Skiing the Black Diamonds
By Christian Merrill, President of the Auburn California Stake
I grew up in northern Utah surrounded by world-class ski resorts, where every car driving by had a license plate with the slogan: “Greatest Snow on Earth.” So as an adult as I got to know someone, it wasn’t uncommon to hear the question: “How’s the skiing?”
That was always an awkward question to answer.
I can put on gear, strapping on clunky boots and gloves, and step into skis. I love to ride the lift to the top of the run. The view from up there is spectacular. Everything would be awesome if I could then walk back at a leisurely pace, but it doesn’t work that way. Once you get off the lift it’s all downhill from there.
Depending on the conditions it’s long stretches of deep powder where if you lose a ski you may dig for hours to find it, or maybe it’s ice where no amount of ‘snow plow’ technique seems to make any difference. Moguls bounce you every-which-way and threaten to send you sprawling. And there are people everywhere. People who don’t seem to understand that if I’m flying straight toward them it’s because I honestly don’t know how to turn or stop without killing both of us.
So you see, “How’s the skiing?” was an awkward question to answer.
“You have to be on a slope to learn”
It isn’t uncommon to mistakenly assume that just because we grew up in a particular environment that was rich with opportunity, that we actually acquired the skills. We still have to learn. That takes practice. I can probably count the times I’ve actually been skiing on one hand.
Practice makes all the difference. And there is a limit to what you can learn about skiing on level ground. You have to be on a slope to learn.
As we’ve been experiencing the last little while, life isn’t flat. It can’t be if we are to learn how to:
Be obedient to eternal laws
Sacrifice
Love God and all His children
Respect the gift of a mortal body and the powers that come with it
Dedicate ourselves fully to building our Heavenly Father’s kingdom
The only way to make these qualities part of our nature is to practice them in a variety of circumstances that help us see how they work. The primary difference when you ski over a mound between getting some air or a face plant is the skills you’ve acquired in going over lesser bumps.
Set personal goals in four areas
As a part of life on this earth you will need to practice navigating moguls in every aspect of your life: spiritual, social, physical, intellectual. Set personal goals in each of these areas.
Please seriously consider how you can follow the example of the Savior and increase “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Then lead out in setting a direction for your life. Don’t wait for someone or something else to decide this for you.
When things don’t go the way you expected
Sometimes the things we plan don’t work out the way we expected. That’s OK. It’s part of the learning process. When I get off the ski lift, I’m planning to somehow get back to the lodge. That doesn’t mean it won’t take longer than I thought.
When we find ourselves halfway down the mountain sprawled on our back with a mouthful of snow, let’s not lie there hoping for the ski patrol to call in a helicopter, or wishing for spring. Let’s take the annoyances in stride, get back up, brush ourselves off and keep moving.
It’s all worth it
While I’m clearly not an expert, the rush of a perfect downhill run is exhilarating. It can be laugh-out-loud perfect to see the beautiful landscape zip by, the light spray of powdery snow, and the tingle in the pit of your stomach as you descend. Even at the end of a perfect day when muscles are sore and you’re bone tired, it was still worth it for the fun we had.
This life is for learning. It is also for laughter and for love. Jump in and go for it – and go for it with faith. Believe Christ. He is the creator of this earth and the Savior of all mankind. He knows how to overcome anything this world can put in your path. Talk with Him in prayer and then listen for the quiet promptings that come. Christ is more powerful than anything you will have to face or overcome. Generally He will not remove the obstacles, but He will teach you how to ski and point out the dangers you should avoid so that you can navigate with confidence. In the days ahead if you will trust Him, He will teach you how to ski the advanced black diamond trails.