CAFB_04-12 wrote:

That's because lots of LDS people don't consider NFL football to be a career that justifies "breaking the Sabbath." I break the Sabbath all the time because in the military sometimes I have to fly on Sunday. Firemen and cops all work on Sunday and are looked up to. I guess that careers that provide entertainment as it's end product aren't as "Sabbath worthy" as careers that appear to provide some sort of service to the community. If Latter-Day Saints only chose careers that "honored the Sabbath" there wouldn't be very many LDS engaged in the world at large.

And so do doctors, nurses, phone company employees, church employees, including General Authorities, who often fly on Sunday. My father-in-law worked for the church his whole life and the last 5 years or so, he was an auditor. He traveled to South and Central America routinely during those 5 years and almost always flew on Sunday for his assignment.

I agree with what you say here and I think one should be extremely careful about judging what others do with their sabbath. It is an extremely slippery slope.

NorthernCougar wrote:

CAFB_04-12 wrote:

That's because lots of LDS people don't consider NFL football to be a career that justifies "breaking the Sabbath." I break the Sabbath all the time because in the military sometimes I have to fly on Sunday. Firemen and cops all work on Sunday and are looked up to. I guess that careers that provide entertainment as it's end product aren't as "Sabbath worthy" as careers that appear to provide some sort of service to the community. If Latter-Day Saints only chose careers that "honored the Sabbath" there wouldn't be very many LDS engaged in the world at large.

And so do doctors, nurses, phone company employees, church employees, including General Authorities, who often fly on Sunday. My father-in-law worked for the church his whole life and the last 5 years or so, he was an auditor. He traveled to South and Central America routinely during those 5 years and almost always flew on Sunday for his assignment.

I agree with what you say here and I think one should be extremely careful about judging what others do with their sabbath. It is an extremely slippery slope.

For those of you in Utah county: Want your neighbors who work in all those stores, gas stations, etc...to get the Sabbath day off? Don't go shopping!
Some jobs are nessecary on Sunday, and in some cases the work done is not only appropriate but actually elevates the meaning of the Sabbath day. The rest are only there becuase some of you think you are too busy to shop during the week, so you stop by Costco to pick up something for Sunday dinner, or Target for just a "few things I really need".
For many years, the University Mall Mervyn's was the only one in the chain not open on Sunday due to community pushback telling Mervyn's that if they opened on Sunday, they wouldn't shop there any day of the week. Well, finally more people were complaining about it being closed than holding the Sabbath line, so your niece is ringing up blouses and undies instead of sitting with her family in church.
You may be assured that if a store was quiet as a tomb on Sunday's they would be closed...

Cosmo9798 wrote:

Its a personal decision. I don't think it is part of Mormonism to judge how others live their religion. Of at least that seems to have been the message from the New Testament.

When you are talking about free will and moral/religious questions, every decision is personal. I agree that pompous, self-righteous, and judgmental are not the tenet adjectives of Mormonism or Christianity in general, but analyzing history and the successes and failures of others (learning)is a major part of life. You mentioned the message of the New Testament...how about money changers, pharasees, and jewish leaders being chastised by Christ for compromising their principles for money (30 pieces of silver)?

I don't believe BYU alums in the NFL are evil Judases *sp?, but I know making decisions about whether to play in the NFL or not are a big deal in their lives. It has to be a bit difficult praying for a contract extension or for blessings of success that would extend the season more Sundays (what kind of a calling can an active NFL player have in the Church during the season?). I am not judging anyone by saying these things; I simply try to put myself in their shoes and consider how difficult these decisions must be for them. Take Eli Herring, for example...millions or thousands.

Take Eli Herring, for example...millions or thousands.

I have tried to talk to Eli several times about this, with very brief comments or questions and he will not talk about it. I think he lives as he feels he should and lets others make their own decisions. But removing all person's names or where or what school they went to, trying to live by principle is still the yardstick we can judge our own actions. So when I see the great (insert name) on TV it is obvious they have made their own decision...Even when I see them in the announcer's booth afterwards or as a talking head. I so much want to be able to hear what they have to say. But the other 6 days of the week. I throw no stones for I have work left to do on my own sabbath observance.

imuakahuku wrote:
I think you guys need to watch it again. Pause on what it says. "Where no players drafted happens". The context that is used refers to it happening in a particular year such as this past season when no Utah players were drafted. It did not say "where no players are ever drafted" or "where drafted never happens". So there was no lie. You guys just misunderstood.
As for the U's impressive #1 picks, all I have heard from analysts are that they both were busts. I personally think the Y has had more productive players through the years in the NFL than the U. Names like Vai Sikahema, Kurt Goveia, Steve Young, Jim McMahon, Itula Mili, Aaron Francisco, Hoke, the Denneys, Brady Poppenga, Rob Morris, to name a few. Heck last year the Stealers front three at times were all from BYU (Hoke, Keisel, and Nua). I would be hard pressed to say that Utah has one upped BYU when it comes to productive NFL players.[/quote]

Karma to imuakahuku...I completely agree!

BEwhyYOU wrote:

Cosmo9798 wrote:

Its a personal decision. I don't think it is part of Mormonism to judge how others live their religion. Of at least that seems to have been the message from the New Testament.

When you are talking about free will and moral/religious questions, every decision is personal. I agree that pompous, self-righteous, and judgmental are not the tenet adjectives of Mormonism or Christianity in general, but analyzing history and the successes and failures of others (learning)is a major part of life. You mentioned the message of the New Testament...how about money changers, pharasees, and jewish leaders being chastised by Christ for compromising their principles for money (30 pieces of silver)?

I don't believe BYU alums in the NFL are evil Judases *sp?, but I know making decisions about whether to play in the NFL or not are a big deal in their lives. It has to be a bit difficult praying for a contract extension or for blessings of success that would extend the season more Sundays (what kind of a calling can an active NFL player have in the Church during the season?). I am not judging anyone by saying these things; I simply try to put myself in their shoes and consider how difficult these decisions must be for them. Take Eli Herring, for example...millions or thousands.

I live in Dallas, TX and two of the members in my ward play for the Dallas Cowboys. They have strong testimonies, are at every meeting that they can possibly attend, and are 100% on their home teaching. I would know, they home teach me. I know that as quoted above their decisions to play were HUGE and they decided that it was the best way to provide for their families and give back to the communities in which they reside and even contribute greatly to the Church. As for what callings they can have: ones an assistant scout master and the other is a teacher in the elder's quorum.