Falling Is Part of the Process, Just Get Up

We're going to fall, but we must keep going.
Kenneth Rooks fell more than two laps into the 3,000 meter steeplechase race, but he didn't let this stop him. He not only recovered to rejoin the pack, but stunned everyone by pulling ahead in the final stretch to become the National Champion of the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championship.
“One thing that I know is that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us, who cares about us. And I also know that we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for us. And part of the reason why the Savior did what he did for us was because life was going to be hard…
"I couldn’t control the fall 100% but I could control how I responded. I could control being in the moment, being present, making decisions.” -Kenneth Rooks
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[@courtneyanderson3108]

And a year later he wins a silver medal at the Olympics. An amazing story continues!

[@matthewstarliper4074]

absolutely incredible!

[@themarvinjr3142]

What a great blessing ! 🙏🥹

[@BrentMayberry]

What a boss, Kenneth! I got goosebumps watching this and hearing how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ applies to hard times in life.

[@himni2000]

And now an Olympic medalist! What an inspirational story!!

[@drmichaelshea]

Fabulous! Very inspirational.

[@cheekymom4]

I was there...screaming...cheering...I witnessed this amazing race!!! Will never forget it...ever!!!!!

[@churchofjesuschristeventsinsp]

What a blessing to have witnessed that event! Thank you for sharing your comment!

[@lukedav]

This brought me to tears as I have really been struggling this year, very grateful for Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven and that They will help us when we fall and are always in constant pursuit of us, especially when we fall! This is a beautiful story of resilience and learning to get up and trust God when all seems lost! I know Jesus is the Christ and I know that when we have hope in Him, the Holy One of Israel, He can and will truly deliver us from whatever is ailing us, we just have to choose to get up and run to Him!

[@BlackandWhiteTrading]

I understand what you’re are going through. Cause I am going (went) through them.

[@BrentMayberry]

He will deliver us, Luke. I bear witness that He loves us and will help us. Believe, and hang in there!

[@manudauphin175]

I'm impressed to see that his fall was something that he expected to happen, and he prepared himself to respond to it in the most effective manner possible. He is inspiring and insightful.

[@haideesebastian5185]

That was soo amazing! Falling down and yet was still able to win the race. Just like in our lives, we sometimes stumble, but if we get back up and continue on in our journey, exercising faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will eventually reach our desired destination.

[@tmuir2801]

Thank you. I need this right now. I’m learning for the times I fall down and that’s a blessing.

[@rebeccalarson7995]

This man is wise and he is truly a disciple of Christ. God is using him as his ambassador in the race of life.

[@isaakmurphy1125]

I ran distance in middle school and high school and this is super relatable to me! I am a BYU student and this was inspiring to see this whenever I went to school! I also read the scriptures before meets and this is an inspiration for all athletes. This video is awesome! I loved how he mentioned how he focused on what he could control and how he can react and then make a plan just in case something did happen! This is something we can all apply to our lives. I am grateful to watch this.

[@theviolinvoice4173]

Congratulations on this win and your silver medal!!!

[@jewelbusch2161]

Oh I love this story. I remember initially watching that race with tears streaming down my face as he slowly but surely came towards the front of the pack after his fall (looked so painful, too!!) I was so inspired. I’m grateful for the reminder on a spiritual level to look to build my resilience to be willing to keep moving forward after falls occur.

[@coleygyaluv]

This beautiful story is so inspiring! It reminds me that my falls and challenges can make me a winner! If I rely on my Savior Jesus Christ I can be that winner 🏆

[@Jo1day]

This story never gets old--and it's wonderful to hear the perspective of everyone surrounding it

[@misteemagalei6807]

He had a plan, in case he fell

[@lorig2881]

Good point. I had forgotten that by the end of the race when my heart was so full.

[@RoyalSaffireQueen]

The way I screamed in my car watching this!!! 😫🙌🏾 The Glory of God is upon you dear brother! ❤ Glory be to God!

[@thomasdavenport8893]

Such an inspiration to keep going even when the odds seem to be against us. The goal of doing one’s best seems to be a more valuable goal than being in 1st place when it comes to overcoming obstacles. The kid from Walla Walla, what a great example of what someone can accomplish. Thanks for this piece of history.

[@trelainamobley6254]

This was soooo inspirational! It helped me remember not to be afraid of setbacks. They are stepping stones to success.

