Emulate Jesus Christ -- Post 12: You're on the Winning Team in the Super Bowl of Life.

by Judy Rix...

Don't you love autumn? Cool crisp weather, falling leaves, and most important, football season! Our family is among the millions who love to watch professional football at the stadium or on TV.

Have you ever noticed the striking parallels between football and life? While watching a game on TV recently, I noted some of the phrases mentioned by the commentators. Let's explore how those phrases apply to the even more significant game of life where you and I contend on the front lines every day.

• Game plan -- God's game strategy is "The Plan of Happiness." The end goal is for His children to return home to Him.

• You're playing in the big leagues now. -- This mortality is our one and only turn on earth, our chance to reach our potential. God said, "And we will prove them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them." (P of GP, Abraham 3:25)

• Disciplined defense -- Our defense against the opposition was masterfully orchestrated by our Heavenly Father, even before we, His children, came to earth. He granted us our free will, followed by the gift of mortality. Much like a football game, we have opportunities to choose which team to join. Jesus Christ leads His Father's team. Satan captains the opposing team. We are empowered not only to withstand Satan's attempts to harm us but to triumphantly defeat him.

• Poise and composure -- By adhering to the rules of the game (keeping the commandments), we will confidently navigate our trials and adversities. We can remain calm in the knowledge that the Lord will stand by us every step of the way.

• Second effort -- In football, just like in life, players often encounter setbacks and challenges. Yet, they never quit. They push even harder when the going gets tough, even if it hurts.

• Head - on adversity -- Football is a game where ease is never expected. True ease is experienced only from the sidelines. The most valuable moments of our lives are forged on the field confronting our obstacles head on.

"Essential to God’s great plan for the mortal growth of His children was for them to experience 'opposition in all things' (2 Nephi 2:11). Just as our physical muscles cannot be developed or maintained without straining against the law of gravity, so mortal growth requires us to strain against Satan’s temptations and other mortal opposition."... "Divine Helps for Mortality," 2025 General Conference, by Dallin H. Oaks.

• Training camp and ongoing practice provide intense conditioning for the players. -- Resistance exercises build muscles. Resistance comes in many forms including trials and adversity. When we courageously confront them head on, our confidence grows, and we realize, "If I can do this, I can do anything!"

Strengthening through our own intense conditioning includes:

-- Attending church, seminary, and other enlightening gatherings with purpose.

-- Partaking of the sacrament weekly with dedication.

-- Engaging in daily scripture study and prayer with commitment.

-- Regularly attending the temple with devotion.

-- Actively striving to embody the virtues of the Savior.

-- Repenting when we make mistakes and becoming stronger from the experience.

-- Diligently seeking to fulfill the will of our head coach, Jesus Christ, with unwavering trust in His redeeming blood.

-- Following the guidance of His coaching staff, including the prophet, leaders, parents, and teachers, with confidence.

When we prepare through intense conditioning, we build spiritual muscle for playing in the big leagues.

• The players are required to wear regulation safety equipment. -- No intelligent gladiator would enter the arena of life without the proper protection. You and I need the safety provided by our temple covenants and by our obedience to gospel principles.

"Take upon yourselves the whole armor of God..." (Bible, Ephesians 6:13-17).

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30).

"Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (Bible, 2 Kings 6:16).

• Football is a team sport. -- We must work and grow together with those who are dedicated to winning the game -- our family, our leaders, our church family, and above all, our Heavenly Father. Connecting ourselves to the opposing team will bring our own downfall.

• Winning the tough intermediate games is crucial if you're aiming for the Super Bowl. -- The purpose of mortality is to lead us to Christ and attain the highest glory with Him. Our trials and adversities are the instruments that prepare us for that reward.

Paul states, "The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint - heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Bible, Romans 8:16-18)

This life is your Super Bowl.

• Attitude is everything. Just do it! -- Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right. A positive mindset creates unstoppable momentum.

• These players are among the strongest men alive. -- Out of everyone who has ever lived on earth, YOU were selected for the first string in the first draft of Christ's winning team, even before you were born. The most valiant of all His spirit children were reserved for the last days, when the game would be the toughest and the enemy would unleash all his forces with unbridled fury.

President Joseph Fielding Smith declared: “Our young people…are the nobility of heaven, a choice and chosen generation who have a divine destiny. Their spirits have been reserved to come forth in this day when the gospel is on the earth, and when the Lord needs valiant servants to carry on his great latter - day work.” (Ensign, April 1970).

President Russell M. Nelson stated: "You were chosen by our Father to come to earth at this crucial time because of your pre-mortal spiritual valor." We Can Do Better and Be Better," April 2019 General Conference.

• Football is a human game of chess. -- By following God's playbook, the scriptures, we are destined to win the game.

"My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning..." (P of GP, Abraham 2:8). He teaches us through His scriptures and prophets how to prevail in our game of life. His tactics are all positive and filled with light and truth.

Satan has a strategic plan as well. His tactics are shrouded in darkness, encompassing doubt, discouragement, fear, and all things negative.

• "Tush Push," "Brotherly Shove" --- Achieving great things often requires exceptional teamwork. Organizing a high adventure for the youth, serving in a bishopric, or managing a ward Primary demand the careful coordination of many dedicated people united in one noble cause.

• You can be an all - pro only if you play in the game a lot. -- Every obstacle provides practice in emulating the character traits of Christ. Practice, practice, practice.

• There are a record number of fans here today. -- We are surrounded with countless "fans" cheering us on in our game of life. Our earthly friends and family, along with our heavenly parents and loved ones, are rooting for our success. Our ultimate supporter is Jesus Christ: "Behold, I will go before you and be your rearward, and I will be in your midst and you shall not be confounded." (D&C 49:27). There is joy in heaven when we overcome obstacles.

• Play with honor. -- The reward of your victorious mortal Super Bowl will be to return with honor to the presence of your Heavenly Father. So go for it! You've got this, because you're on the winning team! It won't be easy, but it will be worth it!

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