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Living the Gospel
Living the gospel can be likened unto many things. Today, let’s liken it unto a sport loved the world over: basketball. Before a game starts in basketball, the teams are chosen. We came to this earth because we were chosen and chose to be a part of God’s team.
In basketball, there are coaches, assistant coaches, and referees who guide and protect us. In the gospel, we have a Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost to lead, guide, and protect us. They are important to us and our team. The head coach can be likened unto our Heavenly Father. He is the person in charge of everything and watches over the players. The assistant coach can be likened unto Jesus Christ because He is our advocate; we go through Him when we pray to our Heavenly Father. The referees can be likened unto the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost is there to guide us and protect us. He whispers to us to make good decisions, keep the commandments, and stay on the path.
Just like when you are finally selected after tryouts to be a part of the basketball team, to start our journey in the gospel, we must be born again through baptism by the proper authority. It feels great after you are baptized and confirmed, even better than when you have made the team. Once we are baptized into the team, the work is not over. Just like traveling in basketball, we could take too many steps in the wrong direction without listening to Heavenly Father through the promptings of the Holy Ghost. As we keep practicing (repenting) and playing (trying to do better), we overcome challenges or temptations and become more like our Savior. To win successfully, the player must stay faithful: practice hard, and always play as a team, not as an individual. We need to keep coming to church, learn to serve others, and love as Christ does.
In summary, living the gospel of Jesus Christ requires desire, practice, effort, and determination. It requires us to give our all, keep our heads in the game, and not allow outside influences to distract us if we want to win. And this will be our greatest win!