Cooper spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday. He did a wonderful job. One of the primary kids commented to me after that he spoke really fast. I told her he had slowed down to give the talk. I don't think she believed me.
Here's his talk:
In the book of Ether, we see the account of the Jaredites and their journey to the promised land and their life there. One of the biggest parts of this story is how they traveled across the ocean with the help of the Lord.
We see another example of an ocean expedition in 1st Nephi, which is very similar to the journey of the Jaredites. First, both groups began in a situation where their setting was wicked, and so the Lord gave them instruction to leave and travel to a promised land. The Nephites were in danger from the Babylonians, and the Jaredites were in danger from the wickedness of the people who built the Tower of Babel. Interestingly, both Babylon and Babel come from the same Hebrew root meaning “confusion.” So, in both accounts, the people are living in confusion, and the only way for them to be saved is by turning to the Lord. The Lord also gives both groups very specific instructions on how to build ships for them to be saved.
The brother of Jared is told on how to build these vessels by the Lord, but faces problems. They cannot steer, cannot breathe, and cannot see. So, the Lord gives three examples of what the brother of Jared can do. First, He promises to do all the steering Himself using the wind and the waves. Second, He tells the brother of Jared to do specific things in order to make windows for air. And third, He tells the brother of Jared to come up with his own idea for light. One requires only the Lord, the second requires both the Lord and the brother of Jared, and the third requires that the brother of Jared comes up with the solution himself and then turns to the Lord. The brother of Jared brings his idea to the Lord, asking him to touch stones in order to light them. And the Lord agrees to this, lighting the stones and providing the people with light. Because of the brother of Jared’s faith, he is then able to see Jesus’ finger and full spirit body, after using his faith in Christ to find a solution to his problem. When we have faith, we will also receive answers to our problems.
The journey of the Jaredites then begins, but it was not easy for them. The waves crashed into the ships and the winds were constantly blowing, but the Lord did not cease to offer assistance when they turned to him. Ether 6, verse 3 says:
“And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.”
This tumultuous ocean can represent life’s challenges and the extremely difficult things that we as humans face. What are the lights that we see today? God has given us Prophets to turn to for modern revelation and specific teachings that, with faith, will help us overcome today’s challenges. We also have the scriptures, which can always be studied, they can always be pondered, and we can always receive guidance from prayerful and faithful searching. Which brings up prayer. We can always turn to the Lord in prayer for more light to guide us.
Ether 6, verse seven says: “And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.”
How often in life do we go beneath the surface of the water? How often do we have struggles and trials that seem impossible to deal with? It’s part of our mortal journey and part of how we grow. But like this verse says, when we cry unto the Lord with sincere prayer, he will bring us to the top of the water again.
Finally, after struggling for 344 days, the Jaredites arrived in the promised land.
Ether 6, verse 12, which says “And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.”
I love this whole account of the Jaredites, how they started in a confusing world, but through faith turned to the Lord and were able to make it through the intense sea, to the promised land. When we turn to the Lord in faith, at least hoping that He will help us, then we will receive guidance from Him and be able to make it through our mortal journeys, no matter how many bumps we hit on the road, or waves we hit on the sea.
As Elder Aroldo B. Cavalcante said in the October 2024 session of General Conference, “Each of us—and those around us—faces our own storms of opposition and waves of trials that submerge us daily. But ‘the wind [will not] cease to blow towards the promised land … ; and thus [we shall be] driven forth before the wind.’”
I have a testimony that when we turn to the Lord in faith and listen to His instructions, we will have strength during our trials. I know that the Lord gives us prophets, scriptures, and personal revelation for their instructions. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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