Ezra Taft Benson said "Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue that day they harbored such a delusion".
We each steer our own individual craft in life, after all, God ordained us to be agents unto ourselves. Just remember that the Titanic sunk after being declared the safest ship on any of the world's oceans. Perhaps the captain and crew were too careless or confident. Are we? Large boats are steered by very small rudders. Without the rudder a boat goes off course, perhaps not making its destination, getting out of position, with the chance of being damaged or sunk. Are we true to our convictions? We remember well the story of 2,000 young warriors who were "true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted" (Alma 53:20) As the inevitable storms come into our lives, let's trim our sails and make our rudders true.
Each of us has standards against which we measure our acts and their consequences. Are our lives directed by the true Guide or are we adrift, "driven with the wind and tossed" (James 1:6) until another storm or problem or appetite takes us another direction?
Jeffrey Holland said "How much pressure is too much pressure to remain true? When the opposition heats up and the going gets tough, how much of what we thought was important to us will we defend and how much, in that inevitable tug and pull of life, will we find it convenient to give away?"
Christ climbed a very difficult hill once for each and every one of us. As He moved closer to Calvary, His defenders became fewer and fewer in number. Even so, He remained true to His Father's work to build the kingdom.
Oh Lord, help me keep my rudder true. Help me stay on a straight course that leads me home to Thee.
A question that each good missionary will ask an investigator will, in essence, say "what do you live for?" If an investigator is honest in considering that question, then eternal truths can bless their life. Is your rudder true? This is Elder Smith and Elder Dohrman
Standing at the base of this VERY tall, straight palm tree are 2 missionaries who stand very tall and straight. Elders Larson and Strong. We think these are the tallest palm trees we have ever seen!
Elders Strong and Larson
Rimble and Roger at our reading class
The Donovan family baptized their son, Merrick, on Saturday. This reminded us so much of the baptism of our son, Adam, in the Caribbean when he was 8. Sean Donovan is a medical student, living in a foreign country with his family, just like we were. So many similarities. In fact, Saturday was Adam's birthday, so the time of year that he was baptized was even similar.
A little friend out on the beach
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