I just had the strangest dream, and I feel the need to share it. I found myself hiking in a mountain area, near a river at the base of a very, very, large and cascading waterfall. I began to walk along the banks of the river toward the waterfall. When I got to the base of the waterfall, there seemed to be a climbing path that looked like a fair amount of people had made it up. I don't know why I wanted to climb this, I think a part of me was thinking "This is a great challenge" and the other part of me thought "If I die doing it, I die, lets go!"
I began to scale the rocks. It wasn't as difficult as I thought. It was surprisingly dry, and the hand holds were all in my reach. It was a work out, but the challenged felt exhilarating. When I reached 3/4's of the way up I hit a spot where there was a very large rock, smooth with no hand holds and just out of my reach. At first attempt, I thought I could totally bridge the gap, but as I attempted, I nearly fell of the rocks. Fear now slightly gripped my heart. I tried, some what more cautiously again and again. I tried different approaches, but I just couldn't reach it on my own, I was just barley too short.
I looked down, which scared me even more, because I'm kind of afraid of heights. I realized that I couldn't go back down, that would be too dangerous as well. I felt trapped on the mountain. At the top of the mountain I saw my family and friends. I cried for help. Some of them who were very apt climbers heard me, and climbed down to where I was. They were taller than me, so that rock wasn't as big of a challenge to them, and they were able to help me climb up past that gap by one of them being behind me, securing me, and the other reached out from above to help pull me onto the large bolder. Once over that rock, we went on, and were able to safely reach the top of the waterfall where there was a nice ranger station, and all sorts of food, water and comfort.
I looked down from the top, I was proud of what I accomplished From the top it looked even bigger than it had when I started out.My friend that pulled me up was standing next to me, and I turned and said, "I climbed all of that?! And I only got help at that one rock?" What I had accomplished amazed me. I was pleased with what I had done, and that I hadn't died in the process.
At the same time, I felt an extraordinary sense of gratitude, I thanked my friends, without them, I could never have made it alone. My friends were also pleased that I had made it up alive. We went to the lodge and had a well earned rest and some hot chocolate.
It made me think of a General Conference talk by president Eyring one year ago, called "Mountains to Climb" Its a really really good talk, about how to handle trials in our life. There are many things he mentioned about how to strengthen our selves to find the strength to endure and overcome trials, but I think its significant, all along the reassurance he gives us that we are not alone. We have each other, friends, families, ward members, neighbors, angles round about us, but most importantly we have our Savior Jesus Christ.
Elder Eyring said "If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up.10 And He always keeps His word."
I feel like I am climbing some mountains right now, in life. I think many if not all of us are. I am happy with what I have been able to accomplish, but having been stuck at that rock, I know I cannot make it on my own, I am just not tall enough. No matter how hard I try, alone, I fall short. But, I also know, when I call for help it comes, in the form of friends, family, my ward, but most importantly the Savior and his Atonement. He really will always keep his word and help us out But, I have to humble myself and ask for help, I have to be willing to accept that help. If I pridefully continue to try to go it alone, I cannot make it.
The Lord does require enough humility that we ask for help. He says "Ask and ye shall receive, Knock and it shall be opened unto you." We are told he gives us weaknesses so that we "may be humble; and myc grace is sufficient for all men that d humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make e weak things become strong unto them." (ether 12:27)
Its something to think about before Conference this weekend. I have a lot to learn about how to climb mountains, that was quite a dream. Check out Elder Eyrings talk. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/mountains-to-climb?lang=eng .
To all my friends, thank you for all your help in overcoming the large boulders in my life. Together, we can reach the top.
I began to scale the rocks. It wasn't as difficult as I thought. It was surprisingly dry, and the hand holds were all in my reach. It was a work out, but the challenged felt exhilarating. When I reached 3/4's of the way up I hit a spot where there was a very large rock, smooth with no hand holds and just out of my reach. At first attempt, I thought I could totally bridge the gap, but as I attempted, I nearly fell of the rocks. Fear now slightly gripped my heart. I tried, some what more cautiously again and again. I tried different approaches, but I just couldn't reach it on my own, I was just barley too short.
I looked down, which scared me even more, because I'm kind of afraid of heights. I realized that I couldn't go back down, that would be too dangerous as well. I felt trapped on the mountain. At the top of the mountain I saw my family and friends. I cried for help. Some of them who were very apt climbers heard me, and climbed down to where I was. They were taller than me, so that rock wasn't as big of a challenge to them, and they were able to help me climb up past that gap by one of them being behind me, securing me, and the other reached out from above to help pull me onto the large bolder. Once over that rock, we went on, and were able to safely reach the top of the waterfall where there was a nice ranger station, and all sorts of food, water and comfort.
I looked down from the top, I was proud of what I accomplished From the top it looked even bigger than it had when I started out.My friend that pulled me up was standing next to me, and I turned and said, "I climbed all of that?! And I only got help at that one rock?" What I had accomplished amazed me. I was pleased with what I had done, and that I hadn't died in the process.
At the same time, I felt an extraordinary sense of gratitude, I thanked my friends, without them, I could never have made it alone. My friends were also pleased that I had made it up alive. We went to the lodge and had a well earned rest and some hot chocolate.
It made me think of a General Conference talk by president Eyring one year ago, called "Mountains to Climb" Its a really really good talk, about how to handle trials in our life. There are many things he mentioned about how to strengthen our selves to find the strength to endure and overcome trials, but I think its significant, all along the reassurance he gives us that we are not alone. We have each other, friends, families, ward members, neighbors, angles round about us, but most importantly we have our Savior Jesus Christ.
Elder Eyring said "If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up.10 And He always keeps His word."
I feel like I am climbing some mountains right now, in life. I think many if not all of us are. I am happy with what I have been able to accomplish, but having been stuck at that rock, I know I cannot make it on my own, I am just not tall enough. No matter how hard I try, alone, I fall short. But, I also know, when I call for help it comes, in the form of friends, family, my ward, but most importantly the Savior and his Atonement. He really will always keep his word and help us out But, I have to humble myself and ask for help, I have to be willing to accept that help. If I pridefully continue to try to go it alone, I cannot make it.
The Lord does require enough humility that we ask for help. He says "Ask and ye shall receive, Knock and it shall be opened unto you." We are told he gives us weaknesses so that we "may be humble; and my
Its something to think about before Conference this weekend. I have a lot to learn about how to climb mountains, that was quite a dream. Check out Elder Eyrings talk. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/mountains-to-climb?lang=eng .
To all my friends, thank you for all your help in overcoming the large boulders in my life. Together, we can reach the top.
I love this! Thanks for sharing.
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