Form Tad R. Callister’s book “The Infinite Atonement.”
“Benjamin Franklin created a systematic plan whereby he pursued perfection. Although he tried diligently to follow it, he recalled his frequent relapses to old ways, his lack of progress and finally the near resolution to “give up the attempt, and content myself with a faulty character.” Such a train of thought reminded him of the man who brought an ax to a blacksmith and “desired to have the whole of the face as bright as the edge. The smith consented to grind it bright for him if he would turn the wheel; he turned, while the smith passed the broad face of the ax hard and heavy against the stone, which made the turning of it very fatiguing. The man came every now and then from the wheel to see how the work went on, and at length would take his ax as it was, without farther grinding. ‘No,’ said the smith, ‘Turn on, turn on; we shall have it bright by and by; as yet it is only speckled.’ ‘Yes, says the man, ‘but I think I like a speckled ax best.'” 9
Perhaps there are some who have reconciled themselves to a speckled life, who have found it easier to accept a spiritual status quo than exert the required effort to make the whole of their lives bright. No doubt there are some who believe they possess irrevocable weaknesses and shortcomings—spiritual defects that are incurable, tempers that are insurmountable, ill feelings that are irrepressible, or lack of faith that is unconquerable. Many such good souls “plateaued out” spiritually. “It’s my nature,” they say. But the words of the Lord to Moses echo in our minds again and again, “Who hath made man’s mouth?” (Exodus 4:11). Cannot God, the creator of all, fashion, shape, add to, modify and help overcome any weakness of any faithful, humble person? Was that not the promise from the Holy One himself?
President George Q. Cannon spoke of man’s shortcomings and the solution. He recognized the link between spiritual gifts and godhood. He eloquently and fervently pleaded with the saints to overcome each manifested weakness through the acquisition of a countermanding gift of strength, known as a gift of the Spirit. He spoke as follows:
“No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them. . . .
“He wants His Saints to be perfected in the truth. For this purpose He gives these gifts, and bestows them upon those who seek after them, in order that they may be a perfect people upon the face of the earth, not withstanding their many weaknesses, because God has promised to give the gifts that are necessary for their perfection. . . .
If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray tor the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them. What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections. If I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose.”10
(Tad G. Callister, Salt Lake City: ‘The Infinite Atonement,’ 2000) 551-54 [pocket book edition]
References
9. Franklin, Benjamin Franklin, 83
10. Ashton, Measure of Our Hearts, 24-25.
~From Tad R. Callister’s book ‘The Infinite Atonement’ (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2000), 551 (pocket book edition)
