The Race: Come, Follow Me

While I was stationed at Beale AFB, the home of the SR-71 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, I was required to spend 6 to 8 weeks a year at the SR-71 detachment on Kadena AFB, Okinawa.

 One lazy Saturday morning when there were no missions scheduled for the aircraft, I was watching the military TV station in my BOQ room. It was hosting a talk show that featured two Colonels, one an Air Force officer, and the other a Marine officer. The banter was interesting, and it drifted toward the fitness of Marines versus Air Force. The discussion got a little heated, and the Marine Colonel told the Air Force Colonel that his battalion could beat the Air Force squadron to the end of the Kadena AFB runway. Of course, the Air Force officer accepted the challenge. The runway at Kadena was more than 11,000 feet long – more than 2 miles.

 I thought I could hear the troops (both Air Force and Marine) groaning at the prospect of a race starting at 0730 the next Saturday morning.

 Sure enough, the battalion and the squadron lined up side by side on the east end of the runway at 0730 the next Saturday in PT gear, ready to race. The military TV folks were there with cameras to cover the event. What was surprising to me was that both colonels were at the front of the formations. I expected them to give the troops a pep talk and get out of the way, but they didn’t! When the starter’s pistol fired, the colonels took off, leading their troops down the runway in formation and calling cadence!

 As the race progressed, they went from double time to triple time. Toward the end – the last 200 yards or so – they broke formation and sprinted for the end of the runway. It was unclear exactly who won. Each colonel declared victory, and both the Marines and the Air Force troops were sure they had won.  Each side celebrated with cheers and fist pumps and good-natured taunts for their adversary.

 There was a lot of trash talk the next week on the show, but there was never a clear winner.

 Who won? Both the battalion and the squadron won – morale was sky high, and the troops gained new respect for leaders who led from the front, not the sidelines or the rear. I would be willing to bet that these leaders had decided before the show aired that they were going to issue and accept the challenge, not because of ego, but because they needed to do something to raise morale and esprit de corps. The troops were certainly high-spirited after the race, and I’m sure it carried over into the workday. Two good leaders were successful, but they would probably not have achieved their goal if they had not led the way down the runway.

 I learned a great lesson too. Always the military has great respect for leaders who lead from the front, and this is true in all walks of life. Leaders in the Church who lead from the front are revered and respected; President Monson is exemplary in all his doings. He sets the example. He lives the gospel. He marks the path. He is out in front, showing us the way.

 This is true in the Church from the prophet to Primary nursery leaders (of course, there are those who struggle with this concept) but by and large those called to any leadership position in the Church are sincere and want to inspire those who serve with them.

 The Savior leads from the front. He never pushes from the rear; he never stands aside and lets others take over. In Luke 18:22, He told the rich young man:

 …sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. (italics added)

The rich young man went away sorrowing, because he had much wealth. He lost the opportunity that the Savior offered him, to follow him into eternal life. Each of us has the same opportunity to follow the Savior’s example. We choose. Some – as did the rich man – make a choice that brings temporal wealth, but loses eternal treasure.

 By contrast, when Jesus was calling his disciples, Peter and Andrew responded immediately. We read in Matthew 4:18-20:

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

And he saith unto them, Follow me, (italics added) and I will make you fishers of men.

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

What was the difference? Why did one turn away and two others turn toward the Savior and follow Him? The same great leader, the Savior of the world, challenged the rich man and Peter and Andrew. One failed the test, but Peter and Andrew (and many others) responded immediately to the simple call: “Come, follow me.” Why?

 The answer to this question can be found in the scriptures.  In Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-35, we are instructed:

Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men,

The rich man was called to a high and holy calling, but could not (or would not) respond because of his riches. We have one of James Christensen’s paintings on our wall. It depicts a man who is encumbered with material possessions. They are hanging everywhere on his clothing and his arms and hands are so full of earthly goods that he cannot grasp the iron rod that is well within reach. He seems to want to do so, but is unwilling to let anything out of his grasp.

In Alma 5:38 we are taught that the good shepherd continually calls us. He would have us hearken after His voice – but as always, we choose whether or not we are His sheep.

Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.

The two colonels understood the importance of leading by example. President (then Elder) Monson tells us in his book, Be Your Best Self, on page 197,

"Come follow me" (italics added) continues as the most persuasive leadership phrase ever given. When the Lord gave this invitation to Peter, to Phillip, and to the Levite at receipt of customs, each followed. They knew and were yet to learn even more convincingly that Jesus, their leader, asked no sacrifice, demanded no service, required no effort beyond that which He Himself so willingly gave.

We must choose to pattern our lives after the Savior’s example. The only other choice is the adversary. His enticements sometimes seem attractive, but when we choose the world, we stop our eternal progress. Through repentance we can restart, but it is far better not to have to do so in the first place. In John 14:6, Jesus tells Thomas:

…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

As recorded in BYU Speeches of the Year, 1964, Elder Alma Sonne told BYU students:

It was the way Jesus looked at men, his simple appeal, his short and meaningful phrases, his sincerity glistening like sunshine, that gave his message transforming power. Three words, "Come follow me," (italics added) spoken to Peter and Andrew, induced them to leave their fishing nets and become "fishers of men."

You have the ability to respond to the call. You choose your path. You can be the clear winner. Choose wisely.