I read a little story in S. Michael Wilcox’s book House of Glory that taught a principle about the mirrors in the temple that I hadn’t come across before, so I thought I would share it.

I once learned a great lesson on marriage while witnessing a sealing of a relative.  After the ceremony, I stood with my wife looking into the mirrors that reflect a strait and narrow path into eternity.  As usual, I was moving this way and that way, trying to see a little farther, but my own reflection was in the way, and I could not see as far as I wanted.  I remember consciously thinking: “I wish I could take myself out of the mirrors.  I could see eternity better, but I keep getting in the way.”

As I pondered this, the Spirit bore a strong witness to its truth.  Concentrating too much on ourselves obscures our view of eternal things. I thought of all the couples I had counseled while serving as bishop and realized that in every case of marital conflict, one or both partners had focused so much on themselves that they could no longer see eternity.  I wanted to bring each couple in my ward to the sealing room, stand them in front of the mirrors, and say: “Can you see what we sometimes do?  Can you understand the problem and also perceive the solution? The mirrors teach us a powerful truth that can strengthen, enhance, or save our marriages.” (p25-26)

I like this story because I have stood there doing exactly the same thing as Brother Wilcox—trying to see further into the mirrors and annoyed that my own image stands in the way.  I’m glad that he shared this  lesson for the rest of us to learn from.