Interested in FREE sheet music downloads of sacred and inspirational music? You’ll find them on Lynne Perry Christofferson’s music website: https://www.christoffersonmusic.com/

When visitors come to the first-grade classroom where my daughter Rebecca teaches, she often allows her students to ask their guests a few questions. Some of the most frequently asked questions are: What’s your favorite animal? What’s your favorite color? What’s your third favorite color? Sometimes, a student will ask, “What’s your favorite superpower?” A recent visit to this classroom made me consider that last question. What superpower do I wish I had?

Wikipedia tells me that superpowers are: “… a set of capabilities and traits exhibited by characters in fiction that are considered beyond the limits of normal beings… In popular culture, [superpowers are] often associated with unusual abilities such as flight, super-strength, super-speed, invulnerability, etc.” (1)

As amazing as it would feel to be able to fly, the superpower I most covet is one that can actually be developed by humans in this life, thanks to the Savior. It is the superpower of purity. I came to think of purity as a superpower after a brief but impactful encounter years ago:

After a death in my husband’s family, Brad and I attended his uncle’s viewing to pay our respects. Later, as we walked down the hallway to exit the church, Brad spotted a business acquaintance and struck up a quiet conversation with him. I glanced at the man’s wife who stood a few feet away, and instantly recognized her: Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, the Primary General President at that time.

I had admired this good woman for years, though we had never met. Tamping down my shyness, I introduced myself to Sister Wixom and thanked her for the positive influence she’d had on me through addresses given in General Conference and articles published in Church magazines. She graciously chatted with me for a few minutes. I don’t actually recall a word she said because I was so struck by her glowing countenance and the feeling of purity that radiated from her.

 What is Purity?

It is essential to differentiate between purity and perfection. As one who has struggled with toxic perfectionism (see my previous article HERE), I want to be clear about what I’m referring to when I speak of purity as a superpower.

I’m not speaking about perfection. “In the scriptures, perfect means “complete, whole, and fully developed; totally righteous.” (2) None of us will attain perfection in this life, yet as we sincerely, consistently repent, and pursue holiness, we can become pure.

I’m not referring only to sexual purity, though chastity is essential if we desire the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Personal purity also involves turning away from violence, vulgarity, and contention–or any thoughts and behaviors that offend the Spirit.

As stated in the Wiki definition above, superpowers “… are considered beyond the limits of normal beings…” True personal purity allows us to draw on the powers of heaven, and the strength promised to covenant keepers. The power flows from God, who is willing to share it with any of His children who earnestly seek to qualify for that blessing through repentance and patterning their lives after the Savior.

Why Does Purity Matter?

A line from my patriarchal blessing teaches the “why” of purity: “Keep thyself free from the stains of the world, and thereby worthy to receive the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost. And the Holy Ghost will be thy constant companion …” Purity of mind and body is key to maintaining spiritual sensitivity. Years ago, I wrote the following on this subject:

“One of the greatest dangers we face in these high-tech latter-days is the threat of becoming desensitized to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. Once this occurs, it is just a matter of time before we begin easing into evil. Speaking to a group of Nephites, the prophet Jacob described some of the women this way: their “feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate… which thing is pleasing unto God” (Jacob 2:7) Though words like tender and delicate might describe something fragile, we must not equate them with weakness. Jacob was referring to pure minds and fine-tuned spirits—the kind that operate on the same frequency as the Holy Ghost—that enabled these Nephite women to discern His promptings. Make no mistake; any woman in possession of these qualities has access to tremendous spiritual power.” (3)

Sounds like a superpower to me.

How Do We Become Pure?

“A person who has committed sin — [which is all of us] — can become pure through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and receiving the ordinances of the gospel.” (4)

President Russell M. Nelson has preached the importance of daily repentance: “The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point in our eternal progression. But He does expect us to become increasingly pure. Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power. Personal purity can make us powerful tools in the hands of God.” (5)

What a gift! Though we may strive each day to follow the Savior, we still fall short of perfection–but every single day we have the privilege of approaching our Heavenly Father in humility and asking for His forgiveness.

Speaking to a group of university students, Emeritus general authority John H. Groberg taught, “How do we become more pure? We follow the Savior more closely. We trust and obey Him more fully. We start wherever we are and become a little more obedient. This obedience brings a little more purity into our lives, which gives us a little more power to become a little more obedient. The more obedient we are the more pure we become. The more pure we become, the more power from heaven we receive, and on and on …” (6)

There is a temple connection to developing purity as a superpower: Keeping covenants brings purity and power. How could it be otherwise? If we are striving to obey God’s commandments, to sacrifice what He asks of us, to embrace the doctrine of Jesus Christ through faith, repentance, baptism/the Sacrament, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, to keep our minds and bodies chaste, and to consecrate ourselves to God’s work, we are becoming pure.

The Superpower of Purity Blesses Others

The “superpower” of purity not only blesses those who possess it, but also allows them to positively impact the people within their sphere of influence. I experienced this with Sister Wixom, as described earlier, and also during another encounter with a powerfully pure woman:

I once attended an event which was held for past and present general presidencies of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary auxiliaries of the Church, as well as the members of their general advisory councils. I was not one of those women, but was participating only as the pianist for a special musical number.

During the luncheon, I was seated by a sister who recognized that I felt a bit out of place in this group of strong, female leaders. She made a sincere effort to include me in the conversation at our table. I learned that she was a member of the Relief Society general advisory council. I was greatly impressed with her kindness, and the purity that glowed in her countenance. I felt the unmistakable warmth of the Spirit during our encounter, which lingered as I drove home that day.

I was not surprised when this good woman, Sister Susan H. Porter, was sustained as the Primary General President. How fitting that someone so pure would be called to watch over the children of the Church. My conversations with both Sister Porter and Sister Wixom had a lasting influence on me, strengthening my desire to grow in purity.

In recent years, the third verse of a familiar hymn has become my daily prayer:

More purity give me,
More strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains,
More longing for home.
More fit for the kingdom,
More used would I be,
More blessed and holy—
More, Savior, like thee. (7)

The Lord has declared, “… I am able to make you holy …” (D&C 60:7) Perfection may be a long way off, but as we access the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the superpower of purity is within reach of us mere mortals. May we wholeheartedly pursue purity, tapping into the divine source of strength and inspiration. “… that we may be purified, even as He is pure.” (Moroni 7:48)

Notes:

  1. Wikipedia: Superpower (ability). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superpower_(ability)
  2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2014/03/to-the-point/the-scriptures-tell-us-to-be-perfect-how-can-i-do-that?lang=eng
  3. Lynne Perry Christofferson, Sisters, Arise!, Covenant Communications, pgs. 52-53.
  4. Pure, purity: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/pure-purity?lang=eng#title1
  5. President Russell M. Nelson, We Can Do Better and Be Better, April 2019 General Conference.
  6. John H. Groberg, The Power of Purity, March 15, 2011, BYUHawaii, https://speeches.byuh.edu/devotional/the-power-of-purity
  7. Philip Paul Bliss, More Holiness Give Me, Hymns, p. 131, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.