On Target Letter of
Elder Rex D. Pinegar
LDS Young Mens General Presidency

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The First Quorum of the Seventy
47 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
July 16, 1988

Dear Varsity Team and Coach,

Today you have met the challenge of climbing to a mountaintop.  The Young
Men Presidency of the Church commend you for this accomplishment.  There are
many others who have taken a lower road and have denied themselves forever
the feelings you are now able to enjoy.

On one occasion a noted mountain climber who had just conquered Mount 
Everest was asked who decided which ones from the expedition would stand on
the top of Mount Everest.  Dr. David Dingman, of the American Expedition,
seemed to ignore the question and went on with his discussion.  The 
question was repeated with added emphasis, "Dr. Dingman, I think that is an
important question!"

Dr Dingman turned to his inquiring friend and responded, "Allen, I not only
think it is an unimportant question, but I think it is a stupid question. 
I wouldn't expect it to come from you, knowing that you are well aware of
the rigors of climbing.  But since you insist, let me tell you what it is 
like climbing at an altitude in excess of 25,000 feet.

"One, you are always cold.  You cannot get warm.  When most people are cold
they want to stop climbing.  There are a few people in the world that have 
enough control when they are that cold to keep climbing.

"Two, you are sick.  You body just does not function well at that altitude.
You can't get enough oxygen and you develop chemical imbalances.  Most 
people, when they are sick, want to stop climbing.  A few people in the
world have enough control to keep going even when they are sick.

"Three, you are always tired.  You do not think in terms of distances, you
think in terms of one step at a time.  When most people are that 
excruciatingly tired, they want to stop.  There are a few people in the 
world that have enough control when they are that tired to keep climbing.
Only a few continue.  Allen, nobody else chose who got to the top, THEY
CHOSE!"

The struggles in life are like climbing a mountain.  Only you can choose
whether or not you will climb over these trials.  Only you will decide
whether you will have the determination and courage to remain in control.
You will decide if you are among the few who will face inconvenience (cold),
sickness, fatigue and other personal obstacles with faith (control) to keep
going toward those goals the Lord has set for you.  You, like the climbers
of Everest, are individually facing decisions which will determine the
direction your life will take.

We encourage you, even plead with you, to keep ON TARGET!  Keep your mind
and heart focused upon the eternal consequences of your decisions.  The Lord
will bless faithfulness in obeying His commandments with happiness and
success.

When you are "cold", or not as excited about service as you would like to be,
remember that only a few have the control to "keep climbing".  When you are
"sick", and your body is craving for that which it should not have or is
resisting the demands of "extra-mile" effort in doing right, remember that
only a few have the control to "keep going".  And, when you are "tired", 
when the routine of life lacks excitement, when the call to service brings
a sudden fatigue, remember that only a few "continue".

We think you are among the "few".  You who bear the Priesthood of God are
the few among His sons to carry forth His power and authority to the blessing 
of His children.  When you continue to faithfully fulfill His assignments
and seek to worthily obtain the Melchizedek Priesthood, to go on a mission,
marry in the temple, and dedicate your life to serving in His kingdom on 
earth, you are ON TARGET.  You are climbing the mountains of life with the
assurance of success.  May the blessings of faithfulness always be with 
you, our beloved YOUNG MEN.

Faithfully yours,

Elder Rex D. Pinegar
Counselor
Young Men Presidency