Memorable Stories and Parables by Boyd K. Packer

Author:Boyd K. Packer [Packer, Boyd K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Published: 1997-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

14

Of Cars and Dates

No age is quite so carefree, so restless, so potential as high school years. Notwithstanding the outward turmoils and nonconformity, these are years of quiet inner growth. These are years of silent, restless maturing. It is to our youth of high school years that I speak

A few days ago I visited a large automobile dealership, where I looked at many new automobiles. One in particular caught my eye-a convertible, sports model, with all of the fancy equipment you could imagine. It had push-button everything, and more horsepower than a division of cavalry . How I would have enjoyed a car like that when I was in high school! It occurred to me that you might be interested in owning such a car.

Do you have an imagination? Imagine with me that I am your benefactor; that I have decided to present to a typical teenager a car such as this, and you are the one who has been chosen. On the evening of the presentation I see that you are not quite financially able to run such a car, so I generously include free gas, oil, maintenance, tires, anything your car would use-all of this, and the bills would come to me.

How you will enjoy that car! Think of driving it to school tomorrow. Think of all the new friends you would suddenly acquire.

Now, your parents may be hesitant to let you use this car freely, so I will visit with them. I am sure they will be reluctant, but let us say that because of my position as one of the leaders of the Church they will consent.

Let us imagine, then, that you have your car, everything to run it, freedom to use it.

Suppose that one evening you are invited to attend a Church social. "There are just enough of you to ride in my station wagon," your teacher says. "You may leave your car home."

When they come to take you to the party, you suddenly remember your new convertible parked at the curb with the top down. You hastily go back into the house and give the keys to your father, asking that he put it in the garage, for it looks as though it might rain. Your father, of course, obediently agrees. (It is interesting how obedient parents have become these days.)

When you come home that evening you notice that your car is not at the curb. "Dear old Dad," you muse, "always willing to help out." But as the station wagon pulls into the driveway and the lights flash into the garage, you see it is empty.

You rush into the house, find your father, and ask that very urgent question.

"Oh, I loaned it to someone," he responds.

Then imagine, seriously imagine, a conversation such as this:

"Well, who was it?"

"Oh, that boy who comes by here regularly."

"What boy?"

"Oh, that boy . . . Well, I have seen him pass here several times on his bicycle."

"What is his name?"

"I'm afraid I didn't find out."

"Well, where did he take the car?"

"That really wasn't made clear.

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