Thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedules to gather here today in this devotional setting wherever you are. What a great privilege it is to be associated with you at this University. I have sought heaven's help in preparing today's message and invite the spirit to be with us. If you are taking notes, I would invite you to write down the thoughts, impressions, and feelings that come into your mind. Those impressions are from the Lord and are intended for you, and are more important than what I might say.
In order for you to better understand the message I have prepared, you need to know a little about my past. I grew up on a farm in southern Idaho and there learned not only to work hard, but to play hard as well. I also have a brother that is 15 months older than me. Because of our closeness in age we did everything together, and to keep us busy and out of trouble, my parents encouraged us to be involved in sports. Early on in my upbringing I found that I liked the feeling of accomplishment, the thrill of achieving my goals, and that I was pretty good in sports, especially running. I competed in track and field in high school, then for four years as a Decathlete throughout college, experiencing some success along the way. After graduating, I accepted an invitation to join the university where I have been able to help others achieve their own successes, both as a coach and as an administrator.
The sports industry is a big business and seems to always have a large fan base and media presence. Stories fill the air when an athlete or coach has made a mistake or done something wrong. With the media focusing on the bad, it would be easy to overlook and discount the good that can be learned from being involved in sports. While I have enjoyed the good that sports has to offer, I've also learned that, in and of themselves, sports really aren't all that important. But for me they were, because through sports I've learned some valuable life lessons. It doesn't matter what your major is, what you've chosen as a career, or what extracurricular activities you're involved in, application to the gospel can be found all around us if we choose to see it. Today I'd like to share five lessons I've learned through sports.
Lesson #1 - The Lord loves us and wants us to succeed
As a father, I want the very best for my children. I hurt when they hurt, I rejoice in their accomplishments, and I love them unconditionally. Just as I want what is best for my children, I know that as children of a loving Father in Heaven, He too wants what is best for us, and I testify He wants us to succeed.
Moses 1:39 states: "For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." We have come to earth to be tried and tested but the Lord will always provide a way when we are faithful.
When the Children of Israel were fleeing out of Egypt they were being pursued by the Egyptians who caught up to them on the banks of the Red Sea. In a state of panic and with nowhere to turn, the Children of Israel were complaining to Moses about the situation they found themselves in. Moses responded and taught them a powerful lesson; Said he:
"Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord...
"The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."[1]
Moses then parted the Red Sea and the Children of Israel crossed on dry ground.[2]
Another example comes from the Book of Mormon. The Jaradites were instructed to leave their land and go to a "land of promise ... which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people."[3] After reaching the sea they set up their camp and spent the next four years there, at last they were instructed to build some barges in which they would cross the sea. These barges were tight and did not have any light in them. The brother of Jared cried unto the Lord asking "wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?"[4] To which the Lord responded by asking the brother of Jared some questions, then sent him off to exercise his agency, or to act for himself. The brother of Jared went to a high mountain and "did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones"[5] and presented them to the Lord. Said he:
"I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness...that we may have light while we shall cross the sea."[6]
The Lord then touched the stones and made them shine so they would have light in their boats.[7]
In these stories we learn that the Lord will come to our aid in times of need, but not until there is a significant effort on our part or "after all we can do."[8]
Henry Marsh, a member of the Church, was a world class steeple chase athlete in the late 1970's and early 1980's. In an interview about his experiences he acknowledged the Lord in his success. He said:
"I definitely feel the Lord cares whether I win or lose, and I feel that He has had an impact on my racing career. I take the philosophy that you work as hard as if everything depended on you, and pray as if everything depended on the Lord. I think the Lord takes care of you if you prepare yourself so that he can and if you put him first in your life. If you do these things, he can enlarge you so that you can do more than you are personally capable of.
"I get the feeling that He wants me to excel in this for some reason..."[9]
There is a reason the Lord wants us to excel, in 3 Nephi 12:14-16 we read:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
"Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;
"Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (emphasis added.)
