Any disappointment I have as a fan is far outweighed by the pride I feel as a BYU alum and a member of the LDS church. We stuck to our values and in turn gave credibility to the honor code and the life we pledge to lead as members of the church. Karl Maeser who served 16 years as the principal of BYU academy (precursor to BYU) said this about honor: "Place me behind prison walls - walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground - there is a possibility that in some way or another I might be able to escape; but stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of that circle? No, never! I'd die first".
I imagine during times like this that the lifestyle of members of the LDS church and their honor code must seem quite bizarre to the rest of the world. It reminds me of the words of Peter in the Bible to the early Christians that they were a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people..." (1 Pet. 2:9.) Or Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians where he taught, "...the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God" (1 Corinth 2:14). Though our actions may seem eccentric, it sounds like good company with which to find ourselves.
As the country gets ready to begin the final tournament to crown their champion I feel like BYU has already won. They have accomplished something much greater that a sporting championship. They have stood by their word of honor and in turn they have stood out to the rest of the world. May I have the fortitude to do the same when faced with my own decisions each day. Go Cougars, and giddy up StevieG!
