“Observations”©

Donald S. Conkey

Date: August 21, 2008- # 8834b – The Olympics 2008 - (822)

By now everyone who has watched the Beijing Olympics knows that Michael Phelps made Olympian history by winning eight swimming Gold Medals. He was exciting to watch as were the other athletes who provided the world many enjoyable hours of entertainment. One has to marvel at the physical and mental conditioning theses athletes endure in their chase of that Gold Medal.   

       The first Olympic Games I remember were the 1936 games in Berlin because I listened to the boxing matches on my uncle’s car radio. But I remember well the Munich Olympics where terrorists took athletics hostage and warned the world of what was to come. I also remember how politics blemished the 1980 and 1984 Olympics when American athletics were not allowed to go to the Moscow Games and the Russians boycotted the Los Angeles Games.

       In 2000 we watched as a distant cousin, Rulon Gardner, won a wrestling Gold Medal in Sydney. But the training, preparation and perseverance Rulon and the other Olympian athletics demanded of themselves reminded me that behind all the Olympian glitter there is much sorry and heartbreak, especially for those who lose.

       And as athletes worldwide continue to dream Gold the rest of us should be reminded that as they prepared for their Olympic Gold we should be preparing for our dreams of eternal life.  

       This thought was powerfully brought to my attention three weeks ago when Justin Bain, the son of Bob and Brenda Bain of Acworth, stood before our local congregation and delivered his ‘farewell’ address to the ward before leaving for the Missionary Training Center prior to going to his assigned area of service in Halifax, Canada where he will complete his two years of service to the Lord.

       Justin was a recent graduate of Etowah High School. When Joan and I moved to Eagle Watch in 1995 Justin was just five years old. We watched Justin closely over these years but it wasn’t until we listened to his talk three weeks ago that we realized just how prepared Justin was to accept his call from President Thomas M. Monson to serve. We were watching the transformation of a youth into a young adult preparing to take on assignments as difficult, perhaps more so, than any athlete goes through to prepare for their Olympic challenges. His two years of church service in Halifax will complete Justin’s transformation from boyhood to manhood.

       It is a marvelous thing to watch this transformation in a young person. It has taken the efforts of many, in addition to his parents, to help Justin reach this point in his life where he willingly leaves home to serve his fellowman who King Benjamin once said was serving his God. It is a Spartan but preparatory life, much like an Olympian training for the Games – no visits from family or friends, only scriptural study and service to others for two years - a tithing of a young life.

       Justin’s scout leaders all helped, his bishop and teachers all helped. He learned the scriptures, which he elegantly elaborated on during his talk, by attending four years of early morning seminary which began at 6 a.m. each school day for four years. That is dedication to a way of life not unlike that of the Olympian athlete.

       There will be no Gold Medal or endorsement offers waiting for Justin when he returns home from Halifax, only the personal satisfaction of knowing that he had prepared well for his life changing experience, that he gave it his best and that he was able to do things he never thought himself capable of doing while being prepared to take on the responsibility of leadership roles in his future family, his local congregation and in his community. But Justin will be a winner, a life gold medalist.

       The Olympics have given us a peak at the need for preparation for the games. And they also remind us that there are rules, strict unbendable rules, for the Olympians just as there is for life. Each of us compete in the daily race of life, and each of us know, or should know the rules that govern our lives.

       For most Olympians, whether they return home with metals, or just fond memories, life goes on. The Olympic Committee enforces their stringent rules for all competing athletics. While the rules established by the Committee may seem harsh they only mimic the laws of nature’s God, the laws each of us will be judged against when we walk that bridge between mortality and immortality. God’s rules, like Olympian rules, are firm but doable, especially with practice, determination and perseverance. Key to victory, whether it be for the Olympics or for our individual life, is knowing what those rules and laws are.

       Remember all that glitters is not gold, whether it be the Olympics or in life. But we all need to continue to dream our dreams, be they of Olympic Gold or eternal life.