Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Life isn't always easy. At some
point in our journey we may feel much as the pioneers did as they crossed Iowa-up
to our knees in mud, forced to bury some of our dreams along the way. We all face
rocky ridges, with the wind in our face and winter coming on too soon. Sometimes
it seems as though there is no end to the dust that stings our eyes and clouds our
vision. Sharp edges of despair and discouragement jut out of the terrain to slow our
passage. ... Occasionally we reach the top of one summit in life, as the pioneers
did, only to see more mountain peaks ahead, higher and more challenging than the
one we have just traversed. Tapping unseen reservoirs of faith and endurance, we,
as did our forebears, inch ever forward toward that day when our voices can join
with those of all pioneers who have endured in faith, singing, `All is well! All is
well!"' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 82; or Ensign, May 1997,61).