Edge of Obedience

Missionaries in the Provo MTC in some ways are prisoners physically to the facility, but not so much in the other dimensions of self. They are obviously allowed anywhere within the fenced "compound", and then across the street on an unfenced playing field within the boundaries of two sidewalks as they outline the Northerly and Southerly edge of this playing field and finally come to meet at the doors of the Provo Temple on the Eastern edge of the MTC boundary. Everything past the outside edges of that sidewalk is offlimits.

When I was a young missionary, doing the very best I could to be obedient; I was once with a group of companions standing on this very sidewalk within twenty yards of the temple. Someone pointed out that if the outside edge of the sidewalk is the boundary of the MTC, then any blade of grass on that side of the sidewalk was offlimits to touch.

We thought about this notion for a bit, and then of course in jest one of the missionaries dared any one of us to touch one of those blades of grass. We were all intelligent, rational 19 year olds, at least as intelligent and rational as they get. We knew that nothing would happen if we touched a blade of grass outside the MTC boundary, and yet no one dared to do it or even showed any interest in taking on the dare.

This was a poignant moment for me that stuck in my memory throughout my whole mission. Why? Because it was a lesson on obedience. That day I was faced with a commandment so to speak much like Adam was in the beginning of time. It didn't make a whole lot of sense in terms of safety to not touch a blade of grass on the outer limits of the MTC, but because I had the right attitude about the situation, and I obeyed the MTC rules I could feel my spirit and my faith swell knowing that I had pleased Heavenly Father with my faithful action. I learned that even though we face commandments in our life that don't make sense, when we obey them blind, we are truly blessed.