Paragraph 165

For instance, consider the substance of copper. Were it to be protected in its own mine from becoming solidified, it would, within the space of seventy years, attain to the state of gold. There are some, however, who maintain that copper itself is gold, which by becoming solidified is in a diseased condition, and hath not therefore reached its own state.

This is the fifth of thirty paragraphs looking at the first of the two stations of the Manifestations of God, that of "pure abstraction and essential unity", and the second of four paragraphs that talk about the transformation of copper to gold. It is also worth noting that the very next phrase, in paragraph 166, is "Be that as it may", so this is not necessarily to be taken as what Baha'u'llah literally believes.

Let's begin with the obvious, though. Is He talking about the actual changing of copper to gold? Although it is easy to dismiss this as mere fictitious alchemy, it is worth noting that scientists have already created gold in nuclear reactors. But we don't think that this is what Baha'u'llah is talking about. We think He is referring more to the alchemy of the soul, the transformation of the individual from one concerned about earthly affairs to one who is more concerned about spiritual matters. After all, everything else He writes seems to be concerned with the human heart, so why not here, too?

It is also worth noting the use of the very specific number "seventy years". This seems to be an allusion to the length of a human's life, again implying that it can be the transformation of the human heart through the wisdom of years.

Ok. So we think it's referring to the transformation of the heart, not the stone.

Keeping that in mind, let's look at the actual metaphor itself, turning copper to gold. One of the major differences between copper and gold is the tendency of copper to tarnish. Gold, though, does not tarnish. Through this transformation that Baha'u'llah seems to be talking about, the heart will no longer tarnish. But we can never be fully transformed, at least not without the grace of God. We will still have some copper, so to speak, within us. We will still need polishing. Hence prayer and fasting, and so forth.

At this point we are also reminded of that phrase from the Bab in which He says "The substance wherewith God hath created Me is not the clay out of which others have been formed." It is as if He is saying that we are all pure copper, while He is made of gold. So, through this transformation of the heart, we become more like the Messenger, still copper, but more gold-like. And isn't that what we see in history? As the early heroes of the Faith arise to serve, they take on those qualities of spirit that are more noble, more divine, more like the Messenger they follow.

Finally, there is the word "consider" again. "Consider the substance of copper." As we do that, as we consider this element and its uses, in comparison to the uses of gold, this analogy becomes more interesting to us.

Copper has been used in pennies, and have that value in them. But gold is worth more.

Copper is a very useful conductor of electricity, and is the foundation of our electrical grid. But gold is a better conductor.

Copper, with its ability to tarnish, is very useful in the making of jewelry, producing all sorts of beautiful effects. But, as you know, gold is far more useful in jewelry.

Both have their uses, but gold is far more useful.

Similarly, the everyday average human is both noble and worthy. But the one who has arisen to develop those very qualities of nobility, such as courage and compassion, is far more useful to society. Just look at the early heroes of any faith, and compare them to the average person of that same day. While most may have been like copper, those heroes are the true gold in history.