Shima Baughman, the Woodruff J. Deem professor of law at the BYU Law School and a distinguished fellow at the Wheatley Institute, delivered Tuesday’s devotional address, focusing on the life-changing effects of offering one’s whole heart to Jesus Christ.
“The heart as an organ that cleanses our blood symbolizes how the Savior is our ultimate source of purification. Our ever-consistent heartbeat reminds us that He is there with us through it all,” she expressed.
Baughman taught that the five covenants made in the temple connect us with God and further purify our hearts. They unite us eternally, and wholeheartedly connect us with Him.
The Law of Obedience
The heart supplies the vital blood that all the other organs depend on to survive to give life to our bodies. Just as our hearts are constantly and consistently there, our Savior is constantly and consistently loving us, “without a beat skipped.”
One way that Christ has expressed love is through His atoning sacrifice, opening the door for us to express our love in return through obedience and repentance. Opportunities to grow closer to our Savior through repentance and exact obedience are a blessing, allowing us to give our hearts more fully to Him.
The Law of Sacrifice
The scriptures teach that the heart is a symbol of our desires, intentions and loyalty. Christ taught, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” When our hearts are devoted to God, it is a privilege to sacrifice for Him.
“I want to aim to be full of His love,” Baughman expressed. “I want to remember to be faithful to Him as my Rock, my everlasting deliverer and as my best friend.”
The Law of the Gospel
Baughman shared a story of when she mentored a refugee, Speratha, illustrating the transformative power of love and repentance. Baughman initially declined to help, but later, through spiritual prompting, repented and formed a deep connection with Speratha.
Baughman taught that lives are altered through correction and change, illustrating that turning towards God brings lasting transformation.
The Law of Chastity
“Our innate human drive to fill our hearts with love could be why our master teacher, who knows us so deeply, used an analogy of a bride and groom preparing for marriage to represent us being true to our Savior,” Baughman said.
The loyalty we commit to in our relationship with the Savior is similar to the commitment of loyalty to an eternal partner. When the Savior is our greatest love, keeping His commandments becomes simpler.
The Law of Consecration
“Our Savior has given His entire heart for every single one of us and God has blessed us with every comfort we enjoy,” Baughman said. “When we consecrate our hearts to Him, it becomes a privilege to dedicate our time, talents and resources to building His Kingdom.”
Spending time in the Lord’s house and wearing garments of the holy temple keep Christ at the center of our lives. The garments cover our heart as a reminder to give our whole hearts to Jesus Christ, just as He has given His whole heart, and life, to us.
“No object on this earth or human possession comes close to your value,” Baughman concluded. “Your Savior adores you.”
