GOD IS
AT THE HELM
There are so many things in the world that demand our attention. Media outlets and people who want to tell us what to think, what to do, where to spend our time, energy and resources, how we should feel and what we should believe. There are groups of people who want us to sign up and fight for their cause or to believe the way they do. We are surrounded by voices that shout at us constantly and for every finger pointing one direction, there is a finger pointing the other direction. The swirling storm of words is so thick, that it becomes hard to see, and we may find ourselves wondering; where is the truth? At times, we may feel like a ship on a tempestuous sea, slammed and tossed upon the waves, with noone to guide her helm. When we feel like this, what are we to do?
In 2014, Elder M. Russell Ballard reminded us of President Brigham Young’s metaphor which he used for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He called the church “The Old Ship Zion.”
“We are on the old ship Zion” President Young said. “[God] is at the helm and will stay there. … He dictates, guides and directs. If the people will have implicit confidence in their God, never forsake their covenants nor their God, He will guide us right.”
Elder Ballard posed the question, “Given the challenges we all face today, how do we stay on the Old Ship Zion?"
“Here is how, “ He continued, “We need to experience a continuing conversion by increasing our faith in Jesus Christ and our faithfulness to His gospel throughout our lives - not just once but regularly.”
Later, in the same message, Elder Ballard said, “Keep [your] eyes on the leaders of the Church … We will not and …cannot lead [you] astray. Make no mistake about it: the Lord directs His Church through living prophets and apostles. This is the way He has always done His work. Indeed, the Savior taught, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me.’ (John 13:20, KJV)"
When we have faith in Jesus Christ and understand that “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing” (Mormon 9:9), we can believe that “the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) And as we come to understand and accept the great love our Savior has for us, we can rest assured in the fact that he will never allow His servants to lead us astray. The storms may billow around us, but God is at the helm! And He, through His chosen servant, a prophet of God, will guide us home.
This image was inspired by Elder M. Russell Ballard’s talks Stay in the Boat and Hold On! and God is at the Helm. If you would like to read Elder Ballard’s messages in full, you are invited to follow this link, and this link.