For the last couple of days, I’ve been canning salsa. While canning I had an unfortunate mishap. I forgot to temper the glass… What you see pictured on the right is the result of thermal shock. It happened because I didn’t heat my jars before putting them in the boiling water to seal the lids. Three of the jars could not withstand the rapidly rising heat. While I was sad to loose these jars and the yummy salsa they contained,  I’m happy to report that none of the other batches had anymore issues. I only had to follow proper canning procedures.
At times I wonder if I am strong enough to take the challenges that are coming. I believe in living prophets and we have been warned that there will be difficult days ahead. Waiting for, and preparing the way for the second coming of the Lord is not for the faint of heart. Yet the scriptures are clear, “if we are prepared we shall not fear”. If we need to overcome fear, there are proper procedures to follow.
What are the proper procedures to gain spiritual strength? Staying true to our covenants, keeping the Commandments, studying our scriptures with the intent to draw closer to the Lord, daily repentance, offering sincere prayers, following promptings from the Holy Spirit, serving our neighbors, and following the counsel of inspired leaders and parents. Also, we need to be doing things that may be a little bit hard and cause us to stretch and grow. This tempering process if you will allow a greater measure of the spirit to be with us.
Just like my jars, I know when I followed proper procedures we will be protected against rising pressure. Just like when I didn’t last lose one jar, we two can be saved in the Savior’s loving grace. Learning how to lean upon His power is the greatest quest we can undertake.
Please and share with your friends.
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