Cover image via The Good Lie (2014).
“And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, that I, Nephi, should depart from them and flee into the wilderness, and all those who would go with me.” (2 Ne 5:5)
Devastation seems to be sweeping across the world in the form of war, wildfires, earthquakes, and other manmade and natural disasters. Living in North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, we have experienced firsthand how high winds and water can consume one’s property.
Hurricanes are common here in North Carolina. Evacuations are often necessary. This was the case in September 2018 when Hurricane Florence’s winds whipped off the coastline of North Carolina as a powerful category 4; its Eye expected to pass right over our area. Luckily, it stalled and descended upon our shores as a category 1. Yet, the calamitous flooding caused by this vast, stalled storm, encompassed the entire state of North Carolina, which completely cut off access to many places and caused billions of dollars of damage. Our home was among the many that flooded.
This year as wars, wildfires, volcanos, and floods devastate places and populations, reminders to create evacuation plans, and gather important documents and supplies sound our inner alarms to take action. For North Carolinians, the warnings come in the spring. But many of the world’s devastations come unannounced causing quick departures.
If you had just moments to flee, what would you take with you?
Reading passages in the Book of Mormon about those who did “flee into the wilderness”, reminded me of a movie I recently watched. The Good Lie, a movie based upon refugees known as the Lost Boys of the Sudan, follows a handful of Sudanese orphans on their horrific, 800 mile journey to Ethiopia and Kenya after their village was suddenly destroyed and their families slaughtered by opposing militia.
What I found intriguing about this story was what these newly orphaned children took with them when they fled their small village. They had no time to debate what to bring. Abital grabbed her mother’s Bible (faith); the Chief’s surviving sons, Theo and Mamere, carried their heritage (an oral game), their stories of safety (what to do, where to go), and their line of authority; and the rest of the members of this small tribe, brought the knowledge they had been taught such as to respect the line of authority, their roles pertaining to it, and their own unique talents.
Their new, young chief, Theo, had the responsibility to lead them, keep them safe, and make definitive decisions. His brother, Mamere, practiced memorizing the names of their forefathers and studied how to lead. The tribal members, no matter how young or few they were, had the responsibility to deliberate, contribute, receive and follow direction, and watch over each other. At one point they even made a pact (or covenant) to each other, to continue to choose to live. These tribal traditions, this given knowledge, was powerful and saved more than their lives.
It seems to me that this young, small tribe of children knew the most precious things they could bring were not physical, but the lessons they had learned from their parents, handed down to them by their forefathers and mothers one generation at a time, never breaking the chain of knowledge. These children knew who they were and only carried with their Bible and the clothes on their backs as they fled, hoping to find refuge and live.
Jeremiah, who joined their small group along the way, profoundly summarized their story in these simple words as he spoke to a congregation:
This is a story of my brothers and sisters.
When we were children our fathers say, “Let something of me survive.” We did not even know what does this mean. But, then we saw our family murdered, our village destroyed, and then we understood.
We held inside ourselves the memories of our forefathers and their teachings; so that we could move forward in the world. Like an invisible bridge, their memory connects our old life with our new life.
They say we were saved by coming to the U.S., but we also saved each other, and although our differences divide us, our common humanity unites us; for we are brothers and sisters, all of us. We share this wonderful world we call home.
They call us the Lost Boys of the Sudan. I don’t think we are lost; I think we are found.
African Proverb
If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.
Perhaps as we journey together through mortality, we can learn from their determination to endure all hardships by embracing the stories and knowledge of things that matter most. Then teach each ensuing generation to “carry” with them this inner knowledge, using their unique talents to help others, and to rely on their heritage of faith in God.
Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, . . . and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words.
And we did take our tents and whatsoever things were possible for us, and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days. . . And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written. (2 Ne 5:6-7, 12)
If you had time to prepare, what would you take with you?
Embrace the Future with Faith By President Russell M. Nelson
“I promise that as we create places of security, prepare our minds to be faithful to God, and never stop preparing, God will bless us. He will ‘deliver us; yea, insomuch that he [will] speak peace to our souls, and [will] grant unto us great faith, and … cause us that we [can] hope for our deliverance in him.’”
Red Cross Emergency Preparedness
