If You Could Hie to Kolob

This weekend I went to Zion, Kolob Canyon to be exact. My family and I were able to talk with rangers who were on the search and rescue team that found my brother's body. We were also able to visit the exact spot of where my brother's body was found. Some of you may think that I was crazy or insane to do this. During my drive down there, there were some times that I thought I was too. I knew it was going to be hard and challenging, but it was just something that I needed to do. It was somewhere where I needed to go. I needed to be there and that is all that I can say. This experienced allowed me to see and experiences some of the conditions that my brother faced as he was hiking, but it allowed me to spend time with my parents and to allow some of the healing that needed to take place. All I can say now is that Zion will always be a special place.

As I reflect upon this experience, the hymn, "If You Could Hie to Kolob" comes to my mind. The lyrics state my feelings and thoughts better than I can. 

1. If you could hie to Kolob
In the twinkling of an eye,
And then continue onward
With that same speed to fly,
Do you think that you could ever,
Through all eternity,
Find out the generation
Where Gods began to be?

2. Or see the grand beginning,
Where space did not extend?
Or view the last creation,
Where Gods and matter end?
Methinks the Spirit whispers,
"No man has found 'pure space,'
Nor seen the outside curtains,
Where nothing has a place."

3. The works of God continue,
And worlds and lives abound;
Improvement and progression
Have one eternal round.
There is no end to matter;
There is no end to space;
There is no end to spirit;
There is no end to race.

4. There is no end to virtue;
There is no end to might;
There is no end to wisdom;
There is no end to light.
There is no end to union;
There is no end to youth;
There is no end to priesthood;
There is no end to truth.

5. There is no end to glory;
There is no end to love;
There is no end to being;
There is no death above.
There is no end to glory;
There is no end to love;
There is no end to being;
There is no death above.

Text: William W. Phelps, 1792-1872