Susan Rugh encouraged students in Tuesday’s devotional to use the figurative maps and compasses the Lord has given them to help in their journey through life.

Rugh, associate dean of the College of Family, Home and Social sciences, explained three stages of the journey: preparation for the journey, execution of the journey and reflection on the journey to make meaning.

She drew parallels from a canoe trip she took in Minnesota this past summer to journeys in the scriptures, specifically that of Lehi and his family from 1 Nephi.

In her first point, the preparation for the journey, she explained that Lehi took his entire family into the wilderness with little preparation or forethought, leaving behind or selling all their possessions before leaving. She emphasized that he was a rich man and this would have been extremely difficult, but he showed obedience and dedication to the Lord by following His command.

Rugh’s preparation for her journey in the wilderness included obtaining a permit, getting into shape, and gathering clothing, raingear, reading material and mosquito repellent.

As Lehi’s family left the borders of the Red Sea and journeyed into the wilderness, they found a compass outside their father’s tent that led them on their journey.

Rugh emphasized a major part of journeys is that things go wrong.

“Things will go wrong but if you pay attention to where you are going, use the compass, and stay together, you will complete the journey,” she said.

She said students have their own compass and map in their lives, but it is possible to be distracted from the set course, just as less-experienced paddlers ahead of her neglected to use their compass and map on the Boundary Waters.

When the group realigned its course to the planned campsite, they arrived late and someone had already taken their campsite.

The third stage is reflecting on the journey. Rugh used the example of Alma explaining the story of the Liahona to his son Helaman in Alma 37. Alma explained the workings of the instrument and the lessons they could learn from their forefathers.

She said her group learned it got lost because they didn’t pay attention to the instruments they had with them.

Her final point was about the Lord’s willingness to offer guidance.

“We have the Lord to guide us if we will pay heed,” she said.