Acts 27

As Paul was in prison in Jerusalem -

"...the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." (New Testament | Acts 23:11)

For many people, had they received this prophecy, they would assume that the Lord would make their paths "straight" to Rome. But what is interesting is the time and process by which Paul worked his way to Rome. First, Paul was threatened to be killed by the Jews so he went to be held and judged by Felix, Festus, and even King Agrippa. He was not held for a short time but several years. Eventually we read that began his trip to be tried by Caeser by entering a ship in Adramyttium.

Again, one would assume that this would be again a straight course, but -

"...when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone..." (New Testament | Acts 27:7)

And then Paul knowing -

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives." (New Testament | Acts 27:9 - 10)

They sailed anyway, and eventually after days of tempest storms, when they were about to shipwreck, Paul prophecied -

"...after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island." (New Testament | Acts 27:21 - 26)

This was pretty bold prophecy in that there were 276 people on the ship. And as prophecied -

"...they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land." (New Testament | Acts 27:41 - 44)

A miracle was had as these sailors followed the counsel of a prophet of God. My thoughts this morning is that sometimes we feel our paths should be made straight, but the Savior has said -

"...it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:68)

Eventually Paul did make it to Rome, but probably not in a manner he would have imagined. With all this, I couldn't help but think of the Prophet Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail.