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The phrase "standing in holy places", or its equivalent, appears three times in scripture--all of which are in the Doctrine and Covenants (DC 45:32, DC 101:22, DC 87:8). However, the singular tense of the phrase-- "stand in the holy place" --or its equivalent, is found numerous times in the Old and New Testaments. Of late, the expression has been the topic of countless talks and discourses designed to encourage individuals to surround themselves in an atmosphere of holiness through righteous living (see, for example, a short list including: Stand Strong in Holy Places, Hales, April 2013; Be Not Moved, Dalton, April 2013; Your Holy Places, Dibb, April 2013; Stand in Holy Places, Monson, October 2011; Stand in Holy Places, Faust, April 2005; Stand in Holy Places, Larsen, April 2002. To summarize, the general consensus of these messengers is that a "holy place" can be any place in which you dwell in righteousness, including within your heart.
Although I desire to neither alter this interpretation nor disregard the wonderful and appropriate counsel given by these individuals, I believe it is appropriate to look at the phrase from an Old Testament perspective and provide a scriptural definition of what it means to stand in holy places. I believe it is also appropriate to note why the phrase has evolved from an Old Testament singular to latter-day plural tense.
THE TABERNACLE
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But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace (Ephesians 2:13-15).
The expressive features of the OUTER COURT were the Altar of Sacrifice (also known as the Brazen Altar) and the Washing Laver wherein the the high priests ritually cleansed themselves prior to entering the HOLY PLACE. The constituent parts of the HOLY PLACE were the Seven-Branched Candlestick (also called the Menorah) situated against the south wall (right wall), the Table of Showbread situated immediately across the room against the north wall, and the Altar of Incense (also called the Golden Altar) placed before the veil and entrance into the MOST HOLY PLACE. The single hallmark of the MOST HOLY PLACE was the Ark of the Covenant containing the Covenants written on stone, Aaron's Rod that budded, and the Pot of Manna. The precise dimensions and positions of the vessels of the Tabernacle are featured in the following diagram:
The placement and dimensions of each room, and the locale of each altar and vessel within the tabernacle, carried deep meaning. Most meaningful was the fact that the entire tabernacle was but a type and shadow of the One True Tabernacle that comprised the body of our LORD, Jesus Christ. Due to the fact that His tabernacle of clay was the genetic offspring of God, the Father, only His tabernacle can be truly characterized as the "Tabernacle of God."
Emphasizing this point, the apostle John used the Mosaic Tabernacle as a metaphor of the salient characteristics of the LORD. I have taken the liberty to add my own parenthetical comments to John's description:
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle (His paps, or breasts, were situated at the Golden Altar in the HOLY PLACE),
His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; (White is associated with the Celestial glory. His head was, therefore, positioned in the MOST HOLY PLACE) and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace (His feet were stationed at the Brazen Altar in the OUTER COURT); and his voice as the sound of many waters.
And he had in his right hand seven stars (His right hand was holding the Seven-Branched Candlestick situated in the HOLY PLACE): and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword (The word of God came from his mouth as symbolized by the Covenants written on stone, Aaron's Rod that budded, and the Pot of Manna): and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength (His countenance is his face, thus, positioning his face in the location of the MOST HOLY PLACE, the Celestial glory, or that glory of which the sun is likened). (Revelation 1:12-16).
Although the following image drawn by Reverend Bernice R. Hicks depicts a Protestant view of the foregoing verses, I must admit that it is not far from that which the apostle John described in the foregoing verses:
Is it any wonder that the House patterned after His tabernacle carries His name and is called "THE HOUSE OF THE LORD".
STANDING IN THE HOLY PLACE
Within the HOLY PLACE rested the Altar of Incense, or Golden Altar. It was a cubit wide and a cubit long and two cubits high. (Exodus 30:1-2). The length of a cubit is the distance from the elbow to the fingertips, so it varied between ancient cultures. Based on a list of ancient measurements listed at AnswersinGenesis.org, the height of the Altar of Incense approximated 40 inches.
Upon this altar, Aaron burned sweet incense every morning when he dressed the Seven-Branched Candlestick, and every evening when he lighted the Seven-Branched Candlestick (see Exodus 30:7-8). According to David, "the word of God is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalms 119:105), and the apostle John noted that the smoke of the incense offered upon the Altar of Incense was descriptive of the prayers of the saints that ascend up to God (Revelaton 8:3-4). Hence, the morning and evening practice within the HOLY PLACE symbolized the importance of morning and evening prayer associated with a study of the scriptures. "Prayers were said at the Sanctuary (HOLY PLACE) (1 Sam. 1:9–12; 1 Kgs. 8; Ps. 42:2, 4) or looking toward the Sanctuary (1 Kgs. 8:44, 48; Ps. 5:7; Dan. 6:10); on the housetop or in an upper chamber (Dan. 6:10; Acts 10:9)." Owing to the Altar of Incense, the House of the LORD was called a house of prayer to all people (see Isaiah 56:7).
Now . . . it is instrumental to emphasize again the height of the altar of incense-- 40 inches!! Certainly, this height does not accomodate kneeling prayers. Hence, the LDS Bible Dictionary notes that "the attitude of prayer ordinarily was standing (1 Sam. 1:26; Neh. 9:2, 4; Matt. 6:5; Luke 18:11, 13)" (see Prayer). To stand in the HOLY PLACE, therefore, was to stand at the altar of incense and offer prayer unto God. Such was the duty that devolved upon the Levites:27 For by the last words of David, the LEVITES were numbered from twenty years old and above:
28 Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
29 Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;
30 And to STAND every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even;
31 And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the Lord in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the Lord:
32 And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the HOLY PLACE, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 23:27-32; compare 2 Chronicles 35:1-5).
Today, these same duties devolve upon all who enter into the oath and covenant of the priesthood--"For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling . . . become the sons of Moses and of Aaron . . ." (D&C 84:33-34).
Anciently, one temple existed wherein Israel could worship in such a manner. Hence, the instruction to stand in the HOLY PLACE was given using a singular tense. Today, temples dot the face of the earth and the number of HOLY PLACES has dramatically increased. David asked the question "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?" In reply, David wrote: "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalms 24:3-4) 
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO STAND IN HOLY PLACES? WHOSOEVER HAS EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR!