Line upon Line

“I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons (and daughters) I warn you.” (1 Corinthians 4:14)

Tragedy has struck our small island once again. After a 100% success rate in ocean water rescues last year, we mourn a devastating drowning this summer.  Swimming close to shore on a red flag day, a young woman was suddenly pulled away from shallow waters by a rip current. Two bystanders, who dove in to help, were also carried 60-80 feet away from shore. Although first responders arrived quickly on the scene, doing everything they could, they were only able to save two of the three. The young woman, who was pulled to shore by multiple rescue swimmers, succumbed to her injuries after a great effort was given to resuscitate her. Considering our island swells from less than 4,000 residents to nearly 50,000 in the summer months, losing a person to the silent clutches of the sea is a rare occurrence.

Disturbingly, the turbulent waters which occupy our coast are often deceiving by appearing much more calm than reality. Those who visit may not be able to recognize the rip currents which pull swimmers away from the safety of shore. These currents often look like the calmest sections of the beach due to the deeper channels that inhibit the normal breaking waves which often make them the most dangerous. Yet, the town in recent years has completely transformed their ocean rescue efforts. It has more than tripled rigorously trained lifeguards, erected two towers covering the most heavily populated areas during the summer months, and invested in jeeps loaded with first responder equipment, which lifeguards use to patrol the twelve-mile coast line.

A flag system has been established. These flags, clearly displayed along the beach, as well as a sign at the entrance of our island, indicate the day’s swimming conditions. The town has also expanded their community outreach efforts to help vacationers be safe by displaying vital information that explains the flag system of yellow (caution), red (dangerous rip currents expected), double red (beach closed to swimming), and purple (hazardous marine life). Also, since rip currents are common, pamphlets, online videos, and signs teach people how to recognize and navigate the deadly rips.

The town encourages people to give serious consideration to the flag warnings, especially the red flags. To emphasize their importance, police officers patrol the beach along with the Ocean Rescue Lifeguard team. In addition, the Ocean Rescue team speaks one on one with vacationers. For example, the stats for the Ocean Rescue crew, just over the 2024 Labor Day weekend on a yellow flag day, include the following “. . . warned swimmers about dangerous surf conditions 299 times; talked to 582 beachgoers about rip currents, marine life, and staying safe in the water; [engaged] in 11 water rescues, and helped 2 lost/missing people get back to safety.” (see Emerald Isle Labor Day Stats 2024 on youtube)

“For this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words.” (D&C 63:58)

Several years ago, before all of these systems were in place, my niece came to visit from Utah. During that summer, the ocean currents had noticeably changed. All of us, who were familiar with Emerald Isle, knew something was different. The strength of the currents and power of the waves seemed to have increased exponentially compared to years prior due to several storms off the coast. Being a tween at the time and feeling confident in her swimming, I could tell my niece was not heeding my warnings of the dangers of ocean swimming. Besides my niece’s belief in her abilities, I could see why she chose not to listen. All of her cousins, even a younger one, ventured in the water; so why not her. What she did not understand was that her cousins who had grown up swimming along these shores were accustomed to the currents and were all excellent ocean swimmers. They also had been taught how to navigate the waves and what to do in strong currents.

Among the first days of her visit, we trudged down to the beach loaded with towels, water, snacks, rafts, boogie boards and a surfboard. My daughter, who was the same age as my niece, asked me to take pictures of her surfing, a new skill she had practiced all summer. She grabbed her board and confidently paddled out. At the same time, my niece and another cousin (also my niece!), ventured out into the surf sharing a raft and began trying to make their way out past the breakers where my daughter bobbed up and down on her board. Within minutes, as I raised my camera to snap a few photos, I could see my niece panicking as they lost the raft to the waves, which rose and fell. Running toward the water, I saw my daughter speedily glide on her surfboard across the water to rescue her cousin.

As they arrived on shore, I could see my niece was fiercely crying. We hurried her to our beach spot, wrapped her in towel, and consoled her. She now better understood the difference between swimming in the ocean and playing in a pool. When my niece returned to the ocean, which she bravely did later in the week, I knew she would be ever more cautious.

“Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light. And every man whose spirit receiveth not the light is under condemnation.” (D&C 93:31-32)

Reflecting upon these events, I considered the many times during my life’s journey when I misunderstood or outright ignored counsel given by my parents, prophets, and the Lord. One such moment in particular comes to mind.

Being a young mother of three children ranging from ages 4-7 at the time and caring for my father, I still found time to play on a soccer team every Saturday during the season. This was my outlet to not only exercise, but to unleash pent up energy and do something I enjoyed. Having been injured with sprained ankles and such over the years of playing, I asked the Lord to warn me of  “unseen injuries” beforehand. This may sound strange or be an interesting concept for those reading, but knowing I didn’t have time to nurse an injury, I asked for this heavenly favor.

As I was getting ready to leave for a game, a question popped into my mind. I still remember it verbatim: If your children needed you, would you stay home? Yes! I immediately replied to the question. Not only did I hear and respond to the question, I felt the presence of someone unseen; a reassuring presence. Immediately following that thought and feeling came a new one. This presence felt empty, void, and the thought came saying my children would be safe here at home. They would be watched over while I was gone. There would be nothing to worry about. So, I continued to get ready and then left for the game, because I wanted to play.

