A Light to Shine in the Darkness

I was reading this account of Jared's people crossing the ocean in these barges, and I had a distinct thought that it was more like an analogy for our lives.

In our pre-mortal lives, our spirits were with God, and we have been around forever. We were learning and growing as much as we could there, but we had reached a point where we could no longer progress. You could think of this like the shoreline where the Jaredites camped before crossing the ocean.

God wanted the people to reach the promised land, but to get there, they had to cross this big scary ocean, and endure a lot of unknowns. I believe there are a couple of things about this story of the Jaredites that relates very closely to what we experience.

First, the Lord gave them some light:

"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." (Ether 6:3)

As we know, He touched these stones so they would provide light to the Jaredites as they crossed the ocean in these barges. God provides us light in a couple of ways, to navigate this life.

First of all, we have been given the gift of the Savior. Abinadi said, speaking of Christ, "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." (Mosiah 16:9) He has provided a perfect life and atonement. God knew we wouldn't make it through this life on our own, making our own choices, without messing up sometimes. He provided a Savior and an atonement for us to allow us to make it back to Him (in the "promised land").

Secondly, we are given a light to show us the way, the Holy Ghost. He can teach us all things ("enlighten" us), and bring things to our remembrance.

God has given us tools that we couldn't have provided for ourselves, to help us get through this life.

Another thing He has done for us, just like the Jaredites, is that He knew life would be difficult, tumultuous, and stormy. He helped the Jaredites across the ocean. Sometimes that help can seem like it's not very helpful.

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

6 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.

7 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.

8 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." (Ether 6:5-8)

I think one of the big things here is that the Lord caused a furious wind to blow so they could be carried toward the promised land. I think in life, we are sometimes faced with challenges which seem like obstacles when we are in the midst of them. How many of those things, however, might be just the "push" we needed to get to the spot we need to be in our lives. The fact that the "wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land" makes me feel like the storms of life, and the challenges and obstacles we face, are always blowing us toward the promised land, if we will submit ourselves to the Lord's will for us.

One thing of note, "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". When we face especially difficult challenges, if we cry unto the Lord in our lives for the things that we need, we will be blessed and helped out of our deepest struggles.

The Promised Land that the Lord was prepared to give them was unreachable on their own, with the tools they had. They had to take the leap and climb into those barges.

Similarly, each of us took the chance, knowing this life was an important part of our eternal progress, and kept our first estate, coming to this earth, clothed in a mortal body, trusting God that it would be ok and that He would lead us to this blessed place, the celestial kingdom, to live with Him forever.

I know this to be true.