Green Wood

Getting the opportunity to serve people are some of my favorite moments on my mission.

There was a specific person that we would move wood for.

She would keep her wooden stove running when it got cold to stop her pipes from freezing allowing her to have water in the house. 

As we searched through her garage we were instructed to find the dry wood and avoid the green wood.

Standing, Confused, not being able to tell the difference between what really is green wood or not, we decided to bring it all in since it all looked pretty much the same.

She came out and assessed the wood, 

Bringing a piece of wood to her nose she smelled it and after shaking her head she set it down next to the main pile.

"That's green wood." She plainly said. 

Scratching my head, I asked how she could tell.

With a simple response she said, "You can smell it, It's green wood."

Being the city boy I am, confused and impressed at the same time, I accepted it and watched as she separated the green wood from the dry wood.

We don't know the follies of Satan.

The smell of green wood was not familiar to me, 

In consequence I made the mistake of collecting green wood that does not burn well.

Many times we are not familiar with the follies of Satan.

Many times without direction we make the wrong decision, not knowing, and fall into his trap.

 

Today we have a Prophet on this earth.

Who knows very well, through inspiration and preparation throughout his life, the smell of "green wood."

God speaks to us through a prophet today.

Don't make the mistake of collecting green wood!

Especially when we are given direction on how to pick out the dry from the green.

Satan is trying harder and harder and the world is becoming increasingly darker.

It will get harder to be able to discern between right and wrong.

Trust in the Prophet. 

Seek the light that comes from his inspired counsel.

Read of his words and listen to his direction.

And avoid the green wood.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.