Mountains to Climb ~ High on the Mountain Top

A couple of weeks ago my family reunited in Idaho for our annual Poulsen reunion.  My wife and I were in charge of planning it this year.  We decided to have a theme, "High on the Mountain Top," and base the reunion around this idea.  We wanted each family member to come and go from our weekend together strengthened and uplifted in their testimony of Jesus Christ.  Without mom present physically this year we also wanted an eternal message taught to invite the Holy Spirit so we could feel her presence better too.  As we planned and discussed this idea we realized that each one of us face trials and challenges.  We know that Satan is real and as the world around us continues to accept evil practices and slip further into darkness and moral decay we must focus on rising above these things and anchoring our faith in Jesus Christ.  Without Him we are nothing and would not be able to make it through life's challenges.

Our morning began with all of the men driving to Alta, Wyoming to play a round of golf at Targhee Village.  It was a beautiful summer morning at the base of the Grand Tetons.  We always enjoy each others company swinging the clubs and reminiscing.  We joked around as usual and all tried to hit it consistently down the strait and narrow!  The women and children met us there a couple hours later and we headed to Grand Targhee Ski Resort where we rode the ski lift to the top of the mountain.  Once arriving at the top we had a nature tour, lunch, a spiritual devotional, and did some hiking and exploring.

Our spiritual devotional consisted of each father preparing a 3-5 minute talk on the following principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ: Raising our personal banner of righteousness, Jesus Christ's Example as a light to the world, Faith in Christ and Repentance, Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost, Preparing to enter the temple, Temple Marriage/Sealing, and Enduring to the End.

Alma 34:32-33

 32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

When a person stands atop a mountain top it is very easy to see for miles and have a knowledge of his or her surroundings.  It is easier to get a glimpse of the world around us when we've risen to new heights and can see life from a new perspective.  Each day is a climb through life's journey.  As we accept the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ and hold fast to what He asks us to do it becomes easier to endure day by day.  The holy temple symbolizes Christ and the climb to a higher spiritual plane where we can gain deeper understanding and knowledge concerning our purpose here in this life.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we feel blessed to have Christ's restored gospel back on the earth.  And because the Holy Ghost has witnessed of its truthfulness we have a deep desire to share it with others, so they too may find the peace and happiness we have found from its teachings.

Living a life in alignment with the Church of Jesus Christ and its standards is not easy in a world with differing opinions and opposing viewpoints.  Many family and faith values have been trampled on as Satan seeks to destroy these fundamental units of society. There is a spiritual war happening daily between good and evil.  If we are to live on the Lord's side we must hold up our banner of righteousness and Choose the Right.

Since my mother's passing from this life to the next, I have had a deeper desire to try a little harder and be a little better.  I have made a personal commitment to increase my personal righteousness.  I love and miss my mom daily.  I want her to be well pleased in my decisions and actions.  I want to stand atop the mountain a raise a banner of good news and share with others the joy I've found by living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 Today was a beautiful day from sunrise to sunset. Many of us joined to honor and celebrate the life of my beautiful mother, Jana Poulsen whom I love so dearly. I have missed her smile and presence all week as our family has been joined together. This is her favorite thing for us to do- get together. I am so grateful for the peace and spirit that has comforted my family and uplifted us. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is real and I've been a first hand witness of it all week. Thank you so much for the outpouring of love and concern, thoughts and prayers. It is truly a blessing and much needed. My moms funeral services were a beautiful tribute to her today and I know she is smiling down on us. I LOVE you, mom - you're the best and have left a strong legacy -goodnight. -Sept 6, 2014

A year has past since this original post...I am so thankful for good parents who raised me in a home full of love and support. My mother loves family and loved for all of us to be together. She wanted nothing more than for us to be happy and to love one another. She knew the gospel of Jesus Christ was the foundation of a happy and peaceful home. This picture represents her accurately as she always had a beaming smile. I am so grateful for her example to me to love the Savior, Jesus the Christ and to follow His teachings. The spirit of the Holy Ghost has comforted me and strengthened me over the past year. I miss her daily and long to reunite and see her again. Love you mom! ‪-#‎familesareforever‬ ‪#‎LDSFam4ever‬ ‪#‎family‬ ‪#‎mom‬
-Sept 6, 2015

 The hymn, "High on the Mountain Top," gives some great insight on God's word and work rolling forward to fill the ends of the earth.

1. 1. High on the mountain top
   A banner is unfurled.
   Ye nations, now look up;
   It waves to all the world.
   In Deseret's sweet, peaceful land,
   On Zion's mount behold it stand!
2. 2. For God remembers still
   His promise made of old
   That he on Zion's hill
   Truth's standard would unfold!
   Her light should there attract the gaze
   Of all the world in latter days.
3. 3. His house shall there be reared,
   His glory to display,
   And people shall be heard
   In distant lands to say:
   We'll now go up and serve the Lord,
   Obey his truth, and learn his word.
4. 4. For there we shall be taught
   The law that will go forth,
   With truth and wisdom fraught,
   To govern all the earth.
   Forever there his ways we'll tread,
   And save ourselves with all our dead.