This past Sunday we had a lesson in Relief Society about the significance of the sacrament. It was awesome. I felt the spirit and I am sure others did too. Although most of the conversation seemed to centre around teaching our children the importance of the sacrament, and how to keep them reverent during the sacrament, my mind was elsewhere. Not far away but I was taken back to my University years. Back to when I was playing rugby for the Pronghorns. It was a lot of hard work and a lot of fun. The girls I played with were awesome and so nice. It was a little bit of a harsher environment than I was used to but I wasn't doing anything bad. Well except for the fact that I was required to play on Sundays. In my position (Wing) there were quite a few girls and so I didn't play every game but I did play often. I used to hope that I wouldn't have to play on Sundays but the finals were ALWAYS on Sundays, and who doesn't want to play in a final. It really wore on me (and my spirit) and I lost confidence in my playing ability because I wanted to play, but at the same time I really didn't want to. I am sure my coaches thought I was the strangest person on earth. Anyway, back to the point. Since I was on the team and we travelled many different places I was unable to just sneak away and go to church. I really wanted to, but I just couldn't. There was a time in my first year that I missed something like 3 or 4 Sundays in a row. I never felt worse in my entire life. It was a hard time for me because it was so spiritually draining. I can see why it has been so easy for people who continue on in Sunday sports to just become complacent with their lives in the spotlight. The fame and the accomplishments. The "fun". I came from a home where I could feel the spirit and I could not deny it. I yearned to take the sacrament because I had been taught of the importance of making and keeping covenants in this life. There was a part of the lesson that stuck out to be because I feel strongly that we should partake of the sacrament often and remember the great sacrifice of our Saviour.
The Lord has commanded us to meet often to partake of the sacrament.
The person who absents himself from a sacrament meeting week after week and month after month, and nothing prevents him from coming, is not loyal to the truth. He does not love it. If he did, he would be present to partake of these emblems—just a little piece of bread, a little cup of water. He would want to do that to show his love for the truth and his loyal service to the Son of God.
We have been called upon to commemorate this great event [the Atonement of Jesus Christ] and to keep it in mind constantly. For this purpose we are called together once each week to partake of these emblems, witnessing that we do remember our Lord, that we are willing to take upon us his name and that we will keep his commandments. This covenant we are called upon to renew each week, and we cannot retain the Spirit of the Lord if we do not consistently comply with this commandment. If we love the Lord we will be present at these meetings in the spirit of worship and prayer, remembering the Lord and the covenant we are to renew each week through this sacrament as he has required it of us.
I love the Lord and I am so grateful I live in a time where I can go to church every week! It is so close too! An easy 2 minute drive. After feeling the spirit there and knowing what I know, there is no reason for me to not go every week. It is that important.
I don't regret playing rugby, but I am glad I got out of it when I did...testimony in tact.
