Mountain Moments

Have you ever been on a mountain top and looked out to see the view?  It's pretty incredible.  The air is fresh, the view is great, the world is so peaceful up there.  Life is full of "mountain" moments, and we always wish that we could stay at the top of the mountain forever.  We all know that we can't.  We eventually have to return to the somewhat repetitive routine of life.  We may even reach a "valley" moment where we have no view at all.  As much as we don't like the "valley" moments, they are a necessary part of life.

What makes the "mountain" moment so great?  What makes us appreciate the "mountain" moments so much?  Yes, it is a great view, and we do feel on top of the world, but it's the contrast of the "valley" moments that gives us the sense of awe in the "mountain" moment.  Lehi, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, talks about how what life would be without any contrasts.  "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things...wherefore [we] would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for [we] knew no misery; doing no good, for [we] knew no sin." (2 Nephi 2:11, 23). 

It's tough to swallow, but we really do need those tough times in life to enjoy the good times.  Each time we go down into the valley, we have an opportunity for a growing experience and once we reach that "mountain" moment, we will realize that it was all worth it.  May we all make those "mountain" moments into memories you'll never forget.