The Sculptor

". . . Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen . . . for ye recieve no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Ether 12:6)
"My Son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment . . . And then if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high . . ." (D&C 121:7-8)
" . . . know thou, my Son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (D&C 122:7)

There was a certain Sculptor, whose name was Jacob, who was the creator of wonderful pieces of art.  He took great care in creating these sculptures.  Every day he would sit down and shape and mold a lump of clay and turn it into a beautiful statue or figurine.  One day Jacob set his clay on the table and began to mold and shape this mound of clay.  As the clay began to dry and harden he would moisten it with water so that it was easier to mold.  As time went on this sculpture was refusing to be shaped any more.  The molding and shaping was very uncomfortable to the sculpture and it hurt to be changed so often.  As it refused to budge Jacob applied more water only to find it just as difficult to shape it. When Jacob finally shaped the sculpture the way he liked, he set it in the furnace solidify it.  In the fires the sculpture melted and shape itself into a hideous and deformed shape.  The fires were too hot and the sculpture bent under the pressure.  When Jacob took it out he looked over it, and with sorrow in his heart, threw it out with the garbage.

The next day Jacob put a new lump of clay on the table and once again began to shape, and mold.  When it began to dry and harden he would moisten it with water. As time went on the sculpture cried out, "Master, my afflictions are great and my only relief is the water that I only receive occasionally.  Why must I endure so much?"  Jacob paused at his work and replied, "My friend, what I have done is necessary for you to be a wonderful piece of art.  I know your trials are hard but I know it will bring you the most joy." The sculpture agreed and allowed Jacob to do what he found necessary.  When Jacob was finished he carried the sculpture in the furnace to be made solid.  "My friend," said Jacob, "This will be your most trying time, but it will also bring you the greatest joy.  It will be but a small moment, but will be for your good."  The door was closed and the fires were set.  The pressure was strong and the sculpture was tempted to bend, but he trusted in the word of Jacob and held firm and undaunted.  The fires died and Jacob pulled out the sculpture and set it on the table.  He looked over it and looked pleased.

Jacob then carried the sculpture to a great mansion and set him down.  Before leaving Jacob said, "You have been strong in your trials and now you may enjoy peace and in Paradise."  As Jacob left the sculpture looked into a mirror and saw his reflection.  The sculpture was a wonderful, and perfect, work of art.