“Enduring to the end means being faithful to the end. This is not an easy task. It is intended to be difficult, challenging, and, ultimately, refining as we prepare to return to live with our Father in Heaven and receive eternal blessings.” Elder L. Tom Perry (“The Gospel of Jesus Christ” Apr 2008)

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of healing. Christ's triumph over death and sin mean that we, you and I, will eventually and can even now begin to be healed wholly. Is there any sick among you? Are any tired, weary, forlorn? Any lonely? Any needing repentance? Physically, emotionally and spiritually, He can and does heal us all, often by the hand of his servants, if we but let him. 

Christ taught by parable, by precept, through scripture, directly to those prepared, and by perfect example, always loving and inviting us to 'Come unto Him' and to repent and be healed. He reinforced these teachings with symbols; of bread and water, of lambs, rocks, salt, lamps, and seeds. He taught us to pray, to read and obey the scriptures, attend our meetings and fulfill our callings, to make and keep covenants, and to feel and follow the Spirit. We need to do the same in our homes with our families.

I am unsure as to why I felt to transcribe this journal and my final thoughts on trek in this fashion. For me it was a surprisingly spiritual experience, one that I hope was the same for those we shared it with. I admit to feeling a tiny bit jealous of my daughter as she described how she loved her trek family 'the best' but also see her reaction out of the corner of my eye as I pontificate on how great our trek family was, many of whom are her current classmates and friends. I feel the same feelings for both our trek family and their family(s) as I do for my own flesh and blood. I watch over and for them whenever they are near. My definition of 'family' has been expanded by this experience and hope to continue expanding it in all my callings. Do you love your neighbor? Do you know their names and worry over and for them? Do you watch and wait for them to turn the corner and wave hello just one more time? We do now .. 

The power of the devil is in 'flattery, and much power of speech', trying to convince us that good things are bad and that bad things are better, or at least 'ok'. His methods are many and varied, are pleasing to hear, but in the end they each attempt to convince us to choose a path away from the prophet, from the church, and from the 'iron rod' and from God. For some, he preaches 'all is well – no need to worry or rush, you can do it later', to others he whispers 'you are imperfect, you will never make it – it is best not even try', to some 'that sin is good or there is no sin and no devil', and to even others 'that the church or it's leaders have gone astray – you need to follow more modern ideas and a new path'. The intended effect of each of these many varied assaults is simply to halt us in our progress – to keep us from completing our part in His work.