Tuesday, June 2, 2009

For Good!


When the Jaredites finally boarded the ships and sailed forth to the Promised Land, we are told that a “furious wind” began to blow “thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.” And “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” (Ether 6:5). We can only imagine the fear and worry this might have caused. But they were following the light and so they had no need to fear.

In symbology storms represent the adversity we encounter in life. But if we are steering by the light (like the light the Brother of Jared went to the mountain to receive), we have no need to fear. But there is more, we are also told 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 6:8).

Yes, even the adversity takes us home to the Promised Land! (If we continue to follow the light!) As the Lord has promised, “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28).

I knew this before, but my adventure with Grizelda has confirmed it. Even the smallest bits of suffering are turned to our good when we stay close to the Lord. It is true.

5 comments:

Wendi said...

Thanks for sharing your testimony of this. :)

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Wendi,I'm sure it is something you have learned also. Trials teach us!

Martha said...

“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” -- I love this part, too! Somehow it helps SO much to know that all the winds and storms and "mountain waves" and depths we go through in this life can have a direction and a purpose!!! If we choose to have his light in our lives, it makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE when the inevitable trials come.
Something else I noticed in this story; "And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: Behold, thou shalt make a hole in the top, and also in the bottom; and when thou shalt suffer for air thou shalt unstop the hole and receive air."
(Ether 2:20)
In likening these words to us in our trials, what do you think it means to "suffer for air", and to "unstop the hole"?

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Martha, Great question! Since air is symbolic of the spirit that is given us and also symbolic of the Holy Ghost (The Spirit), I think that we are being instructed to remove the barrier between ourselves and the Holy Ghost--to "cut an opening" so that our spirit and The Spirit have access to one another and that we are to unstop the hole when we need enlightenment or help or comfort or guidance or in other words whenever we are "suffering or in need of The Spirit."

Wendi said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I always appreciate learning from you. :)