Spiritual Crocodiles

   A talk given by President Packer in 2002. It taught me a great lesson. President Packer took a trip to Africa with his wife. Instead of animals being in cages and them getting to walk around and see them, they drove around in a big truck that had a cage and the animals roamed free. It was a very dry season in Africa and the water whole nearby was very popular with all sorts of animals.
   President Packer explained the experience."The antelope, particularly, were very nervous. They would approach the mud hole, only to turn and run away in great fright. I could see there were no lions about and asked the guide why they didn’t drink. His answer, and this is the lesson, was 'Crocodiles.'

    I knew he must be joking and asked him seriously, “What is the problem?” The answer again: “Crocodiles.”

“Nonsense,” I said. “There are no crocodiles out there. Anyone can see that.”

    I couldn’t see anything except the mud, a little water, and the nervous animals in the distance. Then all at once I saw it!—a large crocodile, settled in the mud, waiting for some unsuspecting animal to get thirsty enough to come for a drink."

   President Packer had a very neat experience. He related this unseen crocodiles to "spiritual crocodiles." Not just the big, gray lizards that can bite you to pieces, but spiritual crocodiles, infinitely more dangerous, and more deceptive and less visible, even, than those well-camouflaged reptiles of Africa. They can destroy your peace of mind and the peace of mind of those that love you. 

   He finishes his address by saying this. "Fortunately, there is spiritual first aid for those who have been bitten. The bishop of the ward is the guide in charge of this first aid. He can also treat those who have been badly morally mauled by these spiritual crocodiles—and see them completely healed.

   That experience in Africa was another reminder for me to follow the Guide. I follow Him because I want to. I bear witness that He lives, that Jesus is the Christ. I know that He has a body of flesh and bones, that He directs this Church, and His purpose is to see all of us guided safely back into His presence."

   I also bear my witness of these crocodiles. They truly can ruin lives. An area that may appear safe when not looked upon by spiritual eyes can destroy you. Study the situation. Don't let something that is only a little bit bad grab hold of you. If it already has, seek divine help. It is never to late!!!

That thy confidence wax strong

      I was reading this talk given by Richard C Edgley titled, "That Thy Confidence Wax Strong." It impacted me because of the experiences I've had in my life. Bishop Edgley speaks of Jeff Hornacek a fantastic free throw shooter. When he was traded to the Utah Jazz mid-season he set a new record for 33 consecutive free throws made. Jeff Hornacek shot with great confidence. Every shot got easier because of his prior success.
      
      When Bishop Edgley was just in high school he was playing basketball against his rival team. He set a record himself. He missed 18 consecutive free throws. He explained after every shot he missed the rim seemed to keep getting smaller and smaller. After the 13th and 14th misses it appeared the rim as the size of a hole on a golf course. But when Jeff Hornacek kept making it and making it, the rim may have appeared to be the size of the ocean. Edgley's confidence got slimmer and slimmer with every miss.

       Every time we have to make tough decisions whether great or small, it is as if we are stepping up to the free throw line. Based on our prior success may determine how much confidence we have and how easy the decision is. "Our spiritual confidence is largely determined by our prior spiritual successes and, unfortunately, by our prior spiritual mishaps. Our prior choices will greatly influence how our spiritual basket will look, large or small, the next time we are at the line."

      "When David went to battle against Goliath, he was discouraged by Saul, who reminded him that he was just a child and was not able to go against this giant, Goliath. David replied: “Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

“And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth” (1 Sam. 17:34–35). David had made his previous foul shots, and he saw the basket as very large."

   I echo the testimony of Bishop Edgley. Let us stand a little taller and "make our foul shots!!!!" Everytime we step to the line for a free throw or for a decision to make, may our confidence wax strong in the presence of God. Thomas S Monson our beloved prophet said, "decisions determine destiny."