That thy confidence wax strong

      I was reading this talk given by Richard C Edgley titled, "That Thy Confidence Wax Strong." It impacted me because of the experiences I've had in my life. Bishop Edgley speaks of Jeff Hornacek a fantastic free throw shooter. When he was traded to the Utah Jazz mid-season he set a new record for 33 consecutive free throws made. Jeff Hornacek shot with great confidence. Every shot got easier because of his prior success.
      
      When Bishop Edgley was just in high school he was playing basketball against his rival team. He set a record himself. He missed 18 consecutive free throws. He explained after every shot he missed the rim seemed to keep getting smaller and smaller. After the 13th and 14th misses it appeared the rim as the size of a hole on a golf course. But when Jeff Hornacek kept making it and making it, the rim may have appeared to be the size of the ocean. Edgley's confidence got slimmer and slimmer with every miss.

       Every time we have to make tough decisions whether great or small, it is as if we are stepping up to the free throw line. Based on our prior success may determine how much confidence we have and how easy the decision is. "Our spiritual confidence is largely determined by our prior spiritual successes and, unfortunately, by our prior spiritual mishaps. Our prior choices will greatly influence how our spiritual basket will look, large or small, the next time we are at the line."

      "When David went to battle against Goliath, he was discouraged by Saul, who reminded him that he was just a child and was not able to go against this giant, Goliath. David replied: “Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

“And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth” (1 Sam. 17:34–35). David had made his previous foul shots, and he saw the basket as very large."

   I echo the testimony of Bishop Edgley. Let us stand a little taller and "make our foul shots!!!!" Everytime we step to the line for a free throw or for a decision to make, may our confidence wax strong in the presence of God. Thomas S Monson our beloved prophet said, "decisions determine destiny."

        

A work in progress

A fantastic video on a talented young athlete. Being from Orem, UT and playing basketball, I had the opportunity to play against Tyler Haws. He is a tremendous athlete. Having to guard him was quite the challenge. But here is a perfect example of someone who had some really good things going for him at BYU playing basketball. Choosing to not serve a mission, probably would have been great for his basketball career. He wouldn't have had to put off basketball for two full years. He could've continued to dominate at BYU without a long break. But Tyler Haws chose to serve the Lord before anything. How easy it would have been for him to not go and continue to play basketball. But he knew what was most important. Do we all know what is most important? Is putting the Lord first a priority in our lives? It is my hope and prayer that we all choose to serve the Lord first. President Henry B Eyring said, "Hardest thing today, they will be better in the next day, if you choose to serve the Lord this day." I bear testimony to that truth. Tyler Haws will be able to come back and play basketball for BYU. But his eternal perspective of life increases. I know that because of what I've learned on a mission. It puts so much more importance into living gospel standards and living a Christ-like life. The gospel is true, Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God. I bear this testimony in his name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.