Wear Your Life Jacket

When I was in grade school almost every summer I attended swimming

 lessons. At the beginning of every swimming season we went over the rules of swimming as a class. One rule that is a little catchy and has stuck with me is, "Don't just pack it, wear your life jacket."

Wearing a life jacket significantly increases your chance of having a safe, fun filled day on the water. They float, keeping you on top of the water. Having a life jacket on when the river gets rough could make all the difference in preventing a disaster. From my experience wearing a life jacket sometimes has felt a little constricting. Sometimes I feel like I'd rather be more comfortable and not wear one, but it's also my experience that wearing a life jacket gives me much more freedom on the river. Freedom from worry that I may drown and also makes me feel free to navigate the river as I choose.

Many principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be applied to wearing a life jacket, the commandments especially. Just as I sometimes viewed wearing a life jacket as constricting and not as fun, we sometimes view the commandments that have been given to us by our Prophets as being the same. In reality the commandments give us true freedom, freedom from worry, guilt and shame. Keeping the 

commandments keeps us happy, safe and free to navigate life with the help of our Father in Heaven.

You wouldn't want to run a river without a life jacket and you shouldn't want to live life without the blessings of keeping the commandments. 

Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

We all have weaknesses, but the Lord promises us here that they can become our strengths through his help. There is always hope. I know that as we do our best and focus on living the commandments, and not just knowing them, we will receive Heavenly Help and gain the added power we need to change. Living the commandments brings blessings in this life and in the next. Don't give up and keep pushing forward!