Where Was the Water?

Brian B., California, USA

I recently took a backpacking trip with a group of other young men through Yosemite National Park in California, USA. The first day of hiking was the hardest physically because of the elevation gain and the altitude, but it became even harder when we couldn’t find any of the planned pools or creeks on the trail to find water we could filter. I started to get worried because I’d only brought one canteen of water, which quickly ran out in the afternoon heat.

After about four miles with no water source, we decided to say a prayer that we would find water soon. About a half-mile farther on, we found a small pool of water fed by a small stream. We were so overjoyed that we decided to give a prayer of thanks to the Lord, much like Lehi and his family when they traveled in the wilderness.

Reflecting back on this journey, I realized that we are all searching for something we desperately need in life: the living water of Christ. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to go very far in our personal journeys. I know that we will find different sources that lead to the living water—the scriptures, the words of the prophets, the advice of our bishops and parents—and if we take what we need from these sources, we will stay on the right path.