My volleyball coaches from high school taught me just how important it was to be prepared in all aspects for when it came to these 15 crucial points. I took what they had tuaght me to my college coach and asked if we could implement their workout, called "Game 5", into our game prep. To break down exactly what the "Game 5 workout" entailed, we would practice for about three hours at the end of the day and then in addition to practice we would do an intense 15-20 workout that would max out our bodies and minds. Most of the time, I never thought that I would live through those 20 minutes.
Feeling the same way as I did in those workouts, as we walked in the blistering Tennessee heat as missionaries, I couldn't help but compare the game 5 workout to the gospel.
Just as the workouts prepared my team for the mental and emotional battle of winning game 5, our scripture study, daily prayers, and church attendance can prepare us to overcome any temptation or battle we may face in this life, and eventually gain eternal life.All of my years of playing volleyball I didn't read my scriptures, say my prayers, or go to church. I was always away at tournaments and didn't see them as something that would be of any benefit to me. I made a lot of preventable mistakes that could have been avoided if I had prepared myself to face the situations I was in. It wasn't until my mission that I understood that studying the scriptures, saying daily prayers, and attending church are the little habits we need to make in life to be prepared to win in any "game 5" situation. "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."
Some people might think that these simple primary answers, whether we do them or not, will not have any effect on our eternal destination. Personally, I think this is one of the biggest lies Satan feeds us. I KNOW that as we do the simple task of daily prayer, scripture reading, and church attendance that Satan will have less influence upon us and we will be able to keep our minds focused on our ultimate goal. As my college team and I diligently and whole hearted committed ourselves to push through the 20 minutes of brutal workouts, after we had already sat in classes all day, worked, and practiced for 3 hours, we were blessed to see the results. That season we were victorious over every 5th game we played, including the 5th game of the NWAACC Championships.
Now is the time to prepare to meet God. I promise that as we put the effort in to do the small and simple things, The Lord will perform miracles in our lives. "That by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." I've seen how studying the words of the prophets, prayer, and attending church has not only blessed my life but it has given me a completely new perspective on how precious this time is that we have to prepare to meet our Father in Heaven. Personally, I can't wait for this day. I can't wait to stand before my God and tell him that I tried my best. That I put in the extra effort needed to be prepared. That day will be the best "game 5" that I have ever won.
These simple principles matter. Going to church EVERY Sunday matters. Picking up your scriptures for 30 minutes out of our busy day matters. Conversing with your Father in Heaven matters.
What you are working for as you make these a priority in life is much more grand than a championship trophy....it's eternal life, with God the Father and His son Jesus Christ.
23 Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves--to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life. (2 Nephi 10:23)
What will you choose?
