June 2013 HT Walking in Circles
Link to LDS.ORG http://www.lds.org/liahona/2013/06/walking-in-circles?lang=eng
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Walking in Circles
Have you ever heard the old saying that people who get lost tend to walk in circles?
- L. Souman, a German psychologist, wanted to determine scientifically if this was true. He took participants of an experiment to a large forest area and to the Sahara desert and used a global positioning system to track where they went. They had no compass or any other device. Instructions to them were simple: walk in a straight line in the direction indicated.
Dr. Souman later described what happened. “[Some] of them walked on a cloudy day, with the sun hidden behind the clouds [and with no reference points in view]. … [They] all walked in circles, with [several] of them repeatedly crossing their own path without noticing it.” Other participants walked while the sun was shining, with faraway reference points in view. “These … followed an almost perfectly straight course.”1
This study has been repeated by others with different methodologies.2 All returned similar results.
Without visible landmarks, human beings tend to walk in circles.
Both as individuals and as societies, we see this pattern repeated over and over in every dispensation since the beginning of time. When we lose sight of the word of God, we tend to get lost.
This is undoubtedly the reason the Lord commanded Lehi to send his sons back to Jerusalem for the brass plates. God knew that the descendants of Lehi would need reliable landmarks—points of reference—that would provide a guide they could use to determine if they were on course.
The scriptures are the word of God. They are God’s landmarks that show the way we should travel in order to draw closer to our Savior and reach worthy goals.
Occasionally I ask myself, “Did I listen to the words given by the men and women who spoke at the most recent general conference of the Church? Have I read and reread their words? Have I pondered them and applied them to my life? Or have I just enjoyed the fine talks and neglected to apply their inspired messages in my personal life?”
Maybe while you were listening or reading, you jotted down a note or two. Perhaps you made a commitment to do some things better or differently. Just think about the messages of last general conference. Many encouraged us to strengthen our families and improve our marriages. This issue of the Liahona also focuses on these eternal values, with many practical recommendations to bless our lives.
Are we noting and applying this worthwhile counsel? Are we recognizing and walking toward these real and valuable landmarks?
If we refuse to be guided by these landmarks, they become meaningless, decorative masses that have no purpose but to break up the flatness of the horizon.
It’s not enough to go solely by our instincts.
It’s not enough to have the best of intentions.
It won’t do to rely only on our natural senses.
Even when we think we are following a straight spiritual path, without true landmarks to guide us—without the guidance of the Spirit—we will tend to wander.
Let us, therefore, open our eyes and see the landmarks our benevolent God has provided to His children. Let us read, hear, and apply the word of God. Let us pray with real intent and listen to and follow the promptings of the Spirit. Once we have recognized the supernal landmarks offered by our loving Heavenly Father, we should set our course by them. We should also make regular course corrections as we orient ourselves toward spiritual landmarks.
In this way, we will not wander in circles but walk with confidence and certainty toward that great heavenly blessing that is the birthright of all who walk in the straight and narrow way of Christ’s discipleship.
Landmarks for You
President Uchtdorf describes general conference and the scriptures as landmarks that help us avoid spiritual wandering. Ponder other spiritual landmarks that have influenced and guided your life. Write your experiences down in your journal. These quotations from President Monson may help you:
“Your [patriarchal] blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away. It is not to be framed or published. Rather, it is to be read. It is to be loved. It is to be followed. Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night. It will guide you through life’s dangers.”
“Your Patriarchal Blessing: A Liahona of Light,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 66.
“Our Heavenly Father did not launch us on our eternal voyage without providing the means whereby we could receive from Him guidance to ensure our safe return. I speak of prayer. I speak too of the whisperings from that still, small voice.”
“The Race of Life,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2012, 92.
I Can Find My Way
President Uchtdorf says that we need to follow spiritual landmarks because they will help us choose the right and come closer to the Savior. Some of these landmarks are prayer, the scriptures, general conference, and the Liahona.
Find your way through the maze by following these landmarks.
(click to view larger)
Illustration by Scott Greer
With your family, read a talk from the last general conference. What does the speaker suggest that we do to stay on the right path? Set goals with your family to apply what you learned.