Don’t Take It for Granted

By Genevieve Van Wagenen

Imagine you’ve been invited on a boat ride with friends. Unfortunately, there is an accident, and the boat starts to sink. You need something to keep you afloat. There is a variety of lifesaving equipment on the boat—cushions, belts, rings, and several kinds of flotation vests and jackets. Would you grab the nearest piece of lifesaving equipment? Would you settle for just any kind? Do you think they all serve the same purpose and that one is as good as another?

Until just recently I would have said one life preserver is as good as another. But not anymore! What changed my mind?

Recently I attended a safety exhibit that stressed accident prevention. The water safety display intrigued me most. It included a variety of familiar pieces of lifesaving equipment. On each piece of equipment was a simple card with just one word in bold, block letters. The card read YES on the pieces of equipment that were safety approved; NO on those that were not. I was amazed. I thought all the equipment was approved and would save one’s life in an emergency. The man in charge of the display said, “Most people think all equipment is perfectly safe, but they are just taking things for granted. That’s the tragedy of it. Instead of saving you, some of this equipment could get waterlogged, weigh you down and contribute to your drowning.”

He demonstrated several pieces of equipment with the YES label and then said, “If you want to be safe and sure, use only approved equipment.”

As I drove home, I thought how foolish I had been to assume all lifesaving equipment would be the same. I began to wonder if I was making other incorrect assumptions that were potentially as dangerous. Then a very striking comparison entered my mind. There are many different philosophies of life, but not all are designed to save. Some can even be death traps.

A popular philosophy of our day teaches us to “look out for number one.” Have you ever heard the line “If it feels good, do it”? Some contend that it doesn’t really matter if you lie, cheat, or steal—as long as you don’t get caught. And everywhere we are bombarded with the message that a person’s success in life is equivalent to the amount of money he makes. While these philosophies, and many like them, are often packaged attractively and made to look very appealing, they cannot save us.

The saving principles of the gospel as taught by Jesus Christ and his prophets look very different. Compare, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matt. 7:12); “Love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mark 12:31); “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10); and “No other success can compensate for failure in the home” (David O. McKay).

All philosophies do not lead to eternal life. The Savior taught that man-made creeds have no power to save. “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9).

He also said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).

There is but one plan of salvation and one road that leads to eternal life. Don’t take things for granted, especially not your eternal salvation! Be informed. Apply the teachings of Jesus Christ and his prophets. Put on the whole armor of God. Whether for water safety or eternal safety, rely only on that which is designed to save.

Illustrated by Perry Van Schelt