This morning I got up at 6:30am (I know, strange behavior for me) to hike (even stranger behavior) the Y with my good friend Morgan. I don't usually like doing anything so early, let alone something so active, but it's something I've been wanting to do for a long time. Morgan and I tried to hike the Y earlier this summer but I wasn't in great shape, and we went at 1 in the afternoon during 90 degree temperatures... you do the math. So you can imagine my disappointment when I had to quit 5 switchbacks up - I felt defeated. I swore to myself and to Morgan that by the end of the summer I'd hike the Y. I know it's September, but it's still in the 80-90s here so I don't feel like summer is over. Technically I met my goal so... I win.
In all seriousness, I would like to share my experience hiking the Y. The Y is on one of the mountains just east of BYU campus here in Provo:
(picture courtesy of http://occasionalpiece.wordpress.com/2014/05/page/2/)
It's 2.4 miles round trip up the side of the mountain, and during the hike you gain 980 feet in elevation. You can imagine how this might be difficult for me since I grew up in Corvallis - which has an elevation of 225 feet above sea level. Nevertheless, Morgan and I set off on our hike. At first I felt like I was doing just fine - I was expectantly out of breath but hanging in there. Then, once again, around switchback 5 or so I began to lose faith in the adventure. I began to think of reasons for us to turn around and figure out ways to get out of it. Every time we would round a switchback, I would slow down and look at the ominous hill I had to climb next. But every time I did that, Morgan looked back at me and calmly said "come on, you can do this" and kept walking with complete faith that I was following. She was patient, supportive, and cheered me on every time I kept walking. Before I knew it we were at the Y! I couldn't believe my eyes when I actually saw it. We sat at the top and talked about our lives and futures for a good 30 minutes before deciding to come back down. It was a great experience and I'm glad I persevered long enough to enjoy the gorgeous view of Provo. I fully understand that I would NOT have made it up there without Morgan. She was my coach, friend, and cheerleader the whole way up.
This experience got me thinking about the trials of life. When Morgan and I were sitting at the top, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between our hike and how life can be. I realize this isn't an original thought, but it's the first time I've really applied it personally. I wanted to quit with every climb of a new switchback because I thought I wasn't physically able to do it; yet, the only thing that kept me going was Morgan's faith in me and my capability to make it. Let's compare a switchback to a trial. There have been trials in my life that seemed so ominous and unbearable that I looked at them in their entirety and thought "nope, I can't do this". I didn't believe I had the spiritual strength to overcome them. But each and every time that happened, my Savior was there, holding out His hand and saying "come on, you can do this". The reward for our hike was being able to see the beauty of God's creations and the immensity of the mountains - and to spend time with a wonderful friend. The reward that we've been promised for enduring to the end is much greater than that - it's eternal life. If we can keep climbing and pushing through the spiritual pain and feelings of incompetence, the Savior has promised that He will help us along the way. We are not alone. We are never alone in our trials and afflictions because Christ not only loves each and every one of us, but he has also descended below all things and born so much more than we can imagine. During difficult times I am guilty of thinking "no one understands what I'm going through". Although it can absolutely feel that way from time to time, I can guarantee you that is not true. You are never alone.
I love my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know my Savior loves me and knows me. I know I am never alone - even in the moments in which I feel that no one could possibly understand what I'm going through. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's true church on the earth and through it, we can return to our Father in heaven. I know that Elijah fulfilled Malachi's prophecy that the hearts of the children would turn to their fathers - and because of that truth we can be sealed to our families for eternity. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me and wants me to return to live with him. I am nothing without my Savior - I owe everything I have to him. I cannot wait to see Him again and thank him for helping me along in the journey.
Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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