In team sports, plays are developed for certain game situations and compiled into a playbook. Athletes learn their specific assignment for each play. Successful players study the playbook so thoroughly that when a play is called, they know exactly, almost instinctively, where to go and what to do.
What ‘gospel teams’ are you on?
What is your ‘playbook’?
You know what temptations you are most vulnerable to, and you can predict how the adversary will try to derail and dishearten you. Have you created a personal game plan and playbook so that you will know how to respond when faced with opposition?
What are some of the ways in which we can resist the adversary’s attempts to derail and discourage?
Consider the suggestions in the talk from the Brethren:
- Pray every day for greater light and a testimony of Jesus Christ.
- Listen carefully to the teachings of your parents, your bishop, and your Young Men and quorum leaders.
- Avoid pornography and immoral social media content.
- Remember the promises you have made to God, and work to keep them.
- Study scripture stories of great prophets, and emulate their good qualities.
- Bless Heavenly Father’s children through service.
- Seek good friends to help you become the person you want to be.
- Become an expert in the FamilySearch app, and research your own family history.
- Plan places of retreat where you can escape evil influences.
- Love and help strengthen other members of your priesthood quorum.
You are bearers of the holy priesthood of God. Your commitment to hold firmly the iron rod will transform you into the eternal being who you were created to become.
‘In his dream, Lehi saw an iron rod which led through the mists of darkness. He saw that if people would hold fast to that rod, they could avoid the rivers of filthiness, stay away from the forbidden paths, stop from wandering in the strange roads that lead to destruction. Later his son Nephi clearly explained the symbolism of the iron rod. When Laman and Lemuel asked, “What meaneth the rod of iron?” Nephi answered, “It was the word of God; and [note this promise] whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.” (1 Nephi 5:23-24) Not only will the word of God lead us to the fruit which is desirable above all others, but in the word of God and through it we can find the power to resist temptation, the power to thwart the work of Satan and his emissaries. ‘ (Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, April 1986)
What do you think Elder Stevenson means by ‘offensive’ and ‘defensive’ plays?
Great athletes spend hundreds of hours perfecting one small aspect of their game. As a priesthood holder, you need the same mind-set. If you fail, repent and learn from it. Practice so you will do better the next time. Ultimately, it’s up to you. Will you learn the playbook?
Except for Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life, everyone who has lived upon the earth has sinned. Our Heavenly Father in His great love has provided us the opportunity to repent of our sins. The Saviour’s atonement makes it possible for all of us to repent and return to God.
How does this make you feel?
Latter-day Bloke 