Camps

To improve athletic performance in any sport, sport camps are often offered. Different places throughout the world allow athletes to come and devote time to bettering their athletic abilities. Good coaches are present to help and provide tips and pointers on how the athletes can perform better. As I was growing up I attended both football and basketball camps; the benefits were obvious. It seems any time we can focus our thoughts and energy on one particular thing we are then able to refine and polish our skills, thus making us better.
On April 2-3 we have a special opportunity to attend one of these "camps". However, it doesn't require shooting basketballs or catching footballs. It is a spiritual camp that we can attend from the convenience of our home. General Conference (as it is specifically called) is a time where we can focus our thoughts and energy on our lives and see where we can more align ourselves with Christ's teachings. We get the privilege to hear from the best spiritual "coaches" on the earth today-Prophets and Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ! The best thing about it is that it is free, and the results WILL be obvious! Beginning Saturday April 2 at 12 noon East Coast time we begin this sacred spiritual camp, and it can be viewed on www.lds.org. I guess the real question is: why wouldn't you go?

The Downfall of us All

I thank Sister Yandt for reminding me about this principle and giving me this idea.
When playing any sport, we see situations where a team will quickly get out to a large lead. They may even seem to pulverize the competition so far into the ground that after one half of a game it looks as though the opposing team is ready to quit and go home. However, the game is not over. There is still time to play. After this how often is it that we see the winning team come back out after halftime and then lose it? Why is that? Because pride enters their hearts, and the scriptures teach us that "Pride cometh before destruction."
Just think of the similarities that we can see to life in that aspect. Life seems to be going so well, nothing appears to be wrong. What do we seem to do in that situation? We allow that same pride to enter into our hearts. We let our guard down. As a result we get surprised and we are brought down!

This downfall does not have to be the result. If we follow the counsel to be "Steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works" we won't worry about the possibility of being brought down by pride! If we will listen to our leaders, keep our covenants, and do what we are supposed to we will be ready when difficult times come. We will "play" for the entire "game" and we will win!