When we are rock climbing there are a lot of things we do to minimize risk while achieving our goal. There are support systems that were established many decades ago and proven thousands of times by as many different climbers. We use specially made ropes, harnesses, anchors and gear that allow us to get to places we never could otherwise. After many climbs a pair of climbers working together, alternating as leader and belayer, can develop a tight bond, anticipating each other’s movements and needs, how much slack to give and take up, and understanding the challenges the other will face.

In life we are also provided a support system. If followed correctly this one guarantees our ability to reach the top despite all the challenges and falls that may occur. This life support system is built on faith in Jesus Christ.

Faith, like a climbing rope, holds us up if we make a mistake. It keeps us from falling too far and prevents serious injury. If we do fall it can still sometimes hurt. There is still work to be done to make it back up to where we want to be, as it is with repentance. Jesus is our belayer, providing the anchor of our faith, giving us guidance and instructions as we make the climb. Repentance has been made available to us by the savior, through our faith in him. Just as we trust the rope and belayer to arrest our fall, we can trust that Jesus Christ has saved us from the fall and will save us again and again if we continue to exercise faith in him. There are also other people, organizations and things that act as anchors and protection and we should use them just as we would on a climb. The church, prayer, scripture study, and service are anchors of our faith. Without the rope and anchors a serous fall could become unrecoverable.

The safety system of climbing even includes communication. When a climber and belayer begin, the climber will ask,

“on belay?”

To which the belayer responds when ready, “belay on”.

Then the climber will acknowledge by saying, “climbing”

and the belayer responds, “climb on”.

Though it may seem redundant to say especially after spending so much time climbing together, this practice helps ensure that we don’t become too comfortable with our position. Being too comfortable and relaxed can lead to dangerous mistakes. How is this like faith?

“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion” - Amos 6:1

If we stop actively exercising our faith, we become complacent and it becomes easy to overlook the small mistakes that eventually have significant impacts on our life. A harness not tightened, a carabiner not locked, a worn-out sling, a missing helmet, can introduce small but potentially dangerous risks. A skipped prayer, unused scriptures, social media distractions, addicting substances, may each be small and feel insignificant in turn but represent breaks in the secure system. It helps to have others around us to communicate our faith with regularly, even if feels redundant, to help us avoid every risk.

I have had many opportunities to introduce people to climbing. On occasion there are some who are unable to overcome the fear that can control their movements to the point that they nearly become stranded, stuck in place and unable to move. Despite the very reliable safety system that has been established, despite having watched others successfully ascend and descend, despite all the guarantees and encouraging words that are given, some just cannot move. Fear prevents them from exercising faith. This is a fear that is difficult to understand by those watching. The watchers might even yell, “just do it, it’s not that bad, I did it!” which only serves to make the stuck climber even more nervous, becoming more self-conscious. Eventually some are able to make tiny steps and little by little they are able to move. Then there are the very few who would not move until someone else is right next to them practically moving their hands and feet for them. But is this not also the way we observe the exercise of faith? Those who have the confidence to move, those who doubt but still try, and those who will not try at all. Whether though fear of discomfort, uncertainty, or lack of knowledge, some are unable to move without help. Jesus Christ is the perfect leader. As his disciples we are called to help belay others through life by giving instructions, building the systems he has revealed to us, and sometimes by reaching out to take the hand of someone who has become stuck.

I hope that by writing this, it is my way of saying to you “belay on”, may this also be an anchor to your faith.

The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace

Elder Richard G. Scott, October 2006