Don't Take A Pitch Off

My post today is based off of a talk that I gave in Stake Conference in January, 2017. I was given the topic, "How do I stay clean in an unclean world?" It was my first talk given in Stake Conference, and also the first one that I had typed and read at the pulpit. I want to share it with you today.

     "In the 47th chapter of Alma, a wicked man named Amalickiah desires to be king. Through fraud and deceit, he acquires an army and has a plan to be king over all the Lamanites. A large group of men, led by Lehonti, separated themselves from Amalickiah, for they did not want to take up arms and fight for this wicked man. They went to the top of mount Antipas and prepared to defend themselves if necessary. Amalickiah desired to have that group in his army, so he sent some of his men to the top of the mount with a message. They were to tell Lehonti that Amalickiah wanted him to come down the mount and speak with him. Of course, Lehonti said no. Amalickiah sent his men up a second time and third time, but received the same answer. The fourth time, Amalickiah himself went up the mount with some guards, almost to the top. This time, he sent his men up with a different message. They went to Lehonti and said something like, "Come down just a little bit. Bring your guards. He just wants to talk with you. Come down, just a little bit." Lehonti comes down and talks to Amalickia, making a deal to combine armies and put Lehonti first in command, while Amalickiah would be second in command. I imagine that Lehonti was feeling pretty good about himself. He now had a big army, which meant a lot of power. We read that one of Amalickiah's men poisoned Lehonti "by degrees" and Lehonti died. As scripture states, "Now it was custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader." Amalickiah then had control of the whole army, and he eventually became king of all the Lamanites. Lehonti was a valiant man, but he made a crucial mistake by coming down the mount to talk to Amalickiah. I would like to apply this story to the topic of this talk which is, "how do I stay clean in an unclean world?"
     Like Lehonti and his men, we too are on a mount. Jesus Christ has raised the bar with standards and commandments, and we are expected to endure to the end as His disciples, defending the Church and giving our testimony of Him. We live a higher law than the rest of the world, and some might call our way of life, "politically incorrect." Keeping the commandments and living righteously keeps us on top of the mount, while the sins of the world bring us down. Lehonti's fatal decision was when he decided to heed Amalickiah's temptation of coming down just a little bit. Lehonti justified that he would be safe with his guards, and it wasn't a big deal. After all, he wasn't that far away from his men, right? How do we make similar mistakes today, and justify our sins? We may convince ourselves that, "it's just one day of not reading the scriptures, I'll just read double tomorrow" or "I don't need the sacrament this week, I'll just go next week." Referring to sins and temptations, John Bytheway once said, "if you don't do it once, you'll never do it twice." Staying clean and worthy of the Spirit is the result of small, righteous decisions that we make each and every day. Once we start justifying our sins, we unknowingly start coming down the mount, a little bit at a time. When Lehonti was poisoned, it was "by degrees." When he died, he had no idea it was happening. Likewise, we find ourselves heading down a steep and slippery slope. Before we know it, we've fallen to the bottom. The key to staying clean is to stand tall on our moral high ground, and NEVER come down. Not even a little bit. Satan will NEVER be on top of the mount, but rather tempting us from a little below. His only goal is to bring us down, so that we may be as miserable as he is. Do not allow him to convince you that it's worth your time to come down the mount. STAY ON TOP. Read your scriptures daily, have a heart to heart talk with your Heavenly Father each day and night, make somebody smile every day, and don't let each other go down the mount. As we strive to stay on top of the mount, we will be protected by the Holy Spirit. We will recognize God's hand in our life. And we will have a better remembrance of the things that we should thank our Father in Heaven for. Brothers and Sisters, the power of the Book of Mormon is imperative in our quest to stay on top. I echo the words of Elder Holland when he said, "I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgement bar of God that I declared to the world that the Book of Mormon is true." Paul wrote to the Romans, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true and living church upon the face of the earth. Being able to serve in this church is an eternal blessing. I bear witness that Jesus Christ lives, for this is His church. I know that He is my Lord, my Savior, and my Redeemer. I love Him, and I need Him. I pray that as we remember Him daily, we will be able to stay of top of the mount. Supporting each other into the eternities. If we rely on Him, we CANNOT fall. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

