In my front yard are nearly three feet of snow.  My neighbor, who has faithfully measured each snowfall, tells me that we have received a total of 63 inches.  It is beautiful, and it has been a welcome answer to prayers for relief from drought.

But the blessing of snow has also brought challenges.  A challenge that has presented itself multiple times this winter is that of closed freeways.  Twice, because of a closed freeway, my wife and I were prevented from making our weekly one-way, 142-mile trip to the Boise Temple to work our assigned shift.  On another occasion we were unable to return home, and were forced to spend the night in a motel.

Now, before leaving for the temple, we always check the weather forecast and the status of the freeway.  Frequently we see the notice:  “Freeway closed.  Use alternate route.”

The fact of the matter is, there is no alternate route.  Eastern Oregon, where I live, is a mountainous area pockmarked by beautiful valleys where everyone lives.  There is generally one main route leading into and out of each valley.  There might be less-developed and less-traveled byways, but we can always be sure that if the main road is closed by snow, weather, or hazardous conditions, then the byways will surely be infinitely worse, and probably impassable until spring.

The gospel as administered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the freeway leading back to the presence of God.  There is no alternate route.  Many people spend their lifetimes looking for an alternate route, but there is none.

“I am the way,” Jesus said.  “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  (John 14:6).

Nephi assured us that “...there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.”  (2 Nephi 31:21).

A  man may follow the convoluted routes laid out by Mohammad, Buddha, popes, or by the various denominations that make up the great and abominable church; but every one of them ends at a road block.  There is only one strait and narrow way, and “it lieth in a straight course before (you).”  (2 Nephi 9:41).  The only road blocks thereon are those erected by ourselves, or by those around us who would like to divert us to alternate routes.

Though the signs say, “Take alternate route,” there is no alternate route to get us back to the presence of God, any more than there is an alternate route to get me from Baker City, Oregon to Boise, Idaho.