The night is darkest just before the dawn

I don't know if that saying actually has any real scientific merit but it certainly rang true for me this summer. My summer job took me away from Utah and down to the northern part of Texas. It was hot, dusty, and at times a little bit miserable. But overall I was in good company and had an enjoyable time. However, my last week of work was indeed a trial and a tribulation. Tuesday was particularly awful. My exhaust system on my car broke. Like, we are talking pipes hanging from the bottom of my car, scraping the asphalt. I was terrified that I would have to stay an extra day or two for it to get fixed.

Thankfully, we were able to get it fixed on Wednesday and I started the journey home on Thursday morning. I was so grateful. My prayers had been answered. However, 200 or so miles from home I hit something on the road and my right rear tire was shredded. Let me just take time to point out that I had already replaced all four tires on my car over the course of the summer. Needless to say I was a little bit bummed.

Anyway, we put the spare on and somehow made it the rest of the way home. Shoutout to Dalton Facer for sticking with me the whole way just in case I got another flat. But as we were driving across the rather large state of Wyoming I couldn't help but think of the pioneers who made a similar trek but on foot. After initial thoughts of, “why me?” I realized I had so much to be grateful for. So I thanked God for my safety, for my friends, for my family waiting for me, for technology and innovation, for all the blessings which I enjoy everyday.

The night may be darkest just before the dawn but what better time to look up at all the stars?

Without Sail or Anchor

Let me start off by saying that I am not a sailor, nor have I ever even been sailing. I have, however, watched movies where people do and it actually seems like a lot of fun.

In the last chapters of the Book of Mormon, Mormon casts before us an awful scene of blood and carnage. The Nephites and Lamanites are at war (which by this point in the book is a regular occurrence) and to say the least, things are not looking good. But as bad as the war is, Mormon is more concerned about their spiritual welfare. Because of his people's wickedness he knows that we too will sorrow for the destruction of this people as we read his account. And he's right.

In verse 18 of Mormon chapter 5 we read that the people were as though they were, "upon the waves, without sail, or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer..." Like I said before, I'm no sailor but I think it is safe to say that those three things are essential. They give us control of the boat. With them we can stop, change direction, and return to our proper course should we stray. Without them we are simply at the will of the ocean. And after watching Shark Week that is not something I desire...

So as we set sail today and tomorrow lets not forget that we have power to stop and to change our course. Hopefully if we make minor adjustments (See President Uchtdorf's talk: A Matter of a Few Degrees) along the way we'll make it home to our Heavenly Father without being entirely lost at sea or eaten by a shark.