By a Small and Simple Thing--

"14-year-old Scout believed missing in the Uintas is found at home"
I read an article in the Deseret News, online. I could not help but to respond and make a comment.

It seems that a fourteen year old boy, a Venture Scout very likely was on a trip with his father who was the leader. He told him to "go away" because he was having a disagreement with one of the other five boys on this trip.

The boy decided to walk out of the camp in the Uintas, call his mom and go home. Well, the boy was missed and the area was searched. The boy, in the meantime was picked up by a family and taken to where he could call his mother to pick him up.

All this time, though no one knew where the boy was. His father, by now was probably frantic and not wanted to call his wife to tell her, his son was missing, right?


Well, reading this article brought back a memory of an experience I had with one of Michael's Venture Leader, David Broadbent. The following comment tells briefly my recollection.

I can remember as a single-mom, one scout leader telling me when my boys were that age, "Dead or Alive, we will bring back your son." That was NOT funny, (to me). This was the day before a 14, 15 year old group of boys were going to Wind Rivers.

I woke up the next morning hearing those words in my mind. I bolted out of bed and told my 14 year son. I told him how I felt, but left it up to him to decide of whether to go or not.

He knelt by his bed and I went to my room. He came back about ten minutes later and gave me his answer. It was to get a priesthood blessing from his oldest brother. I called him and we went @ 4:30 am to the brother's house.

He was safe,and felt much divine guidance,a great experience after all.

This was a spiritual experience for my son and he learned to listen and pray over his life situations, and his mission.


Michael told me that he felt his grandpa McIntire there with him on his trip. He wore Grandpa's hat on the trip to protect him from the sun. I think Grandpa did more than protect him from the sun. I know he watched over him and gave him guidance as Michael told me, he knew where to make each step as his group moved up and down the hills and steep inclines on the trail. The clouds were circled around leaving an open space for the sun to shine and not rain on them a lot of the time.

I am grateful that my prayers were answered, my son was safe and had a great spiritual experience at the same time. Michael grew a foot taller that day spiritually and I was so grateful I let him make his own decision of whether to go with his leaders and friends on that trip.