I was recently reminded of this story which I found years ago in Meridian Magazine. I saved it, but neglected to document who wrote it. I believe it was Phillip Allred. I loved the story then and still love it now so I wanted to share it with you. I hope it will touch you as well.
“As a Hen Gathereth Her Chickens Under Her Wings”
"A few years ago, a colleague of mine at Idaho State University related one of his student’s experiences that help illustrate this mother hen symbolism. The student, a young man, had been helping inspect some fire damage just outside of town from a recent blaze. As he and the other volunteers were assisting one of the inspectors, they noticed several smoldering mounds across the scorched earth. Intrigued, he asked the inspector what these were. The inspector replied that he should kick one of the piles. He did. To his great surprise several baby chicks ran out from under the upturned mound.
"A few years ago, a colleague of mine at Idaho State University related one of his student’s experiences that help illustrate this mother hen symbolism. The student, a young man, had been helping inspect some fire damage just outside of town from a recent blaze. As he and the other volunteers were assisting one of the inspectors, they noticed several smoldering mounds across the scorched earth. Intrigued, he asked the inspector what these were. The inspector replied that he should kick one of the piles. He did. To his great surprise several baby chicks ran out from under the upturned mound.
He was fascinated. How ingenious he thought, these little chicks had known to run underneath this refuge. The young man asked the inspector how the chicks knew about this natural shelter. To his amazement, the inspector replied that they were not natural at all; instead this smoldering heap was none other than the remains of their mother. The inspector continued to explain that when a fire breaks out the mother hen calls out to her young ones and stretches out her arm so that they can run inside to her protective embrace.
How fitting that the Lord would personify the mother hen in His words to the Nephites and Lamanites. How perfect is this example for us today! 'Oh ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather ye as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings.' For it is through His embrace we may be protected and through His death that we may be saved."
