Sister Hill Lectures

a post that was started many moons ago, that is not organized or complete, but is now beyond my comprehension. Perhaps you know where I was going with this?

Elder Johnson stated in April 2011 General Conference: “A pattern in the scriptures and in life shows that many times the darkest, most dangerous tests immediately precede remarkable events and tremendous growth. ‘After much tribulation come the blessings.’


In “When Our Prayers Seem Unanswered," a book by Michael Wilcox,  the concept of The Fourth Watch is discussed. "To seafarers, a day is divided into four watches–the fourth being the last watch of the day." Wilcox points out that often times answers come to our prayers in that fourth watch. For example, "Joseph Smith was overcome by darkness and evil right before he was ready to succumb to the horrific power controlling him and just before he saw God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ; the widow and her son, who were preparing to die because of the famine, were visited by Elijah as they were about to eat their last meal and oil and received enough to food to last them through the famine; Hugh B. Brown had a similar experience with darkness and wrestling with Satan just before he was called to be an Apostle of the Lord; the ancient apostles had been toiling in the waves and storms in their fishing boat when the Lord rescued them–in the fourth watch. Mark’s account explains that Jesus had been aware of their need from afar but waited until the fourth watch."

22And straightway Jesus constrained (urged) his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. (the 5,000 plus who had partaken of the bread and fishes) 23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain (mountain is also symbolic for temple) apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary (opposite or willfully opposed). 25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. (why? why come out onto the water, in the black of night, during a storm, if he could calm the sea by command?)26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (did they not believe before?)

Imagine the emotion that filled the boat when Jesus and Peter returned to the ship. And why did the wind calm only after they were back on the ship? Imagine the truth that was exposed to the disciples as they worshiped the Lord, in the dark bowels of a ship, in the middle of the sea.