And it came to pass....

Hey A,

I want to remember this. That's why I'm writing it down.

I had a busy Halloween full of commuting, jr. High dance preparations, teaching a normal day of school, figuring out which students were academically eligible for the Halloween dance, enduring the dance, commuting, finding candles for Cowboy's amazing cowboy pumpkin creation, making dinner, doing laundry, enjoying trick or treaters, doing dishes, watching an episode of Duck Dynasty (totally hilarious), getting ready for bed, saying prayers (especially for the future of this country), getting into bed, reading my scriptures, and then being touched by this....

And now I, Moroni, proceed to give the record of Jared and his brother.

For it came to pass after the Lord had prepared the stones which the brother of Jared had carried up into the mount, the brother of Jared came down out of the mount, and he did put forth the stones into the vessels which were prepared, one in each end thereof; and behold, they did give light unto the vessels.

And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.

And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them — and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.

(This is the part that really hit me. Does the weather sound familiar?)

And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blown upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.

(Book or Mormon, Ether 6:1-5)

This hit me like the images I've seen from the east coast. First of all, instruction and divine help was given to Jared and his people, so correct preparations could be made. Next, the Lord God himself caused the winds to be blown, but with a specific reason; He wanted the Jaradites blown towards the promised land. They needed to get there regardless of if it required an uncomfortable, difficult journey in a 'dish like' vessel.

You live in a time with a living prophet, church leaders, parents and family, and personal revelation. You know how to physically and spiritually prepare your life for the storms that may come, or have ways to figure it out when the winds hit. He has provided you with a true and perfect light to illuminate your way. He has given you the bread of life to feast on every day through this stormy journey. Most importantly, he has given you His love to encourage you each day. The Lord God is sending and will send more 'winds' to get you to His promised land. You see, His work and His glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. You're one of those. Your job is to not only endure this journey, but to endure it well. So sit down in your 'dish like' vessel, hold on tight, and come what may, including the 'winds', and love it.

And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind. 

And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.

 

And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.

And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.

And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.

And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.

And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.

(Book of Mormon, Ether 6:6-12)

Remember to bow yourself down, humble yourself, and give thanks for the tender mercies of the Lord.

-A 

(the image was googled)