The Lord had great things in mind for the Brother of Jared and his band of followers when he did not confound their language, and guided them out of a wicked place in an exodus. Perhaps even greater things than they thought possible. Eventually their adventure brought them to a point where they could go no further without a vehicle.

“And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness, and did build barges, in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord.
And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people.

And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.” (Ether 2:6-8)

The Brother of Jared and his people traveled through a wilderness and then across the sea in barges to a promised land. A land that God had preserved for a righteous people which was choice above all others.

Reaching a Zion, or terrestrial state is a blessing that this land of promise can represent. This specific land or blessing is precious and the Lord has sworn that those who inherit it must serve him, and him only or experience his wrath. Once to this land there is no going back.

A blessing of this proportion and magnitude requires a journey—in order that those who inherit the blessing a purified and know the Lord; this way not only will they be changed, but they will be true to the Lord after receiving it.

Replace land with blessing in this verse and apply it to a Zion state of being:
“Behold, this is a choice [blessing], and whatsoever [person] shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ.” (Ether 2:12)

Those living in an ascended terrestrial state in this world are free from any kind of bondage or captivity to other nations, people, devils, or anything. A goal and journey of this degree requires a vehicle, just as the Jaredites’ did. Our homes can become that type of vehicle for us.

Consider these verses describing the barges the Jaredites used:

“And the Lord said: Go to work and build, after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work, and also his brethren, and built barges after the manner which they had built, according to the instructions of the Lord. And they were small, and they were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water.

And they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish.” (Ether 2:16-17)

In order to truly progress and reach our destination our home needs to be a refuge, a place where we can be insulated and protected from the water—the evils of this world. Our homes need to be tight like unto a dish—so spiritually and energetically enclosed that when we’re there we feel peace, we feel the presence of angels and heavenly beings; it needs to be a temple the Lord himself can come to.

But how do we do it? How do we prevent any water, or evil, from seeping into our home? Here are a few suggestions to ponder and pray about:

Eliminate all contention

Jesus Christ taught: “For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.”

Any contention in the home drives away the Spirit. It lowers the energetic vibration of the home and brings down the effectiveness of energetic and spiritual shields. Contention enables devils and unclean spirits to take up residence, and they feed off of that energy. These things combined also create discord between family members and harm relationships.

What do you need to do to eliminate all contention in your home?

Energetic shield

Consider this picture of the temple:

Temples have energetic shields around them that are programmed, our homes need these as well. Through the priesthood, the power of faith, and the name of Jesus Christ create an energetic shield around your home if you have not already. The light of Christ will respond to your faith-filled intent in this action and honor your request enabling your home to become “tight like unto a dish.” Prayerfully consider how you would like to program your shield. Receive revelation on this subject. Visualize it coming into being, and be confident that it is there.

Some ideas to consider when programming your shield around your home: protection against all devils, unclean spirits, and entities of any kind or class, protection against EMF waves, a shield that prevents the adversary or any working with him or under his rule from seeing, hearing, or observing in any way what goes on inside, a shield that maintains the spirit inside, protection against negative energies and emotions, protection against spells, or viruses of any kind, protection against intruders, etc.

Entertainment

What is allowed to come into your house? Are there any means of entertainment that would disrupt the sacredness of your home? Do an inventory and get rid of any movies, music or media of any kind that does not bring you closer to God, and invite a spirit of joy. Elder Bednar taught: “If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us.” 

Play sacred music often, use the TV for only sacred or unifying purposes. Consider getting rid of the TV altogether necessary. Do not allow anyone to bring anything into your home that does not fit your standard.

Dedicate the home

This is vital and should be done very prayerfully. The Lord has a great interest in our homes becoming sacred places, and a dedicatory prayer is an area from my personal experience that He will provide much guidance and revelation on if we seek it. Consider studying D&C section 109 looking for ideas for things to include in your dedicatory prayer. Ask the Lord to give you more. Consider fasting and worshiping through prayer, song, and exhortation before performing the dedication.

We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ

Our words are a powerful manifestation tool. We receive what we speak. They have a great impact on the spirit in a home. The things we talk about also effect whether or not angels abide in our home. Angels and heavenly beings detest negativity, crudeness, and vanity. Strive to center conversations around Jesus Christ, His purposes, and things that are sacred and eternal in nature.

Use the temple as a template

In D&C 88:119 the Lord invited the Saints to build the Kirtland temple: “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.” Prayerfully analyze what more you could do to align your own home to fit each description in this template. Make any necessary changes.

Beings of light and darkness

One way that angels and heavenly beings travel and get around is through portals. You can pray in the name of Jesus Christ, or use the authority of God’s priesthood, to open heavenly portals into your home that angels may be able to dwell with you. Invite them often. Pray and seek for the gift of discerning of spirits in order to readily recognize when there are devils, unclean spirits, or entities of any kind that need to be cast out of the home. Eliminate these spirits as soon as they are detected.

As your home becomes “tight like unto a dish” you will have a sacred vessel to cross your waters in, that you might successfully “land upon the shore of the promised land.” (Ether 6:12) Your home will become your refuge, I know mine has.