While it's essential to stay on top of the mount, all of us will fall at least several times in our life. It is important to remember that when we fall, Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to return to the top. Jesus Christ himself said, "Behold, He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." (Doctrine and Covenants 58:42)

In baseball, we can't take a single pitch off. We can't lose focus, because the ball will be hit to us as soon as we do. We will miss an opportunity to make a big play, and we will be reprimanded for it. It doesn't matter what position we play, even if we are on the bench, we must be 100% focused on the game each pitch. We never know when our moment to shine will come.

In life, don't take a day off! Again, endure to the end OF EACH DAY. Satan is always below us and is tempting us in every way possible. Some of us may fall for his temptations and go all the way down the mount, while others go half way down to meet him. In either scenario, we are equally being fooled by him. His promises are empty, and he only wishes that we may be miserable like he is.

What Matters Most

In July, 2016 I had the opportunity to umpire at the Park City World Series. When I was growing up playing, this tournament was played in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Today they alternate years at Park City and Steamboat Springs. Teams who want to play in this tournament have to qualify by placing 1st or 2nd in a select number of tournaments throughout the year. When I played on the Utah Horns, we placed 2nd in this Steamboat tournament. It was a very memorable experience. In 2016, I was invited to umpire in that tournament by the Triple Crown tournament committee. They paid for my gas and hotel and they treated me very well. In one of the games a team from Nebraska was playing a team from California. It came down to the last inning where California had the tying run on 3rd base and the winning run on 2nd, with 2 outs. The next batter hit a high fly ball to right field and it looked like Nebraska was going to win. The right-fielder drifted back to make the catch, and the ball hit off the tip of his glove and fell to the ground. By the time he got the ball to the infield, the winning run had come across to score. The game ended, and Nebraska jogged off the field. California packed up and left, while Nebraska went to prepare for their 2nd game. I was done umpiring for the day, so I went to pack up my gear and leave for my car. I was about 20 steps away from the field when I had a prompting to turn back and go talk to the kid to who dropped the fly ball. When I went in to their dugout, I saw the kid sitting alone on the bench with his arms folded and his head down. I sat down next to him and started to talk to him. I can't remember exactly what I said to him, but it was along the lines of, "don't get down on yourself, because you're getting ready to play another game right now" and "you're going to make errors in games, some larger than others, but don't let your errors define you as a player." I gave him a fist bump and wished him luck. I left the dugout and his dad stopped me, shook my hand, and said thank you with tears in his eyes. A couple days later, I received a text message from my umpiring supervisor. His text included a picture of me that the Nebraska coach had taken while I was talking to his player. His text also included how the coach of that team saw a different side of his player the rest of the tournament and it also had an impact on the rest of the team, as they started lifting him up as well instead of blaming him for the loss. I was grateful that I obeyed the prompting of going back to the kid and talking to him. I wasn't going back for praises or to be seen, I just wanted to make the kid feel better going forward.

Most of the time, we obey promptings and show little acts of kindness towards others and we don't hear about that person ever again. Satan tries to make us believe that our acts of kindness aren't worth our time because they really don't make a difference anyways. Every now and then, God allows us to know and understand the difference we made. Just because we aren't always given that knowledge doesn't mean that we didn't change somebody's life. If you receive a prompting to help someone, don't hesitate to obey.

