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.
