January 2005 Friend

The Light
BY BO PEDERSEN
(Based on a true story)
For I am God, . . . and I will show
miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those
who believe on my name (D&C 35:8).
Is Dad coming home tonight?” Benjamin
asked. Dad worked as a sailor off the
coast near their home in Denmark.
“No,” Mom said, “he will be home in
four days.”
Dad had promised Benjamin that they
could play football when he returned.
Benjamin missed Dad.
“Before I go to bed tonight, I’ll pray
that he will come home safely,” Benjamin
thought.
Benjamin’s dad stood on the ship in the
freezing rain, hurrying to finish his work
before the evening meal. Feeling tired and
cold, he thought of his family back at home.
Suddenly, an enormous wave rocked
the ship. Supplies clattered to the floor as
sailors shouted in confusion. The captain
peered out into the darkness and couldn’t
see Benjamin’s dad on the deck anymore.
“Man overboard!” he shouted.
ILLUSTRATED BY GREGG THORKELSON
Later that evening Benjamin watched
Mom pile the dinner dishes in the sink. As
she scrubbed she looked out the window
into the garden. Trees swayed in the fierce
wind. Benjamin saw the worried look on his
mother’s face and felt worried, too. Would
Dad be all right out in this storm?
Benjamin’s dad could hear the ship’s
alarm ringing, but the sound grew quieter
as the strong waves pushed him
farther away from the ship. Sailors
tossed life preservers into the water,
hoping to save him, but they could
not see him in the stormy darkness.
He tried to stay calm and keep
his head above water. He found the
flashlight clipped to his life jacket
and pointed it toward the ship so
the sailors could see where he
was—but the light didn’t work.
On board the ship,
the captain radioed for
help. Soon a helicopter
hovered over the
ocean, shining a
spotlight down
“Please protect
Dad and bring him
home safely to Mom
and me,” Benjamin
prayed.
FRIEND JANUARY 2005 5