One of the most amazing facts about salmon is how they manage to find their birth stream after spending years in the ocean migrating for thousands of miles. The salmon is born in shallow streams and may remain in this environment for several years. Eventually, the young adult salmon will find its home at the end of the line--where the river meets the ocean. This sounds exciting, but the fish must adapt from living in fresh water to surviving in the salt water of the sea. After entering the ocean, the salmon gains weight very quickly. Eventually, the salmon responds to the strongest of all urges by searching for its place of origin. It reverses its lifestyle by heading back toward the rivers, again taking time to adjust from living in the salt water to now living in the fresh water. (He has known the freedom of the deep, and now feels the need to pass this knowledge to another generation?)
Salmon undergo a physical transformation during their transition from the saltwater environment back to the freshwater home of their birth. This transition affects the appearance of the fish very radically. The fish will stop eating and undergo a color and shape change. The male salmon forms a curved mouth (called a kype) with large canine like teeth. (why do the teeth undergo such drastic change when the fish will no longer eat? Humans who are at end stages of life, also refuse to eat as the digestive system begins to shut down.)The males of some species form a hump on their back during their transition. The female salmon do not undergo such a radical shape change, but do undergo significant color changes. The photos below show the magnificent changes that occur:
The urgency to return to their place of birth is often caught on tape as the fish use their entire body to move against the current, up rapids, and waterfalls. Bear are caught on video catching fish as they leap out of the water. The female chooses the site to lay eggs and prepares the area. Usually the salmon will pair off, but often there will be more than one male fertilizing a females eggs. Both fish usually die within a few weeks.
I find it fascinating that so many animals share this internal desire to return home. As a Child of God, we have that compass hidden deep within. Our lives, like that of the salmon, are also filled with dangerous currents or fads, uphill climbs against forces of nature, and natural calmamities or enemies. Even so, like the salmon, we must have the desire to change, and then move forward with faith.
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” Mosiah 3:19
We must undergo, not just a change in outward expression, but a true change of heart. To keep the blessing of that change in our hearts requires determination, effort, and faith. In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin said to retain a remission of our sins from day to day we must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and help people spiritually and temporally. He made it clear that the mighty change which comes through the Atonement working in us can diminish if we are not on guard against sin. Mosiah 2 The Lord said in warning, “Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.” D&C 20:33-34
The Lord often warns us, as members of His church, that we are the weak ones. We have the strong urge to return home by conscientiously accomplishing every step dentified by our leaders, but fail to encourage and help others who are flailing. We quickly judge others who appear to travel a different pattern. Yet every Child of God belongs to the Lord and He desires that all return. The Lord will call his people home. Along the way, those of us who have knowledge and understanding of the straight and narrow path, should acknowledge and encourage all we come in contact with. That our hearts may be forever changed is a daily call to come toward home.
RESISTANCE
By Carlene Petree
I am the rock.
So stubborn,
So resistant
To change.
And He
Is the water.
Gently,
And subtly
Changing me
Day by day.
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