Water is frequently used as a symbol of Christ and His atonement. We drink of water every week in sacrament meeting in remembrance of His blood that was shed for us. When we are baptized we are immersed in water which symbolically washes away our sins. Christ and his gospel are referred to as being the living water.

As with many analogies and symbols they can be taken to far.

Most of us have a pleasant and positive view of water. We often think of it as being pure and clean. We acknowledge it as being necessary to sustain life. But water can be a frustrating and dangerous enemy. Water has a dark side.

Water can be an enemy to the auto owner, who eventually will observe parts of the car rusting away. Water can be the enemy to the home owner who must be wary of roof, basement, plumbing or appliance leaks that can cause great damage to the house. Water can be an enemy to the land owner who may fight a long battle against erosion.

While water might appear clean, it may well not be. It is a wonderful place for germs and bacteria to grow. It can encourage the growth of dangerous mold and mildew. It can be a breeding ground for all types of pests. Water can be a major component in natural disasters. Water floods.

It strikes me that from a certain point of view, water can make just as good a symbol for Satan as it can for Christ. Why not? Water is corrosive. It destroys.

As we learn more about water and what it can do, does it begin to loose its value as a symbol for Christ?