The Rinsing Principle

I like to clean. There was a time in my life where I made money from cleaning, and every time I clean something I think profoundly about what I am doing and how I can ensure the best possible clean. As I have thought deeply about cleanliness I have made connections with Gospel principles and patterns, and one of those is called the principle of the rinse.

When something has become dirty it is important to use the right product, the right tool, and the right process to clean it. An all-purpose cleaner and a paper towel will not eliminate hard water stains simply by spraying and wiping. One must use a more heavy-duty cleaner, scouring brush, and apply a repeated amount of elbow grease in order to vanquish such stains. Keeping this in mind we would not use the same cleaner to clean our household dishes because of the potentially dangerous chemicals in the cleanser. When it comes to scrubbing bath tubs and dishes having the right cleaner, and applying necessary scrubbing power are necessary for an effective clean, but there is something else that allows the surface to remain clean. This is the principle of the rinse.

When we have scrubbed all of the dirt, grime and muck off of any surface it is essential to rinse it off. If the surface is left un-rinsed the same dirt, grime and muck that so much effort was expended to remove will either stay on the surface, or the the scrubbing tool. Rinsing ensures the surface will stay completely clean for as long as regular cleaning procedures are practiced.

At times we may ask the the same question the writer of Proverbs asked: "Who can say, I have my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? (Proverbs 20:9). Our imperfections inevitably get the better of us, and when this happens we need to clean our heart and soul. The same principles that apply to cleansing material things of impurities applies to our own souls as we strive to stay clean.

There is no doubt that we need this cleansing in our lives. Jacob in the Book of Mormon taught that we all need cleansing because of the effects of the fall of Adam, and why the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the only cleansing tool that will work. He said: "For as death (spiritual and physical) hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of the resurrection (spiritual and physical)...Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement--save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption." (2 Nephi 9:6-7)

Just as we need to use the right cleansing products and tools to get the job done, we need to make sure the source we turn to for spiritual cleansing is the right one. The one that is designed to cleanse us infinitely and completely. David knew where to turn when he needed to be cleansed. He said: "Create in me a clean heart, O God..." (Psalms 51:10). Many prophets and apostles have testified of  the cleansing power of Christ's atonement. Paul testified that Christ is "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the remission of sins." (1 Col. 1:14). The prophets Alma and Mormon exhorted people to be cleansed be the blood of Christ to be found spotless before God (Morm. 9:6, Alma 5:21). It is very clear that the blood that was spilt during Christ's atonement expiated for our sins which allows us the opportunity to turn to Christ and access that cleansing power. We can apply the blood of Christ through repentance, but this is only one step in the process of repentance. We can compare the application of the blood of Christ to getting the dirt, grime and muck off of our souls. It requires hard work and sacrifice. The next step in the repentance process is to "rinse" away our sins.

To rinse away our sins we need to never return to them. This step in the repentance process can also be difficult. Sometimes it will mean avoiding friends who are a negative influence. Sometimes it will mean breaking long-standing habits. Sometimes we will feel embarrassment or anxiety over changing so dramatically, but we need to remember that not returning to our sins is essential in the repentance process. Our Savior and Redeemer who suffered and bled to allow us the opportunity to become cleansed and purified will not leave us comfortless. He said: " for verily I say unto you, I will that ye should overcome the world; wherefore I will have compassion upon you." (D&C 64:2).

We need to not revert back to those sins and weaknesses we have, and we need to keep the commandments. Some commandments are more directly related with keeping a clean image before God, like in Doctrine and Covenants, section 59, verse 9 it says: "And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day."Other commandments are not as related, but nevertheless important for retaining a remission of our sins (Mosiah 4:11-12).

We are fallen sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father, and he truly is loving because He has provided one way for us to return back to live with him (Alma 38:9). The Lord taught Adam this eternal truth: That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory." (Moses 6:59).

I know that we can become clean through Christ, our Savior, and he teaches and guides us through the path of repentance, which includes a period of spiritual scrubbing and rinsing, so that we can find happiness in this life and in the life to come.