Directions

For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass (the Liahona), which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. (Alma 37:44)

When we read this scripture in Sunday School today, the words “if you know how to use it and are worthy to use it” popped into my head. One must have the knowledge of how to use the tool to make the tool effective. For example, I often let Maggie play with my tools. I don’t usually think twice about her playing with them because she doesn’t know how to use them. (Megan blogged about this once) However, she astonished us a few months ago when we saw that whenever we gave her our keys she would walk up to doors and try to use a key. We don’t know where she got that from, based on that we use keyless car remotes and go through the garage into the house. When she plays in the car she always asks for my set of keys. She will pick out the right one and then will put it into the car ignition. We are in big trouble when she learns to turn the key.

Back to the scripture: it is stating that the word of Christ (scriptures, gospel, commandments, etc.) and a compass are easy to follow and will equally point us in the right direction. Following directions, especially when compasses are involved, reminded me of a story. All good stories begin with “one time…” so here we go:

One time, the summer before I was a senior in high school, our stake decided to do a stake-wide, all young men’s summer camp. This was the infamous summer camp where we burned the couch. That story has gained immortal legend status in the Woods Cross 2^nd Ward, especially with all the ever changing nuances that Rick Hawley comes up with; it’s best to get the story from him.

Anyway, the stake called on some of the priest age young men who were basically done with their Eagles and merit badges to be merit badge counselors for the Deacons and Teachers that still needed merit badges. I was assigned to teach the Orienteering Merit Badge, which obviously deals with compasses and compass courses for orienteering purposes. As merit badge counselor I was in charge of teaching the boys how to use a compass and then taking them through all the merit badge requirements. This was my first time being a counselor, so I didn’t know what to expect. I just tried to follow the merit badge book the best I could.

I was in relatively good shape back then (actually I was in darn near the best shape of my life), so I thought nothing strange of requiring the boys to record their 100 meter sprint times. To facilitate this requirement, we found the straightest and flattest area we could, which happened to be the main road through camp.

Due to the distracted nature of the video game generation, it’s hard to get 12-year olds to listen and follow directions. Subsequently, if I remember correctly, we spent A LOT of time getting everyone coordinated and passed off, one by one, on the 100 meters. Many leaders watched us and wondered what the heck we were doing. For years now I have received ridicule for making a 100 meter sprint part of the orienteering merit badge. I even convinced myself that I had misinterpreted the merit badge requirement and that we ran all day long for no apparent reason.

Well, it’s time to set the record straight. In preparation of this post, I uncovered this information:

The fifth requirement is as follows: Set up a 100-meter pace course. Determine your walking and running pace for 100 meters. Tell why it is important to pace-count.

So I didn’t screw up after all! What a relief. For nearly 8 years I have had that sad thought looming over my head. I just may be qualified to teach more merit badges!

And that story was related to the aforementioned scripture because you have follow directions. And sometimes people don’t recognize that you are following directions, but you need to anyway, no matter how hard it is or how silly it seems. We have been promised that if we follow directions we will be blessed. We need to follow up on those types of sacred promises. Doing so will strengthen our testimonies and prepare us for whatever challenges lay before us.