Flowers and Rocks

This past weekend Elizabeth and I celebrated her 21st birthday by a light hike, a view, and dinner. We walked up Menan Butte, "R Mountain", located just outside of Rexburg. The trail up the hill side is full of amazing views and beautiful rock formations. The walk is steep but as Beth commented, "well worth it". It really isn't too tough. As we reached the summit of the butte we ascended to the top of some of the rocky overhangs and were captivated by the 360` view. There was a plaque dedicated to the explanation of how the rocky buttes that line Idaho's desert landscape had formed due to plate stretching below the Earth's surface. It is difficult to realize all the miracles that occur below the surface without true desire and effort. I suppose it is pretty difficult to bring the miracles to pass also.

Once on the summit, Beth and I began to look for where we would sit to relax and eat. She was the one who had noticed another, perhaps slightly smaller but just as awe inspiring, miracle. A small purple flower had penetrated the rocky foundation that its seed had been dropped in. It was blooming bright with color and seemed to be the only one around. Somehow, this lonesome flower had overcome all opposition and had grown to become a beautiful blossom amongst the rocky soil.
Soon we sat down to eat, I cooked Beth a steak dinner on my back-packing stove as her birthday dinner. I hoped desperately it would turn out well and she would realize how much she meant to me. Her and I had previously reflected upon our pasts and the obstacles we had overcome, together and individually. We reflected upon our gratefulness for all that we have. I was touched by her smile, her testimony and accomplishment that is seen through her eyes. The Light of Christ can shine through the countenance of a disciple just as that flower shined through the Earth's rocky surface. The faith that comes with such a disciple is sufficient to raise mountains, alter rivers, and split seas. It seems to me that some of us, all of us, are planted in the rocky soils of life and mortality. But, the purple flower on "R Mountain" stands as a reminder that we can overcome all obstacles and rise to a standard above Earthly Measure. I suppose the real purple flower of "R Mountain" is the Savior of the World. He overcame all things, His purple robe worn on Calvary stood as the bright color to the dark background, and He stands as the pillar of light reaching out to all who were planted in the rocky soil of mortality. "'Come unto Me,' the Savior said, then let us in His footsteps tread" (LDS HYMNS 116). "Behold, the Mountain of the Lord." (HYMNS 54)

High Mountain Experiences

This past weekend has been one of progression and time well spent - 10 hrs of sleep, 30 hrs of driving, 1 hour of reading the scriptures, 1 hour of high mountain experience, and an indeterminable amount of learning.

Time is something strange to me. The two of us are in a constant battle, unfortunately I often feel like time gets the best of me. I've striven diligently to find out how I can use my time more wisely and draw on the powers of Heaven to provide a way beyond my own ability. For example,

A man known as the brother of Jared needed to draw on the powers of Heaven as he reflected upon the need of how to get his people, a chosen people, across the ocean and to the Promised Land. He desired their joy and well being and pleaded with the Lord to give them light in enclosed barges as they traveled across the ocean. He went into a high mountain and chose 16 stones which were presented before The Great Creator to be touched and turned into sources of light. The Lord did touch them and as he did so the stones began to emit light. But more significantly, the brother of Jared received Light and Truth into His life, He saw the finger of the Lord. Sixteen stones changed his life and because of that effort all things pertaining to Eternal Life were revealed to him.

This past weekend as I sat on a high a mountain with two choice associates we reflected upon this story. I looked at sixteen stones and wondered what a few "random"stones could possibly represent and what caused the brother of Jared to pick out those certain ones. I looked out from that high mountain where we had sit ourselves and pondered. Perhaps there are a few stones that I need to present before the Lord. What sacrifice will I present before him? What attributes have I chosen to work on? What have I exercised faith in? How have I climbed the mountain of discipleship to bring myself into alignment with the teachings of Jesus Christ?

I sat on that mountain with Elizabeth, my fiancé, and pondered upon the steps we have taken taken toward Eternal Life, reality. Time, though seemingly limiting, is surely one of the great tools God has given His children that allows us to step forward, climb mountains, choose stones to present before Him, and recognize His hand in our lives.