...and their hearts were open.

Look to the Children - Minerva Teichert

33 And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 19:33)

The phrase "and their hearts were open" is simple yet highly instructive and an important key in the spiritual outpouring the Nephites experienced with the Savior at the temple in Bountiful.  How open are our hearts? What is the spiritual outcome of a closed heart? If we are truly honest with ourselves we can feel the condition of our heart and whether we receive the words of truth with joy or whether we resist.  We can sense if seeds of truth take root of if they fall by the wayside.

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed.  Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.   (Book of Mormon | Alma 32:28)

It seems that a willingness to believe is a key to having an open heart.  I would guess that humility, meekness and and being teachable also contribute.  These qualities are the antitheses of pride, the bedrock of a closed and hardened heart.

The Old Testament talks about a circumcised heart which symbolizes a heart that has been cut or broken open to receive the seeds of the gospel, the seeds of healing from the Savior.

6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.   (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 30:6)


No wonder the Lord uses trials  and tribulations to plow our ground that our hearts might perhaps be more open to his teachings which will heal us.

An open heart leads to life eternal.

20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost
(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:20)
 
Our part of the equation is to exercise faith, to extend belief, to let go of unbelief, to act in humility, to become teachable as a little child.


15 Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.

(Book of Mormon | Ether 4:15)
 
Beautiful promises!! We can pray that our hearts will be opened to receive His word. The process must begin with our own choosing to take that initial step towards faith.


7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:7)