Remember that He taught the brother of Jared how to construct vessels for his family to help them safely traverse the vast ocean waters, to preserve them against winds and waves, and to bring them to the promised land. These vessels were unusual in their design but very safe: "And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them." However, these vessels had no light. This concerned the brother of Jared. He did not want his family to make their journey in darkness; and so, rather than waiting to be commanded, he took his concern to the Lord. "And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?" The brother of Jared's answer to this question required diligent effort on his part: He climbed Mount Shelem "and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones." He then asked the Lord to touch those stones so that they would bring forth light. As parents and leaders, we must remember that "it is not meet that the Lord should command in all things." Like the brother of Jared, we must carefully consider the needs of our family members, make a plan to meet those needs, and then take our plan to the Lord in prayer. This will require faith and effort on our part, but He will help us as we seek His assistance and do His will. After his experience with the Lord, the brother of Jared continued to diligently prepare himself for the journey ahead. So too must we hearken to the teachings of our prophets. The living prophets have counseled us time and again to put our lives in order--to eliminate debt, to store food and other essential items, to pay our tithing, to obtain appropriate education, and to live the commandments. Have we obeyed these essential instructions?