Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Do you remember the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”? I always wondered how they prepare contestants for the show. Do they choose their “lifeline” friend beforehand and warn them to stick close to the phone? What happens if no one answers?

This journey through life can be joyous, and it can be difficult. Sometimes it feels like heaven is right next door, and other times it can feel like we are completely alone. Everybody steps off the straight and narrow path from time to time. That’s why we have a Savior, to bring us back as often as we seek Him. But sometimes we feel lost.

Feeling Lost?

Maybe we’re lost because we feel alienated, or we allowed bitterness to overcome the tender feelings of our hearts. Perhaps we feel lost because we have unanswered questions or a challenge that has been with us for years. Sometimes we feel that the flame of faith has gone out and we only struggle along to do the everyday things.

Praying and reading scriptures can sometimes feel kind of pointless when our hearts are calloused to the gentle whispering of the Spirit but don’t give up. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a “lifeline” option when things get dark or when we don’t have the answers?

Here are a few suggestions that would be a great lifeline to call on:

Lifeline 1

Every one of us has the blessing of the Holy Ghost, whether it is the permanent gift or just rights to its influence. Though we may not feel it as easily as we may have at other times in our lives, he is there. Keep asking for his influence, no matter what. Keep asking.

Lifeline 2

The Lord has blessed us with the ministration of angels. D&C 84:88, while referring to the spreading of the gospel, also has personal application. “…I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”

Those angels have a dedication to the saints on earth. They walk among us to bless, protect and assist. I know this is true because I have been blessed by their presence many times. We have every right to call on those angels appointed to us to help when we feel lost, to accompany us through trials, to guide and help us recognize the Lord’s hand. Call on the power of heaven and its ministers. They will run to you.

The book Gospel Principles teaches us about who these angels are. “When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred, friends, and fellow-beings and fellow-servants. The ancient prophets who died were those who came to visit their fellow creatures upon the earth…In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.” (Gospel Doctrine, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1970, pp. 435–36.)

Lifeline 3

Call on the holy priesthood for a blessing. For me, sometimes I just need something to pierce my hard heart. A personal blessing of comfort and direction is a wonderful way to call on the power of heaven for assistance when needed.

Our dear President Monson spoke of his many experiences with the priesthood. “The years have brought me more opportunities to provide blessings to those in need than I could possibly count. Each opportunity has found me deeply grateful that God has entrusted to me this sacred gift. I revere the priesthood. I have witnessed its power time and time again. I have seen its strength. I have marveled at the miracles it has wrought.”1

Sometimes we need a miracle, sometimes we just need a loving hand to point the way. Whatever it may be, we are not left to ourselves to wander in darkness. Look to your lifelines and seek out the Savior to point your way home.

1 “The Priesthood- A Sacred Gift” President Thomas S. Monson, General Conference, April 2015