Confession

I love to "liken the scriptures" unto myself (1 Nephi 19:23).
It is almost becoming an obsession of mine.
Sometimes I even cross out "son" and replace it with "daughter" or I will cross out someone's name and put in my name.
And as I have "likened the scriptures" unto myself, I have been able to gain a better understanding of the scriptures and have been able to strengthen my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

A week and a half ago, I flipped open my scriptures to a random page and the first scripture I read was Alma 42:1.

"And now, my [daughter], I perceive there is something more which doth worry your mind which ye cannot understand..."

Woah. It is always nice to be reassured that Heavenly Father does know what your problems, struggles and stressors are. He is always aware of us. He really does know what is going on in our lives and the desires of our heart. And I am so thankful for a God who is aware of me and my wants and my struggles because I know that if I put my trust in Him, He will guide me back to Him and will carry me through those trials. He is always walking beside me. 

This last summer, the theme at Oakcrest was "Walk Beside Me," and almost every week during FHE, Pogo would quote this poem.

Footprints in the Sand

By Mary Stevenson

One night I had a dream–

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord

and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,

one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.

“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you would walk with me all the way,

but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life

there is only one set of footprints.

“I don’t understand why in times when I needed you most,

you should leave me.”

The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child,

I love you and I would never, never leave you

during your times of trial and suffering.

“When you saw only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you.”

Our Savior is always walking beside us and knows our pains and fears and trials because He performed the atonement. And our Father in Heaven knows aware of our lives as well. The two are always there to lead us, guide us and walk beside us on the path back to them. 

And all of this came about, because I likened the beginning of one verse unto myself.