How to hike rim-to-rim

I recently accomplished a big goal on my bucket list. Hike the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. Not only did I accomplish this great feat, but I did it in one day. The Park Service discourages people from attempting this, online I read several warnings "Do not hike this in one day". But with strong legs, a strong will, and most importantly, lots of water, I succeeded. It's common knowledge that water is vital to our survival. As a hiker, I've known it's important to stay hydrated. I get ornery when I'm dehydrated and don't have as much energy. Knowledge became more of a reality on this epic hike where I learned to drink as much as you can, especially at the beginning. So before we even started the hike, I drank 2 liters. I was also taught to not worry about rationing your water. We were told "Better to run out and already have it in your system, then to have extra at the end and be dehydrated." The wonderful thing about the Grand Canyon is that there are several places along the way where you can fill up with water. Our goal became to drink all of our water by the time we came to the next faucet. I wasn't very thirsty on the way down the canyon, and I probably wouldn't have hydrated myself had it not been for the wise leader of the group. I could have thought to myself "I've already had a lot of water, I don't need more." But, we knew the hike ahead would be long and hard, so we did all we could to prepare ourselves. In the scriptures we are taught that Christ is the "living water" and He invites all to drink of His water. But how do we partake of the Living Water? First we have to know what the living water is. When Nephi asks the Lord for the interpretation of his father's dream, he sees the fountain of living water and is told that it is a "representation of the love of God". To me, the love of God has everything to do with the atonement. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The atonement, like water, gives life. To drink living water is to apply the atonement in our lives. Not just when we need to repent of wrongdoing, but also to give us strength to become better. The more we strive to become like the Savior; to have our thoughts and actions be one with His, the more we allow his "water" into our system. We are also taught in the scriptures to "Seek the Lord early." That means now. We know life is going to have its ups and downs. Drink now and fill up as often as you can. The fill up stations might be compared to times when we fill up with the spirit. It could be a full-time mission, getting your endowment. Or even seemingly smaller things- a trip to the temple, General or Stake Conference, Sacrament Meeting, a good scripture study. Then rely on the water you've got in your pack. Live the gospel and the principles you've been taught. Doctrine and Covenants 63:23 reads, "My commandments shall be a well of living water".It does absolutely no good to have a camelback full of water and to not to drink of it. Likewise, we should be trying to find ways to apply what the spirit's teaching us to our everyday life. By doing this we're allowing the water to fill us. I was about two miles away from the top of the canyon when I came to the last place to fill up water. I was tired from walking all day, but I was hydrated and I didn't want to stop my momentum. I knew if I stopped to get water it would take me a little longer to start hiking again. I also figured that I had enough water in my pack to make it to the top. That was a mistake. About ten minutes later I ran out of water. Luckily I had enough water in my system to keep me hydrated. My mouth would get so dry and I craved water. I had an apple in my pack, but I wasn't hungry and an apple didn't sound appetizing. I finally gave in and grabbed the apple. It didn't satisfy me nearly as well as water would have. I would take a bit, suck out all of the juices. When they were all gone, I had the meat of the apple left. Usually I love apples, but that pulp was so dry and not fun to eat. I wonder if that's what it's like to not have the fullness of the gospel. Many churches preach the gospel, but don't have it in its purest form. Members are still nourished with liquid, but it's harder to get out and not as satisfying. I am glad I had that apple to sustain me to the top, but I'm more grateful I had wise leaders who taught to hydrate early and hydrate more often than you think.