Lemi Clean and Repentance

The parable of the Dishwasher

In 2005 we moved into a year-old home complete with shiny stainless steel covered appliances. Each day we loaded the dishwasher with our freshly dirtied dishes in the hopes of clean dishes soon to return. Slowly over time we noticed our dishes becoming dingy, and hard water stained. They looked and felt unclean.

Looking into the possibilities of how to help our situation we purchased and tried various products that would eliminate the effects of the hard water deposits. Some helped temporarily with very little results and we would continue putting our dirty dishes in the dishwasher and the hard water deposits continued to build up on them and the the dishwasher itself.

Once what we first tried to eliminate we gradually accepted. We were resolved to just continue on and wait for the dishwasher to die a hard water death.

The only problem with this choice was that not only was there hard water build-up but there also became a gradual growth of orange smelly mildew. It seemed to overtake the dishwasher. Occasional scrubbing with cleanser and abrasive would only bring temporary relief.

The problem became increasingly worse and shameful. (embarrassing) Opening the dishwasher was an unpleasant experience. Often its main purpose and use was avoided due to our problem. We would just wash the dishes by hand. We even bought new dishes that we always washed by hand we could keep them clean..

Then this past July my mother-in-law shared how she had hard water issues in her dishwasher and she had tried this product that had really worked. I thought, “that’s nice, maybe it would work for me.” However, I did not go purchase the product. A few more months passed until September rolled around. Finally, I bought “Lemi-Shine”, a dishwasher cleaner that claimed to tough spots and film and proceeded to put it in my kitchen cupboard next to my dish soap unused for about another month. It was only until a month later that I couldn't’ stand the problem I was ready to try the “Lemi Shine”.

I read the directions- it was so very simple. “Rinse and load dishes. Fill closable side (main wash cycle) of dishwasher dispenser with Lemi Shine. Fill open side of dishwasher dispenser (pre-wash) with your favorite detergent” Start dishwasher.”

Immediate results began. Each day I would run the dishwasher through, hard water deposits began to break down. The orange smelly mildew gradually disappeared. The dishes began to look and feel clean again. The dishwasher began to SHINE.

Is there hope for us in our lives as the effects of this mortal probation become filled the deposits of a sin hardened heart ? Sometimes stinky orange smelly stuff enters our lives either by our own choosing or the choices of others. Sometimes we just aren’t feeling as bright and shiny as we could be. Despite those challenges the answer is YES and repentance is the key.

At this last October General conference Elder Neil L. Anderson said, “ The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God.”

D&C 104: 79 And it is my will that you shall ^ahumble yourselves before me, and obtain this blessing by your ^bdiligence and humility and the prayer of faith.

Jacob 4:7 Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our ^aweakness that we may know that it is by his ^bgrace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things.

Elder Andersen said, "For most, repentance is more a journey than a one-time event. It is not easy. To change is difficult. It requires running into the wind, swimming upstream. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”¹⁸ Repentance is turning away from some things, such as dishonesty, pride, anger, and impure thoughts, and turning toward other things, such as kindness, unselfishness, patience, and spirituality. It is “re-turning” toward God."

May we all return to the Savior who is the true source of getting rid of those deposits that have such great potential to cause "spiritual dinginess" in our lives. Remember the Lord has declared:

” . . . will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may ^cheal you? Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will ^acome unto me ye shall have ^beternal life. Behold, mine ^carm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.

(3 Nephi 9:13-14)

Angie Craven