Malfunctioning Radar In Thick Fog

"He will lead us safely home, 
If we listen to his voice."
Let The Holy Spirit Guide
Hymn #143

I pulled the tour vessel away from the dock in Crescent Harbor in Sitka, Alaska and headed out into the sound to embark on a whale-watching tour. I had 50 passengers on board that were eager to view whales in the wild surroundings of Southeast, Alaska.
It was a gray and foggy day, and the sound was choppy with 1 to 2 foot waves. Just as we left the protected waters of the heavily forested islands on the edge of the sound,  I looked down at the radar and realized it wasn't working.  I had only moved to Alaska about a year  before and although I knew the waters well, still, a jolt of uneasiness pulced through my body as I realized how  difficult it would be to  find the passage back into the channel in fog on my return trip in three hours without the aid of the radar. Radar is an important tool when visability is poor. It allows the operator to see landforms  and other vessels in fog or darkness.  I knew that as the captain, the passengers were relying on me to get them out to see whales, and them safely back to the dock.
As we headed out into the open water of the sound I said a silent, heart felt prayer and asked Heavenly Father to safely guide me back to the small opening  on the edge of the sound that would take me to the safety of the harbor. A thought entered my mind. It said, " look back and see where you have come from so that  you can identify the opening of the channel amoung the forested islands of the edge of the sound on your return trip."
I did.  I studied the shape and height of the islands surrounding the channels mouth. Within minutes the fog enveloped the edge of the sound where I was looking. It's a good thing that that thought had entered my mind precisely when it did.
Further out into the sound another thought echoed in my mind.  It said, "study the angle of the waves in relationship to the compass bearing.  Then, on the return, you'll remember  the wave direction and you'll be able to use it as another tool in finding the mouth of the channel in fog.
The tour progressed and we were able to see   sea otters, whales and a bear. The fog would open up from time to time, just enough for me to see prominent land forms and then I  could verify my proximate location.  Still,  without perfect visability, I moved ahead slow and very cautiously.
Back in the sound the weather conditions had not changed. As I approached the approximate location of the mouth of the channel, I used the wave orientation and the prominent landmarks that peaked out from the fog occasionally, to orient me back to the channel. I great since of relief washed over me as I located the channel markers and entered the safety of the channel. So much of a feeling of triumph because of the poor visability  and malfunctioning radar, that I almost forgot for whom my safe return was due. I said a silent prayer of gratitude. 

 .   .   .   .   .   there I will be also,  for I will go before your face. 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.
D&C 84:88

Let The Holy Spirit Guide
Hymn #143

1. 1. Let the Holy Spirit guide;
   Let him teach us what is true.
   He will testify of Christ,
   Light our minds with heaven’s view.
2. 2. Let the Holy Spirit guard;
   Let his whisper govern choice.
   He will lead us safely home
   If we listen to his voice.
3. 3. Let the Spirit heal our hearts
   Thru his quiet, gentle pow’r.
   May we purify our lives
   To receive him hour by hour.