An Answer to the Problems of the World

Last Monday we had a mission sports day. This was our third and last one. On one field were missionaries from a dozen different companies, all young, competitive, and full of energy. The competition and drive to win the prize for their zone should have been fierce. I´ve seen it before. I will have to admit that I was a little bit worried when some of the elders showed up wearing war paint on their faces, though it was, as I have said, half way expected for such a diverse group of young people who have spent weeks, months and years living under rigorous rules and regulations, looking for a way to let it all out. There were lots of young and beautiful sister missionaries, too, which means there should have been a lot of testosterone on display.

Instead of fierce competition, it was a truly wonderful day. Everywhere I sensed love and comradery no matter the zone. The young men were gentlemen and kind. There was no exaltation or thumping of chests at winning and a genuine desire to treat those without the athletic skills kindly. To be sure there were some arguments with refs about calls or lack of them but those were few. In fact, as a ref in the basketball games, I had many missionaries help me to make calls even though they hurt their team. A long-time athlete myself, I will have to say that I have never experienced anything like it, except maybe at the other two sports days.

What made this day so incredible? Everyone on that field was united by a common love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No matter the nationality or zone we were all truly brothers and sisters under Him. He blinded us to our differences and helped us through love to overcome that pride which is the root of evil and which leads to a desire for personal glory at the expense of others. Our bound under Him changed the situation.

The scripture below mirrors the feeling I felt on the field last Monday:

4 Nephi

15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

 16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.

 17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

I believe with all my heart that the Gospel of Jesus Christ holds the answers to problems of our world.