Conquering the Mountains in Life

A couple of weeks ago, I went hiking with some friends from my mission. One of them happened to be my first companion in the field. She was the one that trained me on how to be a missionary. I owe her so much but that's not what this is about. Anyway, I went hiking to the Y in Provo, Utah. I had never been hiking there before and to be honest, I haven't been hiking much my whole life. My family and I aren't really outdoorsy nature people. But I was invited and I was free so I said I'd go.

The Y is on the side of a mountain. Like straight up a mountain. The well-beaten trail with nifty occasional benches along the way zigzags up the side of the mountain. When we started out, I didn't really think much of it. I was doing okay. I was optimistic and excited. A few zigs and a few zags later, I was huffing for breath wondering why I had said yes. My companions weren't experiencing anything near what I was. I had spots dancing before my eyes and I seriously thought I was going to pass out. Crunch, my old companion, almost never left my side. She kept encouraging me and didn't mind stopping as I gasped for breath and considered turning around and waiting at the bottom for the group. However, I had come to hike to the Y. And darn it! I was going to get to that stupid Y if it killed me. I managed to keep my sense of humor intact as one of the guys asked me what I was planning on studying (he wasn't aware that I've already completed my degree). As I huffed and tried not to die, I quipped that I wanted to study CPR. It was a momentary relief as I laughed at myself and my predicament. But I still had a heck of a way to go.

Finally, taking a slightly less used trail, we made it to the bottom of the Y. I sat down and tried to catch my breath. As my companions mingled and ate jerky and took pictures, I looked out across the valley. From the view, it didn't seem as hard and high as I'd thought as I climbed the trail. My heartbeat slowed and evened out and I quenched my thirst. I knew that I would hurt the next day but I loved the feeling that I had that I'd made it. Maybe I hadn't gotten to the top of the Y but I had made it to the bottom. A feat that I wasn't sure I would accomplish an hour earlier.

I know I made it to the Y with the help of my dear friend, Crunch, encouraging me all along the way telling me things like "You can do it!" or "You got this." And even if I didn't feel like I had 'this', I knew I couldn't stop with her by my side. Also, my sheer will and determination to overcome my natural and very out of shape man propelled my weary legs upward. I prayed a few times as I pressed forward asking for Divine help to keep me going and especially not to pass out.

In the end, the huffing and puffing and humiliation and sweat and dehydration was totally worth it. The view was worth it.

When I was on my mission, I would often compare life to a hike. A hike very similar to the one that I just described. At first, on this mortal journey, you are okay. The incline is gradual and you don't notice your breathing changing. Then it starts to get a little harder and your breathing gets heavier and your heart starts beating harder. Pretty soon, it feels like your legs are going to give out and you are lost in your mind wondering why you even wanted to go on this journey anyway. You begin to wish away the trials and troubles that are causing you heartache, that are bringing you to your knees with the weight of them.

"In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner's fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong... This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength." -Pres. James E. Faust (General Conference April 1979)

We all suffer in this life. Sometimes it is our own fault because of choices we make. Other times it is at the hand of others. And sometimes it is because the Lord is ready to teach us and help us become stronger.

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain." -Elder Richard G. Scott (General Conference Oct 1995) 

It's not always about what trials come to your life but about how you handle them. I think about that fateful day two and a half years ago that changed the lives of me and my family. My younger brother was killed in a car accident. We were devastated, of course. However, because of the faith we had we became stronger. I realize now that the Lord was preparing me for that moment in my life. It was only a few short weeks before that I had made the choice to really make a place for God in my life. And it was after the accident, that I decided to share my faith and my beliefs with other by serving a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That was THE best decision I have ever made thus far in my life.

There are many different kinds of trials. Not just "big" ones like losing a loved one. After returning home, I struggled with unemployment and felt stuck in my hometown. Health issues. Depression. Infertility. Straying loved ones. Marriage problems. Money problems. Unrequited love. The list goes on and on.

Heavenly Father doesn't set out to give us pain because He likes to watch us suffer.

"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my [child], THAT ALL THESE THINGS SHALL GIVE THEE EXPERIENCE, AND SHALL BE FOR THY GOOD. ...The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" -Doctrine & Covenants 122: 7-8

We came to this earth to gain two things: a body and experience. We have our bodies and now comes the experience. Experience comes at a cost. And the cost can be painful but, if we keep persevering and putting one foot in front of the other and having FAITH that it will all work out for our good, it is totally worth it.

By the time we reach the end of our mortal journey or hike, if you will, you can look back and see how far you have come and how strong you are. Life is going to be hard but it doesn't have to be a miserable experience. It's like that saying: "Live. Laugh. Love" (I think that's the saying.) We are here to live and make choices. We are here to laugh- to have joy in our lives. We are here to love- just as the Savior has loved us enough to suffer all that we have.

"I testify that the Man who suffered for mankind, who committed His life to healing the sick and comforting the disconsolate, is mindful of your sufferings, doubts, and heartaches. 'Then,' the world would ask, 'why does He sleep when the tempest rages all around me? Why does He not still this storm, or why would He let me suffer?' Your answer may be found in considering a butterfly. Wrapped tightly in its cocoon, the developing chrysalis must struggle with all its might to break its confinment. The butterfly might think, 'Why must I suffer so? Why cannot I simply, in the twinkling of an eye, become a butterfly?' Such thoughts would be contrary to the Creator's design. The struggle to break out of the cocoon develops the butterfly so it can fly. Without that adversity, the butterfly would never have the strength to achieve its destiny. It would never develop the strength to become something extraordinary." -Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (General Conference April 2000) 

With pain, heartbreak, trials, tribulations, comes conquering our mountains and reaching the top to realize that we are stronger. And it prepares us for the next mountain that stands before us. Never stop relying on God to help you. He has not forsaken you. He is guiding you and He keeps you from breaking, if you let Him.

As for my hike. Afterwards, I shook my head at myself and thought "Never again." But every day, as I drive home from work, I look at the big white Y and think "I gotta try again." Only this time, I want to be more prepared. I don't want to huff and puff my way up to the bottom of the Y. I want to feel good as I climb the mountain till I can touch the top of the Y. I want to be stronger. So that is my goal. Use my experiences to become stronger and better. To reach my potential.

I wanted to end with one of my favorite verses from the Doctrine & Covenants. I've shared it with a couple of people today but I just love it so much I wanted to share it again.

"For verily I say unto you, that great things await you;" -Doctrine & Covenants 45:62

Smile Always,

Chuck