The Lord will not ask us to do things that are out of our reach or are impossible. He has said that if we keep the commandments he will strengthen us and provide the means necessary to accomplish the things he has commanded us to do.[10]
Is it any wonder that Brother Marsh had the feelings that the Lord wanted him to excel? The Lord wants us to succeed so that we can help further His purposes, we are on His team and by being on His team, we will not fail.
Lesson #2 - The path to success isn't easy
In sports, the difference between success and what some perceive as failure, can be measured by as little as a hundredth of a second or a fraction of an inch. I like to watch sports on TV, and often see athletes celebrating after winning a championship event. Many of them however are not just celebrating the win, they are also celebrating the long journey they traveled in order to reach that crowning moment. Usually a quick google search uncovers there is more to their stories than what meets the eye.
Perhaps you can think of an athlete or another individual whose path to success was hindered by injury, illness, or other difficulties. Things didn't go exactly as they had hoped or planned. Those who overcome seemingly insurmountable odds know that trials will, in the end, make them stronger and thus they continue pursuing their goals.
Here are a few examples:
Bethany Hamilton was 13 when she was attacked by a 14 foot tiger shark and lost her left arm. But that didn't stop her from reaching her goal of becoming a professional surfer.[11]
Charlotte Brown developed cataracts when she was 16 weeks old and now, at 16 years old, is blind. But she learned to overcome her physical impairment and is achieving success and some national attention as a pole vaulter.[12]
Noelle Pikus-Pace was among the favorites to medal in skeleton in the 2006 Winter Olympics. A few months prior to the Games she was hit by a runaway bobsled which left her with a broken leg, and was unable to compete. Then, as we saw in the last Olympic Games, eight years later, she won a silver medal.[13]
You'll notice that the trial in each of these examples is different, but each individual had to face a difficult challenge head on. It would have been easy to give up, but they persevered.
In the scriptures we also find examples of individuals who had to work through adversity in order to accomplish what the Lord asked them to do. In 1 Nephi chapters 3-4 we learn that after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, the Lord commanded Lehi's sons (Laman, Lemuel, Nephi, and Sam) to return to Jerusalem to get the brass plates from Laban. Their first attempt to acquire the plates was to reason with Laban but resulted in Laman being thrown out, accused of being a robber, and threatened to be killed.
Their second attempt was to try and trade worldly riches for the plates. When Laban saw how much they had brought with them, he lust after it, then thrust them out, and sent his servants to slay them in order to take possession of it. To save their own lives, Nephi and his brothers fled and hid in the wilderness.
Laman and Lemuel were upset and were starting to take it out on Nephi and Sam, when an angel appeared and instructed them to go back to Jerusalem again and that Laban would be delivered into their hands so they could acquire the brass plates. Even after this visitation Laman and Lemuel were not excited about going back. But with some faith, and a little arm twisting, they returned with Nephi as they had been instructed. And as promised, Laban was delivered into their hands and they did obtain the plates.
In Lehi's Vision of the Tree of Life, we learn about a great and spacious building that was "filled with people... mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come..."[14]
I've learned that there will be many people along your path like those in the great and spacious building. They will try to make you believe that you can't do hard things. They will try to discourage you, try to make you give up so that you will not be disappointed in the end, and they will make it seem as if they are looking out for your best interests. But I can tell you this, you can do hard things and that is when the growth occurs.
President Monson taught:
"Our Heavenly Father, ... knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass. We know that there are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we may be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were...
"Were it not for challenges to overcome and problems to solve, we would remain much as we are, with little or no progress toward our goal of eternal life."[15]
It won't be easy. Life is full of disappointments and hardships, but how you deal with them will define who you are. Perhaps you will remember some of the same phrases I was taught while growing up - If you get bucked off, you gotta' get back in the saddle; or If at first you don't succeed, try again. The process of quickly getting back in the saddle, or trying again helps get us back on track before fear, doubt, or other influences can have an impact on us.
