Play Like You are 6'12"

Leavitt Ward Conference 2017

For most of our children’s lives, my wife and I have followed them around to sporting events of one type or another. We have witnessed the masses as they chase the ball at their first soccer games. We have cheered and used the phrase “nice try” as they have attempted to serve a volleyball over the net but came up short. We have stood by the side of a pool at near freezing temperatures and urged them to jump in – “it’s not that cold.” Through all of this we have learned many valuable lessons.

This past weekend, possibly one of the most valuable lessons was shared with me from my wife. During a 3^rd place game at a basketball tournament, the teams were battling it out. “Third place is always about pride.” My good wife was taking pictures near the opposing team’s bench when she overheard the coach of the other team say to a player who was about to sub in, “Play like you are 6’12”.

As my wife relayed this story, I had been pondering and praying about what to speak on today.

As many of you are aware, my good mother is far from 6’12”, however, at a young age she was an influence in my life. I can remember kneeling around the kitchen table early in the morning before breakfast in family prayer.  Mom’s prayers often seem to go on forever. The mush, as we called it, would be almost cold, hard and lumpy, but she had talked to God. She had put armor on us and she had taught us how to pray. She did then, and still does, pray like she is 6’12”.

Sister Carol F. McConkie said, “Every moment of precious prayer can be holy time spent with our Father, in the name of the Son, by the Holy Ghost.”  I have found in my personal life when I pray with a sincere heart, I find my relationship with God and His Son more focused, more real, and I find the day-to-day challenges molehills and not mountains.

A sincere study of the prophets of old will reveal they each prayed and developed a relationship with God. May each of us develop a desire and habit of praying like we are 6’12” tall.

Elder Henry B. Eyring stated, “Throughout my life, the scriptures have been a way for God to reveal things to me that are personal and helpful.” As we face an ever-changing world, scripture study needs to become a part of our daily life. We need to study the scriptures like we are 6’12” tall.

The Book of Mormon prophet Moroni challenged us to read the Book of Mormon when he said, “I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.”  If we follow his promise and counsel, scripture study will become part of our daily life.

Elder W. Mark Bassett shared the following story from his childhood.

When I was a young boy, my parents received a gift that became fascinating to my younger brother David and me. The gift was a miniature model of the golden plates the Prophet Joseph Smith received from the angel Moroni. As I recall, the model plates had 10 or so metal pages with words written on them. However, those pages weren’t what caught our attention.

We had been raised hearing the stories of the Restoration. We knew of and had sung in Primary about golden plates hidden deep in a mountainside and delivered by the angel Moroni to Joseph Smith.1 As the curiosity of our young minds stirred, there was one thing we really wanted to see: what was written on the small section of the model plates securely sealed with two small metal bands?

The plates sat on an end table for several days before our curiosity got the best of us. Although we clearly understood that these were not the actual plates Moroni had delivered, we wanted to view the sealed portion. So on several occasions, my brother and I tried using butter knives, old spoons, and anything else we could imagine to pry apart the sealed portion of the plates just enough to see what they contained—but not enough to break the small bands. We were at least smart enough not to leave a trace of our mischievous boyhood curiosity. To our disappointment and frustration, these attempts to “pry at the plates” were always unsuccessful.

I still don’t know what—if anything—was hidden under that sealed portion. But the embarrassing part of our story is that to this day, I have no idea what was written on the portion of the metal pages that was meant to be read. I can only imagine that these pages contained stories of the Restoration and testimonies of Joseph Smith and the Three and Eight Witnesses, who saw the actual plates Moroni delivered.

Brothers and Sisters, may we each recommit ourselves to open the scriptures and read the words of the prophets. Each of us will become 6’12” in how we study the scriptures.

            I can clearly remember the following experience while I was driving down a road that winded around the Hyrum Reservoir in northern Utah. I was headed to feed horses  and I was listening to the radio when Elder Richard G. Scott began to speak in General Conference. He said, “Because I love you, I am going to speak to you heart to heart without mincing words. I have seen that many individuals have made great sacrifices to go to a distant temple. But when a temple is built close by, within a short time, many do not visit it regularly. I have a suggestion: when a temple is conveniently nearby, small things may interrupt your plans to go to the temple. Set specific goals, considering your circumstances, of when you can and will participate in temple ordinances. Then do not allow anything to interfere with that plan. This pattern will guarantee that those who live in the shadow of a temple will be as blessed as are those who plan far ahead and make a long trip to the temple.”

            I remember the feelings that came to me as I heard these words. Many of us can think of someone who attends the temple like they are 6’12”.  I am amazed by those in our ward who continually give up time to attend our ward temple nights and for those who serve weekly in the temple.

            Elder Scott continued, “Fourteen years ago I decided to attend the temple and complete an ordinance at least once a week. When I am traveling, I make up the missed visit in order to achieve that objective. I have kept that resolve, and it has changed my life profoundly. I strive to participate in all the different ordinances in the temple. I encourage you to establish your own goal of how frequently you will avail yourself of the ordinances offered in our operating temples.”

