This topic has been popping up left and right this past week, and I couldn't help but check out what you had to say. I was talking to my girlfriend about it, and she was asking why missionaries are counseled not to go near water, but we don't counsel our members to stay away from water. I told her that it's because missionaries have a special duty to spread the gospel and satan works harder on them. I've always feared water, and I live on an island, surrounded by it. Also, at YSA the other night the topic came up (without my help) and confirmed to me that this is something I should be thinking about.
On my mission we had Elder Maxwell come and tour and during a Q & A and elder asked him why missionaries cannot swim. His answer was that it has nothing to do with Satan having power over the waters, and everything to do with some elders not knowing how to swim. He said that it is just safer to cut out all water activities then to have elders horsing around in water and perhaps having an elder who was not a good swimmer get into trouble.
Nighthawk said:
QUOTE |
I have long understood that the seas and rivers will be extremely dangerous places. |
QUOTE |
There were several canals. Some took the travelers around the rapids in the large rivers; others connected navigable rivers. The instruction not to journey on the river did not include such artificial waterways. P.366. |
Rather off topic, but... Hmmmm. God's commandment for man to subdue the land takes on greater meaning. |
QUOTE |
there are a lot of islands that you can only reach by boat. |