The Furious Winds Blow Us Toward Our Promised Land

This week I've been studying in The Book of Mormon in Ether. I learned an important lesson in Chapter 6. After the Jaredites (the people migrating to the promised land/America after the tower of Babel fell) had done everything they possibly could to prepare themselves for this arduous 1 year journey in boats, they 'commended themselves to the Lord.'

It says in Ether 6:4-12
 4 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.

 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.

 9 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.

 10 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.

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

 12 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. (emphasis added)

There is so much in the first chapters of Ether that I have learned from, too much to write here, but pertaining to these few verses, I want to record a little of what I have felt as I have pondered this passage. The journey to the promised land could be likened unto our journey through mortality. I believe that we had a premortal life during which the Lord helped us to prepare extensively for the trials and tests we would experience on earth. And what is the purpose of our life on earth? To learn and grow and be tested so that we can return back to Heavenly Fathers and receive all the blessings and promises that He has for us.

I've been contemplating lately why life has to be so hard. Recently our friends, Miranda and Jared had a baby girl, Macy. She only lived a few days on this earth and was taken back to her Heavenly home. I have been inspired by their faith as I have read of their experience. (You can read it here, here and here, and I know they would be thankful for your prayers) Although they are facing mountainous waves and great and terrible tempests, they are keeping an eternal perspective. They know that the fierce and furious wind is in the power of a loving and merciful God who is blowing them toward the promised land, their eternal reward. They know Macy is there waiting for them, and they 'have light continually' through the Savior, Jesus Christ. They are recognizing the multitude of God's tender mercies over them, despite all of the struggles of their journey. I am so thankful for their example, and our prayers are with them.

Yesterday, I read the talk, "Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts?" by Linda K. Burton It was just what I needed, and it helped me to understand how the Atonement of Christ can be a great power in my life to help me to overcome challenges, to forgive, to repent and be forgiven, and to become the person the Lord wants me to be. The two following quotes from her message touched me deeply and were in harmony with what I am learning in Ether:

"Why does the Lord allow suffering and adversity to come to us in this life? Simply put, it is part of the plan for our growth and progress! We “shouted for joy”⁶ when we knew we would have the opportunity to come to earth to experience mortality. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught, “Our needed conversions are often achieved more readily by suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranquillity.”

  and 

"A few years ago, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shared his feelings about the deep-rooted faith of pioneers who pushed toward the Salt Lake Valley even after the deaths of their children. He said, “They didn’t do that for a program, they didn’t do it for a social activity, they did it because the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ was in their soul, it was in the marrow of their bones.”

He expressed, with tender emotion:

“That’s the only way those mothers could bury [their babies] in a breadbox and move on, saying, ‘The promised land is out there somewhere. We’re going to make it to the valley.’

“They could say that because of covenants and doctrine and faith and revelation and spirit.”

He concluded with these thought-provoking words: “If we can keep that in our families and in the Church, maybe a lot of other things start to take care of themselves. Maybe a lot of other less-needed things sort of fall out of the wagon. I’m told those handcarts could only hold so much. Just as our ancestors had to choose what they took, maybe the 21st century will drive us to decide, ‘What can we put on this handcart?’ It’s the substance of our soul; it’s the stuff right down in the marrow of our bones.”⁴

Just as these faith-filled pioneers and just as Miranda and Jared, I want to let the less-needed things fall out of my wagon, and fill it instead with the substance of my soul, with covenants, and revelation, and spirit and doctrine, with my faith in Christ and His infinite Atonement. He truly did calm the sea. But even in the times when the furious winds and waves are beating upon me, I can know that it is because the Lord loves me and knows what will help me get back to him with my family, to be eternally happy. Although Christ doesn't always calm the sea, He is always calling out to me and to you, "Peace be still" and He's on the boat with us helping us move toward our promised land.

"Jesus Calms the Storm" from LDS Gospel Art

I have recently learned to love this song, and it speaks this same message to me. 

Does the Journey Seem Long (Click on the link to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing it)

1. Does the journey seem long,
The path rugged and steep?
Are there briars and thorns on the way?
Do sharp stones cut your feet
As you struggle to rise
To the heights thru the heat of the day?

2. Is your heart faint and sad,
Your soul weary within,
As you toil ’neath your burden of care?
Does the load heavy seem
You are forced now to lift?
Is there no one your burden to share?

3. Let your heart be not faint
Now the journey’s begun;
There is One who still beckons to you.
So look upward in joy
And take hold of his hand;
He will lead you to heights that are new—

4. A land holy and pure,
Where all trouble doth end,
And your life shall be free from all sin,
Where no tears shall be shed,
For no sorrows remain.
Take his hand and with him enter in.

Text: Joseph Fielding Smith, 1876–1972

Music: George D. Pyper, 1860–1943

See also "The Atonement," by President Boyd K. Packer