Hymn # 237: “Do What Is Right”
3. Do what is right; be faithful and fearless.
Onward, press onward, the goal is in sight.
Eyes that are wet now, ere long will be tearless.
Blessings await you in doing what's right!
(Chorus)
Do what is right; let the consequence follow.
Battle for freedom in spirit and might;
And with stout hearts look ye forth till tomorrow.
God will protect you; then do what is right!
Making Decisions: Monkey Traps
What are some examples of things that matter most,
being at the mercy of things that matter least?
Making Decisions: First Part of the
Erroll Bennett Story
If your small group was assigned to read the first part of the story, take turns
reading the next three slides. (If you were assigned to read the second part
of the story, skip the next three slides.)
For Erroll Bennett, joining the Church could well mean the end of his
successful career as the top soccer star in Tahiti. “‘Are you crazy?’ Erroll
Bennett’s father raged when he heard of his son’s intention to join The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ‘Have you gone mad? You’ll have
to give up everything—everything you’ve worked for. You can’t possibly know
what you’re doing … If you do this, I don’t want to know you. Take everything
in this house that belongs to you and don’t ever set foot across this door
again.’” (Continue to the next slide.)
First Part of the Story (Continued)
Besides making his father angry he would probably not be able to
continue playing soccer, the game he loved so much, because the
games were held on Sunday. He was one of the most famous soccer
players in Tahiti. At age 27, Erroll Bennett was captain of the premier
team of the Tahitian Honours Division.
“Since sport in Tahiti is not professional, Erroll had been working during
the day as a police officer in the Tahitian capital of Papeete. A friend in
the Financial Department of the city government had first introduced
him to the Church. The friend was Lysis Terooatea, who was serving as
bishop of Papeete Tahiti Stake’s Third Ward when he invited the
footballer and his wife over for a family home evening. The Bennetts
had enjoyed the evening … Return invitations followed, and the
Bennetts felt their interest deepening. ‘… My wife and I both felt deeply
the need to be baptized.’” (Continue to the next slide.)
First Part of the Story (Continued)
“Erroll Bennett’s decision to become a Latter-day Saint would almost
certainly spell the end of his soccer career. They were right about Sundays.
Erroll was already saying that if he was baptized he would no longer
participate in Sunday games. The Church would come first—even before his
beloved soccer.”
End of the first part of the story. If you were assigned to read this part, do
NOT read the second part. Skip the next three slides.
Listening Practice: Second Part of
the Erroll Bennett Story
If your group was assigned to read the second part of the story, take turns reading
the next three slides. (If you were assigned to read the first part of the story, skip
the next three slides.)
“Erroll’s first action, though he still was not a member, was to seek out his friend,
Brother Terooatea, for counsel. The footballer fondly recalls how the bishop
listened, then urged Erroll to make the first step in reconciliation, to put aside the
question of baptism until he had made this … attempt. He then explained the
principle of priesthood blessings and of how priesthood authority could be used to
help him. That evening, Erroll received a priesthood blessing for the first time … The
next day, Erroll again drove out to his father’s home. As he approached the house,
he could see his father standing by the gate to the front garden. There were tears in
his eyes. ‘I want you to forgive me, Erroll,’ he said. ‘I couldn’t sleep last night for
thinking about it. If you hadn’t come here first, I would have come to you.’” (Continue
to the next slide.)
Second Part of the Story (Continued)
“Then he continued: ‘You know that thousands of people will be
disappointed in you. It will mean the end of your career if you won’t play on
Sundays. You know that Napoléon Spitz isn’t going to change the entire
football league schedule just to accommodate you. Still, this is your
decision. All I ask is that you don’t raise the subject again. It’s closed.’”
Erroll said “‘I remember going up the side of the mountain near my home
where I like to jog, and privately pouring out my feelings to my Heavenly
Father … The baptisms went ahead as scheduled … The following day he
would talk to Napoléon Spitz and withdraw from active soccer, leaving his
position open to some other hopeful.
Mr. Spitz’s reaction was a surprising one. ‘Hold off for a few days,’ he said.
‘Wait until after the meeting of the league later this week.’” (Continue to the
next slide.)
Second Part of the Story (Continued)
“When Erroll heard the news a few days later, he could hardly believe
it. Napoléon Spitz had advised league officials that the Central club
had decided not to play on Sundays. Mr. Spitz explained that playing
on Sundays was preventing team players from being with their
families, and that it was an unacceptable practice. Whatever other
league teams wanted to do, Central would not play on Sundays. A
vote was then called for, and the decision was unanimous. From now
on, all Honours Division games would be played on weekday
evenings.”
End of the second part of the story.
(“Erroll Bennett: Tahitian Soccer Star,” Michael Otterson, 1982)
James E. Faust
“How do we make correct choices? A choice
involves making a conscious decision. To
make an intelligent decision we need to
evaluate all available facts on both sides of an
issue. But that isn’t enough. Making correct
decisions involves prayer and inspiration. The
9th section of the Doctrine and Covenants
gives us the grand key. The Lord said to Oliver
Cowdery:
(Continue to the next slide.)
James E. Faust (Continued)
‘Behold, you have not understood; you have
supposed that I would give it unto you, when you
took no thought save it was to ask me. But,
behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out
in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right,
and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall
burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is
right. But if it be not right you shall have no such
feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought
that shall cause you to forget the thing which is
wrong.’”
(“Choices,” James E. Faust, 2004)
How does this counsel apply
to all decisions?
S.M.A.R.T. Goals
As a group, rewrite the goal, “I want to be a great
student,” as a SMART (specific, measurable, attainable,
relevant, time-bound) goal.
Then, discuss the following:
• How does turning a simple goal into a SMART goal
make it more achievable?
• How does using the SMART goal method help you
increase your effectiveness as you pursue your goals?
• How can we involve the Lord in these goals?
Making Decisions: Share Your Part of the Story
In your own words, help your group share your
part of the Erroll Bennett story.
• First part
• Second part
Conclusion:
• Erroll Bennett was the top scorer in Tahitian
soccer for 10 years. Erroll Bennett says simply:
“I’ve been truly blessed.”
True or False?
Is the following statement true or false?
• “When you do not achieve all of your goals, you have failed.”
Discuss the following questions:
• What have you done to help yourself stay committed and focused
when working toward a goal?
• What have you done to adjust a goal and make needed changes?