Discovering Our Promised Land
By Audra Elkington
“This place has been the promised land for me and my family.”
I love the gems like this I find written in the margins of my scriptures when I re-read well loved passages. As I feasted upon the words in 1 Nephi 17-18, I felt the Spirit spark inside me. Almost as though we were playing a game of Hot and Cold, I was clearly getting closer to the lesson I was meant to learn that morning.
In 1 Nephi 18:23 we read, “And it came to pass that after we had sailed for the space of many days we did arrive at the promised land; and we went forth upon the land, and did pitch our tents; and we did call it the promised land.” (emphasis added)
I was struck by the word ‘we.’ A profound reminder that I can play a significant part in determining whether or not I am in a promised land in each phase of my life. Profound because these past few months have been anything but smooth sailing. For weeks I truly struggled to find anything to feel joyful about. But, somewhere along the line, something changed inside me. The fear and anxiety were lifted and my mind stopped focusing on what was going wrong. Instead, I started to see all the glorious things surrounding me each day.
I don’t think that it was a coincidence that I read Doctrine and Covenants 38 immediately after I finished those 1 Nephi chapters. Notably section 38:32 stopped me in my tracks:
“Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high.”
For those of us who know what was waiting for the Saints when they were asked to travel to Ohio, it’s easy to exclaim “Go! Just Go! You won’t regret it.” We know that the Lord was waiting to bestow temple covenants on them. In knowing how their story turns out, I think we sometimes forget that they had to press forward in faith. They had no clue what was in store; what glorious blessings they would receive in their new ‘promised land.’
And I have to wonder if they are on the other side of the veil, urging us to go and do as the Lord is commanding us. Because they have a glimpse of what is in store for each of us once we set foot on our own promised land.
My current promised land is such an unlikely place. When my family was moving here, there was nothing especially great about this area. In fact, my husband and I often had conversations about why we would even consider moving here. But, we felt the urge to come. We felt like the change was necessary for our family. We were right.
This ‘promised land’ is where I have made eternal friendships. I found my testimony again. I found my voice and discovered how joyful it is to publish the gospel of peace. It is where I decided that the things of God matter more to me than the things of this earth.
But, this place did not become my ‘promised land’ by chance. As I look back over the past few years, I can clearly see the steps that helped my eyes to be opened to the beauty that surrounds me.
First, I opened myself up to the possibility of friendship with anyone who crossed my path. In the past, I have been a pretty private person and that automatically meant there were just certain people I couldn’t build relationships with. But, that just left me lonely and I was tired of being lonely. I forced myself to smile at every person I came in contact with each day. At first, it was hard some days. But, over time, it became a natural expression and that was often the only invitation others needed to talk to me.
Second, I made a decision to read my scriptures every single day. Maybe this seems like a no brainer, but I was just coming back to church and hadn’t even touched my scriptures in at least five years. I had to first find the time, which was not easy with an infant, 1st grader with extreme anxiety, a middle schooler who was not happy to be at yet another new school, and a husband who was always at work. I started leaving my Book of Mormon open on my kitchen counter. I found I was spending the majority of my time in that room, so I knew I would see them frequently. The open pages were a constant reminder to read, even if just one verse. Doing this completely changed my heart.
And finally, I started each day by asking Heavenly Father this one question, “What can I find joy in today?” I have been astounded at how beautiful my surroundings have become to me. Every time I drive into my neighborhood, I am so grateful to live in such a pretty environment. When I see my anxious child come out of school with a smile on her face, I can’t help but sigh with relief. And then I think of all the people I would never have met or the opportunities I have had to use my talents that might not have materialized if we hadn’t moved here.
I am confident that at all times, we are each being guided to our own promised land. When we are able to take steps to appreciate where we are at in our journey, we can be filled with joy even if our journey didn’t take us where we expected to go.
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