4 Feet > 12 Feet

Back in high school, I had a fantastic school counselor who guided me through all of the post-high school decisions - where to go, what to do, all of those fun things. She encouraged me to apply for a particular scholarship at a university that would be a full ride. I followed her advice as she was fairly confident I could be the recipient for that scholarship from my school. Well, as heaven knows best, I did not receive the scholarship, but instead it went to one of my good friends who was more qualified.

Unsure at this point what I was going to do to pay for school, my parents told me a true story that has since influenced my life in a lot of circumstances. A company of pioneers were headed for Zion when they were informed that an armed group of men were pursuing them with the orders to exterminate the Mormon Pioneers. Helpless and frightened, the pioneers pleaded with the Lord to send 12 ft of snow to stop the mob from catching up with their company. And snow God did send, but only 4 ft instead of 12. However, even though this amount of snow was not what the saints had prayed for, it was enough to stop the mob from catching up with the company. Because of this, the pioneers were able to make it safely to Utah.

Upon my parents telling me this story, I found out that I had received two scholarships unexpectedly that took care of my expenses for 2 years. My initial plan was 12 ft, but the Lord gave me 4 ft and it was enough. In fact it was perfect. I didn't know when I was banking on that scholarship all that the Lord had in store for my future education. Now I am at a completely different school, and I can see how perfect the Lord's plan for me was.

I learned this lesson big time on my mission as well in a different experience. Elder Maynes of the Seventy visited our mission, and encouraged us to set a goal of how many people we wanted to see baptized on our missions. As a new missionary, I knelt down to council with God what a good goal would be. I felt that 12 was a good goal (12 feet?), and I stuck with that number stubbornly for the entirety of my mission. However, even though I worked hard and tried my best to be obedient, I saw very little outward "success" so to speak. My first baptism happened just under my year mark. It was nothing short of a miracle, and I am grateful for that sacred experience as I learned the sacredness and importance of the saving ordinances. I had served in that particular area for 9 months, and shortly after this baptism was transferred to open another area to serve in two wards: A family ward that included the Vancouver Temple in it's boundaries, and a YSA branch. I was stoked for the change, and felt like it was going to be a miracle six months filled with at least 11 baptisms.

My hope was being realized as we were finding many promising people in the YSA branch and working well with the members there. My companion and I found out about half way through the transfer that the following transfer, our area would be split so that each unit could have a set of sisters. Our companionship would probably be split as well into the the two units. I was certain that the Lord would keep me in the YSA branch because, after all, He helped me set my goal of 12 baptisms, and my trainee companion would be well taken of by the members in the family ward.

The transfer call came, and we were confused to find out that my companion would be with the YSA, and I would stay in the family ward. We had struggled that whole transfer to work with the ward and finding people to teach. I felt like in that moment, that my chances of meeting my goal had shrunk considerably. I let myself feel crushed for a few days as I began to question after I had worked so hard why I wasn't able to bring more people into the gospel.

A few days later, I had the opportunity to speak with my mission president about my concerns. He listened to me patiently as I asked what more I could be doing. He then said something to me that I will never forget. He said, "Sister Davidson, don't you think it's more important that you learn about the Plan of Salvation vs how to set a baptismal goal?" In essence he was telling me that I had been so focused on my goal, that I had looked passed all that I had learned about the gospel. He then suggested that I adjust my goal to 4 in the remaining 4 months I had of my mission (4 feet?) I agreed, rolled up my sleeves and went to work.

I wish I could paint in your mind all of the incredible miracles I saw in the last four months of my mission. My faith grew substantially as I worked and saw the hearts of the members in the ward change, and we were finding more people to teach than ever before. In two weeks we saw three of our friends baptized, and we were running to keep up with all of the work. It was nothing short of a miracle, and I know it was all according to God's plan. As of right now, that goal of 12 has been well exceeded, all thanks be to God who led us to some amazing people.

In Alma 26:22, we are promised that those who "repenteth, exerciseth faith, and bringeth for good works and prayeth continually without ceasing unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God.... and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance." My eyes were opened to the truthfulness of this scripture, and by the end of my mission, I could see this reality. God always intends to keep His promises, but sometimes that 12 ft can't happen all at once.

A few weeks ago, I was able to return to my mission, and again my eyes were opened to the truthfulness of this scripture. I was amazed to see the people I had been directed to find had since been baptized, and my testimony that God has a unique plan and path for each of us was strengthened. I look back on those few days of confusion when I realized that maybe my 12 ft wasn't the Lord's 4 ft, and I am so grateful. I have since seen how 4 ft is often more than 12. If I had reached a goal of twelve easily, I probably would have focused more on numbers than the individuals backing those numbers. I wouldn't have worked so hard, and I wouldn't have learned the importance of loving everyone I came in contact with. I am grateful how the Lord taught me to set goals, work hard, and in the end let Him bless me in the way that He knows is best.

Now, as a returned missionary, I still am learning the wisdom from "12ft vs 4ft." I have felt the Spirit continually to guiding me through twists and turns I never foresaw. I am learning to trust in 4 ft even when conflicting voices tell me that can't stop a mob. I am learning to trust Him even when things don't make sense. I know that the Lord knows what He is doing and he really will direct our paths as random and squiggly as they may seem to us right now. He has a plan, and it is always enough. His 4 ft is always greater than our 12.