Paul, a prisoner on his way to Rome, sailed with 276 people under a Roman centurion. At Fair Havens on Crete, Paul warned that the voyage would bring “hurt and much damage,” but the centurion trusted the ship’s master and owner instead. A gentle south wind tempted them out, and soon a violent storm called Euroclydon drove the ship for fourteen days. They threw cargo overboard, roped the hull, and lost all hope as neither sun nor stars appeared.
One night an angel stood by Paul and said, “Fear not, Paul,” promising that no one would die. Paul told everyone, “Be of good cheer: for I believe God.” Near land, the sailors cast four anchors and wished for the day. At dawn Paul gave thanks, broke bread and urged them to eat. The ship ran aground and broke apart, but every person reached the island of Melita, some on boards and broken pieces. The islanders built a fire, and when a viper fastened on Paul’s hand he shook it off unharmed.
Who’s who
Paul: an Apostle, a prisoner bound for Rome
Julius: the Roman centurion guarding him
The sailors and passengers: 276 people in all
The islanders: the people of Melita (Malta)
Where and when
The Mediterranean Sea, from Crete to the island of Melita (Malta).
Watch for the Savior
Watch how the Lord’s promise carries everyone through the storm, not around it.
Eight stops from Fair Havens to the beach at Melita. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.
Part 2 of 7
The story, plainly
Four scenes: the warning, the storm, the promise and the shore. Look for the Savior in each one.
Read it plainly
The words that trip people up
Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1
Acts 27:10 “not only of the Meaning: cargo. and ship”
Acts 27:12 “the haven was not Meaning: roomy or convenient. to winter in”
Acts 27:17 “Meaning: wrapping ropes under. the ship”
Acts 27:17 “Meaning: lowered the sails.”
Acts 27:29 “out of the Meaning: the back of the ship.”
Part 3 of 7
Look closer
Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from Church resources. Each card says which.
0 of 9 turned
All nine. The ship, the wind, the ropes, the cargo, the angel, the anchors, the bread, the boards and the viper. Acts 27–28
Part 4 of 7
Where are you?
Tempted to ignore a warning, in a storm, holding on, or safe on shore. Which feels most like you right now?
A next step for you
Your choice is saved only on this device.
Try it
Four anchors
It is the fourteenth night of the storm. The sailors cast four anchors and wish for the day. Drop each anchor, and the Lord’s promises to Paul hold fast. When all four hold, watch for dawn.
“They cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.” Acts 27:29
Part 5 of 7
Their world, their words
A little background helps us see the ship, the season and the sea. Outside sources are labeled.
Church resource · Student manual
A prisoner bound for Rome
Paul had appealed to Caesar and was “sent to Rome by ship, escorted by a Roman centurion.”5
Still a prisoner, he became the ship’s guide.
Church resource · Student manual
Why they ignored him
The student manual names three reasons: worldly experience, convenience and “majority mentality.”5
The same reasons tempt us today.
Church resource · Student manual
A seer at sea
Elder John A. Widtsoe, quoted in the student manual: “A seer is one who sees with spiritual eyes.”5
Paul saw the danger before it came.
Church resource · Student manual
“Barbarous people”
The student manual: it “means speakers of a strange language, not brutal ruffians.”5
“Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety.”
President Henry B. Eyring, quoted in the student manual5
“Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us.”
President Thomas S. Monson, quoted in the student manual5
“Such hope constitutes the ‘anchor of the soul.’ … Such hope is retained through faith in Christ.”
Write down four things that hold you to Jesus Christ when life is stormy: a promise, a scripture, a person, a practice. Keep the list where you’ll see it.
Try it today
One step each day. It saves on this device, one day at a time.
0 of 7 today
This week:0 of 7 days
Seven days, safe to land. Come again tomorrow.
A quiet moment
“Fear not.”
Read Acts 27:20–25 slowly. Then think of a storm in your life and tell Heavenly Father, “I believe God.” Listen for His peace. Acts 27:20–25
A verse to hold
Talk about it
Why didn’t the centurion listen to Paul’s warning?
What did the angel promise Paul?
Why did Paul give thanks for bread in the middle of a storm?
What are some “anchors” that help our family when life is hard?
Open
For adults and deeper study
Go deeper
Longer readings, harder questions, and where to study next. Each one says what it is before you click.
Church resource
New Testament Student Manual: Acts 21–28
The dangerous season, why the counsel was rejected, Paul as a seer, and safety in prophetic counsel.5
Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.
The Shipwreck is part of the Scripture Story Sketch Notes for the New Testament, set alongside Come, Follow Me for July 26–August 1, 2027 (Acts 22–28).
Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The story is told in Acts 27 and Acts 28:1–10; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.
