Just Keep Paddling

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Hello beloved sisters and brothers,

What an exciting week we have had!  

On Sunday evening, Elder McKay Seiter of the Oak Hill Ward was set apart to begin his service as a full time missionary in the Germany Berlin Mission. Click here for more information.

Upcoming Events

• Ward Conference - Morningside Ward 6/25/23

• Rising Generation Devotional 6/25/23

• Talking Faith Youth Discussion 6/25/23

• Old Testament Tabernacle opens 6/27/23

• Old Testament Tabernacle Host Date 6/28/23

• Stake Girls Camp 7/11-14/23

• Old Testament Tabernacle closes 7/16/23

• Oakcrest Camp for Young Women 7/31-8/4/23

Talking Faith 

Every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 3 pm in the stake center Relief Society room there is a group discussion specifically for youth called “Talking Faith”.  Hosted by Julie and Ron Henricksen, this discussion time is meant to help youth explore and ask questions related to church doctrine, teachings, and practices.  We encourage all youth in the stake to attend and invite friends.

The Old Testament Tabernacle Experience

Beginning on Tuesday, June 27 through Sunday, July 16, a full-scale replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle will be in our community for public tours (1510 Parliament Ave).  Click here for more information

Weekly Message: Just Keep Paddling

When I was 15 my brother, Dave, my cousins Bruce and Dan, and my Uncle Rex went with a group of scouts on a week long rafting trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the rugged mountains of central Idaho.

The snowfall that particular year and the warm temperatures of the spring had created very high water conditions which our expedition leader, Mr. Anderson, said would make for very unusual and dangerous conditions for our group of forty people on eight rubber rafts.  

We entered the river just below Dagger Falls.

The raft we were assigned was called the “Iron Rod” and the metaphor was not lost on us given the fact that this little 5-person raft would be the only thing between us and an icy, raging river for the next 5 days.  

Each day of the trip brought new vistas and new adventures.  There were rough rapids to be navigated, and small and large waterfalls to be avoided.  Each time there was a major obstacle or rapid, we would stop and scout from above to see how we needed to navigate.  

Following this pattern gave us the confidence we could make it through sections of the river that looked nearly impossible when viewed from the shore.

Over the course of several days, we became more proficient and confident that our little group in the Iron Rod raft could handle anything the river could throw at us.

On the final day of the trip, while scouting a challenging rapid, Mr. Anderson pointed out a large boulder in the middle of the river that had become the source of a massive wave as tall as our rafts were long.  Due to the water levels, there was no way to avoid this dangerous obstacle.  We would have to go up and over it one raft at a time.  

Mr. Anderson and his crew went first and successfully made it.  

This gave all of us a boost of confidence.  If they could make it, so could we?! 

Unfortunately, the next three rafts did not have the same luck as the first.  We watched as each one approached the wave, was carried up, and flipped, almost in slow motion, just as they reached the crest of the wave.  

Our confidence was evaporating quickly.  Our future seemed inevitable.

We were next. 

In a moment of clarity and inspiration, my cousin, Bruce, spoke encouragingly and calmly to each of us.  

“The only way we will get over that wave without capsizing is to paddle all the way up.  Lock your feet under the pontoons and paddle as hard as you can all the way up.  Just keep paddling till we are on the other side.”

We began our approach.

Just before we reached the base of the wave, Bruce began yelling for us to paddle as hard as we could.  I dug into the water with all my strength and paddled fast and hard.  We accelerated into the wave.  At one point, all I was paddling was air… as our raft was nearly vertical.  But the next stroke I hit water again and pulled as hard as I could.  

And then we crested the wave and went down the other side.  My uncle and brother almost fell into the water because our descent on the other side of the wave was so steep, but they managed to stay in the raft as we bottomed out on the downstream side.

We had made it!  The Iron Rod had made it!

We were surprised and exhilarated and ecstatic as we paddled to safety on the shore of the river. 

The next three rafts in our group all capsized so we went back out to help gather up people, paddles and rafts, etc.

On our way back home that evening and many times since I have reflected on that wave on the final day.  The only thing that had “saved” us, from the icy water was following Bruce’s inspired advice…”just keep paddling til we are on the other side”

There have been times in my life since that experience when I have faced what appeared to be insurmountable obstacles, threatening to overwhelm and overcome me.  I have felt lonely, discouraged, and afraid of what appeared to be an inevitable negative outcome.  

Yet, in those moments, I have felt an encouraging and calm voice whisper to me, 

“Just keep paddling til we are on the other side”.  

I have come to know that voice and trust it as I have passed through life’s twists, turns, and daunting waves of adversity.  

I offer my praise and gratitude and witness of a loving Savior and Father in Heaven who whisper to each of us through the Holy Ghost…

“Just keep paddling til we are on the other side”.

Nephi expressed his trust so beautifully…

My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. (2 Nephi 4:20,35)

May each of us, regardless of the obstacles we face, “keep paddling til we get to the other side”. 

I love you all. 

President Gardner