An Interesting Object Lesson

I just experienced a very interesting object lesson in a Family Home Evening lesson.  I have seen parts of this lesson at different times and I will try to describe it with all the parts together in case someone would like to try the object lesson for themselves. 

The object lesson starts with the teacher holding up a can of Spam, and asks: "Who here can tell me what this Spam tastes like and what the results of eating it are?"  Of course a few hands go up, but not many.  Out of the few people that raised their hands, the question was asked: "How many actually tasted Spam before?"  A couple hands went back down.  Those who tasted the Spam previously were taken aside and were given the chance to taste it again to refresh their memory (which comes in handy a little later on). 

Those who tasted the Spam go into another room while the teacher goes back to the class.  Next the teacher asks: "Who here has ever seen or smelled the Spam before?"  If any have, they are taken aside, or a couple people are chosen.  They are taken aside and they are allowed to smell and see and even touch the Spam, then left outside the room until called for. 

A couple more from the group are read the ingredients and told how the product is made.  They then in turn go and teach their own group, (the rest of the class is divided into two groups) by memory what they just learned.  Everyone is assured that they are being taught the absolute truth, with no deceptions. 

Next bring everyone back into the class, and pose the questions again: 
"What does Spam taste like?" 
Those who were taken aside and actually tasted the product explained what they tasted, although there were slight differences in how they described it, and many start giving their opinions of what they think it tasted like, just based on their experiences with it.  Those who smelled, touched, and saw it, had some ideas of what it must taste like, and those who learned the ingredients and some of the process of how it is made also had opinions of what the product must taste like.  If not for a quick teacher, the expression of opinion may have escalated. 

Over the course of the conversation the arguments of 'Who knows the most about the product' is brought out.  Those who know the most about the ingredients and what they were taught about the process of how the product was made (and who taught the majority of the class) have the most support for their opinions.  Those who saw, smelled, and touched the product may be swayed to the side of popular opinion.  And soon enough, those who actually tasted are pushed aside, because after all they don't even know what the ingredients are.  They may even begin to question their own experience of just tasting the product. 

Soon enough, the knowledge of the actual taste and experience of the fruits of the product are lost, replaced by popular opinion. 

Then the teacher introduces a no name version of canned meat, and asks:  "Who knows what this product tastes like and the energy it gives?" 

The process is repeated, only this time new elements are brought into light that question the differences between the two products.  Needless to say, there are many lessons to be learned from this object lesson.  But the one that stands out to me is, all the arguments over the gospel by those who are very well read and so talented that they can get popular opinion on their side, so much so that they actually lead people away from our Heavenly Father and His ways.  All for the argument that those who have actually stood in the personal presence of God cannot quote as many scriptures, or are not as eloquent and persuasive in their speech. 

Those who have actually stood in the personal presence of God do know exactly what it is like and what they need to be like.  Those who have only read and studied and prayed about the ingredient list cannot. 

I have often felt so inadequate before the Lord, but the word of the Lord says, "My sheep hear my voice." 

So the question is: "Do you hear the voice of God, or the voice of popular opinion?"  Are you seeking out the information that those who have stood in the very presence of God can impart, or are you swayed by those who can quote scripture after scripture and yet have never stood in the presence of the Almighty?  If they have not stood in His presence, then they don't know Him.  If they cannot get themselves into His presence, they cannot get you into His presence. 

Go directly to God.  Humble yourselves before Him.  Accept the way things are and work hard to make things better.  Constantly be improving.  Care about others more than you care about yourself.  And never, never give up.  The Lord is there watching you.  He is very interested in you.  He will do, and does do, all in His power to bring you to Him.  Never give up on Him.  He never gives up on you. 

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