How can good sportsmanship be encouraged?
Val Hale, “I Have a Question,” Ensign, Aug. 1991, 61–62 Val Hale, assistant to the athletic director at Brigham Young University and a member of the Cascade Third Ward, Orem Utah Stake. The key question is, What does the Lord think of poor sportsmanship in athletics? Some might argue that sports are insignificant in the eternal scheme of things and that yelling at referees or at opposing players and throwing tantrums on the field are relatively harmless acts. But the scriptures are very clear in explaining that the Lord deplores contention of any kind. He told the Nephites: “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.” (3 Ne. 11:29.) The Lord certainly must be concerned about our attitudes and the unkind words we hurl at officials and others. Despite this growing problem in all athletics (not just Church programs), good sportsmanship can prevail if
