Swim Swam News reported that Joel Thatcher, winner of two “record-breaking national championships his freshman season,” will be “leaving the team and swimming for two yeas to serve a Mormon Mission in Cusco, Peru.” The Swim Swam News article included the speech or “talk” that Joel gave during a Sunday meeting at his church in Savannah, Georgia. In his talk, he shares some of his favorite stories from The Book of Mormon. He talks about how these stories have helped him in his life, especially with his swimming. During high school, Joel did not feel like he was doing very well at swimming. He didn’t seem to be getting any better, and he certainly wasn’t enjoying it. However, one day during a Sunday School class, he read something in The Book of Mormon that changed his whole attitude about swimming.
During high school, Joel did not feel like he was doing very well at swimming. He didn’t seem to be getting any better, and he certainly wasn’t enjoying it. However, one day during a Sunday School class, he read something in The Book of Mormon that changed his whole attitude about swimming. In The Book of Mormon, there is an account of a good king named Kind Benjamin who cared deeply about his people, so he gave them an important speech before he died about how they could have good, happy lives by following Jesus Christ. The speech was so moving that the people had a “mighty change” of heart. This change of heart caused them to have joy and success in their lives. When Joel read this story, he realized that it could help him not only in his overall life, but also specifically with his swimming. He decided to have a “change of heart” about swimming—he tried to focus on the things that he loved about swimming, and it changed everything. He also says that applying the teachings of King Benjamin have changed his life outside of swimming, as well. That is why he has decided to serve a mission—to teach people about how they can have happier lives by following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
When Joel read this story, he realized that it could help him not only in his overall life, but also specifically with his swimming. He decided to have a “change of heart” about swimming—he tried to focus on the things that he loved about swimming, and it changed everything. He also says that applying the teachings of King Benjamin have changed his life outside of swimming, as well. That is why he has decided to serve a mission—to teach people about how they can have happier lives by following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Click here to read the full article on Swim Swam News.
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