How to Keep Bearings to Avoid Spiritual Vertigo

"A World War II fighter pilot teaches youth some essential truths to fly by—and to live by."

The Duty to God Program follows the pattern:  Learn, Act & Share

Learn

Each part of [The Duty to God] book begins with a learning activity that helps the young men learn what Heavenly Father wants them to do and why it is important. When a young man knows the “why” behind his priesthood duties, the Holy Ghost inspires him to act, and his actions can increase his faith and testimony.

Parents, consider working on the learning activities with your son soon after he is ordained to a priesthood office. Ask your son to share with you what he is learning about fulfilling his duty to God.

Court Of Honor Coming Up....

On March 30th, parents and families are invited to participate in a Court of Honor.  We will recognize the activities and achievements the Scouts have made over the last three months Scouts finishing up merit badges and other advancements will need to complete and report their accomplishments by Spring Break.

♫Through the river and under the woods♫

Little did we know, as our journey to the Ape Caves peacefully began, the depth of the battle amongst mind, body and nature we would face. Did the wilderness-wise elk we passed on our drive towards the living volcano snicker under their breath with insight into our pending fate?

Slipping out to stretch our stiff legs in preparation for our hike to the cave entrance, the silence of the lonely mountain forest roared in our ears. Rain was our ceiling and snow our floor as the slippery walk warmed our muscles.

Scouts pose with lights out in the Ape Caves.

After a brief refueling we reached the ice-cold metal stairs which seemed to pull us into the depths of the hollow lava tube. Even the ice stalagmites that littered the ground of the entrance seemed to cower from the darkness. Guided by small beams of light through the tube, echoes of voices broke through the steady surround sound of water’s constant drip from above filling puddles below. How could water penetrate the seemingly solid, lava-sealed rock wrapped around us?

Looking down from a sturdy ledge in the Ape Caves

The true challenge began as towering piles of rock invaded our path--stretching the limits of our mental focus as we navigated over large boulders and dark pits. One must look ahead and not be foolish or hasty lest he finds himself trapped by his chosen path and he must backtrack in order to progress again. A prepared Scout’s rope lifted us over a stone-cold lava fall. Obstacle after obstacle—would we ever escape this cave that swallowed us whole?!....

This skylight gave us hope!

….Shortly after a being teased by a skylight in the ceiling we eventually reached hope: the welcoming site of stairs crawling up into welcoming light—to which we willingly climbed. A self-inflicted bombardment of flying snow helped us endure to the end of this peaceful, but self-lengthening, snowy trail back to the vehicles. Peaked in anticipation of the finish, our hearts sunk to see a flooded creek disabling the trail. Although already soaked by rain and frozen by snow, there was only one option. With varying degrees of dryness, we all made it over (or through) the swift water only to find another flooded stream to overcome. Pushing through our discomfort, we finally made it to the finish line!

Soaked to the bone, cold and tired we enjoyed the toasty ride home….filled with new knowledge, confidence and experiences revealed only through our adventure to the Ape Caves.