Despite the added strain of walking on slippery packed snow, we kept going. We kept hoping the sun would grow warm enough to melt the snow. We kept hoping that each one of numberless bends in the trail would be the last before the lake. Hours passed. My legs were so shaky, by this time, I could ... Read More
Coming Down The Mountain – Part 3
About half way to the summit, there is a beautiful spot where most people pause to rest. It’s appropriately called “Emerald Lake.” Well, we weren’t even half way to the lake, when we found the trail covered with snow. I hadn’t expected snow and neither had any of the people who advised me that my ... Read More
Coming Down The Mountain – Part 2
At first the trail was pleasant enough, but the air continued to be quite chilly, even after the dawn began. We had every hope of the sun coming up and warming us. The view became more and more breathtaking, but I had to balance looking at it with looking at where I was placing my feet on the narrow ... Read More
Coming Down The Mountain – Part 1
I always thought going up a mountain was the hard part–the part that required lots of effort and lots of help. Then, two years ago, on an unforgettable October day, I learned what it means to humble myself and accept the grace of God to help me come down a mountain. It was early in the summer when ... Read More
“Oh, Besides Him”
One day I had the occasion to sit in on a Young Women lesson being taught by one of the Young Women. She was teaching a lesson on what the girls could do to avoid immorality. “So, what are some of the things we can do to keep ourselves morally clean?” she asked the class. There was a long silence. ... Read More
“Surfer Girl”
I know that thismorning is two words, not one, but I don’t ever seem to know it in the middle of writing it. Lots of things are like that for me. I can teach it, sing about it, pray about it, write about it, see it in the lives of others ancient and modern, but when it comes right down to life, my ... Read More
“Honesty is the Best Policy” What an Understatement! – Step 1
Honesty Because It’s No Secret, Not Really Our Bishop is a law enforcement officer, a sheriff. On Sunday he talked to the youth about the preliminary testing he does to see if someone is under the influence of a drug. Sometimes people lie about their sobriety, but he can tell if someone is sober ... Read More
“Come, Come Ye Saints” – The Tool of “Likening”
Learning to “liken,” the scriptures unto myself, as Nephi calls it, has been a huge blessing in my life. When I liken I look for something in the verse or scripture story that has to do with me. As I read along I prayerfully ask questions, and then write down those thoughts that come into my mind. ... Read More