From Mistake to Masterpiece: Trusting the Process in the Work

Fellow disciples, have you ever poured your heart, your time, and your very spirit into something—a study, a talk, a service project—only to feel like you’ve ruined it? Like you’ve smeared the canvas right before the masterpiece was revealed?

It’s a feeling I know well. When we are out in the field, or even just in our own living rooms studying scripture, we pour ourselves into the process. We pray, we ponder, we research, and we sketch out our testimonies. We want the outcome to be perfect, to match the vision we hold in our hearts.

But if we’ve been listening to the recent discussions, we hear a beautiful, profound reminder that the process itself—the struggle, the smudges, the near-disasters—is where the real art is made. It’s a lesson that speaks directly to the heart of discipleship.

The Varnish Incident and the Spirit’s Touch

I was struck by a story shared recently about an artist who felt overwhelmed trying to paint the Savior. The process was challenging, and when she applied a varnish too soon, she literally wiped away part of her work. Imagine the despair! To feel like you’ve undone something sacred.

Yet, what followed wasn't a return to the original vision; it was something *better*. What was thought to be a catastrophic mistake became the very place where the Lord’s merciful hand was made manifest. It was an opportunity for recreation, not just in art, but in the soul.

This isn't just a nice story; it's a pattern for us as Latter-day Saints. When we feel like we’ve messed up a missionary discussion, or when a lesson we prepared for a Book Club doesn't land the way we hoped, it feels like the varnish has been applied too soon. We feel the panic, the desire to wipe it all away.

But remember that feeling of despair? It’s often the precursor to the deepest spiritual breakthrough. The Savior didn't finish the painting, and He wasn't done with the artist. And neither are we. The Lord is not done with us.

Go Create: Your Spiritual Canvas

This echoes so strongly with the counsel given by President Uchtdorf: if you feel incapable of creating, start small. Write a letter of appreciation. Learn a new skill. Identify a space and beautify it. There is great work for the saints to do!

This is our mandate as rogue disciples. We are called to be creators of light, even when our efforts feel clumsy or flawed. The word "create" itself contains "recreate." When we go on recreation, we are recreating—making new memories, building new connections, and refining our understanding of the gospel.

If you are feeling the weight of expectation—whether it’s for your own mission preparation, or for a family member who is questioning the plan—don't let the fear of the mistake paralyze you. Trust the process. Pray, ponder, and keep moving, leaving possibilities to Him.

I encourage you to reflect on this concept this week. Where in your life—your study, your service, your temple attendance—do you feel like you’ve "smeared the varnish"? Don't despair. That smudge might just be the precise spot where the Spirit is preparing to work a miracle.

If you want to dig deeper into how to approach these challenging conversations, I highly recommend checking out Davee. He’s fantastic at walking us through the hard questions an investigator might ask, helping us see how to answer them with grace and eternal perspective.

For those who love digging into scripture, don't forget to check out the Social Scripture Study layer inside LivingBook. It's a wonderful way to see how others are applying the principles we learn!

If you want to hear more of this beautiful counsel, please listen to the full episode of the podcast. It’s a powerful reminder that our greatest potential often emerges from our perceived failures.

Keep moving forward, brothers and sisters. You are children of a Creator, and the work is always unfolding.