As we approach this time of year we prepare to witness an event that has baffled many scientists for years, the migration of Geese from their summer breeding grounds in Arctic Canada south to their winter homes in the marshes fringing the of Gulf of Mexico. Each fall large flocks of geese combine together to fly some 1,700 miles to there winter home in the Gulf of Mexico.
I am sure that most of you have noticed that as the flock of Geese fly over head they are in a giant V formation. You might be interested in knowing what science has discovered as to why Geese fly in a V formation. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. In other words a journey of 1700 miles of flying can be completed in 56 days by flying in a V formation. In contrast it would take a goose about 79 days to complete the same 1700 mile journey if he goes it alone.
Now; whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. In an effort to give strength to the lead goose the flock will be heard making almost continuous honking noises. These are believed to be geese honking from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gun shot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own with another formation to catch up with their group.
Now life amidst the flock of God should not be so different from life in the mist the flock of geese. You see geese have a winter home that they must arrive at if they are to survive temporally. We too have a home in heaven that we must strive to arrive at if we are to survive spiritually.
There are at least five lessons that we can learn from the flock of geese that can have direct relationship to our returning home to our father in heaven. They are:
First; If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going. You see; people who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. Remember the story of the city of Enoch found in Moses chapter 7:18-21;
18 And the Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.
19 And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even ZION.
20 And it came to pass that Enoch talked with the Lord; and he said unto the Lord: Surely Zion shall dwell in safety forever. But the Lord said unto Enoch: Zion have I blessed, but the residue of the people have I cursed.
21 And it came to pass that the Lord showed unto Enoch all the inhabitants of the earth; and he beheld, and lo, Zion, in process of time, was taken up into heaven. And the Lord said unto Enoch: Behold mine abode forever.
The Second principal that we can learn from the goose is; It pays to take turns doing hard jobs -- with people or with geese flying south. Are we like the Geese that take their turn flying the point, or would our story more closely resemble the that of the Little Red Hen.
Remember in that story the Little Red Hen tries to get volunteers to help her make the bread. She asks the ducks, the pigs, the cows and all the rest of the farm animals but none will come to help. However; when the bread is finished baking they are all around to partake of the feast. You see the little Red Hen knew what the geese know that the strength of ten pulling together can accomplish more than ten on their own.
Are we as smart as the geese or the little Red Hen? Do we allow the same people to do all the temple work, do all the home teaching, and fulfill all the welfare assignments? Or have we learned that the work of the Lord can be accomplished so much faster and with a lot less burden if we will but take our turn flying the point.
The Third principal that we can learn from the goose is; If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like the goose that goes down from a shot or aliment.
Alma, who had fled from the servants of king Noah, repented of his sins and iniquities went about privately among the people to teach the words of Abinadi--
And as many as would hear his word he did teach. he taught them privately might not come to the knowledge of the king. many did believe his words.did believe him did go forth to a place which was called Mormon in Mormon a fountain of pure water,< and Alma resorted thither there being near the water a thicket of small trees where he did hide himself in the daytime from the searches of the king. as many as believed him went thither to hear his words. were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma.
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.
The Fourth principal that we can learn from the goose is; All the geese pitch in to make the trek successful, each must do his part when the time comes that they don't have to fly point anymore they continue to do their part by honking encouragement from behind. Let me illustrate what happens when nobody does their part.
Once upon a time in a small ward there were four members whose names were Brother somebody, Brother Everybody, Brother Anybody and Brother Nobody. They were unlike you and me , they were unusual and it was hard to understand them.
Let me illustrate, somebody talked about the problems of the other members and Everybody was afraid to do anything because somebody might find out. But Anybody knew that Everybody was talking about somebody, so he must be getting just what he deserved.
Really it wasn't very pleasant to live in their ward. I doubt if you would have enjoyed living there. There was a time that anybody was very sick. Everybody thought that somebody had called a Doctor. somebody thought that everybody had done it, but it turned out that Nobody had called the Doctor and Anybody suffered quite a bit.
