Clear Stones

On my mind lately has been this most favorite of all thoughts about the Brother of Jared. The story is lovely and full of lessons for our lives (as most scripture stories are), but it is a personal favorite.
In the Book of Mormon in Ether 2:16, the Lord Jesus Christ tells the Brother of Jared to build barges that will take his family to the promised land, "a land choice above all other lands." This is the same man, who in the previous chapter asked for his family's language not to be confounded and was granted that blessing. He also asked if and where his family should go during this time of confusion and was answered by the Lord to go to the wilderness until they were ready to sail. His faith is amazing and the scriptures tell us that he was "a man highly favored of the Lord."
The lesson for me lately is in the building of the barges. We are told in verses 16 and 17 that the barges are tight, light and small. During the construction, however, a few questions and concerns were brought up by the Brother of Jared:
First, he says to the Lord, "for in them we cannot breathe, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish." The Lord gives him the answer, "thou shalt make a hole in the top, and also in the bottom and when thou shalt suffer for air thou shalt unstop the hole and receive air."
Second, he inquires, "I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?" And the Lord said, "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?"
Why didn't the Lord give him the answer like he had the first question? Why would he require the brother of Jared to come up with an answer after all he had already done?

If we look at the questions and the responses, we learn a great lesson!
The first question was how to breathe, it was a survival question. When we are in need of breath, the Lord is right there with an answer on how to "breathe". The second question was how to see. When we are in need of light and clarity, the Lord asks us what we want Him to do.
I have felt this in my life so many times. He has been beside me when I didn't feel like I could breathe. And when I am struggling in the darkness, he has allowed me to find the light (of which He is the source). Only because He was been there through the surviving, could I have faith that He would be there through the searching and growing!
It is no wonder that the Lord answered these questions in this order and in this way. The brother of Jared (and us) is not expected to answer that question on his own. In verses 23 through 25, the Lord further goes through varying options and more discussion (just as we have leaders, resources, scriptures, and prayer).
The brother of Jared then finds 16 clear stones, 2 for each barge, and asks the Lord to touch them that they may have light (only after the effort to find a real solution, does the Lord stretch forth his hand). And in chapter 3 we read one of the most beautiful and eloquent experiences recorded between God and man- all because of the brother of Jared's faith and obedience.
I am sure Joseph Smith, when translating this portion, could relate to the magnitude and awe of this recorded moment of seeing the face of God. I am so grateful that I can read these experiences and gleen from their insight and faith, knowing that my faith can become knowledge.
I am grateful for my moments of survival and for the amazing experiences I have had because of the effort spent to find sources of light in my life! They are worth the work, the wait, and the wandering! If you are struggling, know that He will give you light! That He wants to bless you! That He loves you and cannot keep Himself from you if you are doing what He has asked of you!