Growing up in a small town in Idaho proved to be very advantageous for me because I was always surrounded by committed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who taught me the gospel and who demonstrated how to live it. It was particularly helpful because my father, who was a member but not actively participating, lived in a way that could have influenced my choices.
Our family had always lived in town, but when we moved out to the country where there weren't any street lights, I found that the roads were somewhat scary after sunset. I wouldn’t have ventured very far outside at night with a friend, much less by myself. I was afraid of the dark.
One serene summer evening, I was alone at home finishing the dinner dishes and cleaning up the kitchen. While working, I opened the refrigerator and saw a bottle of alcohol on the shelf, and I knew that a drawer nearby held some cigarettes. In our home, there were family members who broke the Word of Wisdom, but it had never been a temptation to me before.
After I completed all my tasks, I climbed up on the kitchen counter to relax for a few minutes. Suddenly, the thought came into my mind that I could smoke one of the cigarettes and drink some of the alcohol. This idea was confusing and surprising to me. This was followed by, “You are alone. No one will ever know.”
Instead of persuading me, the thought that I was alone had the opposite effect. I became frightened, but remembered that I could pray and receive help, direction and the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I bowed my head and said a silent prayer. After that, I felt I needed to hop down from that counter and get out of the house.
Normally, I wouldn’t have been brave enough to venture out into the dark country roads, but this prompting from the Spirit gave me courage beyond my own. I felt more concerned about what was inside my house than what I would find outside. I threw open my front door, sprinted down the driveway and raced out onto the road.
As I ran, a hymn poured into my mind as if a choir were singing to me: “The Lord is my light, then why should I fear, by day and by night, his presence is near.” Breathless from running, I could still hear the words of this hymn ringing over and over in my head. The music continued until I was ready to turn around and go home.
I felt trepidation as I walked back to the house, but as soon as I pushed open the front door, I no longer felt nervous. I knew I was safe.
I have often heard people quote the scripture in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that says, “… God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” That scripture never made sense to me because I saw so many people around me succumb to sin, but studying the Book of Mormon clarified that scripture for me. In order to receive the blessing of being protected against temptation, we have some work we need to do, as it states in Alma 13:28, “But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear ….”
My prayer was heard and answered in a miraculous way that night. I came to know for myself that God not only hears and answers prayers but also truly knows each one of us and our circumstances. And if we will continue to call upon him, he will bless, nurture and watch over us.
Gail H. Johnsen resides in Draper. She graduated from Brigham Young University, and recently returned from a mission to Micronesia Guam. She is a writer, teacher, lyrist, and actress. She and her husband are the parents of seven grown children.