False Summits

Any experienced hiker knows that they should always expect a false summit or two when they hike a mountain.  A false summit is a point along a mountain route that appears to be the summit but, upon reaching it, reveals that the true summit is still farther away.  When a person encounters a false summit, it is easy for them to become discouraged–especially when they realize that they must travel a lot further to get to the top. It is sometimes so disheartening, that people often forget their goal and choose to turn around instead.

If you think about this scenario, you realize that it happens quite often in life when we think we are done with a difficult task only to learn that we have much more to do. I think of this sometimes when I see people post on social media their thoughts about their faith journey as if they have completed it. Some people post about discovering God with a new understanding such as when they enter the waters of baptism.   Others post about leaving religion and God because they have not received the answers from heaven in their appointed time frame.  Regardless of where we might find ourselves on our faith journey,  I don’t believe that it is a journey that has an end until we see God face to face.  Until then, there will always be a summit looming above us on our faith journey because we will always lack some knowledge. This is what is referred to as the veil that separates us from God. Because of this, we may become discouraged and tired so we are tempted to proclaim the end of our journey as if this will bring us relief, when in fact, it only stagnates our progress. Rather than seeking a point of termination, we need to accept and become comfortable with the incomplete picture and have faith that someday we will know the truth of all things as we move forward. We should focus and build upon what we already know, which is our foundation of truth and not upon our doubts or fears which may cause us to retreat at a false summit.

This process of learning is described in 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  

12 For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

As described in the scripture, if we choose to stop learning about God, then our understanding of Him will remain immature like a child’s understanding. It is as if we choose to turn around at a false summit.  Rather than being content with this basic knowledge, we are encouraged to ‘put this away’ and to continually move forward and build upon our learning so that we can develop a more mature understanding of God.  As we learn line upon line or as stated in the scripture, in ‘parts,’ we are assured the promise that someday when we move beyond the veil, we will eventually know God as well as he knows us today.  Learning about God and how we can reach the true and spectacular heavenly summit is the purpose of life. 

Here are some more scriptures that invite us to move forward with our faith journey.

Ether 12:6 

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Isaiah 40:5 

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together”: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.