President Boyd K. Packer once said, "That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does as a sound. Pure intelligence can be spoken into the mind. The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions. We may feel the words of spiritual communication more than hear them and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes." (Prayer and Promptings, October 2009 General Conference)

Play The Game “One Pitch At A Time”

When I was a sophomore, my Riverton High School team made it to the state playoffs. After losing to Jordan High we were put in the loser's bracket, where the road to the championship game got a lot longer. As we were taking batting practice before going to Utah Valley University to play Lone Peak, Coach Jay Applegate approached me and told me that I would be making my first varsity start. I was overwhelmed with excitement. I called my mom and dad to tell them, and my dad got off of work so he could come watch me. The day before, another sophomore had a chance to pitch by the name of Tanner Draper. He pitched a complete game and got us a win. I wanted to follow his lead and pitch a complete game against Lone Peak. Coach Applegate talked to me again before the game started and gave me this wise council. "Barton, we only need 2-3 innings out of you. Take this one pitch at a time and get us through the first few innings." Being 16 years old, I failed to see the importance of his words. My focus was pitching the complete game. Long story short, I was chased out of the game after giving up 3 runs in 1 1/3 innings. We ended up losing the game and our season ended. If I had heeded Coach Applegate's council, I would have had more success in my first varsity start.

I have started a small business for myself modeled after what Coach Applegate told me that day. It's called, "One Pitch at a Time" and I coach young baseball players. I hold personal pitching and hitting sessions focusing on winning each pitch. If you would like to schedule a pitching or hitting session, you can text me at 801-657-8966 or visit jaredbbarton40.wixsite.com/onepitchatatime and submit your information.

I've learned and understood the importance of taking the game one pitch at a time. If we approach a big game with big expectations, like pitching a complete game in your first varsity start, it can be very overwhelming. I was disappointed with my performance because I wasn't able to overcome the challenges of each inning.

As I've thought about this principle, I've thought about the commandment to "endure to the end." We're taught that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is 1. Faith in Jesus Christ 2. Repentance 3. Baptism by Immersion 4. Confirmation to Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost (by the laying on of hands) and 5. Endure to the End. Enduring to the end can seem like a daunting task because it seems to make us focus on eternity as a whole. In some cases we may spiritually take days off because we have time to rededicate ourselves later. Instead, I like to think of a one pitch at a time mentality. I like to change it to endure to the end of each day. If we can win each day, we will stay on the straight and narrow path. Spiritually taking a day off is like letting go of the iron rod saying, "I can come back later." Mosiah 5:15 says, "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good words, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through his wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen." Likewise, Matthew 6:34 reads "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

The next time you're on the mound, remember to win each individual pitch. If one doesn't go your way, bounce back the very next pitch. If you have a bad morning at work or school, bounce back and make it a good afternoon. We are in control of our happiness and confidence.

Only Step On The Mound When You're Ready To Pitch

Pitchers control the speed of the game. Some pitchers like to speed the game up and step right back on the rubber, while others slow the game down and take their time between each pitch. Depending on the situation, pitchers may have to change their pace in order to change the momentum of the game. If a pitcher finds himself pitching too fast, his control will falter and he's in danger of mentally spiraling out of control. Likewise, a slower pitcher may have to speed things up to keep his defense in the game. Whatever the situation may be, there is a golden rule that every pitcher must abide by. The rule is: Only step on the mound when you're ready to pitch. If you find yourself frustrated about the last pitch in any way, don't rush yourself back to the mound. Even during your best outings, you're going to have a moment where things can potentially get out of control. The key to staying in control is to keep positive thoughts and not let yourself lose control of your emotions. When a pitcher starts pounding his glove and covering his mouth to swear, it should give the opposing team confidence. In Heads-Up Baseball by Ken Ravizza it says, "Designate the mound as a place where only positive, productive thoughts and attitudes are allowed. If you feel negative stuff during the game, get off the mound; don't come back up until you're ready to have a positive focus on this next pitch. It's OK to get upset; you're not a robot. Just recognize when you are upset and get off the mound." You can designate a spot behind the mound to go to when you're frustrated. Here, you can prepare to throw your next pitch and flush out any negative thoughts about the umpire, other team, or yourself.