[@bharbertson]

So great - love this message. I can almost hear Ken say, "But God also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure!" (Chariots of Fire)

[@senecaaurelius1811]

Our Heavenly Father gifted us with physical bodies for many reasons, but I’m grateful one of those reasons is to teach us outwardly what we can learn inwardly. Never give up!

[@brennarussell6742]

I really needed this ❤

[@AnsonSavage]

Wooooahhhhh!

[@recursosyvaloreshumanos9582]

I LOVE THE SAVIOR AND REDEMER OF OUR SOULS,,,I LOVE that in this plan of salvation we are not running fast and fast and fast and we do not have to win over other or to win to other but to win to satan the deceiver to win over sin, with repentance, with worthiness and virtue and walking the covenant path,,,,this not about speed but about convertion to the LORD JESUS CHRSIT i love this message of the video...

[@bobbiwalls2330]

Beautifully expressed.❤

[@houseuponthemountain8540]

So incredibly beautiful! So incredibly inspiring!!! Thank you! 💛

[@chuggco]

Que Preciosa historia! So Christlike... that's us coming to Heaven!

[@LarryMickelson]

That is mind boglingly amazing!!!

[@magsdaria8795]

Wow! Thank you so much for this very inspiring story and testimony ❤

[@fernandagonzalezdeorteguit4980]

What a powerfull lesson!

[@VickiB.Jolley]

This is so powerful and motivating. I love his grit and perseverance. I noticed he didn't look back until he crossed the finish line and knew he had WON! He just kept looking ahead and moving ahead to the end. So so amazing! Thanks for sharing this!

[@alexandralantaler7655]

What a great example and motivation for never give up. Watching this gave me so much encouragement to face my challenges with confidence optimism. He's love and testimony of God and his faith was beautiful and a reminder to stand for what we believe and not be embarrassed of who we are, our goals and our purpose.

[@benjaminsmith6031]

Very inspirational. Love this story. Cheering for him going forward!

[@lancedyer4870]

Great story and wonderful message

[@cowboysmith7972]

Thank you so much for putting this inspirational video together!!! Life is so, so difficult at times, bitter heart breaking, soul crushing things happen, I like the message, just get up and keep running. This has helped me look at some of my most crushing failures in a better light and how to respond. Also, I have to say I LOVE BYU, I LOVE BYU, I LOVE BYU! It's such a fantastic school!!!!

[@michaellindsay9716]

This is wonderful. Trials come as part of life, we are all given the opportunity to learn and grow from them. Just get up, draw on the Atonement of Christ for perspective and strength, grace and forgiveness, and move forward on the covenant path.

[@Latterdaysaintcrunchymom]

I was so happy to see this when it first came out and is such a lesson in what it means to come back with the strength of the Lord!

[@rhi6536]

Amazing 🎉❤❤❤❤❤

[@csviolin0516]

Very inspiring story. Thanks for posting. Remind me of Eric Liddell from the 1924 Paris Olympics. Very cool that Brother Rooks will be competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics 100 years after Eric Liddell. We will be rooting for you!

[@rabinredulla8798]

Wonderful❤

[@rowenaestuaria]

😇 NICE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF COURAGE 🙏 💛 ENDURANCE IS THE NAME OF THE GAME ⭐

[@jacobstanford8118]

Amazing story, sure to be told for generations to come!!

[@heathernewbold406]

Now’s he’s an Olympic silver medalist! This race reminds me of one of Eric Liddell’s in Chariots of Fire! Liddell was also a practicing man of faith.

[@bronzebuffalo2819]

Thank you for sharing your story and testimony with us. It is good.

[@churchofjesuschristeventsinsp]

Thanks for listening!

[@joepalmer6408]

As a former runner, I really enjoyed and appreciated this video. Thank you!

[@americanpatriot6574]

It shows how he is humble enough to get up and keep trying instead of acting entitled and not trying to still win. There are other pros who throw a fit when they fall and have a pity party because they believe they should have won, so they don’t try very hard after falling. But he wanted to qualify so badly he didn’t let pride get in the way and achieved his goal without blaming others for why he could not reach his goal. I love that attitude! I was screaming at home watching the race! The most exciting race I’ve ever seen!

[@tbarron1631]

We all fall.

[@itsmejed5181]

Truly inspirational 😇🫡

[@mckenziemitchell6044]

❤❤❤

[@joshuataylor9834]

One of the greatest races I have ever witnessed! Thank you Kenny for your inspiring message!

