Building My Ark

Floods are a natural metaphor when we feel overwhelmed. We say we’re inundated with requests, in over our heads, and in occasional moments of respite, “coming up for air.”

Such metaphors are not new. A psalm attributed to King David begins this way:

Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

Psalm 69:1-2

In the scriptures, we find multiple examples of God literally leading people through deep water. In the case of Moses and Joshua, God parted a large body of water so that His people could walk through on dry ground. But that kind of deliverance is rare. More commonly, as in the cases of Noah, Nephi, and the brother of Jared, God teaches people how to build vessels which keep them afloat even when they are surrounded by water. In Noah’s case, God was prescriptive about the materials and the measurements of the ark (Genesis 6:14-16). In Nephi’s case, God commanded him to get started, then showed him “from time to time” how to build a ship, instructing him along the way (1 Nephi 18:1-2). The brother of Jared and his family had some practice building barges to cross various bodies of water, “being directed continually by the hand of the Lord” (Ether 2:6). When it came time to cross “the great water,” the Lord had him build on his prior barge-making knowledge and experience (Ether 2:16-17).

In that last case, they were not always above water, but their barges kept them safe throughout their voyage:

When they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.

Ether 6:7

Just as God instructed Noah, Nephi, and the brother of Jared how to stay afloat, He can help us build structures in our lives which keep us afloat in our floods.

This week, President Dallin H. Oaks highlighted the difficulties which face disciples of Jesus Christ and provided a framework for overcoming them. “Many obstacles lie ahead,” he warned. “The distractions will be many.” He specifically highlighted “an abundance of speculation and false information in podcasts and on social media.” In response to this onslaught of confusing and distracting information, President Oaks recommended that we focus on four things:

1. Strengthening faith
2. Increasing humility
3. Seeking support from fellow believers
4. Having patience

Obviously our individual arks will have many other components, appropriate to our unique circumstances, but those four can create the structure for a vessel that will keep us afloat.

It’s worth noting that Noah’s ark, Nephi’s ship, and the brother of Jared’s barges saved not only them but also their families. The structures we build to avoid drowning in a sea of confusion and discouragement can provide shelter and stability for us and for those we love.

Today, I will build and maintain structures and practices which keep me from being overwhelmed. I will particularly focus on President Oaks’s four invitations, working to strengthen my faith, increase my humility, seek help from others, and be patient.