What Are Treasures in Heaven?

In the New Testament when Jesus Christ was giving His Sermon on the Mount, He commanded us to:

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."¹

What are "treasures in heaven"? Elder Bruce R. McConkie, a member of the Twelve Apostles from 1972 until his death in 1985, said:

"Treasures in heaven are the character, perfections, and attributes which men acquire by obedience to law. Thus, those who gain such attributes of godliness as knowledge, faith, justice, judgment, mercy, and truth, will find these same attributes restored to them again in immortality. (Alma 41:13-15.) 'Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. (D&C 130:18.) The greatest treasure it is possible to inherit in heaven consists in gaining the continuation of the family unit in the highest heaven of the celestial world."²

Thus, as Elder McConkie said, treasures in heaven include the "attributes of godliness" which are spiritual things like:

• knowledge
• faith
• justice
• judgment
• mercy
• truth

Treasures in heaven are also those gospel ordinances we receive during this life, with Celestial Marriage and Eternal Families being the greatest of them all.

The Lord also taught that if we "walk in obedience to the commandments [we] shall... find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures."³

God's treasures in heaven are far greater than any physical treasure we may accumulate in this life. May we choose to seek out God's glorious treasures as we come unto Him.

Notes:
1. Matthew 6:19-21.
2. McConkie, Bruce R., Doctrinal New Testament Commentary. 3 vols. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965-73, 1:239-40. Quoted in The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, Chapter 8: Be Ye Therefor Perfect, 8-6, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, pg 58.
3. Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-19.

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