Faith and Football: Lessons Learned on the Field by a Modern-Day Apostle

Football season is back! Like most college towns, Aggieland is full of excitement and anticipation to see how our team will fair as the season progresses. Watching some great early-season matchups over the past few weeks, I’ve reflected some on the many life-lessons we can take from this great sport. Many of those lessons can be found in stories related by the late Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, running back for the University of Utah during the late 1930s and apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Below are just a few of my favorites.

3 Lessons Fatherhood Has Taught Me About God

Every once in a while an event occurs in our lives that teaches us something about the true meaning of life and offers us a glimpse into the eternities. For my wife and me, one of those events occurred earlier this year when, after more than three years of trying unsuccessfully to have children on our own, we were able to adopt our sweet baby girl. More than anything else, becoming a father has helped me gain a better understanding of the nature of our relationship with God. So, while I certainly realize that I am only at the beginning of this great adventure called parenthood (and have a LOT more to learn), here are just three of the lessons I have found most meaningful during my short time as a father. 

5 Things My Mission Taught Me

Missionaries serving for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints come from all different backgrounds and places around the world. They each set aside their own personal lives and motives to help others come unto Christ. After their 18–24 months of service is up, undoubtedly, each missionary returns home a different person because of the experiences and lessons learned while serving the Lord and His people.

Each person who chooses to serve a mission has a different experience. I was less than thrilled when my mission call assigned me to labor in the Montana Billings Mission, but I soon realized that it was where the Lord needed me. Today, as I reflect on my experience I know that I was meant to serve there and cross paths with the many people I connected with. The lessons I learned about Jesus Christ, His gospel, and life in general have aided me each day since I returned and will continue to do so. Here are five select lessons I learned from serving as a missionary.