This is a training developed by Tate and his companion for zone conferences across the mission. Enjoy!
In the world of sports, game day is what it all comes down to. The sweat and tears in practice, the excitement and buildup to play, the hours spent in planning a strategy for the game, the pressure and opposition, the sacrifices made to be able to overcome any challenge, the physical, emotional and spiritual requirements. All of this is done for game day. We, as missionaries in La Gran Mision Argentina Rosario, have our own Game Day.
Game Day.
Game day is the Sabbath day. It’s the day where we worship the Lord, renew our covenants through the sacrament and help all come unto Christ. Game Day is a vision. Game Day is with members. Game Day is part of the gathering of Israel. Game Day is what we do beforehand, during and after church. Game Day is when Game Changers put all of their preparation into practice. Game Day is a miracle.
Game Day is much more than just bringing people to church. We are in the work of our Heavenly Father. His work is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). In order to attain eternal life, we must make covenants with God. Church attendance is one step, not the last, on the path to baptism. Along with that, baptism is one step, not the last, in attaining eternal life. What will drive them to obtain become personally converted? What will we do to help them take these steps?
Our Missionary Purpose begins with the words “Invite others to come unto Christ”. We have been called with this objective. In the scriptures, the Savior constantly extends invitations to us such as, “come unto me”, “come and see”, “come, follow me.” One way that people can literally “come” is by going to the house of the Lord and worshipping Him with us. Together with Jesus Christ, we invite our brothers and sisters to come and experience the love that our Father in Heaven offers us through His Son’s Atonement.
We have just one way to access the Atonement of Jesus Christ; through faith in His name unto repentance, by being baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. Without Game Day, these principles and ordinances cannot continue to have an effect in our lives. The Vision to Baptize and Game Day go hand in hand. Game Day prepares our friends to be cleansed of their sins through being baptized and confirmed, since it helps to fulfill the baptismal requirements found in Doctrine & Covenants 20:37.
When Jesus Christ instituted the sacrament, He enabled the way to be constantly cleansed of our sins. That is why Game Day is essential in the eternal progress of each person. He said, “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life” (John 6:54). The sacrament is the most significant part of Game Day. We should prepare ourselves, as well as our friends, to feel the redeeming power of Jesus Christ in this sacred ordinance. As taught in Preach My Gospel, our friends should understand the sacred nature of being baptized and confirmed. Along with that, they should understand the sacred nature and the need of the sacrament. It offers us the opportunity to renew our covenants, remember the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the promise of having the Holy Ghost with us. When they understand the significance of the sacrament, they will all be better prepared to feel the effects that Jesus Christ’s Atonement will be able to have in their lives. If they don’t understand the significance of the sacrament before being baptized and confirmed, how can we expect them to endure to the end?
The key to having a successful Game Day is preparation. “You don’t just show up on Game Day and expect to be great. Greatness happens in practice. You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” (Michael Jordan). In order to better prepare ourselves for a successful Game Day, we need to prepare our fields for the rain, or in other words, prepare ourselves and our friends for a revelatory experience.
In your personal preparation, are you accepting the Savior’s exhortation to have a broken heart and contrite spirit? As you participate in the sacrament, can you perceive the effects of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in your mind, your heart, your desires, in the way you see, the way you feel, the way you talk, even in the way you breathe? “If ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love… [Game Changers] I would ask, can ye feel so now? (Alma 5:26).
In order to prepare our friends, what tools do we have to help us? How can we be even more obsessed, passionate and anxious to do everything possible in order to help every creature come unto Christ? Sister Allred said, “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go with members.” Game Day is with members. There are members that took the same steps in the beginning of their conversions. Their testimonies could be what changes the game for our friends. We are not alone in this WORK. “Together you will strengthen and establish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” (PMG Chp. 13).
In His visit to the Americas, our Savior invited everyone present to come unto Him, so that all could thrust their hands into His side and feel the prints in His hands and His feet. He extended this invitation so that they could know that He died for the sins of the world. Jesus Christ has invited every one of us to do the same by saying, “Come unto me and be ye saved.” (3 Nephi 12:20). That is our Missionary Purpose. That is why we have Game Day. That is the why of the gospel. That is the reason why Jesus Christ performed His Atonement. How can we better accept His invitation and help others do the same?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His church and it has been restored for our eternal progress. That’s where we learn the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68) and where we make covenants with God in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. There is no other place or way. He declared, “[I have] finished my preparations unto the children of men.” (D&C 19:19). Elders and Sisters, everything is set up for a successful Game Day! You have been chosen, you possess the power and authority to declare the restored gospel. Remember, “Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.” (D&C 6:33). Game Day gives us so many opportunities to “do good”. The Lord is counting on you. The gathering of Israel has begun and the Lord has promised you, saying “thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back” (D&C 31:5). Time is running out. Oh, how great is your calling!
Elder Tate Cannon 