Reminicent of Nephi

How many times have we read the account of Nephi jumping the walls Jerusalem and seeking out Laban?  How many of us have wondered about the internal battle Nephi went through when the Holy Spirit told him to cut off Laban's head?  I know I have.  Why would the Spirit ask anyone to do something that does not sound right?  In this instance, the spiritual and temporal reasoning was shared, but how to we apply it to our lives today.

As I pondered events of our Saturday evening and the Queen's Sunday morning, Nephi's experience came to mind.

The Queen wanted to attend Sunday service.  She just wanted to do it earlier in the day than she did the week before.  She woke up early, WAY, WAY, early and started planning her route to get there.  From what I understand, she was going to have to walk to the metro station, catch a train, and ride some 24 stops before catching the next train.   She would then ride for another 24 stops before getting off and beginning her search for the meeting house.

As I remember our experience from Friday evening, this would take somewhere between 1.5 to 2 hours. 

This was a new building.  She really was not sure where it was.  She was not sure someone would go with her.  That being said, I feel she was a little nervous, and rightly so.  When she talked to me about it, I was nervous.  I wanted to know if there were people there who knew where she was going and how long to expect her to be gone, what 2 hours to church, 3 hour block, and 2 hours back.  That is a full day!

At one point she asked me what I thought and I told her that she should take a taxi.  She then reminded me of the incident she had on Tuesday where it took 90 minutes to get to a restaurant that was 15 minutes away.  She had already done the google map of the meeting house, thinking she could at least show the path, maybe the names of the streets, and zoomed in to the building itself to have an idea if she was going or getting to the right place and this is what she saw:



That does not look like a building, hence a little more apprehension. 

My first thought was, if you don't feel right, then don't go. 

But that was not what was going through the Queen's mind.  I can understand why.  It is church, we are supposed to go to church.  Just because it is going to take most of the day does not mean we should not do it.  Everyone else in this part of the world does it.  Are we too spoiled here in the valley?  I can only imagine that these were some of the thoughts, but I may be wrong.

Anyway, she wanted some support.  I hope I gave her what she needed.  At first, I was helping her justify.  It is a strange place.  She is alone.  She does not speak the language.  It does not feel right, etc...

Then I was impressed to jump the computer and speak to her over the Internet.  It was nice to hear her voice at the same time.  While I was there, I signed in to my LDS account and looked up the leadership directory.  She gave me the name of the Branch President.  I found him.  I had his home number, email address, and the same for the rest of his presidency.  While she started calling, I started emailing. 

After several attempts, she was able to reach one of the counselors who informed her that because of distance and travel time, they had decided as a branch that they would only meet once a month as a full congregation, Fast Sunday.  The rest of the month they would divide the branch in to Home Groups where the president gave them authority to renew covenants and worship.  He gave her the name and number of the closest Home Group, which happened to be in the same city as her hotel.

Wow, thanks for sharing the adventure!

Now the question is what I learned.  I feel strongly today that the feeling she was having was the Holy Spirit telling her not to go to church.  Well, in a way.  He was telling her not to go to the meeting house.  He knew that if she did, there would not be anyone there.  Who knows what could have happened.  But we don't have to worry about that.  She listened.  It was not easy, but she did.  She continued to follow His guidance and talk to someone else.  Someone who had access to phone numbers, addresses, and more.

Like Nephi of old, the Holy Spirit was telling her to do something that did not make sense.  Why would he tell her not to go to church?  I am grateful to know that I have an eternal companion, though separated by thousands of miles, who not only listens to the promptings she receives, but also feel comfortable sharing with me.  I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows where she is, knows who she is, and is watching over her through is ministering angels.

WOW, thanks for sharing your adventure!

Later that night, I received and email from the Branch President.  He was no longer the president.  He was now living in China, but he had the names, numbers and addresses of those the Queen could contact.  She did eventually make phone contact with that small Home Group.  They started their meeting at 8:30 in the morning.  By the time she reached them, they had dismissed for the day, but what a wonderfully powerful experience.  I hope she gets to share with them before she leaves.