Preparation

Many years ago, when I was doing my Master’s degree at Radford University, a friend of mine came to me and asked if I wanted to go white-water rafting. I LOVE white-water rafting, it's a real thrill to tame the river. So, of course, I said yes.

Then he told me the date of the trip. “Oh, man!” I said. “I have my final exam in Statistics that day. I can’t go.” Thankfully, my professor was a white-water rafting fan, too, and said I could take the exam early in his office.

Now, Statistics at BYU was a REALLY tough course. I had to take it twice to get a passing grade (no, I'm not proud of that). But at Radford it all just seemed to click. I really enjoyed that class. Geometry, too. I just understood them both. But, I had to work at it. I mean, REALLY had to work at it. It was a tough, but I enjoyed it because I stayed on top of it. When it came time to study for the final in Stats, I devoted an inordinate amount of time to make sure I did well. In other words, I studied my butt off. For days.

The day of the exam came and I went into the professor’s office pretty confident in my abilities. Before I started, I said a prayer of thanksgiving, and also asking that I’d be able to think clearly and would be able to remember the formulas and such that I’d taken so much time to understand.

Then I got to work. As I progressed through the exam, the answers just seemed to pop out at me. I went from one problem to another and solved them all in record time.

Usually, if I finish a test early I’m afraid because I think there’s something I didn’t do right. This time, however, I knew what I’d done and I knew the answers were right.

When I finished, I stood and went over to the professor, who was sitting at his desk. I stood in front of him and plunked my exam down on his desk. With authority, I said, “You don’t even have to check it. It’s an A.”

Turns out it was, too. I didn’t miss one question. I got an A in the class, and finished my Master’s degree with an A- average. I felt like I could do anything.

I have made it a practice to memorize scriptures on my way to work each day. I’ve been “ponderizing” now for nearly 17 years. The other day I memorized D&C 38:30. The very last phrase in that verse says, “if you are prepared you shall not fear.” I LOVE that verse and have found it true in my own life. I’ve got to confess, I’m not afraid of very many things. Whether that’s because I’m a dope or because I’m prepared, I don’t know. But I can tell you this. I was prepared that day I went in to take that exam. I had done my part, and just like He says, Heavenly Father took care of the rest. I also love D&C 82:10. When we do our part, the Lord HAS to bless us. He’s bound. He already wants to bless us, but He also HAS to.

I know we don’t always know what we’re preparing for, but I also know that if we do it prayerfully, Heavenly Father will make up the difference. You know how to prepare, too. I know that. So do you. I know you’ve been preparing your whole life. Just keep it up. You’re doing great.

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