In this scenario imagine yourself as the pitcher, and Satan as the opposing batter. He is the big cleanup hitter that intimidates all pitchers he faces. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Peter 5:8) Satan is the best batter you will ever face. He knows your strengths, weakness, what makes you happy, what makes you mad, what makes you sad, and he knows how to make you feel down on yourself. Don't lose heart just because he's hard to beat, because he's far from invincible. Remember that you are the pitcher, and you're in control of the speed of the game; but if you allow it, the batter can control you.

So how can we step onto the mound, or step out into the world each morning, ready to face Satan and his team of demons? Like the pitchers mound, we must have a place where only positive thoughts are allowed. Before leaving the house each morning, it's essential to have a heart-to-heart talk with our Heavenly Father. It can be at the bedside, beside a desk, or in front of a couch. Wherever it is, make it yours to mentally prepare for the day ahead. Although we have natural enmity towards Satan, he still has a way of persuading us to sin. Without the constant power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan will lull us into a spiritual sleep and drag us down. Even though his temptations are enticing, "he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:27) It is crucial that we call upon the power of God each morning before we leave each day. Satan is working tirelessly until he will no longer have any influence on us. Just imagine if we all worked as hard to do good as Satan does to persuade us. He would be irrelevant. Until then, mentally prepare yourself each day by kneeling down in earnest prayer, call upon the power of the Atonement of Christ, and be an example of the believers in the latter days.

When Life Throws You a Curve-Ball

As a hitter, the goal is to determine what pitch is being thrown to you and hit it hard. Knowing your count gives you a hint of what's coming. For example, first pitches are usually fastballs, and 1-2 counts are usually off-speed pitches. In any situation, the pitcher has the choice of what to throw and doesn't have to follow the norms. What happens if you're expecting a fastball and he throws you a curve? Hopefully you have prepared for different pitches during batting practice and tee work, but there will always be times where the pitcher will catch you by surprise. Your first expectation should always be fastball, and you have several options when a curve is thrown. You can get fooled and watch it go by for a strike, you can get fooled and have a bad swing, or you can recognize it, wait back, and drive it to the outfield. Your reaction depends on your preparation during the off-season, pregame, and even in the on-deck circle.

In life, we are thrown many "curve-balls" otherwise known as trials. Like in baseball, the curve-balls of life are inevitable. Also, we can choose how we react to them. Trials can be testimony builders, but they can also be testimony breakers. The good thing is that it's our choice how they effect us. We may have a loved one pass away or be diagnosed with a terminal illness, but we can always be happy in the midst of these trials. We believe that trials come because of various reasons. They can come because of sin and consequence, or they can come because of the nature of mortality. Either way, they can have a positive or negative influence on our lives. The great thing is, it's OUR CHOICE.

So how do we prepare for the curve-balls of life? Is it possible to prepare to get fired from your job when you thought things were going so well? Is it possible to be happy when an auto-immune disease takes over your body in a matter of months? How do you bounce back when a surgery isn't successful and you lose an immediate family member? One answer to these questions is found in Alma 7:11-12. "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Jesus Christ knows how to succor his people because he has experienced every pain, temptation, sickness, betrayal, etc. In other words, He experienced and conquered every curve-ball that Satan had to throw at Him. No other man has been persecuted as much as He was, and yet He still lived a perfect life. He understands you perfectly, and knows how to comfort you perfectly.

Another way to be prepared for these curve-balls is to set aside time each day for a heart to heart talk with our Father in Heaven. Consistent, sincere prayers will allow you to get to know Him more. Also, we can get to know Jesus Christ through sincere scripture study. I have learned that it's not enough to "just read one chapter everyday." Even though it's a good place to start, I believe that it's much more than that. The biggest problem is the mentality. Instead of thinking "one chapter everyday" let's instead have the thought of getting to know the scriptures better everyday. When the goal is to just read one chapter today, we think about getting it done quickly so we can get back to what we were doing. In doing so, we cut ourselves off from personal revelation that God is anxious to give us. We must dedicate time to Him in prayer and in scripture study so we can conquer and learn from the trials that come from Him.