When our children were younger we read books to them each night before they went to bed. One of our favorite books to read, especially when they had experienced a hard day, was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. In the book a young boy named Alexander felt as if the world was against him that day. He woke up with gum in his hair, he didn't get a window seat in the car, and his mom even forgot to put dessert in his lunch. Alexander was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Alexander told everyone that he was going to move to Australia, as if that would fix all of his problems. The book concludes with some wise counsel "My mom says some days are like that. Even in Australia."[16]
This is counsel we all need to remember. The path is not easy, but some days are like that.
Lesson #3 - Obedience brings blessings while disobedience brings sorrow and disqualification
In sports, as in life, there are rules that govern just about everything we do. Rules apply to everyone equally. None of us are exempt. Some rules simply ensure a level of standardization. For example, in track and field the size of a regulation track is 400 meters, and in basketball the rim is 10 feet from the floor. Whereas other rules ensure fair play and if broken can have severe consequences, even disqualification.
Recently, I have started playing golf and have learned that there are many, many rules in that game. Shots that go out of bounds, a lost ball, grounding a club in a hazard, among others, all have assigned penalties, which add strokes to your score. But unlike other sports, in golf the golfer keeps their own score. At the end of the game the golfer must sign the scorecard, which verifies the recorded score is accurate. Any attempt to correct a scorecard after it has been signed results in a penalty or even disqualification.[17] Golf is a game of honor, and recognizing that a rule was broken and taking responsibility for it is a part of the game. Cheating on your golf score or not counting the correct penalty strokes may make your score look better, but no matter how hard you try, it just won't make you a better golfer.
As in golf, we too are keeping a scorecard of sorts. When an individual wishes to enter the temple he or she will meet with their bishop and are asked a series of questions, which they are required to answer. At the end of the interview they will be asked to sign the recommend. That signature verifies the answers given were accurate. This too is the honor system. You are the one keeping score. Failing to take responsibility for, or hiding past transgressions, may get you a recommend, but will not bring peace and true happiness.
Just as athletes must know and understand the rules that govern their sport, we too must learn the rules or commandments we are expected to live by. Failure to do so or claiming ignorance does not eliminate or lessen the penalties associated with breaking them. Knowing the rules, and living by them however will ensure our spiritual safety and qualify us for the blessings of heaven.
The third article of faith states, "We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" (emphasis added.)
The story of the Sons of Heleman, or two thousand strippling warriors, is a good example of the blessings that come from being obedient. The people of Ammon had been converted unto the Lord and had made an oath that they would not shed any more blood. The Nephites, who had been protecting them, were suffering many afflictions and tribulations and the people of Ammon felt compelled to help. They were about to break their covenant, but Helaman intervened fearing "by doing so they should lose their souls."[18] It was then that two thousand young men, who had not entered into the same covenant as their parents, took up arms and made a covenant to fight for their liberty and their lands.[19] We learn a little about the character of these young men in Alma 53:20-21:
"And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all--they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
"Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him." (emphasis added.)
Later we learn that these two thousand warriors were involved in a hard battle and beat the Lamanites. When the battle was over many of them had been wounded, but not one of them had perished.[20]
They had been taught and knew the rules. They obeyed the rules with exactness. They were true at all times and they received the blessings and protection from Heaven.
Lesson #4 - Everyone needs a coach and a support team
In sporting events you will notice that every team has one thing in common--a coach. The coach's role is to develop their players and help them reach their full potential. A coach also helps control the game or individual performance of an athlete. When a game is close, the team needs to regroup, or they simply just need to catch their breath, the coach will call a 'time out'. During this pause in action the coach will give instruction, direction, and encouragement then send the team back to the contest.
For some athletes, playing a sport is their livelihood. Athletes who do so are expected to perform at a very high level day in and day out. Those who can endure the rigor do quite well, and not to mention, make a lot of money, while those who can't are usually out of a job. Elite athletes realize that in this harsh environment they cannot achieve success on their own. They hire a team of people--agents, managers, personal trainers, nutritionists, and doctors to help them meet their day to day needs and ultimately achieve their goals.