[@leesalazar3914]

Very very cool! Thank you for the inspiration!

[@jrnuggets]

Great athlete. Greater person.

[@brandiesorensen9415]

God is good all the time ✨.

[@elkehoelzle7195]

Wow! I was jumping and screaming! I am so emotional!!

[@isaachedengren9152]

This is so well done

[@soraydaleal4281]

Thank you for sharing, very inspiring; and help me to continue with everything that comes in our lives in the covenant path

[@jadenataylor]

This is legit

[@davidwood1256]

Woody continually falling down. Woody struggles to continue the race. But I do.

[@cristiantorres2891]

🫶🏻

[@NorthAmerican71]

😮😧🙂😀😃

[@Boundless500]

38k runners saw this video

[@MikeParody]

Unfortunately for many of us it feels like we’ve been falling over and over again for most of our lives. With no hope of ever winning. Which is why it’s sometimes nice to think about just forfeiting the race and being done with it all together.

[@meilinamoore6391]

Please don’t give up! There is always hope! If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

[@jenfrowe]

I know life can be super frustrating and doesn’t have the outcome of this video, but know that this world will NEVER be better without you in it. Please stay!

[@MikeParody]

@@jenfrowe thanks to medication I don’t have it in me to actually go through with it anymore. But sometimes I wish I did have it in me. Thanks for the kind words.

[@jwrightgardening]

Staying in the race until the end that God chooses is winning. You say you have no hope of winning but God has a way for every single one of us to win because the race is with ourselves and not anyone else. This is a great video but it is just an analogy and analogies aren't perfect. We don't have to beat out anyone else or get a certain speed or time. And we don't have to do it all on our own because we have a Savior who is running with us; even when we are barely putting one foot in front of the other, He is there for us, yoked with us if we allow Him to be. Mental illness is such a burden and trial but I believe God knows when just choosing to open our eyes for the day and get out of bed, that is winning the race for the day.

[@phoenixrising5338]

It's a lovely story. But it's not the norm. Every single person they interviewed said, "This is not the norm." It isn't. The only reason he had even a chance is that it's an extremely long race, he was in top condition, he wisely paced himself, he's already a champion with the kind of speed and stamina to be competitive and win against this field, and whatever choices the other runners made that day worked in his favor. It still is an aberration, which they all said. The church routinely trots out the miraculous, aberrant win-against-all-odds story, as though this is a metaphor for everyone's life. It's not. Just because one person has a miraculous happening does not mean the same will happen for everyone. What this does is set people up to think this will happen to them. When it doesn't, the church then says, "Well, your faith wasn't strong enough" or "It wasn't what God knew you needed; you, he knew needed a failure." Or something similar. Church members are quick to pile on such things. In the end, the message always becomes, "No matter what happens, you deserved it," which opens so many cans of worms. I'm happy for this guy. I feel tremendously happy for him at the end of the video. His hard work, planning, and guts paid off. Yes, that feels good. But I also know that sometimes, quite often because of the wickedness and evil of others which goes totally unchecked in this world, our hard work, planning, and guts don't pay off. Stories like this, especially repeated endlessly over decades, have taught church members that life is basically a rah-rah sports competition full of winning moments. Some people's lives are so far from this they aren't on the same planet. The church never seems to even see a significant portion of the planet. The story is wonderful, he totally earned his win, he's definitely a champion, major kuddoes. But this says absolutely nothing about my life. The church is clueless about my life and it just doesn't speak to me about my life.

[@daltonbell9792]

Nkwagala nyo ssebo

[@A_Dventures]

This is not the church of Jesus Christ.

[@coltongillespie9817]

It is! I know it for myself. I hope you can too :)

[@annaperez7308]

Such an inspiring story 🤩

[@churchofjesuschristeventsinsp]

It really is!

[@americanpatriot6574]

It shows how he is humble enough to get up and keep trying instead of acting entitled and not trying to still win. There are other pros who throw a fit when they fall and have a pity party because they believe they should have won, so they don’t try very hard after falling. But he wanted to qualify so badly he didn’t let pride get in the way and achieved his goal without blaming others for why he could not reach his goal. I love that attitude! I was screaming at home watching the race! The most exciting race I’ve ever seen!

[@royceveater2728]

❤❤❤