Enduring to the End and Power Stance

For the newcomers, I wrestled in high school. I still think it is one of the great contests of skill and strength, even after the intervening time that I've been able to play basketball and other popular sports with fellow missionaries. I also still think it has some of the greatest teaching opportunities. I remember one wrestling match I had, against another team with a history of winning and the specific guy I was against was ranked much higher than I was. This story will involve some terms specific to wrestling, and to save space here I will direct you to an article on the rules.

Amazingly, I was able to get ahead during the first two (of three) periods and most of the third. Not only was I ahead, but I had three points on this guy and I was feeling good. There was only 30 seconds left, and we were both on our feet. Since the guy I was wrestling had much more experience than I did (I had at most one year and he surely had three or four years, if not more, under his belt), winning by a small margin would be all I could hope for. I didn't need any more points, and if I got too adventurous I could easily have put myself in disadvantageous position and maybe even have gotten pinned. All I needed to do was endure without making a mistake, but also not retreat (that's called stalling and costs points). I needed to "power stance."

A standard wrestling match for me

Power Stance is what my coaches would tell us to keep pushing, be aggressive and make your foe understand that you aren't done, but don't do anything that might compromise your win. It takes power and endurance in the last period, and is not easy. You are tired, you've just used all of your strength and agility to get ahead, and after everything is left on the mat you need to leave a bit more. It might be the hardest thing you've ever done, yet it is essential to keep going in order to win.

Unfortunately for my record, I did not power stance properly. I was overconfident and my foe took advantage of a foot that slipped too far and I was too weak in bringing it back. He took me down, and even got near to pinning me, and in those last 30 seconds I gave up 5 points and lost the match. I now look back, and though I know that that one match wouldn't have changed too much of my life I still wish I could have endured a little bit better.

All of us have the opportunity every day to endure, be it well or not. Our life is much like a wrestling match, one where we are ahead at the start and as we apply Christ's grace into our lives. However, we are still constantly under attack, and if we slip up we are always in danger of falling under the influence of Satan. We too need to use a "power stance," or a certain method of aggressively protecting ourselves from his attacks. As we listen to the words of God, found in scripture or the words of His prophets, we will be educating ourselves as to how to power stance. As we apply the things we learn, we'll be properly holding the power stance. And as we execute the power stance all the way to the end of our life, we will hear those blessed words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

Ordinances and Ordnance

My brother, me, and a big bullet

Ordnance is a term for military hardware used to hurt other military things. More accurately, it refers to military equipment in a general sense, but I came to learn of it through the US Army Ordnance Museum while it was in Aberdeen, MD. Thus, my early exposure to ordnance involved tanks. Tanks and bombs and coastal defense guns that shot shells longer than I am tall. It was a treasured opportunity to walk around, read the plaques that were up, and just see the awesome that is in modern military power. Of course, it also afforded my mom a time to send the kids out of the house with my dad and have a relaxing Mother's Day afternoon.

Ordnance can cover many things, ranging from the things that shoot to the things that are shot, the things that move to the things that keep them moving. It is a broad term, and if you are like me and fascinated by things that explode it can hold your interest for a while.

An ordinance is a term used in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints quite often to refer to the sacred rituals including the Sacrament, Baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. They require a proper authority, or the priesthood, in order to be performed correctly and be valid. This authority can only be confirmed by the laying on of hands by one who currently holds that authority, and was restored to Joseph Smith through the same method.

Ordinances can also cover many things, from weekly Sacrament to sacred Baptism. They are the keys to eternal life. They are what separate the true church of Jesus Christ from others, because of the authority that is required. They are the biggest change available to you today and can bless your life with peace, happiness, and comfort that comes with following Christ.

The biggest similarity between these two words is the sound. Ordinance has a single extra letter. Yet with that extra letter it also carries such importance. Don't take my word for it; read the Book of Mormon and ask to know if it's true. God would only reveal such a document to somebody called to do so; acceptance of the Book of Mormon is acceptance of Joseph Smith as a prophet and the LDS Church as the true church of Christ on the earth. I've learned this for myself, and I know I am a happier person because of it. Now it can be your turn.