Parable of the Painting

As many of you might know, I am very fond of parables and analogies.  They make my journey in understanding the world much easier, and I hope they can help you as well.

One idea that I have been pondering recently, is the idea that our lives are similar to a painting; a work of art (contributed to a few EFY songs, including Masterpiece by Julie De Azevedo and While We’re Young by April Meservy and JB Ahfua.)

In thinking about this, I have envisioned myself before a white canvas, painting.  Meanwhile, my mentors and tutors, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, occasionally come over to me to give me suggestions on how to make a beautiful painting.  Well, they’re not suggestions.  They’re commandments.  He knows our desires to make beautiful paintings, and he has given us instructions and guides to help us to accomplish that.

However, let me point out one thing: He has only given us guides. The test of mortality is to obey what the Father has commanded us to do, but we still need to fill in the gaps between the guides, and still make our painting beautiful. In Doctrine and Covenants section 58 verse 26, the Lord explain to Joseph Smith "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward." In other words, if the Lord has to paint our picture for us, it's all kind of pointless, right? He only sets the qualifications, and we use our Agency to make the rest of it beautiful.

I pray that we all make our works of art in the Highest standard, and that we may all live with Him once again. I know that He lives. I know that He has paid the price for my sins, and I will be forever grateful to Him for that. I love my Lord. I love my Father. I say these things in the eternally sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.