The Preparedness blog here at LDSBlogs.com is meant to cover all kinds of preparedness issues and topics. As I cast my mind about thinking of what might be useful to you, I am mindful of something one of the Mormon leaders recently told the general church (officially known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Elder Holland was quoting Joseph Smith, prophet of the restoration, when he said:
“The Prophet Joseph Smith deepened our understanding of the power of speech when he taught, ‘It is by words … that every being works when he works by faith’” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Tongue of Angels,” Ensign, April 2007).
We use our words to demonstrate our faith, even in experiences such as drownings or near-drownings. Every year here in Florida there are reports in the newspaper about toddler after toddler drowning. Most often it is because the little one slipped away when no-one was looking and toddled off to a nearby pond or lake or swimming pool (there are a LOT of bodies of water in Florida with nearly as many alligators).
Sometimes the reports are less trying ones – where the child only experienced a near-drowning. Each time the parent is rejoiced to have their child back.
Near-drownings (and drownings) can happen in what seems like milli-seconds. A friend of mine lost her two-year-old to a drowning while visiting her mother’s. It happened in much the usual way. Just a two-minute absence and by the time the child is noticed missing, it is too late.
Yet with all the notifications in the paper and in the stores and at the doctors’ offices, drownings still occur. Is it because the parents don’t care? Not at all. It is just that little ones are tricky to watch at all times.
Faith can be like this, too, sometimes. We might think we’re doing ok in life, then something broadsides us. It might be a job loss, the loss of a loved one, or even a sudden bout of severe health. Perhaps it was something we could have prevented; perhaps it was not. But we are still left to deal with it.
What is one to do? Well, we might look at the drowning scenario. There are ways to prevent drownings and then there are ways to deal with it, if it still occurs.
Preventing Drownings
It is essential to know that there are a few things we can do and then we must leave the rest up to God. Remember Elder Holland’s words? We manifest our faith by our words – we even manifest our faith by our actions. Therefore, as parents we seek the best we can through our parenting words and actions … and then we trust in Him for the rest.
For example, if you live where there are bodies of water, here are a few preparedness tips you might not be aware of. By following these, you manifest faith in wisdom, which then makes it easier to trust in Him for the rest.
- In an effort to prevent near-drownings, we need to make sure there are protections and warning systems around the pool. If there is not a fence of some sort protecting the pool from the house, then get one. If you can’t afford it, figure out a way to barter or trade services with a pool fencing company so that your little ones are protected (or those of your neighbors). [The Lord provides a similar thing for our spiritual protection – He provides fences of safety called “commandments” to protect us if we will obey.]
- In an effort to prevent near-drownings, we can install a beep-beep system (as my little one calls it). A “beep-beep” system is really a security system that sounds when a house door is opened. This will alert you if a door opens. You then can immediately look around for your young children to locate them (these inexpensive systems can be found at most hardware stores). [The Lord provides a similar thing – He gives us a “beep-beep” system called a conscience or the Holy Ghost.]
- In an effort to prevent near-drownings during pool parties, have a designated “child watcher” complete with a labeled necklace placed around the protector’s neck (as a reminder). This has been proven fairly effective when there are a lot of people present with small children near a pool. The job can be rotated amongst cautious adults. [The Lord provides the same thing – He calls these protectors “prophets.”]
- There are other possibilities that your local authorities can advise you about; make sure to contact them as this list here is only a beginning. [The Lord provides the same thing – He calls them congregational leaders, called Bishops and Stake Presidents.]
- Finally, know that no-one is perfect. Sometimes even with the best of care, a death will occur. This is when we need to trust the Lord. But just as Elder Holland shared, not only do our words manifest our faith but so do our actions. When we seek to be the best parent we can be, we are better able to leave the rest in the Lord’s hands. [The Lord allows us choice. Even with the best of His efforts, we might not listen – just like our children when we’ve told them not to stray … but they still do.]
I lost my second child to SIDS. I know, it is not the same as a near drowning. But for a long time I second-guessed the experience. “What if I’d…” continued to fill my mind for a long time. But the Spirit of the Lord came with grace and peace to my mind, teaching me that some things cannot be understood in this life. It was also important for me to know that families can be reunited after this life, to remain together forever.
Mormons (officially known as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) teach that little children are without sin and if they experience death, they are received into the arms of the Lord.
An earlier Mormon prophet explained more fully the condition of young children who die:
“Children who die in childhood will not be deprived of any blessing. When they grow, after the resurrection, to the full maturity of the spirit, they will be entitled to all the blessings which they would have been entitled to had they been privileged to tarry here and receive them. The Lord has arranged for that, so that justice will be given to every soul” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation.
After the loss of my child, the Spirit came in full force witnessing to me that his death was not a mistake. I somehow then knew that there was something at work that I could not understand. But from the amount of peace that came, I knew that the Lord was in charge. (If you would like more information about this or other Mormon beliefs, Mormon.org contains some great information.)
Parents do everything in their power to prevent harm to their children, including water safety. But then comes the part of leaving everything else in the hands of the Lord. This requires faith, as mentioned by Elder Holland, which is manifested in both our words and our actions.
May the Lord help us all, everyone, to do the best we can while on this earth and to remember that the Lord will rescue every lost soul.
