The Parable of Chocolate

After a period of seasoning and growth, a man was told by the Lord to no longer consume chocolate. The flesh mourned, for the man loved chocolate, but his spirit rejoiced to obey his God. As with most things in life, some days were easier than others, but he strictly obeyed. The man had a difficult time explaining to his friends why he no longer indulged in something once regular in his life, and which they partook in frequently, for it seemed such a trivial matter.  

The Lord eventually visited the man, pleased with his offering, and added upon him, working wonders in the man’s life. The man told a close friend all that had occurred. The friend was excited. “Finally, here is the great secret!” the friend thought. He gave up chocolate as well. His physical health improved, his energy was better, and he had greater self-esteem. He was happy in this success. However, it was not the same result the man had.

 

The friend considered the matter. “It must not be the chocolate,” he thought, “it must be the sugar in the chocolate that’s the key.” He gave up all sugar. His physical health soared, people complimented his physique, his mental health was excellent, and his quality of life improved. He was very pleased, but he still did not experience what the man had with the Lord. 

 

The friend lived a long and happy life, died, and stood before his maker, a person he did not know. “Lord,” he said, “I gave up chocolate, and sugar, and did all else religious leaders told me, and yet you did not visit me as you did the man.” 

 

“It was never about the chocolate,” the Lord said, “it was about performing the sacrifice I required of you. I required chocolate of the man, but of you, I required something different. You did not ask me, nor did you hear when I told you. To the man I had respect for his offering, and for yours I had no regard.” 

 

See also: Lectures on Faith, especially Lecture third, verse 5 and Lecture six (emphasizing verses 9-12); Matt 19:16-22; Alma 22:15-18