Peggy Worthen, 'An Unexpected Path,' BYU Devotional 2014.

In our study this week we look at the unexpected and hope to find a bit flexibility in our relationship with the Lord. We have to learn to be flexible and to deal with the unexpected.' Even though life in general is beautiful and scenic, the road we travel will not always be an uneventful, direct course, even when we know where we are going. Maybe it's because over the past years of living in the East we have come to appreciate the non-linear, swerving roads that spread like spiderwebs here and contrast sharply with the linear roads of the west, but I loved Sister Worthen's observation that 'life is somewhat like Highway 6. Although the temporary inconvenience was major, the newly build road was much wide, much safer, and ultimately a much better path through the mountains. In 1983 this road was blocked as a massive rockslide covered the road and blocked the river causing massive flooding. A short prayer and a fun activity inspired by each chapter can be found in the workbooks below. In her talk she referenced highway 6, a Utah road that leads from Provo to the eastern side of the state, including the famous Arches National Park in Moab. The ACN Child’s Bible Project links in very well with the God Who Speaks, and we are delighted to have the support of the Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales and of Scotland as we undertake this initiative. Years ago, Peggy Worthen, wife of newly installed BYU president Kevin Worthen, spoke to the gathered student body. In our study of Job this week we look at three different ways to read the book of Job that might help us push past the romantic and add some depth to our understanding of blessing and trial, difficulty and perfection.

I recently listened to a discussion about the history of the fairy tale which indicated that the modern, more romantic versions of fairy tales may have a detrimental effect in conveying to children that if bad things happen to you must be doing something wrong, because only the wicked get punished and only the heroes earn rewards. Contrary to many romantic tales where heroes prevail against evil and receive rewards for their efforts, Germany fairy tales contain stories where good and bad often happen unexpectedly and to unexpected people: often the hero loses all while the village fool gets incredible fortune. One thing that took getting used to as I prepared for a mission to Germany was the Germany fairy tale.

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