After telling of a recent trip he took to the majestic Teton Mountains in Wyoming, Elder Jack H Goaslind of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke of reaching a spiritual mountaintop - a testimony of Jesus Christ.

In the Saturday morning session, Elder Goaslind said, "In our own lives, in our daily work-a-day world, we can create our own `mountaintop experience' so unique and personal that I wonder why more of us do not readily do so." Then he added, "Just as we can stand on the top of any great mountain and experience an awe-inspiring panorama, I believe we can stand in our own places and experience overwhelming awe in knowing that the Savior, in an act of love which defies mortal understanding, gave His life in taking upon Himself our pain and suffering."He reminded listeners that the scriptures talk of the Lord using mountaintops as sanctuaries to reveal truths to His prophets. Then he said: "Today the Lord provides us with ample space which, in a personal way, becomes our own spiritual mountaintop where we receive truth and inspiration." Those can be received through scripture study, the instruction and ordinances received in the temples, general conferences and other reports of prophetic utterances, and sacrament meetings and stake conferences, he pointed out.

He called a testimony of Jesus Christ "one of the great untapped sources of direction in our lives today."

As an example, he talked of parents teaching their children the lessons of the gospel and said, "If these lessons are learned through the Spirit, taught under the influence of a strong testimony of the atonement of the Savior, they are taught and learned in an atmosphere of love and trust that goes a long way in ensuring they will be retained.

"When we teach an eternal truth to our children and don't explain it in the context of a firm testimony of the Savior," continued Elder Goaslind, "we miss the power of the example of the greatest teacher the world has ever known."

Many are comfortable with their level of obedience, being "compatible with others on our plateau partway up the mountain," Elder Goaslind remarked. "We like the scenic ledge where we have all the `do's and don'ts' under control. We need to learn - and then teach - that we are obedient to the laws and principles of the gospel because of our belief, our knowledge, our testimony, and our faith in Jesus Christ."

Satan does not want us to reach a spiritual mountaintop, Elder Goaslind warned, but added, "We have every confidence that earth and hell will not overtake you, but it will require that you move from your current plateaus and climb to higher ground."