"I Was Born This Way"

     As I've mentioned before, baseball is a game of failure. Throughout all my years of playing, coaching, and watching the sport I've seen players define themselves by their mistakes. I hear things like, "I just can't hit", "I can't throw a strike", "I just can't play baseball", or "I'm just not good". I even heard one time, "I'll never get better. I just wasn't born to play baseball." It made me think of all the times I struck out growing up in super league and how many times my pitching wasn't good enough. I fell short many times, but one of the biggest parts of baseball is overcoming the times when we're at our worst. Even the best players in the world struggle with slumps, but they're the best at overcoming them. That's why they get paid millions of dollars to play the game. Nolan Ryan once said, "One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where to have to, reach down and prove something." The players that let themselves think that they aren't born to play baseball are also the ones who don't handle pressure situations very well. Instead of thinking, "I'm going to make the big play" they think instead, "I hope I don't get out". THIS ALSO GOES FOR COACHES. Coaches play a huge role in the development of their players. A successful coach will lead by example of showing how hard things can be done, but also infusing this confidence into the team. Ultimately, it's the players who have to reach down inside themselves if the team wants to get better.

     Last week, one of the players on our 14U Chargers team threw a no-hitter. He had been struggling to this point finding the strikezone and going deep into games, but this game he found something else inside of him. In the first inning, he realized that he is better than the team he was facing. His demeanor changed and he threw a lot more strikes, eventually throwing the team's first no-hitter. After the game I took the opportunity to teach the players about that. When you're on the mound, you have to believe that you're better than the batters you're facing. Your pitches are better, you throw more accurately, and you throw more innings. Of course there are days where the other team will hit you, but all you can do be mentally tough and bounce back for the next time you go back out on the mound.

     Now onto the spiritual side. I believe that we all have specific weaknesses in life that we are dealing with. Just like in baseball, we fine-tune our skills in life in order to be more productive. Sometimes, we fall into the trap of believing that we are defined by our weaknesses and that we are simply "born this way". I know that we have a divine heritage. We have been created by an Almighty God that loves us more than we can comprehend. When Jesus was on the earth, he went away fasting and praying. Satan goes to him and tempts him. Satan attacks his very divine heritage as the Son of God. With the phrase, "if thou be the Son of God" he wants to make Jesus doubt that he was foreordained to be the Savior of the world. It's interesting to me that Christ responded with scriptures. He showed His knowledge by saying, "it is written" and quoting the doctrine that corresponded with that temptation. (Matthew 4: 1-11)

     You and I were born to be great. We were born in the Latter-Days to bring to pass the Restoration of the Gospel. We were saved for this generation because we have a lot to offer. Just like Jesus Christ, we were sent to this earth for a divine purpose. Trust in the Atonement of Christ. Pray always. Read the scriptures daily. By doing this, I know that we will further understand how special we are to our loving Father in Heaven. He knows you by name, He knows your capabilities, and He wants the very best for you. He hears your prayers, and is ever willing to answer them. He doesn't define you by your sins, but instead sees your eternal worth. All we need to do is sincerely desire to be better and turn to Him. Immediately, we will see a difference in our lives. We will have more self-worth, self-confidence, and an internal desire to do God's will.

Don't Drop The Ball

     In October, 1994 President Gordon B. Hinckley, then First Councilor in the First Presidency, gave a conference talk titled "Don't Drop The Ball." He related a story from the 1912 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Giants. Here is the story, "The event of which I speak occurred in the World Series of 1912. It was an eight-game series because one of the games was called at midpoint because of darkness. Playing fields were not electrically lighted at that time. It was the last game and the score was tied 1-1. The Boston Red Sox were at bat, the New York Giants in the field. A Boston batter knocked a high-arching fly. Two New York players ran for it. Fred Snodgrass in center field signaled to his associate that he would take it. He came squarely under the ball, which fell into his glove. It went right through his hand and fell to the ground. A howl went up in the stands. The roaring fans couldn't believe it. Snodgrass had dropped the ball. He had caught hundreds of fly balls before. But now, at this crucial moment, he dropped the ball. The New York Giants lost. The Boston Red Sox won the series. Snodgrass came back the following season and played brilliant ball for nine more years. He lived to be eighty-six years of age, dying in 1974. But after that one slip, for sixty-two years when he was introduced to anybody, the expected response was, Oh, yes, you're the one who dropped the ball." 
   
     President Hinckley then explains that there are many situations in life where people "drop the ball". A successful student who thinks he is doing well enough, but stresses under the final exam and flunks out. The driver who has a flawless record until one moment of carelessness and is involved in a tragic accident. Or there is a trusted employee whose performance has been excellent, and then he steals a little from his employer. "A mark is placed upon him which never seems to entirely disappear."

