Jalapenos & Grapes

    Saturday morning, Conference morning. Instead of the usual chores and long run, the family and I gather around the tv to watch leaders and teachers give council and wisdom. I pull out my crocheting and begin with urgency working on a washcloth (I have to keep my hands busy with something I don't have to think about, or I will fall asleep).

    Elder Richard G. Scott teaches about recognizing and listening to the Holy Ghost and makes this statement:

“[The] inspiring influence of the Holy Spirit can be overcome or masked by strong emotions such as anger, hate, passion, fear or pride. When such influences are present, it is like trying to savor the delicate flavor of a grape while eating a jalapeño pepper. Both flavors are present but one completely overpowers the other. In like manner, strong emotions overcome the delicate promptings of the Holy Spirit.” -–Elder Richard G. Scott

    “Wow, I like that thought,” I muse to myself. “I like food, and I like peppers and grapes, too. Grape jalapeño jelly would be good to can. Such interesting flavor combinations.”

    Three days later the imagery is still in my mind, only I'm not thinking about jalapeño jelly anymore. Instead, I think, “what is it about jalapeños that makes them hot? Why do they overpower other flavors? Didn't I read about that somewhere or see it on tv?” My mind races and I can't sleep. I promise to look it up in the morning.

    Guess what I did this morning? Want to know what I learned?

    The primary component that makes the jalapeño pepper “hot” is the molecule capsaicin (pronounced cap-say-ih-sin). “The burning and painful sensations associated with capsaicin result from its chemical interaction with sensory neurons.” By binding to a specific receptor (VR1), “the capsaicin molecule produces the same sensation that excessive heat or abrasive damage would cause, explaining why the spiciness of capsaicin is described as a burning sensation.” The pepper doesn't cause heat-- a chemical in it does. Note that the sensation is created-- it is not real burning.

    Wikkipedia says, “The primary treatment is removal from exposure.” Got that. Stop eating the peppers or rubbing them in your eyes. Can do. “Plain water, as well as home remedies such as vinegar, bleach, sodium metabisulfite or topical antacid suspensions are ineffective in removing capsaicin.” Learned that the hard way. Water intensifies the burning for me. The answer: “Cold milk is the most effective solution against the burning sensation (due to casein, phosphoprotein in milk) having a detergent effect.”

    Oh detergent. I love soap, not eating soap... did that too as a child... not of my own volition, mind you. I love what a detergent does! On a chemical level, it binds with the fat molecules (think holding hands) and takes it away with with water when rinsed off. Detergent also breaks down the cell walls of germs and microorganisms effectively killing off those pesky critters.

    Got all that science stuff? Back to the grapes, jalapeños and Elder Scott.

    Elder Scott asserted that pornography and other sins overpower and deaden our ability to recognize and sense spiritual promptings-- effectively blocking our spiritual receptors. Sound like what the jalapeños capsaicin does? Sin creates a sensation of happiness, gaiety and pleasure. It is a false sensation. Happiness is not really happening, it only appears to be. Unlike the jalapeño, who's sensation will eventually wear away, the sin binds permanently with our spiritual receptors and unless washed away appropriately, will overwhelm all other feeling.

    Not any casual rinse with water will effectively get rid of the burning of a jalapeño pepper. You need the complex proteins in milk to do the job for you. Remember, the casein is the detergent that bonds with the capsaicin, effectively releasing the neural receptor from capsaicin's hold. Sin requires a similar treatment. The atoning sacrifice of our Savior is the required detergent. His sacrifice and atonement made possible His taking upon him all the sins of the world. He releases each of us from the bondage of sin and the false sensations caused from it. Liberal application of the atonement will not only free us from sin, over time, it will fade the scars the sin left behind.

    Didn't I read once that, over time, milk will fade scars on the skin. Cleopatra, milk baths, that's one way to get clean. I think I'll use the other.