            Life is busy and challenging and full of change.  May we each strive to grow a few inches each day and find strength as we attend the temple.

            I hesitate to share the following story as it is personal to myself as a father, and I do not wish to appear better than I really am. Just about two years ago, the leaders of the church suggested ways in which we could improve and would be blessed. One of the suggested areas for improvement dealt with our Sabbath Day observance and partaking of the Sacrament. During this time, I have worked to recommit myself to keep my promises to focus on the Sabbath and then expected blessings in return. They have come ten fold. I quote the following event from a blog post titled “Choosing Not to Rodeo on the Sabbath.”

            This is my response I wish I had when people ask me why I don't rodeo on Sunday. I probably gave a four syllable answer, along the lines of I'm a Mormon, but that isn't a fantastic answer. 

This is in NO WAY intended to say that Mormons who rodeo on Sunday are bad, or that I am better than them, or anything along those lines. This is why I choose not to compete on Sundays in the season. 

First of all, when I was in grade nine, my dad said we wouldn't go on Sundays. If I would've fought him in this, he probably would have let me go. He told me if I didn't go on Sundays, I would be blessed. My naïve grade nine mentality thought this meant I would do well in rodeo simply because I didn't compete on Sunday. This was not the case. I didn't qualify for provincials in grade nine, and I was sure it was because I had only gone to the rodeos held on Friday and Saturday, and I wasn't totally sure if I ever would qualify for provincials, but that was alright with me at that point. 

In grade ten, I qualified for provincials in one event tied for tenth. (They take the top ten in each district.) I then qualified for the Canadian High School Finals, which is the top six in each province. This was a huge testimony builder to me, and I continued to work hard to improve in the sport I love.

I used Hanna's horse for the fall of grade eleven, then I started hauling my own mare in the spring. Needless to say, it took us a few rodeos to get on the same page, and I fell down continuously in the breakaway standings. I was still for sure going to qualify in goat tying, but I was hoping to qualify in both events. It didn't look like it was going to happen. In fact, my dad told me even if I won the last rodeo, I wouldn't have had enough points to make it in the top ten, and I had nothing to lose. I won the final rodeo, and ended up tied for tenth again headed to provincials. The final rodeo of the season was snowed out, and so I made it. (My dad was a little off in his calculations, thank goodness.) 

Provincials came, and I had a goal to make it to Nationals. I thought if I was going to go, it would be in goats, since I was seeded higher in that event. 

On the last day, I knew I had to catch my last calf in breakaway to have a chance to win the average and hopefully qualify for Nationals. I did that, and I just went to get ready for goat tying, which was next. The girl who won Alberta came over, super excited for me, and told me I qualified to go. I was shocked; I had no idea I would qualify after coming in to provincials in last place. Literally. Last. 

Nationals was fun, I learned so much about competition and personal growth and the opportunities available in this fantastic sport. I did alright in the second run, and felt confident going into Canadians. 

I don't know why, but I was so excited for Canadians. I couldn't sleep the night before, I was shaking with excitement when we pulled in. I had been there before, and was ready for the competition. 

I was one of three girls to catch two calves, I was third high call for the final round. I caught my calf, and waited to see how the other two girls would do. They both missed, and I was shaking again. I didn't stop shaking for a solid twenty four hours after that run. Multiple people asked me how it felt to be the Canadian High School Finals Breakaway Champion. My response was it felt good, it felt like everything I had been doing for years finally paid off. 

The fact that I qualified for provincials was a testament to me that I was blessed for not competing on Sundays. Then I qualified for Nationals, and I could not deny the Source of my success. 

Yes, it does put me at a disadvantage to only compete and roughly half of the rodeos in the regular season. 

Is it worth it to me? Absolutely. Would I change it? No. Why is this my answer? It all comes down to one truth. 

Rodeo is what I do, it's not who I am. I am a daughter of God, and I love Him with my entire being. I would do anything for Him. I wouldn't choose to rodeo on Sunday now, because for me, that means I would change my relationship with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, and there is nothing, nothing, that would be worth that for me. 

There are tons of quotes from General Authorities about keeping the Sabbath Day holy. I think it must be pretty important, it's listed in the commandments along with "Do not kill," and things like that. I'll share a couple of my favorite quotes. 

The first one comes from Quentin L. Cook. He said, "Keeping the Sabbath Day is a refuge from the storms of this life." A refuge! How cool of a promise is that?!

Henry B. Eyring said, "When you do your part, the Lord adds His power to your efforts." I know this is true with my entire being. 
I love rodeo, I love the rush, I live for the next run. But the high from competing is nothing compared to the love I feel from my Heavenly Father. 
I know that my Redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives! 
Because I have been given many opportunities in life, as well as in this sport, I feel I should give, too. The Sabbath Day is something I give to my Savior, and that is why I choose not to rodeo on Sunday. 

          6’12” tall, a poor use of a measurement, but something we can all strive for. As we improve our own lives, we will become instruments in the hand of the Lord, to reach out, lift up and rescue those in need in our own homes, wards, and communities.

          I testify inside all of us is a 6’12” player.

          In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.