Flying Lesson No. Ten

Obedience and Emergency Procedures

Emergency Procedures ‑ Pilots occasionally encounter in‑flight emergencies. All emergencies require corrective action so the emergency doesn't get worse. For some emergencies, like an engine fire, we memorized our response and we were trained to respond automatically. Other emergencies, like the one I describe below, have to be carefully analyzed and the course of action thoughtfully considered. As a last resort fighter planes were equipped with ejection seats and tanker planes had parachutes. If the emergency couldn't be controlled we ejected or bailed out.

Ruptured Fuel Tank ‑ During an air refueling mission one of the fuel bladders in our tanker aircraft broke and jet fuel poured into the belly of the airplane. The fuel fumes were so severe that we had to put on our oxygen masks. Our immediate focus was to eliminate anything that could cause the smallest spark. The volatility of the fuel and the fumes created a very real danger that our tanker would explode into a huge fireball. We immediately shut down all aircraft systems. Only the engines continued to operate.

When we finally arrived back to our base we flew over the control tower and rocked our wings as a distress signal because we could use no radios or intercoms. The runway was closed to all other traffic. Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles were positioned along the runway. We manually cranked the landing gear down. Because we were heavy and could not use the wing flaps we planned a high speed landing. It took over two miles of runway to stop using minimum brakes. We evacuated the aircraft and it was towed off the runway. We were safe and happy.

Lesson for Life ‑ If we compare our lives to an airplane flight, then obedience to the commandments of God is what insures that we safely arrive at our destination of eternal life. In our life's flight temptations are like in‑flight emergencies. We should avoid temptations in every possible way. When temptations come and we find ourselves in danger of sin, our response must be obedience to the commandments of God. Like in flight emergencies some temptations require immediate and automatic reaction. Other temptations are more subtle and may require prayerful consideration. Sometimes we must be prepared to eject and bailout. This was the situation of Joseph of Egypt and Potiphar's wife.  Joseph tried to avoid her advances but when there was no other choice "he fled, and got him out" (Genesis 39:12).  Confronting temptation, like dealing with in‑flight emergencies, requires corrective action, faith and courage.

Testimony of the Importance of Obedience ‑ Faith is the first principle of the gospel and I believe that obedience is the first law of the gospel. We are taught, "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated ,  "And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated" (D&C 130:20‑21).  In other words, the greater our obedience the greater our blessings. Whatever it takes to be obedient in the face of temptation is worth it.  Obedience brings happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.