The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey

One bright day a man woke up and went in to his little son, "Get up, little one, today you go to the marketplace for the first time. We're going to sell our donkey so we can get tools for the farm." The little boy jumped right up. He was so excited to see the market for the first time. He had been anticipating it for his whole life, it seemed.

They didn't even stop for breakfast, taking some bread, cheese, and fruit with them to eat on the way. They would find plenty to eat once they arrived. The distance wasn't far, but it would take them a couple of hours. The three set out for the market, walking together.

They hadn't gone far when a woman out beating her rug noticed them on the highway, "That's silly," she said, "why don't you use your beast of burden, then one of you can rest on the journey." The man thought this to be wise advice and set his son on the donkey.

They all went along happily until a fat woman all dressed-up in yellow robes and a big headdress chided them, "Why does your youth sit on the donkey? You should be riding because you are the man of the house." The man thought that was reasonable and took his son down and sat on the donkey.

They hadn't gone far when a group of men all standing around laughing pointed at them and said, "Look at that! The father makes his young son walk! What kind of dad is that? He should let his son ride with him." The man thought that was a great idea so he brought his son up on the donkey.

The ride was good, and they were getting close. They could hear the noise of the marketplace in the distance when an old man coming back from the market pointed his cane at them, "Shame on you for both riding that poor donkey, you'll overburden it and it will be of no use to you." The man got worried so they both got off. They didn't want a lame beast, and there was nothing left to do but carry the donkey. The man and the boy picked up the donkey on their backs and carried it into the market.

Word immediately swept the entire market: "A man and his boy are carrying their donkey to market!" The man, the boy, and the donkey worked all day, but nobody would buy their donkey because, who wants a donkey that has to be carried?

The weightier matters

Focusing on who walks and who rides is really not important. What is important is getting the donkey sold for a good price so the family can get the tools needed for the farm. I think if the man had a clear idea of what he wanted, he would have been able to ignore the talk of others and continue on his way. I see the story as a man who didn't focus on his primary purpose so he let others sway his thinking.

This is why my business is in trouble. I don't know what I should be doing so I take the advice of others. It sounds reasonable, at the time, and probably doesn't matter very much. I don't know what is important, and what is not. Because I don't have a clear vision of what should happen, or how to get there, I rely on others out of fear. The Lord had something to say to Joseph Smith about this when he lost the 116 pages of the Book of Mormon.

And behold, how oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the persuasions of men.

For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words, yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble. (D&C 3:6-8)

The storms of life

Peter stepped out of the boat into the water and began to walk on it, but he looked around at all the waves and feared, lest he should fall, and began to sink. He cried out, and the Lord was there to pick him up. Fear and faith cannot coexist. As long as Peter focused on Christ, he was doing well in spite of the wind and waves, boisterous.

The storms rage all around, but the house that is built upon the Rock will not fall. Everyone has storms. Everyone has times of trouble. Everyone has problems that are insurmountable. The Lord is there. If He is in your boat, it cannot sink. If He is in your house it cannot fall. You may make mistakes and be tossed by every wind of doctrine. You may be sinking because you focus on the storm instead of the Savior. He is there. He will save you. Look to God -- and live! Call out to Him for salvation from your own mistakes, ignorance, and fear. He will reach out His hand and pull you up out of the water. You will not sink. You will not perish. He will put you back in the boat, and calm the storm. He will be your shelter from the storm. He has already finished His work, it is done, and all are saved who look to Him.

Do not fear man. If men point the finger and say, "you should do this, or that..." heed them not. Hold your course. Keep going. Don't give up! Never give up! Keep your primary focus on the Lord and He will bring you through the storms, and the advice of others.