Lost in Orem

To an outsider, Utah can be a very foreign place. The big open sky. Mountains that touch the sky. People actually being friendly to strangers. While all of these can be shocking at first, most people quickly adapt to these things. One thing that takes a little longer is the grid system. On a recent trip to a wedding reception located at 200 W 665 S in Orem, my roommates and I were overwhelmed by the complexity of the so called “simple” grid system. It was smooth sailing as we left Provo and entered Orem. That is when the problems started. As we crossed State Street looking for 200 West, we were surprised when that street didn’t exist. Instead there was only Orem Blvd. (how do streets such as Palisade and Paradise drives fit into the numbered grid system exactly?). As we made a quick trip through the Target parking lot and headed south, we eventually found 220 West which sent us through a maze of dead ends and cul-de-sacs. To make a long story short, after many turns and much frustration, we made it to the reception and had an enjoyable time. This trip taught me an important lesson, which will not soon be forgotten.

When Brigham Young entered the valley, he set up the grid system with wide roads so the saints would be able to move more easily. Granted that he was the prophet, Brother Brigham probably never imagined the world in which we live today, where Targets and superhighways dot the land. As were lost in Orem, I realized just how important it is that we have a modern prophet, who is aware of the “named” streets and dead ends that make up the street system of Utah. If the last instruction that we had, was the instruction that came from Brigham Young, we would all be lost. God knew this, and that is why he has called a living prophet for our day so we can make it to our destination safely and on time. That destination is back to our Heavenly Father, who loves us so much that He has called a prophet to lead and guide us. It is up to us to follow his instruction so we do not end up veering off the path and running into dead ends, that leave you stuck without anywhere to go. If we follow the living prophet’s counsel then we will be able to navigate our way safely through the “grid” system and return to our Heavenly Father, who is waiting with open arms to welcome us back into His presence.