A straight path and a strait path

Dear friend

The time we spend on earth is often described as a journey. On that journey there are many paths we can choose to follow. The path analogy is commonly found in scripture. The directional challenge of channel choosing seems to be one of finding, entering and staying on the right path. The Psalmist knew where to go to find that path; from the Old Testament, Psalm 25:4.

4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

King David, who is credited as the writer of the psalm, certainly asked the right person for directions. A later prophet, Isaiah, explained how those who don't know the way can be lead to the true track. He describing them (us) as "blind" since we can't see what way to go. Isaiah speaks Messianically in the Old Testament, Isaiah 42:16.

16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

A near contemporary of Isaiah, Nephi, expressed similar sentiments in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 33:9.

9 ... But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.

Notice how Christ's path can be both "straight" and "strait". In mathematics a straight line is defined as the shortest distance between two points; that is to say, unbending. While a strait is type of waterway characterised by being narrow. So God's paths are both direct and determinate, linear and lean. One reason for this is given in Doctrine and Covenants 3:2.

2 For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.

So let us be both pointed and pent in our passage along the right path. His way is the only way back to where we belong. It can be strict at times but the Divine destination is well worth the joys and jeopardies of the journey.

Samuel.