“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” (Malachi 3:1-3). Firefighters are some of the only people who will walk into burning flames on purpose on a somewhat regular basis. They are able to enter a burning building not just once but many times throughout their careers because they are prepared and protected as much as possible. They wear thick, fire-resistant clothing to protect themselves from being burned. They wear masks attached to oxygen tanks so that they can breathe pure, clean air when they are surrounded by smoke and darkness. They carry an axe to be able to break themselves free from dangerous and compromised locations. They are in constant communication with their team and with their commander so that they know where to go and when to flee. All of this preparation and protection does not mean that entering a burning building is safe or pleasant. Firefighters are still injured and even killed on the job. But without that preparation and protection, injury and death would be an absolute certainty. We often talk about the trials and challenges we face as a refining fire or a furnace of affliction. If we are valiant disciples of our Savior Jesus Christ, then that means, just like firefighters, we routinely choose to enter into a burning fire as we seek to learn and grow and become like our Savior. And just like firefighters, we can increase our likelihood of emerging from the flames alive and relatively unscathed by having the proper preparation and protection. By obeying and honoring our covenants, we can be clothed in the heat resistant protection of our Savior's grace. Through constant prayer for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, we can breathe in the clean, pure peace of our Savior's love even when we are engulfed in smoke and darkness. With the word of God, sharp as a two-edged sword, we can cut our way out of dangerous situations. And by maintaining constant communication with our Father and Heaven, we can be led and guided as we make our way through the refiner's fire. Even with such preparation and protection, our journey through the refiner's fire will not be a completely safe or enjoyable experience, but we will have the best chance of making it through alive and with as little harm and damage as is possible. I know that we must all pass through the refiner's fire, but we don't have to do so with no preparation or protection.