They were members of the church alright but the way they fellow-shipped new members in the ward and even some of the old timers that were a little different was a shame. For example, everybody did not do any missionary work, and Anybody who was a new member, didn't learn how to tell his friends about the church, but would have if somebody would have taught him. So as it turned out Nobody did all the missionary work. Nobody was the only decent one of the four. Nobody was the faithful member who always helped the missionaries. Nobody was the one who set up the meetings with the missionaries. Nobody studied the gospel very much. Nobody was enthusiastic while answering questions for his friends as they wanted to know about the church. Nobody was the one that planned and set goals to prepare his friends for the gospel.
It came to pass that there were many unbelievers who lived in there neck of the woods. Anybody that wanted to be a friend could have interested them in the gospel. Everybody thought that somebody would. somebody didn't. Now who do you suppose finally fulfilled their missionary call that every member is to be a missionary? You're right... Nobody.
Now it came to pass at the end of time that all four of the body's died.
And where did they end up? Well, everybody stood before the Judgement throne of Christ and had no defense. Anybody should have pleaded their case, but they thought somebody would save them. somebody didn't . Now -which of the four body's got to heaven? Your ahead of me again....Nobody.
The Fifth principal that we can learn from the goose is; Many birds have not made the migration before and rely on others to lead them home. It is suggested that birds that migrate during the day migrate by land marks. In other words the geese that fly through here each year are following a set of coordinates that they have learned from their parents. President Gordon B Hinkley Stated "I am convinced that almost universally those who are baptized by the missionaries have been taught sufficiently to have received knowledge and testimony sufficiently to warrant their baptism. But it is not an easy thing to make the transition incident to joining this church. It means cutting old ties. It means leaving friends. I t may mean setting aside cherished beliefs. It may require a change of habits and a suppression of appetites. In so many cases it means loneliness and even fear of the unknown. There must be nurturing and strengthening during this difficult season of a convert's life."
We are "to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men"
How can we do this? By...
1: Looking for ways each day to be kind and friendly to others.
2: Being increasingly less judgmental of others' weakness so you can enjoy their company.
3: Doing hometeaching and visiting teaching and become acquainted with others.
4: Truly loving others and sharing the small joys of life with them.
Why is it important that we learn the lessons from the geese?
after that Zion was taken up into heaven
Enoch beheld all the nations of the earth were before him;
he saw them generation upon generation
Then he saw angels descending out of heaven
he heard a loud voice saying: Wo, wo be unto the inhabitants of the earth.
Moses Chapter 7:26-34 we read...
26 And he beheld Satan; and he had a great chain in his hand, and it veiled the whole face of the earth with darkness; and he looked up and laughed, and his angels rejoiced.
27 And Enoch beheld angels descending out of heaven, bearing testimony of the Father and son; and the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion.
28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?
29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?
30 And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever;
31 And thou hast taken Zion to thine own bosom, from all thy creations, from all eternity to all eternity; and naught but peace, justice, and truth is the habitation of thy throne; and mercy shall go before thy face and have no end; how is it thou canst weep?
32 The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;
33 And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood;
34 And the fire of mine indignation is kindled against them; and in my hot displeasure will I send in the floods upon them, for my fierce anger is kindled against them.
You see...After we have gone through the thresher so to speak there will only be 50% left. Our heavenly Father has warned us through his son who told the parable of the ten virgins. That 5 would be foolish and let their lamps go out and that when they knocked on the door of the messiah to say they were sorry that they were late...they had been trying to borrow a little oil. They are members of the church and so glad that he has finally come. But never-the-less he will kindly and firmly say as he closes the door "I'm sorry but I don't know you" I didn't see you at the welfare farm, I don't recall you being present at tithing settlement year after year, I don't recall that you loved the families that you had a stewardship over through home teaching. I love all of my children but those who are at the feast are those whom I know And the door will close...leaving those outside.
Look around wouldn't it be great to have each one of your brothers and sisters that are sitting around you be in that 50%. Because the Lord has never promised the whole church only 1/2.
I Pray that we can be good custodians and stewards of our own lives our families and then our neighbors as case will permit. I pray that we can learn from the geese.
1) That we will stay in formation all headed in the right direction together. That we too like the flock of geese may use the thrust from those around us to lift us even higher.
2) We will take turns doing hard jobs as the geese do by taking our turn flying point.
3) That we will stand by each other as the goose does when one is shot down.
4) That we support our leaders like the geese and honk encouragement behind our leaders.