Nothing much can compare to the first bite into a Reese’s peanut butter cup. Even with its rather unassuming simple outward appearance, it’s magic. We have all learned by gratifying experience, that we are all after the hidden prize inside. We buy it for the delectable peanut butter center.

Other food arrangements mimic this culinary style of ordinary presentation with delectable delivery. Tootsie Pops, Jelly Doughnuts, Lava cakes, Turducken, Pot stickers, Beef Wellington, and the crisp meat burrito we find at Taco Time, all try and delight their human consumers with a hidden, delicious, far superior, interiors.

Unfortunately just like in all things, there are counterfeit confections. Sneaky wolves in sheep’s clothing in the food world. Anyone wondering why you would name a simple little hard candy a “warhead” soon understands through squinted eyes, puckered cheeks, and tears. Likewise, we can find nasty surprises lying hidden in a jar of jelly bellys. It may be too late when we desperately reference the flavor list on the jar’s label after reflexively expectorating “stinky socks” and “spoiled milk” flavors masked by their beautiful, colorful exteriors.

Unfortunately, we can’t trace this exciting food methodology back to its origin in order to give credit where credit is due. We can’t sing grateful praises for such thoughtful innovation. However, when we go back far enough, and search hard enough, we may see some clues that are interesting.

Researchers (me) looking into this concept of something wonderful being hidden inside of something less wonderful to draw extra attention to that which is most wonderful on the inside, have found references to this “hidden treasure” concept as far back as the early first century.

The unverified culinary innovator, yet verified master teacher, Paul, gives us one clue…

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

-2 Corinthians 4:7

For Paul, and his Corinthian audience, this would have been a common reference. I imagine all the clay vessels used for wine, water, grain, spices, oil, etc. We can also imagine the weathering process that would naturally occur with daily use and exposure to the elements. Many of these clay pots likely had pock marks from the kids and their slingshots, some may have been smeared with greasy toddler fingers, and others with cracks that come with age, along with fading color from being outside in the sun. Nothing could have been more common, or unremarkable.

But, Paul teaches that it wasn’t what we see on the outside that really matters. It is the treasure inside. In just the previous verse he describes “this” treasure. Notice all the reference to bright, shiny stuff that you might see opening a treasure chest…

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

-2 Corinthians 4:6

And, a few verses before that, he gives another description of the treasure in a more obvious way…

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”

-2 Corinthians 4:3

Paul is not describing the development of, or the prototype for the Oreo cookie, a caramelo bar, or food at all actually. But, his simple message still shines through…

It’s what’s on the inside that really counts.

And, in this case, the glorious treasure hidden inside all of us human clay pots, is the bright, shining, gleaming goodness, and light of Jesus Christ and his Gospel

Jesus himself a few years before warns against the alternative of focusing only on the outer appearance in his stinging rebuke of the Pharisees.

“…for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”

-Mathew 23:27

Doesn’t sound so delactable whether its applicable to us as humans or a jar of jelly bellys.

All of this sounds very familiar conceptually. How many times have we all heard this same thing from our parents, or grandparents, teachers, Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, or even Dora the Explorer? Hearing about, and conceptualizing this idea is the easy part. Understanding and changing our behavior because of our believing this concept is the hard part.

In his letter, Paul demonstrates exactly how we can apply this concept of hidden treasure. He specifically highlights how we can focus on the treasure inside while simultaneously recognizing the the weaknesses or afflictions we carry on our outside. His explanation helps to answer one of the most common critiques of God, and faith still being used today…

“If God is so good, why does he allow afflictions and suffering in the world?”

Paul’s answer to this difficult question draws from his own experience and introduces a seemingly paradoxical answer. On its surface, Paul’s answer doesn’t seem to make much sense, because we tend to first look at life through our human eyes. We focus on the cracks and greasy smudges on our clay pots.

But, let’s read Paul’s explanation carefully, remembering the treasure inside, and how the Lord wants us to turn to, focus on, and draw strength from Him. He sees us differently, and wants us to see ourselves, and each other, differently as well. Even a perfect clay pot pales in comparison to the strength, power, and glorious treasure of the King of Kings.

Paul writes…

“there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: 

for my [God’s] strength is made perfect in [our] weakness. 

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: 

for when I am weak, then am I strong.“

-2 Corinthians 12:7-10

How is this even possible? How does having a weakness, a thorn, a trial, an affliction make us strong? What is Paul talking about? Did he maybe hit his head a little too hard during one of his three shipwrecks? 

For a long time, I misunderstood this concept. I always thought of weakness or affliction similarly to being a terrible 3-point shooter. All I needed to do was be humble, ask for a bit of help or training, and practice some more, and with time and relentless personal effort, I could overcome the weakness and become a strong 3-point shooter. Hence I would change my weakness into a strength. The humility part was just in the initial realization that I wasn’t a great at shooting.

The only problem with that is that 3-point shooting percentage doesn’t effect our salvation. We can’t make ourselves spiritually stronger. The clay pot can’t turn itself into gold. Our personal skill improvement plan may work with free throws, 3-point shooting, handwriting, playing guitar, and Nintendo’s Super Mario Brothers, but doesn’t really apply when we are talking about understanding the value and power of our celestial treasure.

Why? What is different? In the 3-point shooting example, with hard work and practice, improvement comes, and we tend to take the credit for the work we do. That formula doesn’t typically stem from, or lead to, humility. Which is the main ingredient in the weakness into strength recipe. Remember Paul’s original verse…

“we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

-2 Corinthians 4:6

Let’s look at this concept in the tree of life analogy. Let’s look at our weakness, thorns and affliction as the reason we depend on the iron rod for stability, direction, and strength. Without our reason, we let go, and we depend on our own clay pot ability to go forward, which is is just about good enough to get us through some fog, wade through a river, and into a big building where we poke fun of all the lame people clinging to that “old fashioned” hand rail. Our individual pride buys us admission into this spacious building occupied by other perfect clay pots.

It all comes down to where are we drawing our strength from, and what exactly are we strengthening. Are we hoping for a strong earthen vessel? Are we trying to improve our clay pot with state-of-the-art epoxy resin coating? Maybe we upgrade to the earthen vessel 15 (EV15) with a titanium frame?

Or, alternatively, are we hoping to grow our internal golden celestial deposit by depending on, and drawing strength from, the Ultimate Supreme Creator of the Universe whose work and glory just so happens to be bringing about our salvation and eternal life?

If we allow our thorns, weaknesses, and afflictions to humble us, we start to understand, and act like we are 100%, wholly and entirely, without exception, dependent on the Lord for strength to overcome them. And, when we are dependent upon, and closely aligned with God inwardly, we become stronger because of our proximity to him, and his power. Not because he removes the thorn, or we improve the outward clay pot housing our treasure.

It is God’s power that makes us strong. It has almost nothing to do with any thorn, or afflictions being removed at all. It really has nothing to do with our physical clay pot at all. God cares much more about our inner spiritual strength and value. He cares much more about the inward treasure than our exterior clay pot that he has already promised to ressurect and upgrade. He also wants to encourage us to understand the same. Thorns and all.

The Lord kindly explained the same to the prophet Joseph Smith while he suffered in the Liberty jail..

“…know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good…

Therefore, hold on thy way…for God shall be with you forever and ever.”

-Doctrine and Covenants 122:7-9

Although it may be painfully frustrating sometimes, I’ll take, and keep my thorns and weaknesses. I’ll keep them if they help me focus on the treasure planted inside me. I’ll take that peanut butter cup over a sack of dead men’s bones any day.