The temperature was 75 degrees Farenheit. The bright sun shone clearly in the ocean blue sky. The landscape, dotted by coarse dirt, rocks and cactus, stretched out beneath the red rock mountains. Amidst this desolate land existed an oasis of sorts. Multiple grass fields stretched out in a beautiful array of life. Above these grassy fields flew objects more magnificent than all mentioned before:
Discs.
Or, as the common people call them, frisbees.
We as the BYU frisbee team arrived at this oasis early to begin preparing for the rigorous day ahead. 19 men, repping the Y in blue and white, began stretching and running drills to prepare our bodies and minds. We knew we had 5 tough games ahead of us, and that this Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona would be a long one. We wanted to make it worth it.
The night before we had spent at our luxurious Airbnb playing Smash Bros, pool, foosball, and finishing any last minute homework. This time of laughter and relaxation had brought us together as a team, solidifying our bonds that would be tested on this day of competition.
Our rival team, the University of Denver, soon stepped onto the field. Watching their drills, we knew they would be a tough opponent. But we were ready. In the 4 weeks I had been playing with the team, I had earned my position as a starter on our defensive lineup. This means that I enter the field after we score – I am part of the lineup that throws the disc to the other team to begin play. Our goal is then to make a defensive play, go on the offensive and score. In Frisbee, when the defensive lineup scores on a turnover, we call it a “break” because you break the pattern of the offense scoring every time. Those breaks are essential nutrients to a player like me – I need them to survive.
That hunger boosted my efforts that day. Beginning against University of Denver, we came with fire and led 5-3. After this our defensive line, featuring yours truly, entered the field. If we got a break, we would go up 6-3 for the halftime score, and we could easily get to 11 after that and win the game. We threw the disc and were off to the races. After a few throws, my teammate managed to dive and swipe the disc from the air, forcing a turnover. We immediately switched to our offensive set. At one point, one of our dynamic throwers received the disc and immediately looked deep – and floated the disc to that space.
I saw it go up and sprinted back for it. It floated a bit too long, thus allowing a group of about 7 players to gather underneath it. I adjusted my position accordingly, geared up, and leapt at the correct time to secure both hands on that disc. Almost immediately after I had done so, multiple other hands from all angles attached onto that disc and fought for possession. But alas, I had secured it. While falling backwards I wrenched that disc from all hands – or so I thought. As I slammed onto the ground, I realized that my hands were not the only ones on that disc. In shock, I followed the hand to its respective body and realized my teammate Tyler was lying on the ground next to me, equally stunned. We had team caught the disc, right inside the goal line.
None of our team knew what had happened – they simply saw a big pile, and the disc was nowhere in sight. As Tyler and I stood up, both holding the disc with one hand, we saw our team’s expressions turn from confusion to joy. What a priceless thing to witness. They ran to us cheering our names and expressing their disbelief at what had just happened. I looked over at Tyler, who still held the disc with me, and we exchanged a triumphant high five and hug. At that moment I realized two things:
1. I love the sport of Ultimate Frisbee
2. I love playing on a team
Many moments followed in our 3 more games that day. There were times when we were losing momentum and all of the sudden RJ would make a big play and pump us all back up. There were times when I myself would have a bad throw and Booth would miraculously pull it out of the air for a goal. And there were times when injuries and cramps would pull us out of the game, only motivating us even more to win for them. It was an absolutely thrilling experience to be a part of. And at the end of it all, when we celebrated our victories at a local buffet, we were the best of friends, brought together by the rigors of the experience.
I’ve thought back to various teams I have been on in my life. To name a few:
· Windsor Meadows 1st Ward Flag Football Team (this is important, I promise)
· Layton High School Drumline
· Break Force (High School Frisbee)
· Davis County Ballroom Dance
And quite honestly, there are many more that I could name if I chose to. The people on these teams have become my best friends. They are people I would trust with almost anything. They are people whom I have supported, and who have in return supported me. They have provided me with opportunity and reason to grow. They have been my rivals and my allies at the same time. We together have become greater than we could have ever been on our own.
The greatness of our God’s plan for us is evident in these organizations we call “teams”. They not only teach us valuable lessons here, but they act as types for what life will be like in the eternities. Life, whether we like it or not, is a family affair. I don’t mean this mortal life alone – I refer also to what will come after. As cliché as it is, it is an absolute truth that we are all children of a loving God. That family we are a part of is a great team. Yes, we can choose to reject our teammates and live a life of isolation. Or we can embrace our teammates and get further than we ever dreamed to be possible.
Referring to the importance of church organization, Elder D. Todd Christofferson said this:
“It is important to recognize that God’s ultimate purpose is our progress. His desire is that we continue “from grace to grace, until [we receive] a fulness” of all He can give. That requires more than simply being nice or feeling spiritual. It requires faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism of water and of the Spirit, and enduring in faith to the end. One cannot fully achieve this in isolation, so a major reason the Lord has a church is to create a community of Saints that will sustain one another in the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life.”
(Why the Church, D. Todd Christofferson, October 2015)
(Click the picture for a link to the talk)
One cannot be saved in isolation. Indeed, I boldly submit that one cannot be happy in isolation – willing isolation that is. Yes, it is necessary for our well-being to at times be isolated, but an entire life lived in this way is as undesirable as it is unproductive.
And with this said, allow me to submit a personal request:
Never be untouchable.
By this I mean, quite simply, never be out of reach of those who need you! We are all each other’s teammates. The moment you become too good or too cool for someone else, you are denying yourself and your teammate an opportunity to progress. And also, if you ever feel lonely and like no one is willing to reach out to you, why not find someone else who is feeling that same way and extend an arm to them? Then, neither of you are out of reach, for you can both reach for each other.
If you ever wonder what Adam Simpson is trying to achieve in life, simply refer to this philosophy. Everything I do leads to this desire of mine to never be untouchable. Please, teammates, join me in this, and together we can change the world.
Love ya heaps!
Adam Simpson
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