     In the world we live in, people want to define others by their sins and not by their successes. At the same time, they want to sweep their own sins under the rug and put their best self forward. We are all guilty of this at some point in our lives. One common thing I've seen is the smell of smoke that lingers with a heavy smoker. It seems like wherever they go people are quick to give them dirty looks, talking about them behind their back after they pass by, etc. I'd like to offer this question, "what if your sins smelled as bad as theirs?" The point is, we are still commanded to love everybody. (this is the second great commandment)

     There is a great urgency to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Instead of looking for the blame in others, look inside yourself and ask God where He would have you get better. We are commanded to invite and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone who will listen, and this does not mean that we condemn others for their actions. We simply invite all to come unto Christ. We are all guilty of sin every single day, or in other words we "drop the ball". The great thing is that each time we drop the ball, we can be forgiven because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We depend on this promise for our very salvation, and we must invite others to partake of the same promise. My dad gave me this wise counsel last year, "treat others the same way that you depend of Jesus Christ to treat you."

     As a side-note: As I was listening to this talk again, I realized how much I loved President Hinckley. He was the first prophet that I remember listening to, and he was so full of love. I enjoy going to Gospel Library or lds.org and listening to past church leaders. It strengthens my testimony that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1994/10/don-t-drop-the-ball?lang=eng

   

Come What May, And Love It

     Over the President's Day weekend earlier this year, our 14U Chargers team went to Las Vegas for a tournament. My brother, Tyler, was especially excited to get a new season started and get ready for high school tryouts. We've been working together on his pitching ever since he started playing, and he's turned into one of the smartest baseball players I know. When he's on the mound, he takes control of the game, he locates his pitches well, and he gets outs. I was excited to watch him again and we gave him a start in our third game in Las Vegas. Like he does, he recorded the first out on the lead-off hitter. He then recorded the second out with some help from his defense, and ended the inning with a strikeout. I was a proud big brother and waited for him to jog in. As he approached me, he was grabbing at his shoulder in pain. I pulled him aside and he was explaining what happened. During the second batter, he felt a little pop in his shoulder and the pain was too great to go back in the game. It hurt to throw, but he could still swing his bat. For the rest of the tournament, Tyler was our DH and was hitting really well. In March, we went to Arizona for another tournament where Tyler also served as our DH. However, his pain was growing worse and he went to get an MRI. When the results came back, his doctor said that Tyler had a SLAP tear. He would need surgery to fix it, and his season is done. This was overwhelming news for all of us, as we rely on Tyler's leadership among the players. On a personal level, it was emotional for me because this is the year that players get ready for high school tryouts, and Tyler has been working so hard. Tyler's reaction has been positive, and he still contributes to the team in different ways. His reaction reminded me about how we should all react when unexpected things come our way.

     In October 2008, Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a talk titled, "Come What May, and Love It". He talks about how trials and struggles will come, but our attitude is what decides the outcome. "The way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life." Elder Wirthlin opens his talk by talking about his mother's counsel that he received from her when his sports teams were down. He explains that one day, his football team went home after losing a tough game. Elder Wirthlin was discouraged and poured out his feelings to his loving mother. She listened and reminded him of what she had always taught him and the other children. "She taught her children to trust in themselves and each other, not blame others for their misfortunes, and give their best effort in everything they attempted......Joseph, come what may, and love it." 

     Elder Wirthlin then gives four ways that can help us endure to the end among trials and hardships. They are: Learn to laugh, seek for the eternal, the principle of compensation, and trust in the Father and the Son. Learning to laugh in hard situations can ease the pain or lift the spirits of those around you. Elder Wirthlin talks about when they would take a wrong turn on a road trip, they would laugh instead of groan. Seeking for the eternal means that we learn gospel principles when God gives us trials. Look to Jesus Christ and God, with a good attitude, and learn from them. The principle of compensation is an interesting one. Elder Wirthlin says, "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." The last thing is trust the Father and the Son. Heavenly Father knows all about trials, as He gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for all mankind. I imagine it was hard seeing him struggle and be persecuted every day of his life. However, he knew the eternal importance of Jesus Christ's trials and sufferings. On the other side, Jesus Christ bore all of those trials like the man he was always destined to be. Never complaining, never looking left or right, but always praying to his Father. They know how you feel, and can be the best source of comfort.

     As for Tyler, he is in the process of all four of these steps. Even though he doesn't show it, I imagine this trial is very hard for him. I know that Tyler can put himself in a mindset to learn the importance of this trial and what he can help others because of it. Maybe the Lord needs him focused on other things right now, or possibly it was just a test of Tyler's faith. Either way, I know there's a purpose. Elder Wirthlin concludes with these thoughts, I know why there must be opposition in all things. Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it."

Here is the url to Elder Wirthlin's talk:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng

My Thoughts About General Conference

     Indeed, this past weekend was a historic general conference. From new temples to new apostles, changes in priesthood meetings, and retiring a very common LDS practice (home and visiting teaching). In the midst of all these changes, we were instructed by the general authorities in numerous ways. I want to give my thoughts about some of the spoken and unspoken teachings that I noticed/felt during the last couple days.

