I have hiked to the “Y” in Provo about 4 times in my life. The first time I hiked it I was 10 years old with a BYU ward that my Dad was the Bishop over. I remember it being really fun and laughing and talking with the college students the whole way up.
So a few years ago Ryan and I took the family on the “Y” hike. It was a lot harder than we thought but we were prepared with water, snacks, and a lunch. The kids had cousins with them so they encouraged each other on.
The next time we went the kids knew what to expect, but were still excited to go on the hard hike. We had water and starbursts to eat once we reached each of the 11 switchbacks – those were the motivators to keep us going.
This last Labor Day 2010 – we spent a couple of days in Midway. On our way home we still wanted to do something else. Ryan saw the “Y” on the mountain and suggested hiking it again. There were some moans and groans, and one or two “Okays”. So we decided to do it even if the majority had a bad attitude. All we had was one water bottle – no motivator treats and Andrea was told she had to hike the whole way without being carried once.
I reflected on this experience as I prepared this lesson in that there are many ways to learn from this experience. We can all be on the straight and narrow path, but we still encounter steep hills and discouragement. There was one point that Reed stopped by some trees in the shade. I stayed with him for a minute, but then encouraged him to get up and keep going. This didn’t work so I left him. I was about half way up the switchback and he still wasn’t coming. I yelled down to him to come. He finally started staggering up the hill. I made it up the switch back where the rest of the family was waiting. Isaac saw Reed was struggling so he ran down to where he was and encouraged him to keep going. The hike seemed to go a little bit more smoothly after that and the attitudes were a lot more positive, thanks to Isaacs sincere example of encouragement.
I know that here on Earth our Father in Heaven and Savior are here to lift us up and help us when we are ready to give up. I wasn’t going to drag Reed up the mountain he had to decide for himself not to give up. Once he decided to keep going then Isaac was there to help – just like our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to come to him.
As we headed back down we could go a lot quicker, but if we weren’t careful then we would slip and fall on the rocks. In life we can be going along thinking everything is great, but if not staying close to the Lord then we are more likely to fall into temptation and be brought down. We also need to remember that we shouldn’t run faster than we are able. We need to slow down and stay in control.
Attitude also made such a difference in our hike. The first three hikes I went on we all had a positive attitude and the hike didn’t seem so bad. But a negative attitude on the last hike made it miserable until we decided to change our attitude. Andrea was a great example in that her little legs made it to the top without being carried and she stayed positive by saying hi to people we passed. Also not having motivator treats we had to look inward to motivate ourselves.
On the path of life we are blessed to have the Iron Rod – the word of God to hang on to. (I demonstrated this by having all the little kids hold hands and then Ryan as Satan tried to pull the kids away).
We are so blessed to have the Iron Rod to hold on to as we follow the straight and narrow path. As we encounter the many hills, and times of discouragement, we need to look at these “speed bumps” as opportunities to grow versus challenges that slow us down. Sometimes these opportunities (challenges) appear to never end. If we are patient and just “Hold On” for one more day keeping a positive attitude, giving thanks for even a small and simple thing then we will “endure well” and be able to be an instrument in the Lords hands and bless the lives of others
I have had the saying of “Hold On” as my motto throughout my life. When I was 12 my Dad died – even though I had so much faith, I found it was harder to “hold on”. So I am so grateful for a family that held on through teaching me the Word of God. I am especially thankful for a ward that helped me “hold on”. Grandpa Doug was one of those that helped me as he was my Bishop.
As the teenager years came – I continued to focus on “holding on for one more day because things will go your way”. I struggled with friends that were making wrong choices and started seeking out better friends. I focused on talents and getting involved. I am so grateful for many earthly angels that helped me and continue to help me hold on in times of hardship. I am also grateful for a Heavenly Father that loves me and is continually sending angles to watch over me and help me to “hold on” because someday I want to have eternal life and be reunited with all of my loved ones.
Even though trials come I am grateful to have a testimony that Heavenly Father loves each of us and is mindful of our situations – he just wants us to “Hold On”.
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