An Empty Vessel

          A vessel, by definition, is either a ship or large boat or a hallow container usually associated with holding liquid.

          I remember going to a young women’s camp as a leader.  We had an activity in which we were asked to hold onto the iron rod on our way to the tree of life.  Only in the case of our camp situation the iron rod had been represented by a rope.

          As we were making our way from one area to another, we were faced with temptations.  I can remember being enticed by chocolate chip cookies.  Huge ones.  And I LOVE chocolate chip cookies.  But I wasn’t about to let go.  I rationalized that the main ingredient may have been salt.  A chocolate chip salt lick.  Yum.

          I was going through the motions of hanging onto the rope.  I wasn’t going to let go.  I was going to reach the end because it was expected of me.  I wasn’t in the right frame of mind.  I was pressing on with the attitude of fulfilling my calling out of duty than with gratitude and service.  I wasn’t participating in the right frame of mine - possibly due to a lack of sleep (at girls' camp if you can imagine).  Even with my imperfect attitude I did successfully make it to the tree.

          The stake leader’s had taken some clear stones wrapped in wire and used the wire to hang each stone from the tree.  It represented the fruit.  We were each allowed to pick a fruit.  It was dark and I until we had returned to our campsite hadn’t noticed that the stone or “fruit” from my frame was missing.  My vessel was empty.

          Until I got married I kept that stoneless frame above my light switch as a reminder that I need the right attitude to fully enjoy the sweetness of the fruit.  I am reminded of this experience each time I read Lehi or am in a class discussion that focuses on said topic.