     Walking into the priesthood session, my dad said to me, my brother, and my brother-in-law, "there are two ways that you can learn during this meeting. You can learn from what's spoken, and you can learn from what's unspoken. You can experience one, two, or none of these things, depending on if you don't get distracted." I was able to mentally prepare for these meetings, and I can testify of those words. The Spirit guided me through personal lessons that I needed, and helped me realize some things that I need to change in my life.

     First I want to express some of my thoughts about the solemn assembly, where we had the chance to individually stand as our groups/quorums were called and cast our sustaining vote for President Russell M. Nelson. I felt great joy as I stood in the basement of my in-law's house and raised my hand to the square as I watched the television screen. For me, it felt different than the other sustaining votes in the past. I sustained President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson with all my heart and soul, but I don't remember the solemn assemblies that were held. As I stood, I felt a personal responsibility to sustain President Nelson by testifying of him and acting on his words. During priesthood session, President Nelson invited the young men and men to stand individually as quorums as they were called. One by one he called, "deacons, teachers, priests, bishops, elders, high priests, patriarchs, seventies, apostles." Again, I felt joy as my quorum was called and I was able to stand at the prophet's request. We then joined together in singing "Rise Up, oh Men of God." Some of the unspoken words that I was able to learn is that we need to internalize the veracity of this message and act. We need to make sure we're ready to not only confront the world each day, but to spread the gospel as we do it. The Lord's second coming is happening soon, and we need to be apart of preparing the earth for Him.

     Next, I want to look at President Nelson's last couple of talks. He has spoken several times about paying the price for priesthood power, and learning for ourselves how to receive personal revelation. "I fear that too many of our brothers and sisters do not grasp the privileges that could be theirs.Some of our brethren, for example, act like they do not understand what the priesthood is and what it enables them to do." (General Priesthood Session, April, 2018) Also, "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." (Sunday Morning Session, April, 2018) It is essential that we learn how to use the Gift of the Holy Ghost that we receive when we are confirmed. President Nelson continues, "The Prophet Joseph Smith set a pattern for us to follow in resolving our questions. Drawn to the promise of James that if we lack wisdom we may ask of God, the boy Joseph took his question directly to Heavenly Father. He sought personal revelation, and his seeking opened this last dispensation. In like manner, what will your seeking open for you? What wisdom do you lack? What do you feel an urgent need to know or understand? Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.......Does God really want to speak to you? Yes!" We must come to our own knowledge and testimony that God really does answer our prayers. Ask yourself, what do I want to know? And go ask God.

     I want to also highlight one of my favorite talks from the last weekend by Elder Massimo de Feo of the seventy. His talk was called, Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ. He says, "True disciples love to serve. They know that serving is an expression of true love and a covenant they made at baptism. Regardless of their callings in the Church or their role in the community, they feel an increasing desire to love and serve the Lord and one another. True disciples love to forgive. They know that the Atonement of the Savior covers all sins and mistakes of each one of us. They know that the price He paid is an "all-inclusive price." Spiritual taxes, fees, commissions, and charges related to sins, mistakes, or wrongdoings are all covered. True disciples are quick to forgive and quick to ask for forgiveness." He also goes on to say that true disciples love to submit themselves to the Lord and true disciples love the Lord more than the world. Again, the unspoken theme of this conference, and the previous sessions, is that we need to personalize this great gospel and be the best disciple of Christ that we can be. We do this by submitting ourselves to God, loving one another, and serving each other will all our heart, might, mind, and strength. Don't let previous sins and mistakes in your life impede you from serving someone today. You are ALWAYS worthy to help your neighbor on the Lord's errand. Remember that serving your fellow man can help you move forward in the repentance process.

     As I mentioned before, we had a lot of changes to church meetings and how we go about ministering. I've already seen and heard many people say something like all these changes are happening solely because of the new presidency. They're saying that a new prophet inspired these changes and that President Nelson is doing a lot in that process. Indeed, he's doing a lot of work in his first couple months. However, I would like to offer a different way to think about the changes. Instead of thinking that the changes came solely from "a new presidency", I think of it as the Lord giving us a chance to sustain President Nelson and he's giving him some fruits so that we may know him. This is the Lord's work, and President Nelson is his mouthpiece to the earth. I know that all of these changes came from God, and our lives will be blessed if we use them to bless the lives of others.

     Overall, this conference has already changed my life. I've set new goals, changed the way I pray and read the scriptures, and I've felt an increase of love for all those around me. As invited to by President Nelson, I'm excited to re-read and re-listen to all these messages in the upcoming months.I know that as you do the same, you can also feel the power of the Holy Ghost work through you and learn how to apply the new changes, receive personal revelation, and have unconditional love for your fellow brothers and sisters.

    Picture from the Deseret News