Conquering Life’s Daily Distractions | Kelly R Johnson | 2022

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We can overcome the daily distractions in our lives by focusing our efforts on long-term goals and righteous endeavors.
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The last time I was on this floor in the Marriott Center was in 1980. I had been selected to represent the state of Utah in a national high school basketball tournament hosted by BYU. This was a fabulous opportunity for me to play against some of the best high school competition in the country. And it was a gathering place for college scouts to come watch high school seniors play against each other.
I was excited to play, but I was also quite nervous going up against such significant competition. Our team actually did quite well. I clearly remember a pivotal game in the tournament. We were playing a team from Los Angeles named the Los Angeles Watts Magicians. Just their team name was intimidating. They were skilled offensively, and they were very intense defensively. Their defensive pressure was like nothing I had ever played against.
The player guarding me would position himself so we were face-to-face-seriously, just inches apart. He also loved to trash talk. The pressure began to get to me as I struggled to shake my opponent enough to even touch the ball. A scramble for a loose ball resulted in a jump ball. Following the call, our coach immediately called a time-out. We gathered in a huddle around our coach to receive his direction. Following the time-out, we returned to the court and lined up around the circle at the foul line for the jump ball. My teammate tipped the ball to me. I immediately made a spin move and rose for a wide-open jump shot. As I released my shot, I heard gasps and laughter coming from the crowd . . .
I had shot at the wrong basket.
I have thought about that embarrassing moment many times. What happened? Why did I shoot at the wrong basket? It happened because I lost focus during the time-out called by my coach, and I also became so intimidated by the defensive pressure of my opponent and his trash talking that I lost focus on more important things in the game, such as which basket was mine.
This experience has become an important lesson for me. I have learned that I must be careful and not allow myself to become distracted or to lose focus on things that matter most. If we are not careful, we can easily get distracted and divert our energies to less important things. One of Satan’s favorite tactics is to distract us with seemingly good things that keep us from the best things.
A Distraction Doesn’t Have to Be Evil to Be Effective
Distractions and loss of focus can occur for various reasons. Nephi desired to learn the interpretation of the vision of the tree of life shared by his father, Lehi. As Nephi shared the interpretation with his family, he was asked a question: “What meaneth the river of water which our father saw?”1
Nephi responded, “The water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water.”2 Likewise, our minds can get so “swallowed up in other things” that we may miss important details.
The adversary attempts to distract us away from Christ and His covenant path. Elder Ronald A. Rasband taught, “The adversary’s design is to distract us from spiritual witnesses, while the Lord’s desire is to enlighten and engage us in His work.”3
The Lord gives the following counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 30:2: “Your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called.”
Discouragement often leads to distraction, or a lack of focus. Various distractions may lead to a lack of diligence. In our day, there are many distractions, including Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and busy school and work schedules. Distractions can often be good things. The reality is that a distraction doesn’t have to be evil to be effective.
I ask that you consider this question: What are the things that distract you from staying focused on those things that are most important?
© Brigham Young University. All rights reserved.

[@sofia67875]

I was watching this as I was cleaning my messsssssyyy room, which was a mess for a while and the he showed his office and I went 😳 yes my room is a reflection of my life. Thank you for sharing this talk, i feel much hope and my room is cleaner! 🙏 its not the first time your words have influenced me

[@DWOODPHD]

This is such a coincidence. The one question I had was the exact question Kelly R Johnson addresses: Lehi's Dream! Thank you, sir!

[@Wdbut]

Thank you Kelly R Johnson - I need to hear this. Thank you!

[@guardianangel9517]

Yes.. Distractions come 'a plenty! It's all about constant REpenting and REcalculating🙏🏼👍🏻🤍🕊

[@nanetteiglupas7838]

Thank you for this talk ..I'm gonna ponder for the next few days

[@DoctorSuezz]

This was truly such a great message for each of us struggling each day.... I'm constantly trying to stay on track, yet my family changes my track each day. 🙂🙃 I need to find a new concept. 😇🥰

[@janetharris4962]

Janet Harris, I "happened on" this message this morning. No matter what stage of life you might be in it is applicable.

[@mmkvoe6342]

That makes me think of Elder Uchtdorf's conference talk from one of the last conferences where he summed up all the daily details and different desired projects into the main purpose of loving God and loving our neighbor.

[@tifthetif6567]

I wish general conference talks could be so direct

[@TheAnnieOgden]

Holy cow this was exactly what I needed ❤️❤️❤️

[@reahd1385]

This was a very insightful talk and I have found so much valuable information and powerful reminders to help me in my journey thank you so so much! What a great speaker x

[@sarahlilledal5]

Thanks so much for sharing this great talk that is so helpful and comforting especially during these troubled times and our very chaotic world. Indeed, it’s so important to check our spiritual Compass everyday and to find time to get closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the Prince of Peace.

[@talbertofdz]

A wonderful speech, Thank you !

[@justclay2025]

Total truth expressed well

[@DedeMattix]

Wowwww.....so, so needed. Bless you for sharing these inspired principles!

[@lauralio2055]

I am grateful for this talk. Thank you for being worthy to receive instruction for each of us who needed to hear our Fathers message for us his children. We are truly 🙌 blessed and loved.

[@matildewosnjuk7508]

Thanks

[@TopFunPilot]

Great message

[@ildenete3235]

Excelente ! I took notes! I saw room for more practice in my prayers now. I'm always grateful

[@andrewblack38]

So grateful for this message, I felt well tutored intellectually and spiritually. Thank you 😊

[@heidipenrod1578]

I needed this message today

[@micahbode]

Thank you

[@faenudicrus6591]

Love this!

[@Zion_Or_Bust]

Solid

[@yellowyosh470]

So needed 💛

[@entubadao]

Essential truths.

[@nathanbanks2935]

When we become too distracted, we can loose focus about what really matters. Choosing to rely on Jesus Christ for help can help each of us to adjust our focus to be on him, instead of on the world.