Today we climbed cliffs from bottom to top to visit the monasteries built on top in the 1300s.

The first one had some 337 stairs to get up.

We stopped counting after that.

It takes great effort to get up to the monasteries with many winding stairs and passageways.

But when you do the views are unbelievable.

Indescribable.

Mount Olympus, Rome Italy Temple

Also indescribable.

Churches, temples and monasteries are often at the top of the hill or mountain.

We have to try really hard to get to God

But do I believe that?

The image of Heavenly Father being far away and hard to reach does not feel like Him

Perhaps He isn’t just on the mountaintops, but all around us.

Perhaps going up the mountain is for us because it can be difficult to push away the distractions of the world

We need to go up to the mountain to to feel Him

Whether that mountain be the real rock or the mountain of the temple.

Sometimes going to the temple feels uphill. Something always comes up, it takes determination.

It takes a lot of effort to climb the hill.

But it’s not near as strenuous to go back down into regular life and the world.

Perhaps these sacred spaces are built on mountains not only because of the sure foundation

But because of the way they are physically above and separated from the world.

Perhaps God knew our souls would need a break from the pull.

“Arise, and get ye into the mountain.” 1 Nephi 17:7

I’m going to the mountain

souvenir paralysis