Lights Along the
Shore
A number of years ago I was an active private pilot. I was working for an engineering company in
St. George, Utah. The firm was a small
regional firm and every week I would generally be off to do business using a
single engine Cessna airplane. I was one
of the senior engineers with the responsibility of managing assigned clients
and projects.
On one occasion, I had to fly from St. George to Callio,
Nevada, pick up the Mayor of Callio and then fly to Carson City, Nevada near
Reno. We were presenting an application to a State funding agency for financing
a project we were planning in the city of Callio. To be on time for the early meeting, I left
St. George at 4:00 am. The night was
dark but the weather was clear so I was flying visual flight rules. I held an outbound course to Callio using the
ADF navigation instrument tuned to a local St. George AM radio station. With no wind, I figured the course would get
me close enough to Callio to see its airport beacon before I lost contact with
the radio station. I was looking out the
wind screen at pitch black except for the brilliant Milky Way in the perfectly
smooth air as I slid across that classic southern Utah sky. That is peaceful, to say the least.
The flight plan worked perfectly. Seeing the familiar blinking white and green
beacon at the Callio airport, I knew the exact direction to my destination. Soon, I saw the lights of the city which
completely oriented me to land safely.
The waiting mayor, climbed on board and after a short taxi we were off
again from that uncontrolled airport, climbing to my planned altitude.
My navigation plan to Carson City was even more
primitive. I planned to navigate dead
reckoning using the directional gyro on a course direct to Carson City. Dead reckoning is subject to cumulative errors
but I knew when it became light, I could stay on course using land marks until
I could pick up navigation aids using the ADF or Reno VOR. I set my course and began visiting with the
Mayor. After 20 or 30 minutes I saw a
flashing airport beacon ahead of us. I
could not believe it. There is nothing
along that route through central Nevada, but I continued flying toward the
beacon. Finally, the lights on the
ground told me the truth. I recognized
the city of Callio. Woops, I had become
distracted while visiting and drifted a complete 180 degrees off course and had
returned to where I had earlier taken off.
A beacon is a conspicuous device designed to
attract attention from far away to a specific location. Beacons help guide navigators toward their destinations.
However, the lights on the ground in the city are equally important. They orient the navigator and show him the details
of the correct way. This experience was
a real life allegory to me comparable to the words of hymn 335, Brightly Beams
our Father’s Mercy:
Brightly
beams our Father’s mercy,
From his
light-house ever more.
But to us
he gives the keeping
Of the
lights along the shore.
Dark the
night of sin has settled;
Loud the
angry billows roar.
Eager eyes
are watching, longing,
For the
lights along the shore.
Trim your
feeble lamp, my brother;
Some poor
sailor, tempest tossed.
Trying now
to make the harbor,
In the
darkness may be lost.
Choir:
Let the
lower lights be burning;
Send a
gleam across the wave.
Some poor
fainting, struggling seaman,
You may
rescue, you may save.
Jesus Christ is your beacon, but it is your example through actions
and attitude that are the lights along the shore. Therefore, while you work with stake and ward
leaders and members, “…seek to be a blessing, not a burden” to them. You will develop relationships that will last
the rest of your life (PMG p. 217). The
Lord said: “… let your light so
shine…” (3 Nephi 12:14) The following are a few specific items that
may help you let your light shine:
An Elder in our mission recently sent this email to a member
who forwarded it to me.
“Dear [Member]…I want to thank you for the privilege it has been to get
to know you and your wife. Thank you for
your good example. I am being
transferred to ______. We will see each
other in the future. Greetings, Elder
______”
I am here to tell you, this missionary gets it. That member told me all the good he sees in
this Elder who learned the names of the children of the members in the ward and
talked to them every week at church. He
learned the members’ names and served them and he cared enough to offer this
personal thank you when he was transferred.
This Elder is a giant in the eyes of those ward members. His light shines.
Line up and complement members for a job well done after
they give talks and teach lessons. You
will become a hero in their eyes.
After you go home, keep your Facebook posts appropriate and
remain an example. You are on a pedestal
to the members here, they see your posts and they know what is degrading. Be careful making promises and keep your
promises after your mission. The example
you set is your light on the shore and has an enormous effect on the members.
Make a lesson plan for member dinner appointments. Remember, connecting with people is the key
to success on missions and in life. Develop
your people skills and teaching skills. Be
sensitive and do not push in where you are not welcome, but remember every
member has a wayward kid, not enough money, troubled marriage, poor health, not
enough time, etc., etc. Understand them,
help them with their problems by teaching an appropriate message. Encourage their youth. That will endear you to them and you will be
a light on the shore.
Be a master finder every day. Plan your day with a variety of finding
methods complete with time duration and locations such as: door knocking, area book look-ups, 2-2-5,
part or inactive member visits, street contacting, travel contacting, referral
calls, etc. Then work your plan. You will be on a schedule, in a hurry, on the
move and busy with a variety of activities instead of the alternative, a day of
door knocking. Members know and respect
master finders and your willingness to do this will be an important light to
them.
Stay in the mainstream with your work. Avoid odd behavior and attitudes thinking it
shows faithfulness. Skipping meals,
skipping general conference, skipping all companionship study to get out and
work is not smart. Be steady and
balanced in your work and life. Remember,
being a successful missionary has nothing to do with leadership calls.
Your priesthood has the authority and power for the ministering
of angels. (D&C 84:26) A friend of
ours said after winning a bout with cancer, “I could not have made it without
the help of my guardian angels who helped me through it. They were living angles.” You may very well be a living angel to those members
who see your light on the shore.
President Robinson
No comments:
Post a Comment