Navigating the Journey

A few days ago, we were returning home from a long weekend away with one of our daughters and her family. They got on the road about 45 minutes earlier than we did. As is customary in our family, we call each other every now and again just to check in and see how things are going. With about an hour left on their drive, our daughter called telling us the traffic had gotten really bad. Only a few minutes later, she called back to tell us there was an accident a few miles ahead of where they were and that traffic was at a standstill. We quickly called one of our other daughters to have her check to see exactly where the accident was and if it would be possible to take another route to avoid the delay. She was able see where we were, where the accident was and where the traffic was again flowing at regular speeds. She guided us off the freeway, onto the frontage road, down a few side streets and then back on the freeway. Because of the warning from one daughter and the directions from another, we were able to avoid a 35-minute delay.

That experience is much like our mortal journey. Life can be full of uncertainty. There are unexpected stops and detours all along the way. But, as President Henry B. Eyring just told us, “God has the power to make our way easier.”1 Our loving Heavenly Father never intended for us to travel this journey on our own. Two of the great gifts He has given us are a living prophet and the Holy Ghost. We can be assured that our way will be easier if we will hear and heed the living prophet and recognize and respond to the impressions of the Holy Ghost.

Russell M. Nelson is God’s prophet today. He can see what we cannot see and can warn us of the dangers that lie ahead. He has given us guidance, direction, and warnings. If we listen, we can avoid many roadblocks and dangers along our way. Consider the counsel he has given us since becoming our prophet. It has been amazing! Perhaps his most often repeated counsel has been to learn to recognize and respond to the Holy Ghost. He warned, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”2

On our trip home the other day, the warning that there was an accident ahead that was causing major delays would have done us little good had we not gotten further direction and guidance from another source. The prophet warns us and the Holy Ghost guides us. The scriptures teach us that “by the power of the Holy Ghost [we] may know the truth of all things”3 and that He can “show unto [us] all things what [we] should do.”4

As we navigate the challenging roads ahead of us, we can find great comfort in knowing that heavenly help is always available to us. President Nelson reminds, “Our ultimate security comes as we yoke ourselves to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ!”5

References:

1.  Tested, Proved, and Polished – Henry B. Eyring

2.  Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives – Russell M. Nelson

3.  Moroni 10:5

4.  2 Nephi 32:5

5.  Embrace the Future with Faith – Russell M. Nelson

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