1. On the Refiner's Fire A Lesson for The Ward Council Sterling Park Ward Ashburn, VA Stake Bishop D. Calvin Andrus 25 January 2008 Version 1.1 Released under the Creative Common 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

2. An old preacher was dying. He sent a message for his banker and his lawyer, both church members, to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preacher held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed. The preacher grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled, and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything.

3. Both the banker and lawyer were touched and flattered that the preacher would ask them to be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled; the preacher had never given them any indication that he particularly liked either of them. They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable sermons about greed, covetousness, and avaricious behavior that made them squirm in their seats.

4. Finally, the banker said, "Preacher, why did you ask us to come?" The old preacher mustered up his strength and then said weakly, "Jesus died between two thieves, and that's how I want to go."

5. On to the Lesson

6. Refiner's Fire Mal. 3: 2-3 D&C 128: 24

7. Would someone please simply explain the metallurgical refining process?

8. Refining Metal Prep Heat Metal Slag Ore

9. Blast Furnace Prep'd Iron Ore and Coal put in here Air blasted in here Slag drained from top of metal Pure metal drained from bottom

10. When the metal is pure and molten, it is cast into shape and worked.

11. The purpose of refining metal is to remove the impurities. Refining is an arduous process.

12. Spiritual / Personal Sense... Heat? Slag? Prep? Refiner? Ore?

13. Thoughts / Notes SlagPrepHeat 1. 2. 3.

14. Two Examples

15. Abraham's Story, part 1 Gen 14:9-24 Gen 15:1-6 Gen 16:1-4,15 Gen 17:15-19

16. Abraham's Story, part 2 Gen 21:1-3 Gen 22:1, fn a Gen 22:2 Gen 22:3

17. Abraham's Thoughts? Did he understand right? Did this make sense? Did he tell his wife? Did he know the outcome?

18. Abraham's Confusion? This commandment was contrary to his values, his righteous desires, his previous heavenly promises

19. Abraham's Obedience? So, why did Abraham obey?

20. Abraham's Dross? How was he prepared? What dross needed to be purged? And what was the outcome?

21. Joseph's Story, part 1 JS-H 1:17-19 JS-H 1:30, 33, 34, 54 D&C 21:3 D&C 115:5-12

22. Joseph's Story, part 2 D&C 121:Intro D&C 121:1-3 D&C 122:5-7 D&C 123:Intro

23. Joseph's Dross? If Liberty jail was the refiner's fire, what was the slag that needed to be removed from his life?

24. Joseph's Outcome? What happened in Joseph's life after Liberty Jail?

25. Abraham and Joseph What similarities are there between these two stories that are lessons for us?

26. Would anyone like to share items from the list they have been making during this lesson?

27. Savior's Example Matt 6:10 John 5:19 John 5:30 John 6:38 John 8:28 Matt 26:39

28. Our Lives I will ask some questions, which you should evaluate in your own minds.

29. Righteous Desires Moroni 7:3-18 (Or if out of time Moroni 7:8 & 16)

30. So What is the Point? Helaman 10:4-10 DC 121:36-37 DC 84:36-37

31. Who knows how amateur silversmiths can tell when molten refined silver is pure?

32. The End