The wind did never cease

Sometimes it seems like the universe is trying to block our progress…

I think that’s how the Jaredites might have felt when they followed God’s commandment thousands of years ago.

They built ships and set out into uncharted ocean, “commending themselves unto the Lord their God,” (Ether 6:4) only to find that:

“…a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters…”

“…they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.”

“…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 6:5-6

…But might it really be the universe trying to help us progress?

Those sound like extreme and probably discouraging conditions. The Jaradites might have wondered if they were actually progressing towards their goal; however…

“…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

Sometimes circumstances that seem to hinder us may actually be helping us.

The “furious wind” that caused the tossing, waves, and tempests was the same wind that pushed them towards the promised land.

Along these lines, Elder Steven E Snow promised that when storms come:

…if you have prepared they will become seasons of learning in your life. Rather than times of setback and loss of faith, these experiences themselves will become stepping-stones of spiritual strength for your eternal progression.

My recent HWN has been looking for seeming setbacks in life that may actually be stepping stones to push me forward.

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p.s. My brother Josh came into town for a recruiting event a couple weeks ago. We had fun at Trafalga for his birthday (laser tag, mini golf, arcades…), Tucanos for dinner, and a games night :)

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