacred offering to the Lord?
What changes can you make to ensure you are giving glory to God in all that you do?
How has keeping your covenants helped you feel closer to God and more holy?