On Target Letter of
Elder Rex D. Pinegar
Quorum of the Seventy
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The First Quorum of the Seventy
47 East South
Dear Varsity Team and Coach,
Today you have met the challenge of climbing to a
mountaintop. The Young Men Presidency of
the Church commends you for this accomplishment. There are
many others who have taken a lower road and have denied themselves forever the
feelings you are now able to enjoy.
On one occasion a noted mountain climber who had just
conquered
the
top of
Dr Dingman turned to his
inquiring friend and responded, "Allen, I not only think it is an
unimportant question, but I think it is a stupid question. I wouldn't expect it
to come from you, knowing that you are well aware of the rigors of
climbing. But since you insist, let me
tell you what it is like climbing at an altitude in excess of 25,000 feet.
"One, you are always cold. You cannot get warm. When most people are cold they want to stop
climbing. There are a few people in the
world that have enough control when they are that cold to keep climbing.
"Two, you are sick.
You body just does not function well at that altitude. You can't get
enough oxygen and you develop chemical imbalances. Most people, when they are sick, want to stop
climbing. A few people in the world have
enough control to keep going even when they are sick.
"Three, you are always tired. You do not think in terms of distances, you think
in terms of one step at a time. When
most people are that excruciatingly tired, they want to stop. There are a few people in the world that have
enough control when they are that tired to keep climbing. Only a few
continue. Allen, nobody else chose who
got to the top, THEY CHOSE!"
The struggles in life are like climbing a mountain. Only you can choose whether or not you will
climb over these trials. Only you will
decide whether you will have the determination and courage to remain in
control. You will decide if you are among the few who will face inconvenience
(cold), sickness, fatigue and other personal obstacles with faith (control) to
keep going toward those goals the Lord has set for you. You, like the climbers of Everest, are
individually facing decisions which will determine the direction your life will
take.
We encourage you, even plead with
you, to keep ON TARGET! Keep your mind and
heart focused upon the eternal consequences of your decisions. The Lord
will bless faithfulness in obeying His commandments with happiness and success.
When you are "cold", or not as excited about
service as you would like to be, remember that only a few have the control to
"keep climbing". When you are
"sick", and your body is craving for that which
it should not have or is resisting the demands of "extra-mile" effort
in doing right, remember that only a few have the control to "keep going". And, when you are "tired", when the
routine of life lacks excitement, when the call to service brings a sudden
fatigue, remember that only a few "continue".
We think you are among the "few". You who bear the Priesthood of God are the
few among His sons to carry forth His power and authority to the blessing of
His children. When you continue to
faithfully fulfill His assignments and seek to worthily obtain the Melchizedek
Priesthood, to go on a mission, marry in the temple, and dedicate your life to
serving in His kingdom on earth, you are ON TARGET. You are climbing the mountains of life with
the assurance of success. May the
blessings of faithfulness always be with you, our beloved young men.
Faithfully yours,
Elder Rex D. Pinegar
Counselor
Young Men Presidency
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