My father grew up on a remote ranch in Wyoming.  Selling the cattle that they raised sometimes involved loading them onto railway cars and shipping them to Chicago, three states away.  My grandfather and his boys had to accompany the cattle.

The route lay through a hilly section where the train had to slowly climb the hills through a series of switchbacks.  It was slow going, and the trip was boring.  Dad's oldest brother observed the switchbacks and the pace of the train, and decided that he could jump off the train and race up the hill to the next straight section of track while the train was negotiating the switchback.  He could be there in time to grab the ladder and climb back aboard the train.  Being young and active, he knew he could do it.

He jumped off the train, and began running.  It was an uphill run.  The train was always in sight, so he was able to judge its speed and his chance of being there in time to catch it.  It was going to be close.  He was running for all he was worth.  His lungs were bursting.  The train was already passing.  Could he catch the last car?

He was almost there, and was reaching for the ladder, but was several seconds too late.  The train went on without him.  Can you imagine the sinking feeling he felt?  He was stranded in a remote area with no recourse but to sit down and wait for the next train.

This could be a parable depicting the fate of those who refuse to repent, or who put off the opportunity to do so.

“How will any of you feel,” Alma asked, “if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with … all manner of filthiness?”  …  “Can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?”  (Alma 5:22 and 18).

John missed the train.  I can imagine his feelings.  At least he knew that another train, and another chance, would be coming; but other procrastinators may not be so fortunate.