I warmed up and prepared to take the field when the coach called me over and told me to play left wing instead of right. “How odd,” I thought since the person who played left wing was left footed and I was right footed. The two of us exchanged positions, and the first time I touched the ball, I sprinted with it down the left wing. As I maneuvered around the opposing team’s left fullback and began to pivot to cross the ball toward the center, my foot caught on a grass clump and I fell to the ground. Writhing in pain, I knew I was in trouble. Sure enough, my injury was serious: I had torn my left ACL and my right hamstring at the base. It took me a year to recover — ample time to think about the warning the Lord gave me.

Even though this event didn’t take place on the beach where flags were warning me of danger, the “red flags” were certainly there. It amazes me how clearly the Lord posts “red flags” as a voice of warning whether it be through the scriptures, words from today’s prophets, or in my case, the direct whisperings and presence of the Holy Ghost. I clearly could discern between the two presences I felt, but I did what I wanted instead of heeding the warning of the spirit of light.

“The voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days.” (D&C 1:4)

Elder Neil L. Andersen in his most recent General Conference address stated, “The Lord warned that in the last days, there would be distress among nations, people would ‘be lovers of their own selves,’ ‘all things [would] be in commotion,’ confusion would abound, and ‘men’s hearts [would] fail them.’ We have certainly seen men’s and women’s hearts fail them: the enticements of the world, the distraction of alluring voices, the neglect of spiritual nourishment, the fatigue from the demands of discipleship.”

(see Neil L. Andersen. Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth. April General Conference 2024.)

How can we avoid the commotion, confusion, and distress which dangerously engulf us like ocean currents that rip us from the shore of spiritual safety? Together, let’s take a moment and consider the counsel we have been given, especially recently, to avoid the rough waters and shifting currents of our time.

“I am optimistic about the future.” President Russell M. Nelson said. “It will be filled with opportunities for each of us to progress, contribute, and take the gospel to every corner of the earth. But I am also not naive about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a 24-hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages. If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.” (Russell M. Nelson. Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives. April General Conference 2018.)

“President Nelson has a way with words,” Elder Ronald A. Rasband stated in the April 2024 General Conference. He then reminded us of several phrases President Nelson has recently emphasized. “‘Keep on the covenant path,’ ‘Gather Israel,’ ‘Let God prevail,’ ‘Build bridges of understanding,’ ‘Give thanks,’ ‘Increase your faith in Jesus Christ,’ ‘Take charge of your testimony,’ and ‘Become a peacemaker.’ Most recently, he has asked us to ‘think celestial.’ ‘When you are confronted with a dilemma,’ he said, ‘think celestial! When tested by temptation, think celestial! When life or loved ones let you down, think celestial! When someone dies prematurely, think celestial. … When the pressures of life crowd in upon you, think celestial! … As you think celestial, your heart will gradually change, … you will view trials and opposition in a new light, … [and] your faith will increase.’ . . . When we think celestial, we see ‘things as they really are, and … really will be.’ In this world burdened with confusion and contention, we all need that perspective.” (Ronald A. Rasband. Words Matter. April General Conference 2024.)

Let’s consider President Russell M. Nelson’s recent counsel of warning as he pleads with us to focus on the temple: “My dear brothers and sisters, the assaults of the adversary are increasing exponentially, in intensity and in variety. Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater. I plead with you to take a prayerful look at how you spend your time. Invest time in your future and in that of your family. . . I urge you to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord—to be in His holy house—then keep that appointment with exactness and joy. I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples.”

President Nelson continued by giving this promise. “My dear brothers and sisters, here is my promise. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world’s mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God’s magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing!” (Russell M. Nelson. Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys. April General Conference 2024. Also see Temple and Family History Messages from Leaders)

“But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man [and woman], remember, and perish not.” (Mosiah 4:30)

Just a few weeks ago while standing on the shore, my husband came out of the water refreshed and encouraged me to go in. Knowing that my swimming ability grows fainter every year, he assured me the water was perfect and that I would be fine. My sister-in-law, Liz, who stood next to me, is a great swimmer. She was a competitive swimmer in her youth and served as a lifeguard on the Emerald Isle Ocean Rescue Lifeguard team. Liz said she would go in with me. So, feeling relaxed and safe, I ventured in the water until I was about chest high. This is common for me.

As we chatted and jumped the waves, a few larger sets breaking a little farther out arose. We quickened our pace to dive under them, then continued to enjoy the surf. It wasn’t long before I realized we were in a rip which was slowly taking us away from shore. I looked at Liz and said, “I can no longer stand.”

Liz’s first words were, “Tanya, don’t panic! We just have to swim parallel to the shore until we are out of the rip and then diagonally into shore.” Luckily, I wasn’t afraid because I understood that rip currents do not drag you underwater, they pull you away from shore. I could also tell the rip current was not strong at that moment; so, I followed her lead and arrived safely on shore.

Much like ocean currents, life’s challenges can shift moment by moment. Just as rip currents become stronger during transitions between low and high tides, dangerous social trends and temptations can pull us away from spiritual safety. But just as we have the power to escape a rip current by swimming parallel to shore, we also have the power to overcome life’s dangers by following the Lord’s counsel and the warnings given by His appointed leaders. If we are not strong swimmers in life’s trials, we can signal for help, and our church community and loved ones will help guide us safely back.

Let us not hesitate to reach out when the currents of life threaten to overwhelm us. Together, with faith and support, we can always find our way back to safety.

“Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen.” (D&C 60:46)