Unclean Souls and Tempra Paint

Numbers 18-20

Moses is out for hitting a rock and Aaron and Miriam die and everyone is struggling with being “unclean”.  Unclean, that’s the point; we are all unclean.  What do we do when our spirit, our soul becomes “unclean”, stained and marred? 

You remember that little white tray of tempera paint you used in primary school.  Remember opening it up for the first time and all the beautiful pure colors in ovals lined up in a row.   Oh, the excitement and anticipation of all the beautiful paintings you were going to make.  But remember after the first few minutes, your nice beautiful white tray had turned into that muddy, watery mess!  We were so disappointed and had no idea what to do. 

But remember the teacher, when she would take it to the sink, run clear water over it,  rub it with your little brush and wash all the mud down the drain.  Like magic the pure oval colors would once more appear.  Oh, the ecstasy of a clean palette and once again being filled with the joy of what wonderful works you were about to do. 

That’s the best example I know of for how it feels when you ask God, in primary faith, to clean your “unclean” muddy spirit!