Picture this: a mousy haired, twenty-something female window shops downtown on her lunch hour. Suddenly, she’s ambushed by a T.V. film crew and literally pulled off the street. For the next four hours she is put into the hands of style experts. The “victim” receives a trendy haircut and color job; then a makeup artist works a miracle on her face. Finally, a fashion consultant finishes the look with a flattering new outfit and accessories. With the makeover complete, the television cameras capture the stunned reactions of family and friends as the new look is revealed. Years ago, I was intrigued by this program. It was fascinating to witness the transformation from frumpy to fantastic.
There’s another makeover show, an extreme version. It involves making over a person using far more drastic methods. Going way beyond hair and makeup enhancement, this program uses multiple plastic surgeries, orthodontic procedures and fitness training over a period of weeks or months, with results so dramatic that the subjects are almost unrecognizable when compared to their “before” pictures. This trend is disturbing to me, and yet I understand the urge to indulge.
The Fountain of Youth
I recall standing at a makeup counter in a department store, searching for a particular shade of lipstick. As I held up a tube to check the name of the color, I had to squint. Still, I couldn’t quite make out the words. I tried holding the tube further away, but was unable to read the tiny print. It took a minute to realize that I must be in need of reading glasses. This felt like a slap in the face to me, because surely it meant that I was officially middle-aged. In the ensuing years there have been other, more visible, signs of aging, and I’ve occasionally found myself tempted to drink from the world’s plastic fountain of youth.
It is helpful to read the words of inspired leaders on this subject. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said, “In terms of preoccupation with self and a fixation on the physical…it is spiritually destructive …And if adults are preoccupied with appearance—tucking and nipping and implanting and remodeling everything that can be remodeled—those pressures and anxieties will certainly seep through to children” (1). Wise counsel has also come from Sister Susan W. Tanner who writes, “I am troubled by the practice of extreme makeovers…The Lord wants us to be made over, but in His image” (2).
The prophet Alma asked his people, “Have ye received His image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” (Alma 5:14). As someone that lives in a culture obsessed with physical appearance, I find it vital to consider the differences between the world’s version of a makeover and the Lord’s.
The World vs. the Lord
When the world makes you over the change is temporary. Before you know it, the same world that made you over will be telling you that your hairstyle and clothing are “so last year”, and it’s time for an update.
When the Lord makes you over the change can be deep and lasting. King Benjamin’s people claimed that the Spirit “has wrought a mighty change in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2).
When the world makes you over it can be expensive. Keeping up with trendy haircuts and the latest fashions takes money.
When the Lord makes you over it is priceless. All He asks is that you give Him your heart, and He is especially fond of broken ones.
When the world makes you over you may feel increased confidence in your social life, at school, or in the workplace. You may feel that you’re finally “going places”.
When the Lord makes you over you will go places you never expected, and do what you didn’t think you could do. He will ask you to be the Scout Master or the Young Women’s President or the Choir Director, and you will say yes, because you know that “…in the strength of the Lord [you] can do all things” (Alma 20:12).
When the world makes you over you may look like a new person.
When the Lord makes you over you will actually be a new person.
I Will Show Unto Them Their Weakness
One aspect that inward and outward makeovers have in common is an initial analysis of the person involved—determining strengths and weaknesses in order to see what changes need to be made. Concluding that a spiritual makeover was of far greater worth to me than any outward change, I chose to invite the Lord to be on my analysis committee, since He has revealed a fool-proof method for overhauling a spirit. “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27, italics added).
Who isn’t aware of their weaknesses? I’ve certainly felt them all of my life, but finally dared to approach the Lord and ask Him to show them to me from His perspective. Fortunately, He is a merciful God and chose not to overwhelm me by revealing everything at once. Yet, in a way difficult to explain, He has begun to open the “…eyes of [my] understanding” (D&C 76:19), helping me to see my innermost struggles in a new light. Seeing them more clearly has enabled me to pray more specifically for the help needed to begin to peel away my most unattractive qualities.
It hasn’t been pretty. In fact, it has been painful and humbling, and there have been moments that I’ve wished I had never asked for help. But those times haven’t lasted long, because I’ve begun to recognize a softening inside that only comes from making more room in my heart for the Holy Spirit. It is filling up the spaces that used to be claimed by my sins and weaknesses. Of course, my makeover won’t be completed in this lifetime. It is slow work. The Lord continues to humble me as He reveals other weaknesses, and I am in daily need of repentance. Still, this whole process of making over my spirit is fulfilling, and sweet in a way I did not anticipate.
He asks me to be perfect, just as He is.
He asks for me to humbly come to Him.
And then, in love, He shows me all my weakness,
And helps me fight the battles deep within.
And oh, so slowly, He is changing my heart,
Creating something new in me,
Subduing every mortal part.
He’s making of me
A person much more holy.
Oh, so slowly (3).
From the Inside Out
As my heart has softened, I’ve found that I’m more able to trust the inspired words of the scriptures that say, “…the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). By closing my eyes and mind to the damaging images of worldliness that surround me, I’ve experienced a growing desire to turn from the elusive fountain of youth and drink instead from “the fountain of all righteousness”
(Ether 12:27). There may be no question more important than this: What could the Lord make of me if I were willing to put myself completely into His hands?
Oh, you’ll still find me at the makeup counter searching for the perfect lipstick shade. I truly believe that the Lord would not have us look dowdy or unkempt. But while shadow and mascara may help my eyes to stand out, the Lord is more concerned with seeing eyes filled with His light. While I may fret over a bad hair day, the Lord is hoping I’ll have a good heart day. I’ve come to terms with the fact that even the most expensive brand of concealer won’t cover my sins, and the highest quality makeup pencil can never draw “…His image [on] my countenance” (Alma 5:14).
President Ezra Taft Benson said it beautifully: “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take the people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of the people…The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature” (4). I testify that although being made over in the Lord’s image may not happen in a few hours or even years, the process can begin almost immediately as we submit our will to His and take sincere steps to invite Him into our lives, “…that when He shall appear we shall be like Him” (Moroni 7:48).
Notes:
1 “To Young Women” in Ensign, November 2005, 28-30.
2 “The Sanctity of the Body” in Ensign, November 2005, 13-15.
3 “Oh, So Slowly”, lyrics by Lynne Perry Christofferson.
4 “Born of God” in Ensign, November 1985, 6.
