2 Nephi 13

Isaiah prophesies what will happen to Judah and Jerusalem in Chapter 13. I'm focusing in on what the first part of verse 9 reads:

"The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and doth declare their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide it. Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves!"

What is a countenance?
A countenance is an indication of mood, emotion, or character via appearance, especially the expression of the face




To me it's important that we have good countenances. It's a reflection of what's inside us. What the state of our spirit is. I'd like to have a countenance made clean and pure through the Atonement, so that when I am someday face to face with Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ I will not wish to hide myself under a rock. As it says in Alma 12:14:

"For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to chide us from his presence." 

In order to make sure I have a countenance that I'm not ashamed of, I need to invite the spirit into my life. This means doing good. It means doing anything that invites the spirit. Serving others. Prayer. Scripture study. Even repentance. For we are not perfect and we make mistakes. President Brigham Young said, "Those who have got the forgiveness of their sins have countenances that look bright, and they will shine with the intelligence of heaven” (“Speech,” Times and Seasons, July 1, 1845, 956). People like to hang around people with bright and shinning countenances. There is just something you like about them and you gravitative towards them.

There are times when you do something that dims your countenance. It might not be noticeable to you. But those people so full of the spirit can notice. President David O. McKay taught:

“No man can disobey the word of God and not suffer for so doing. No sin, however secret, can escape retribution. True, you may lie and not be detected; you may violate virtue without it being known by any who would scandalize you; yet you cannot escape the judgment that follows such transgression. The lie is lodged in the recesses of your mind, an impairment of your character that will reflect sometime, somehow in your countenance or bearing” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1951, 8).

Thus, repent. When you think of something good, act on it. It's a great thing. Your worries and burdens seem not so heavy, you really just enjoy life and all it has to offer.