A number of years ago, my husband, two of our sons, and I traveled with several of our friends to southern Utah to hike Zions’ Narrows . It was necessary to go in September rather than in the summer because the Virgin River is not as high then. Our friend Steve, who organized this trip, told us to wear sturdy hiking boots, to bring lots of food in our fanny packs to keep our energy up, and to bring a walking stick. He said it wasn’t a difficult hike, but it was long.
Our group left our motel very early in the morning to get to the trailhead at first light. Steve was very watchful of the weather that morning for if rain was a possibility, that could mean very dangerous flash floods. A few rain drops did fall, but then the clouds cleared. It was indeed a beautiful fall morning and about a dozen or so of us started out on a very flat trail. I happily thought that this wasn’t going to be too hard.
As we progressed into the canyon, we found that the challenge of the hike was not in having to climb steep hills, but in keeping one foot going in front of the other, stepping from rock to rock in the river bed, and in finding sure footing as we crisscrossed the canyon hundreds of times. I fell at one point and in hitting a big rock gained a huge bruise on my hip.
The scenery was absolutely spectacular with the gorgeous red canyon walls rising hundreds of feet above us, and beautiful ferns, flowers, and trees around every bend. As the day wore on, I found I was getting a little tired—probably one of the things that added to this was the amount of food I carried in my fanny pack. I could have lasted 3 days on my supply! However, there was no turning back and keeping going was the only way out.
The hiking became harder as the water became deeper. We had to wade in water chest deep through the narrowest channels. The teenagers raced ahead and finished several hours before I did. But nine hours after we began and very, very tired, I reached the Narrows ‘ exit, having hiked sixteen long, yet satisfying, miles.
I was glad I for this experience because I succeeded at a challenging task, a new opportunity for growth. I could have chosen to sleep in at the motel and let the others hike, but I chose to increase my physical endurance. More than strengthening muscles, I gained new confidence because I had done something I had never done before. And I would have missed the unbelievable beauty of Zions’ Narrows —which could never be seen by car. Moreover, all of us hikers had a great bonding experience together.
We have in our home a beautiful white orchid plant, given to us several months ago. Although I gave up trying to grow house plants years ago, this orchid is actually thriving. I placed the plant on a ledge in the master bathroom and water it as instructed. Moisture from showers and light coming down through the skylight have provided good growing conditions for this tropical flower. Once closed buds are opening and numerous new leaves are emerging along the slender branches. This orchid exhibits a significant principle of nature: growth.
All living things are involved in the growth process; plants, animals—and humans—grow through divine design. Babies experience phenomenal growth during their first year as they learn to roll over, sit, stand, walk and especially to respond to their mothers, fathers, and siblings. The first five years of a child’s life are a crucial and remarkable developmental period, physically, intellectually, and socially. Children continue to grow physically until their mid- to late-teenage years. Other phases of growth, however, are not automatic.
Human growth entails more than just following a predictable pattern. Dwan J. Young, seventh general president of the Primary, said, “Only God’s children have the capacity to direct their own growth. This means that we can use this time on earth to bring optimum growth and development because we have the power to make choices. It’s not enough just to grow. Even the weeds and the biblical tares can do that. It is expected of us that we will shape our growth so that we will not be like Topsy in Uncle Tom’s Cabin who ‘just growed,’ but rather we will successfully negotiate the bumps and curves by enlarging upon our talents and disciplining ourselves.” 1
Sometimes we can choose the conditions to shape our growth, such as in choosing to train to run a marathon, choosing to learn to play a musical instrument well, choosing to seek a graduate degree, choosing to write a book, choosing to volunteer to help a needy group of individuals.
Conditions that also shape are growth come to us as callings from priesthood leaders. Often callings take us beyond our realm of comfort and experience, but we frequently hear the words, “I’m so grateful for this calling. I have grown so much.”
I was called as the Young Women president in our stake, having never served in Young Women. I was nervous and felt very inexperienced, yet when the stake president set me apart, he assured me that though I had been prepared in an unusual way, I had been prepared. When I was released five years later, I knew that I had been greatly blessed to receive this call, that I had had deeply spiritual experiences, had shared lots of laughter and fun times at camp, youth conferences, and activities, and that I had grown in ways I could not have anticipated.
Yet there are conditions that come unbidden that shape our growth, “those bumps and curves” of which Dwan Young spoke. Perhaps, they are the conditions that most influence our growth—if we choose to make them growing experiences.
A dear friend of mine has had lupus for thirty-five years and has had periods when she has felt quite good but other times has been very ill, even near to death. She said, “I haven’t enjoyed being sick, but I wouldn’t trade what I have learned.”
Other people I know have experienced extreme heartache through the death of a loved one, divorce, wayward children, unfulfilled expectations. Ardeth G. Kapp, who served as Young Women general president from 1984-1992, longed to have a dozen children—or even one. Though she and her husband earnestly prayed and fasted for years and sought the best medical help, the Kapps did not become parents. She said, “I don’t know how long it will be for others who have similar longings. For us it was years. But one day we did gain an eternal perspective, and we felt peace, not pain; hope, not despair. I would have liked so much to have received that insight years before, but I know that had that happened, I would have been deprived of the growth comes from being comforted by the witness of the Spirit after the trial of my faith.” 2
Some people, unfortunately do not choose to grow through adversity. They question “Why me?”, become bitter and angry, and curse God. How we respond to any situation, large or small, is a choice.
In his last conference talk, “Come What May, and Love It,” Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said that not only do we grow through adversity, how we react to it is a determining factor in our happiness and success in life. (See Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Come What May, and Love It,” Ensign, November 2008, 26-28).
Growth is a process and none of us are “finished” yet. The second prophet and President of the Church, Brigham Young, said: “[God] gives a little to his humble followers today, and if they improve upon it, tomorrow he will give them a little more, and the next day a little more. He does not add to that which they do not improve upon, but they are required to continually improve upon the knowledge they already possess, and thus obtain a store of wisdom.” 3
The Lord expects us and needs us to grow so that we can not only improve ourselves but also so we can help build His kingdom by being capable, faithful, spiritually mature people. He will also greatly bless us for choosing to grow: “Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.
“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” (D&C 121:7-8).
Notes
1 Dwan J. Young, Ensign (May 1982) 93.
2 Ardeth Greene Kapp, My Neighbor, My Sister, My Friend (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1990), 127-28.
3 ”Preparing for Eternal Progression,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 85.
