A Neighbor Comments On BYU’s Win Over Nebraska

Last week at the barbecue, one of our neighbors made a comment on the BYU vs. Nebraska game. He said something like; the game wasn’t fair because we were using 12 players on the last play of the game. (meaning 11 players plus God = 12) I thought that was funny, but there actually might be some truth in that statement. Following favorite sports teams, college and professional, have come to be such a dominant part of many people’s lives, that unfortunately many times it causes people to lose perspective of those things that are really important. We have had people tell us they couldn’t attend church during the NFL football season. I believe during the fall of the Roman Empire, the government provided the people with bread and entertainment in the Coliseums. I suspect our society today has many similarities with Rome during the period of its demise. That being said, I still think the Lord uses BYU sports programs as missionary tools, particularly football and basketball.

Here is a comment from BYU’s freshman quarterback from Eagle, Idaho:

I love it when I hear people say I'm throwing away my career by serving a mission. It'll make it that much sweeter when I prove them wrong.
- Tanner Mangum.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865636744/Guest-commentary-Decision-to-serve-LDS-mission-proves-beneficial-for-Tanner-Mangum.html

Focused On Missionary Work But Still Follow BYU Football And Basketball

Since being out on the mission we have been able to stay pretty focused on missionary work.  However, I still have been able to record a number of BYU football and basketball games. I believe I read where BYU football is one of the top missionary tools of the church. In the little town where we serve, there are no movie theaters, or bowling alleys. So it is difficult to come up with Friday night date ideas.(We have a daughter that come up with lots of ideas.) We have sometimes gotten together with friends and sometimes gone to events at the local high school. I have been able to record a number of BYU football and basketball games, and then at times we watch them on Friday night for our date. However I believe what I like most about following BYU sports is the human interest stories of the athletes and coaches. We often find interesting stories of how the gospel changes the lives of these athletes.

I recently listened to a talk by Jeff Benedict a writer for Sports Illustrated, where he talks about that very thing, the gospel changing lives.

http://www.cougarboard.com/board/message.html?id=14418233