Ephraim’s Rescue

Jimmy and I saw Ephraim’s Rescue on Saturday night. I didn’t think I’d cry… but I did. Sigh… The first part that made me cry was when Thomas, the teenager with the ‘not-so-positive’ attitude offered to help carry the little boy across the river… and then came back to help others. He was bare foot… in icy water. So sweet that he was able to choose SERVICE and sacrifice instead of caring only about himself.Another part I loved was when Brigham Young asked the saints to go help the Handcart Companies. Many said they could go in a few days. The Lord had prepared Ephraim Hanks and he was ready ‘NOW’. What a great example of listening to the promptings he received… and a great example of preparedness. Are we ready to serve, help, go, survive, “NOW”?
Another important miracle and lesson was when Ephraim prayed and asked Heavenly Father to send a Buffalo for him use kill for a warm skin to stay alive in the winter storm, and food for himself and the saints he was going to help. It had been prophesied that someone who save the people with Buffalo Meat and so when it showed up… what a manifestation of miracles. God watches over us.I also love that this story teaches us that we can ask for very specific things (if it be right with God). If Ephraim would have only asked, “Please help me!”… perhaps it might be different. Faith without works is dead. He had faith to be specific in his prayer. Perhaps the Spirit of God instilled that righteous desire in his heart – to ask for a buffalo. Great lesson!

This next story I enjoyed telling the kids at the dinner table. In the middle of a dance in SLC, Brigham Young asked Ephraim to go home straightway and shave his beard. Ephraim didn’t even ask why. He did it, felt like a moron and came back to the dance. Brother Brigham signaled him back over to him and told him to go back home and do it right (shave the mustache too!). Brother Brigham commented to his associate that he knew that if Ephraim would obey with simple things, he would quickly obey larger requests or commandments. What a great principle!

Here’s the Ephraim’s Rescue Trailer for everyone’s enjoyment: