As I walked in the temple one day a vivid image of a crystal in my hand formed in my mind. I viewed my hand and pictured the crystal and it struck me how this beautiful crystal was no less beautiful or imperfect no matter how very rough its beginning. I had paused, near the outer doors of the Celestial Room and felt words pour into my soul. “After wiping away every tear and healing your sorrows, it will no longer matter that the way was so difficult. You will be a crystal”.
A few days later, I found myself with the men who attend our addiction recovery group. Several times I’ve heard the desire expressed for some kind of “magic pill” to take that would just make the problem go away, but there is no shortcut in a refining process that not only takes away unwanted behavior, but also changes the heart.
The thought of the crystal came back to me and I told them, “A crystal is formed under tremendous pressure and heat, but once the difficult process of change is complete, people don’t question the worth of the crystal. It is a crystal and what it was and what we have been won’t matter after our Savior wipes away all our tears. People will look at you, and all they will see… is a crystal”.
“Yet I will own them, and they shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels.” D&C 101:3
And so each dark blemish of sin must be purged. Each negative thought borne in adversity must be subdued with faith. Each doubt must be infused with truth and hope. And casual indifference must be replaced with love like our Savior has for each of us. There was no magic pill for him and when seeking to become sanctified through receiving, cherishing and following the Holy Spirit, there is no magic pill for us either.
There is patience, and faith, and persevering…
Be still, my soul: The hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
I had a Primary teacher who made a similar point using a china cup. Before it was a china cup it was a lump of clay – only after it passed through the hot temperatures of a kiln did it become beautiful and useful.