Summer School and the Savior's Hand
By Kathleen Day
When I was about seven years old, I had an experience that strengthened my conviction that the Savior loved me and would protect me.
My mother, my four younger siblings and I had gone to Provo, Utah to spend the summer with my Grandma and Grandpa Hall so Mom could attend Brigham Young University, in Provo to finish her elementary education degree.
There was a park located near my grandparent’s house with an elementary school located on it. My brother Norm, sister Jean, and I walked the block from my grandparent’s house to the school building to spend a couple of hours each afternoon doing fun activities. It was during one of the walks I learned of how the power of prayer can bring safety and peace.
We often stopped to swing on the swings in the park on our way to the school. One day as we approached the swings, we were greeted by three boys of about 11 or 12 years of
age. They circled us and called us babies. They told us they were going to come back and
beat us up. Then they glared at us and walked off. They stopped in a grove of trees near
the swings and made aggressive motions toward us.
I was really scared and so were my siblings. Since I was the oldest, I knew my brother and sister were expecting me to fix this. Suddenly, I remembered that I had been taught that when we needed help, we could pray and Jesus would protect us. So, I knelt down on the grass and prayed. My fear fled and I was enveloped by a feeling of warmth and calm.
When I got up, no menacing boys were in sight. I told Norm and Jean that God had answered our prayers for protection and to follow me to the school. My heart filled with joy, peace and gratitude. I was thankful Christ cared enough about even small children to answer their prayers when they needed his protection and love.
"Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee
answer to thy prayers." - Doctrine and Covenants 112:10