On the afternoon of October 17, 2025, a young man set out to return a classroom trophy to his school. The brisk fall day hinted at the season’s turn; sunny days giving way to cold, rain-filled nights. After his errand, the boy, wanting to clear his mind, decided to wander home by a different route. One small detour led to another, and before long, without any bearing of which direction to go, he realized he was lost. Night fell, and the boy continued walking alone in the wilderness, hoping to find help and stay warm.
That same evening, our Young Men’s group of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was camping nearby at Goldstream Provincial Park, seventeen kilometers north of Victoria, B.C. The evening started with a chilling dip in the nearby river for those brave enough to venture. This was followed by a devotional led by our bishop, tinfoil dinners, and hours of the game “Werewolf by the Campfire.” It was warmer than recent nights, and everyone stayed comfortable and dry.
Acting Upon a Feeling Saves a Life
The next morning, as we enjoyed pancakes and eggs, a nearby camper approached our group. She explained that she had heard what sounded like a faint voice in the distance, perhaps someone crying for help. She had spoken with several campers and the park ranger, but none were willing or able to probe further. This woman said she couldn’t shake the feeling that she needed to act.
Hearing her concern, several of us agreed to listen and help. We stilled ourselves, straining our ears. Soon enough, we caught faint cries from deep within the forest. Without hesitation, we set off to find the source. I reminded the group that cougars can mimic the sound of a child crying- knowledge I recently gained from our stake president- and urged everyone to stay close together.
The terrain was steep and overgrown, with no noticeable path. We climbed through thick underbrush, grabbing roots and branches to steady ourselves. Finally, we stumbled onto an old, unused railway track where the cries became clearer, now unmistakably a human voice calling for help.
After more climbing and calling out, relying on the sound of this person's voice to pinpoint their location, we finally found the source of the desperate calls- the young man who was lost. He wore only pants, a T-shirt, and socks, and was clutching a pair of flip-flops. Despite the cold, he appeared calm and relieved, so grateful to have been found. Eagerly, he accepted some cookies and granola bars that we had in our pockets. He quickly devoured them as our bishop told him, “Those must be the best Oreo cookies you’ve ever eaten in your life!” As we talked, we learned that he had spent the night alone, navigating the forest with a small flashlight.
We contacted his mother to confirm his identity and give our location. It was clear she had a restless and stressful night, but ultimately was very relieved that her son was found.
Being Rescued Requires the Help of Others
Before descending, I explained to this lost boy that we were men of faith. When he asked what that meant, I told him that when we need help, we pray to God for direction. He smiled and said, “I was praying all night that someone would find me.” I told him his prayers had been answered and that we had come to rescue him. We then prayed together, thanking Heavenly Father for guiding us to this boy, and asked for help to find the safest route down the mountain.
The terrain was challenging, but this young man proved strong and cheerful, making the descent in just his socks. Along the way, I related a time from my own youth when, lost on a mountain with my brothers, we created a simple mantra after prayer: “We’re gonna make it down, and we’re gonna make it safe.” We repeated those words again as we descended together.
Back at camp, we warmed the boy by the fire and shared breakfast. The police soon arrived to take statements and reunite him with his family. Everyone in our small camp was filled with happiness and gratitude.
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Later, I visited with the lady who had first alerted us to the cries for help. Her persistence reminded me of the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost. How often do we hear something- a thought, a whisper, a feeling, and then choose to ignore it? This dear woman had listened and acted. That simple decision changed the course of the day and, in turn, the course of all our lives.
When our group gathered after the boy left, our bishop offered a tender prayer of gratitude. I then shared this message with the young men: “When we heard a call for help, we didn’t hesitate, we acted. That is what men of action do; that is what disciples of Christ do.”
President Thomas S. Monson often taught the importance of heeding spiritual promptings and serving without hesitation: “When we heed a silent prompting and act upon it without delay, our Heavenly Father will guide our footsteps and bless our lives and the lives of others” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Thomas S. Monson, [2020], 54).
Faith leads to action, and through action, miracles occur
As I reflected on this miracle, I recognized that the Lord’s hand was in every detail. Our group had received permission to camp in that specific closed area. The lady chose not to turn on any music or be distracted, and she refused to give up on what she heard and felt. The night had remained unusually warm until after we found the boy, when heavy rain began to fall. We were guided and kept safe during our search, despite the terrain. Each piece fit together through divine intervention. There were no coincidences. I know Heavenly Father guided us that day. He watched over this young boy and placed us where we needed to be. We were entrusted with a sacred opportunity to serve, to hear a cry for help, and to respond. This reflection was cause for me to take a moment for myself as I started to feel overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude. I offered a quiet prayer to my Father in Heaven to express this gratitude and to ask that this experience be a memory I can draw on often as I strive to be someone willing to listen, act, and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
There are many in our communities calling out in their own ways, through loneliness, fear, or pain. Can we hear them through the noise of daily life? Are we willing to listen? Are we willing to act? “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).