Give Me This Mountain

This year on a river rafting trip my ward's theme was, "Give Me This Mountain." Ever since that trip, I haven't been able to get those words out of my head. I think the words have struck me so much because it seems like everywhere I turn there are obstacles and challenges that seem too overwhelming and too daunting.

As I was reading about Caleb who spoke these words, I found that he was sent to scout for the Israelites after they had been brought out of bondage from the Egyptians. After scouting for land, all of the scouts but Caleb and Joshua brought back a depressing report of how they couldn't inhabit the land because of the walled cities and Anakims, who looked like giants. After hearing this news, the Israelities did not dare go into the land, they didn't have the faith. And so forty-five years passed, until there was a new generation that would go down into the land. This task still seemed daunting and Caleb was now 85 years old. However with full confidence he requested to go down into the land saying, "Give me this Mountain." I love those words, because Caleb had such trust in the Lord that he was ready for whatever challenge came before him, whether it was big or small.

As I've been working on applying these words in my life, I thought of a recent hiking trip I went on with a friend up a mountain he had described as being inhabited with huge boulders. I found that he had exaggerated quite a bit, but it was still tiring and steep at times. However, once we reached the waterfall, my mind forgot all of that work, and I sat moved by the beauty and peace up there. We then turned and moved to a place overlooking the Salt Lake Valley. Once again I was moved by the view. As I sat there, I pondered on the huge mountains in our lives, the power to triumph, and the beauty in and after the climb. I've come to understand that our Heavenly Father has not left us alone to conquer our challenges. This gives me the courage to say, "Give me this mountain."