The Lord lights our path by igniting the torch we make

The Lord always takes the opportunity to teach us how to become more like him. I love how the Lord challenged the brother of Jared to come up with suitable suggestions for lighting their barges. The Lord could have easily named countless ways to light the barges but that would not have taught the brother of Jared the principle of hard work.

As parents, we would never tie a shoe that can be tied by the wearer (unless we are in a big hurry :). We want our children to learn to do things for themselves as much as possible because we know it will help them be more successful in the long run. There is a great feeling of empowerment that comes with figuring things out and solving problems.

Of Course, the lord does not expect us to "run faster than we are able", just as fast as we can. The brother of Jared did everything he possibly could by himself. He didn't ask the Lord to molten the stones for him. He got the stones completely ready and then suggested that the Lord need only to touch them. Dont just ask the Lord for solutions, show him some well thought out solutions and He will touch the right ones to light your path.

23 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have ^awindows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.

24 For behold, ye shall be as a ^awhale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the ^bwinds have gone forth ^cout of my mouth, and also the ^drains and the floods have I sent forth.

25 And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?