The Yellow Brick Road
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” 

Many of us know that phrase and where it came from.  The Wizard of Oz has been one of my favorite movies since childhood.  The concept, the direction, the actors, and technology-in-its-infancy created a fascinating viewing experience.  Only later did I realize the lessons taught in that movie ― on so many levels.

Just recently, there was a rerun of this old classic on television.  Going in and out with different activities, the family members caught at least part of the film.  It was fun to watch them stop in their tracks at the familiar and beloved sights and tunes.

Although I enjoyed watching bits and parts of this old movie, I most enjoyed watching the looks on the kids' faces.  I’m not talking about only small children ― some of our children are grown, even with children of their own.  No matter ― they are hooked on the story.  Hopefully, they are continuing to learn more of the lessons that were offered along the yellow brick road.

Years ago, a friend and teaching associate named Mike Christensen taught a class on some of the symbolism in The Wizard of Oz.  Although I never was able to sit in on that class, I have often pondered in my own mind and heart the blessings associated with that long and winding road that led ‘home.’

Dorothy, the main character, is introduced to three new friends along her journey:  the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion.  From these three characters, let’s take a look at the importance of our incorporating the gifts they sought. 

The Scarecrow was seeking “a brain.”  Because it is important for us to individually develop our intellect and use our mind to figure things out, the brain is important!  We all have one.  Some use it in a more positive manner than others.  Some believe in their own inherent ability to grow in brain power more than others. 

The more good stuff we put in our minds, the cleaner and better it runs.  The more we utilize our brain power, the stronger it may grow. “No brain is weaker than its weakest think” (anonymous).  What a great ‘thought’! 

If we are to study out in our minds the very things that will help us wisely choose our course, we will need to work at putting good things into that brain of ours.  Planning pondering time, we begin to more easily recognize the power given us by a loving Father in Heaven, leaving behind the weaker or baser thoughts that would remove us from the safety of the path.

As we see that the power of the mind is within us, we will work at making it work better! 

The Scarecrow, from the beginning, had a good mind and a thoughtful approach to the journey down the yellow brick road.  He merely had not yet come to recognize his mind’s strength. 

The Lion, on the other hand, was seeking “courage.” 

How the children laugh when that cowardly lion jumps and dances around in fright at simple things that don’t even seem scary.  But, if we were to take a close look inside ourselves, are there not "simple" things that cause us fear ― things that cause us to dance around issues rather than face them head-on? 

Like the Cowardly Lion, we may be in need of coming to terms with the importance of courage, and the difference it makes in the quality of our journey.  Of course, as the movie progresses, it becomes apparent that the Cowardly Lion is not cowardly at all.  With the right incentives and strength of good companions, courage is very much a part of who he is.  He simply had not yet seen it.

I remember hearing that courage is not the absence of fear, but being afraid and moving forward in spite of the fear.  If, within us, we quietly listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, the necessary courage will be provided as we are willing to continue to “press forward with a perfect brightness of hope” (2 Ne.31:20.)  Indeed, by reading and internalizing the counsel in that entire section of Second Nephi (pay special attention to verses 18 through 21) our desire to remain on the path, moving forward until we reach our Home, increases and burns within.  Eventually, through trust in Father, the fears will be removed and replaced by greater faith.

The Tin Man sought for a “heart.”  From the beginning, we could see that this dear metal man had kindness and love throughout his being.  His very smile was kind.  Yet, because he could not hear it beating, he assumed his heart was not there.  Are we sometimes misguided, believing that our heart’s power is less than it is?  Do we simply need to take note of the goodness within us, and more readily share it with others, to celebrate the heart of the matter… and the heart within us?

I once came across this interesting quote: “What is genius (brain, if you will) or courage

(like the lion sought) without a heart?”   This is a beautiful thought.  Without the loving heart guiding our way, we may fall prey to ill-conceived thoughts. We may feign courage when it is only bluster covering "much ado about nothing."

The heart, in conjunction with the brain and the ability to draw on courage, will serve to illuminate the trip down our own yellow brick road toward our Heavenly Home.  Though we all make a wrong turn here and there, there are road signs along the path that offer safety and direction. There are inner gifts that serve to remind us of where we are headed.  These provide us with ways to keep our bearings and keep our goal in sight.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell cautioned us that, “Mortals who lose their bearings then proceed to lose their souls.”  Exercising the brain, the heart and courage may keep us moving more smoothly along that road and allow us to find joy as we make our way home.

Like the three dear characters in the movie, do we need to recognize, grow, and accept the very gifts that are already within us?  Again I go to Elder Maxwell’s words for a beautiful and fitting encapsulation of this idea:

Only a few come to this mortal experience with substantial saintliness already developed.  Rather, our individual best is presently but the bud of possibility.  Even so, these buds of possibility ― the early stages of divine attributes ― are unmistakably there.  While unfolding and enlarging over time, these key qualities should also “grow together," producing full felicity. (A Wonderful Flood of Light, p.42.)

“There’s no place like home!” Dorothy exclaimed.  While traveling here in mortality, it’s good to have a home base where we feel as though we belong.  When all is said and done, the Home for which we seek is one higher and grander than any home on this earth.  As we follow our own yellow brick road, adding to our brain’s capacity and our heart’s ability, and shoring ourselves up by "fresh courage tak[ing]" (see hymn # 30, "Come,Come, Ye Saints"),  that journey will take us exactly where we wish to go.