Finding The Beacon

Vickey Pahnke tells a wonderful story of a beautiful young woman named Jenni. Like many teenagers, she has a strong testimony of the gospel, loves to be involved with her friends, and is typical of today’s extraordinary young -- except that Jenni is blind. There are sometimes ward or youth activities planned in which she cannot participate, and others that make her feel awkward or left out. But one activity seemed ideal for her, letting her show others how to "see".

On one occasion, the young women planned a special activity with their fathers. In preparation, an obstacle course was set up in the cultural hall complete with tires, sawhorses, and so on. The object would be for the girls, beginning at one end of the hall, to make it to their fathers at the other end. One by one, each receiving instruction from her dad, they would move through this course. The equalizing factor was that each girl would be blindfolded. Jenni needn't feel left out, and it would be fun for all participating. It must have been a hilarious night. Fathers were getting frustrated in voicing their directions, daughters were getting agitated and falling all over the place. On the sidelines the others were shouting instructions and contradicting one another. Laughter filled the hall. Not one of girl was getting through this course. 

Jenni was last up. A quiet come over the hall as she stood ready for her turn. The other girls had whipped off their blindfolds. Jenni would not have the luxury of seeing this room when the games were over. Her father quietly said, "Jenni, listen to me. Don't pay attention to what the others say; just listen to my voice. I will guide you through ." Jenni began her trip. Among those watching, eyes widened in amazement as she carefully maneuvered. Once or twice she stopped to get her bearings or to have her dad repeat his instructions before she moved forward. Jaws dropped as Jenni continued -- never falling, never losing her composure. In time she made it to the finish line and into the arms of her father, who swung her around as the others clapped and encircled the "winners."

"No way!" "Incredible!" The girls crowded around Jenni, amazed at how easily she had gotten through the course that they had failed to navigate. "How did you do it?" 

"It was easy," Jenni said. "I just listened to my fathers voice and did what he told me to do."

To Jenni the solution to the challenge before her seemed all too obvious. There is great wisdom in Jenni's simple explanation of the source of her success -- she listened to her father's voice and then acted upon the guidance she received. This isn't always easy for teenagers, given the sometimes strained relationships between parent and offspring. But advice and counsel given by a righteous father, as influenced by the Holy Ghost, can be just like the beacon -- a source of steady direction guiding us safely home in the storms that sometimes swirl about us. But we must first find the beacon.

Mosiah Chapter 5:
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.
13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?
15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.