If elite athletes know they can't succeed in that type of environment on their own, then why should we be fooled into believing that we should try to navigate our way through this life, the biggest game we will ever play in, and one with eternal consequences, on our own?
When we look around us we begin to realize that we, as children of God, are the greatest of all His creations. We are in a literal sense, elite. And like elite athletes we too need a coach and a support team.
In the Book of Mormon we learn that Nephi had a coach. When he was commanded to build a ship to carry his family across the sea, he hadn't built a ship before, but the Lord assured him that he would give him instructions or coach him along the way.[21] In 1 Nephi 18:1 we read:
"And it came to pass that ... we did work timbers of curious workmanship. And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship."
Now, not all performances or performers are the same and a good coach is not afraid to challenge us or let us know when we are doing something wrong. Let's return back to the story of the brother of Jared for a moment. Remember, he and his people were being directed by the hand of the Lord toward a promised land. During this journey the Lord came and talked to the brother of Jared for three hours and "chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord."[22]
We are all going to make mistakes and when we do, it's okay to call a time out and call upon the Lord. He knows us, He knows that we will all need help, and He has provided us with a support team. Bishops, spouses, families, roommates, friends, and others are all around us to lift us, encourage us, and help us reach our full potential. We don't have to do it alone. Remember He wants us to succeed.
Lesson #5 - Be the same person at all times
I have tried to support my children by attending their sporting events whenever possible and have coached a few of their teams. When children begin playing sports they play because they enjoy being with their friends and because it's fun. If you were to ask a 5 or 6 year old who won the game they probably couldn't tell you. I know this because I've coached little league soccer and watched many of the players who were more interested in picking dandelions, creating a big pile of grass to throw on their teammates during the next break, or talking to a friend instead of paying attention to what was actually happening on the field. As these same children get older and move into more competitive leagues, they become more focused on winning and their attitudes and behaviors begin to change. Without constant reminders and good examples, they may forget what is appropriate and may develop an attitude that it's okay to behave one way while in a competition and another when they are not.
To demonstrate what I am talking about let me tell you a quick story. On November 5, 2009, BYU was hosting New Mexico in a Mountain West Conference semifinal women's soccer game. During the game a New Mexico defender grabbed the ponytail of a BYU player and yanked her to the ground. Because the game had been filmed it soon grabbed national media attention. Later in an apology she said "My actions were uncalled for. I let my emotions get the best of me in a heated situation. And this is in no way indicative of my character..."[23] President Monson stated:
"We live in a world where moral values have, in great measure, been tossed aside...and where temptations to stray from the strait and narrow path surround us. We are faced with persistent pressures and insidious influences tearing down what is decent and attempting to substitute the shallow philosophies and practices of a secular society. Because of these and other challenges, decisions are constantly before us, which can determine our destiny. In order for us to make the correct decisions, courage is needed--the courage to say no when we should, the courage to say yes when that is appropriate, the courage to do the right thing because it is right."[24]
In an effort to be popular or to fit in, are we willing to change who we are? Will we act like we think others want us to act or say things we will only later regret? Or, will you have the courage to stand up and do the right thing?
Amid all of the bad behaviors we hear about, there are also many instances where people have just done the right thing. These are the type of people who are a light in the world, they help make a difference in their communities, and their actions demonstrate the type of people they truly are. They understand that people are more important than prizes.
