Seminary
Lesson 103: Psalm 24—“Who Shall Ascend into the Hill of the Lord?”
a group of young men walk outside the temple together

Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46: Lesson 103

Psalm 24

“Who Shall Ascend into the Hill of the Lord?”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

Temples are sacred, holy spaces. They help us imagine what it would be like to be in the presence of God. Through temple worship and service we can receive God’s power and prepare to live with Him again. In Psalm 24, King David teaches the importance of being clean and pure to enter the house of the Lord. This lesson can help prepare you to enter the temple and feel worthy to live with God again.

Study the Scriptures

In 1847, a group of doctors faced a problem. Nearly one in five mothers treated in the hospital maternity ward died from infection. Interestingly, patients treated by midwives rarely fell ill. Through observation, one doctor discovered the problem. After performing autopsies on the deceased, doctors examined living patients without washing their hands. The solution turned out to be a simple one. The hospital adopted the practice of handwashing before each appointment. The deaths reduced by 89 percent. Today, many hospitals place signs with handwashing standards above each sink. Similarly, the Lord has made His standard for preparation and cleanliness to enter the temple.

As you study today, look for how the Lord’s requirements to be spiritually clean could be evidence of His love for us.

In Psalm 24, King David used the imagery of a hill. Some scripture passages use mountains or hills as symbols of temples (see Isaiah 2:2–3). It is possible that David was referring to the temple, or the presence of God, or both.

notebook iconLike doctors did with the handwashing sign in hospitals, create a temple standards sign in your study journal. You could create a simple drawing of a hill, like the drawing after this paragraph. Include on the top of your hill a sketch of a temple and the words “Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.” You could draw a stick figure at the bottom of the hill to represent you.

a stick figure at the bottom of a hill, at the top of which is a temple with the words “Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ”

Read Psalm 24:3–6, looking for what we should do to prepare to enter the temple and return to the Lord’s presence someday. Add truths you find to your drawing in a way that shows you progressing toward the temple and God. For example, you might add the following truth from verses 3–6:

  • We must prepare ourselves spiritually to worship the Lord in His temple and to dwell in His presence.

doctrinal mastery iconPsalm 24:3–4 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider tagging doctrinal mastery passages with the topic they teach so you can find them easily later. Memorize the reference and key scripture phrase “Who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.” Create the following equation with simple drawings in the place of the words:

  • holy place = clean hands + pure heart

As you draw, say the key scripture phrase out loud.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.

Option A

How can understanding the scriptures help me prepare to worship in the temple?

link iconLink each phrase from Psalm 24:4 to the following verses.

note iconMake a note next to one or more of the phrases in Psalm 24 explaining the following:

  • Why do you think this aspect of preparation is important to worship in the temple and to dwell with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ someday?

  • What are specific ways a Latter-day Saint teenager could work on that aspect of preparation?

Option B

How can I know if I am prepared to enter the temple?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Every member who wants to go to the temple, regardless of age, needs to prepare for this sacred experience. Certain questions will be asked by your bishop and stake president, who hold keys of priesthood authority and are common judges in the Church. These vital questions will include: Are you honest? Are you morally clean? Do you keep the Word of Wisdom? Do you obey the law of tithing? And do you sustain the authorities of the Church? The answers to these key questions reflect your attitude and actions. (“See the End from the Beginning,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 44)

If it is available, watch “Standing in Holy Places“ (5:36). Look for ways the young lady prepared herself to attend the temple worthily.

5:36

Complete a spiritual preparation checkup. Review the temple recommend questions found at “Temple Recommend Questions for Youth” (For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices [2022], 37).

Now What?

the Bountiful Utah Temple on a tree covered hill at sunset

Reflect on how you are doing with your own spiritual preparation. Ponder what you feel Heavenly Father is pleased with and areas where you could improve.

notebook icon Answer the following questions in your notebook:

  • What do you feel Heavenly Father wants you to do to prepare yourself for the temple and for living with Him someday?

  • How can you rely on the Savior for help?

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help prepare you to enter the temple and feel worthy to live with God again.

share iconShare one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

  • The note you created next to one of the phrases from Psalm 24:4.

  • Your answers from one of the questions from the “Now What?” section.

  • Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

  • Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?