In 1935 Jessie Owens was competing in the Olympic Games and was favored to win the long jump. He fouled his first two jumps and making the final would hinge on his last attempt. Luz Long, a fellow competitor from Germany, was leading the competition. He approached Owens, introduced himself, and offered some advice, which would help his competitor advance to the finals. Owens took the advice, made the final, and went on to win the gold medal. Luz Long ended up in second place.[25]
During the recent 2014 winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Russian cross country skier, Anton Gafarov, broke a ski and crashed in a semifinal race. Wanting to finish the race in front of his home crowd, he got up and started again, but his ski was so severely damaged that he again fell in the snow. Just then Canadian coach Justin Wadsworth ran onto the course with an extra ski in his hand and fastened it to Gafarov's boot.[26]
One final example came from an experience a couple of years ago. My wife, Alisa, and I decided to participate in a Triathlon. After swimming and biking, the final segment of the race was a 10k (6.2 mile) run. In order to reach the finish line, runners had to navigate a short, narrow, downhill path, which was only wide enough for one person. This section of the path was only about 30-40 meters long before it entered onto a golf course for the last 200 meters of the race. Due to the different starting times, I had already finished the race and was waiting for my wife to make it to the finish line. As I waited I started to see some commotion in the trees where the path narrowed. A runner had collapsed in that narrow section. With the finish line in sight a few people started jumping over the downed runner racing to the finish wanting to get a good time. My wife however, was the one who stopped, assisted the runner and gave her the help she so desperately needed.
So what type of person are you? Would you have stopped or jumped over the downed runner? Would you have the courage give advice or help a competitor? Are you one person on Sunday and another during the week? Do you allow yourself to get caught up in the ways of the world, or do you "stand as witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places...?"[27] Are you the "person our Heavenly Father wants you to be and the person you know you should be?"[28]
And what kind of person is it He wants us to be? The Lord himself answers this question; "Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am."[29]
Brothers and Sisters in my office is a framed quote I cut out of a newspaper many years ago by an anonymous author. It reads "Do your best to make certain you are the sort of person you want your children to become."
One of the greatest rewards we can have in this life is to have children who act the way the Lord would want them too. This quote reminds me every day that in order to have that reward, it must start with me. I have to educate myself, align my will with the Lords, and model correct behaviors. Brother Randal Ridd, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, stated:
"...if you are not proactive in educating your desires, the world will do it for you. You have agency. It is the power to not only act on your desires but also to refine, purify, and elevate your desires. Agency is your power to become."[30]
In review, I know the Lord loves us and wants us to succeed, that the path is not easy and there will be bumps along the way, that through obedience we will receive blessings and help from heaven, that we each have a coach and support team to help us reach our full potential, and that by striving to be the same person at all times and by doing the right thing because it is right. We should take courage. The courage to become better individuals, better parents, better friends, and ultimately more like the Savior steadfast and immovable, unchanging, the same at all times, and in all places, yesterday, today, and forever. Is my prayer. In the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Exodus 14: 13-14
[2] Exodus 14:1-22
[3] Ether 2:7
[4] Ether 2:22
[5] Ether 3:1
[6] Ether 3:4
[7] Ether 1-4
[8] 2 Nephi 25:23
[9] Melvin J. Leavitt. "Making News," New Era, July 1984
[10] 1 Nephi 17:3
[11] http://bethanyhamilton.com/about/bio/
[12] http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:10825940
[13] http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/02/14/noelle-pikus-pace-womens-skeleton-katie-uhlaender/5483845/
[14] 1 Nephi 8:27
[15] Thomas S. Monson, "I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee," Ensign, Nov. 2013
[16] Viorst, J. (1972). Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks
[17] http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-06/
[18] Alma 53:15
[19] Alma 53:10-18
[20] Alma 57:25
[21] 1 Nephi 17:7-8
[22] Ether 2:14
[23] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/06/elizabeth-lambert-new-mex_n_349234.html
[24] Thomas S. Monson, "Be Strong and of a Good Courage," Ensign, May 2014
[25] http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016393.html
[26] http://olympics.cbc.ca/news/article/article=canadian-coach-justin-wadsworth-helps-out-russian-skier.html
[27] Mosiah 18:9
[28]Thomas S. Monson, "Be Strong and of a Good Courage,"
[29] 3 Ne 27:27
[30] Randall L. Ridd, "The Choice Generation," Ensign, May 2014