"After the race, Elder Hunter walked to where the boats were docked and spoke with one of the oarsmen, who explained that the prow of the long-boat “is so constructed that it cuts through and divides the water to help overcome the resistance that retards the speed of the boat. He further explained that the pulling of the oars against the resistance of the water creates the force that causes the boat to move forward. Resistance creates both the opposition and the forward movement." (HWH manual ch. 3)
When I first read this story I thought it was strange that the purpose of this sport is to use resistance to propel oneself through resistance. I asked myself what could be the point. I realized that the point is not the boat, or the speed, or the water, it's all about the rowers. The resistance is necessary for the rowers to become stronger. Without resistance, the rowers could not be changed! There could be no muscle development or growth without resistance.
The Lord's purpose is not so much to get the boat and its members to a certain destination, but for the rowers to become something divine. His work is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. This goal is about the condition of the man himself, not his location.
In order to have eternal life, a person must be capable of eternity. His soul must be infinite or else he cannot comprehend or enjoy infinite joy or fulfillment. Immortality refers to quantity (how much life). Eternal life is quality (how good is life). I can only receive that which I am capable of receiving. As I live by celestial law, I become capable of feeling celestial things.
Joy is not something we receive, it is something we create as our souls process our experiences. The more refined my soul, the more joy it is capable of creating. For the Lord to give us eternal life when we are not eternal beings would not be a gift. We would not appreciate it and we would not be able to use it. It is a useless gift unless I'm capable of enjoying it. It would be like giving binoculars to a blind man or new shoes to a man without feet. It would not only be useless, but even hurtful. It would be a constant reminder of what you cannot have or do. The Lord will bless each of His children with the very most they are capable of receiving.
Eternal life cannot be possessed, it is not handed from one to another any more than physical fitness is. Eternal life is who we become, not what we are given.
Teaching moment: Give a child a gift he or she is not able to use or fully enjoy (clothes that don't fit, a book in a foreign language) or part of a gift but not enough to use it (wheels without a bike, a case without a phone, batteries without a toy etc). Explain that Heaven isn't just what you get, it is also your ability to enjoy it. If you don't become who you need to become, you will not be able to use or enjoy that gift. (After explaining this concept, it may be wise to give the rest of the gift and discuss how happiness is both having the gift and having the ability to use it). You could also discuss how opposition or resistance is the key to becoming who we need to be.
Possible concepts to teach: opposition, trials, agency, choice, eternal life, becoming, repentance, faith, change, diligence, discipline, plan of salvation
Possible scriptures:
D&C 88:32-33
2 Nephi 9:14
Mormon 9:3-4
2 Nephi 2:10-16
Moses 1:39
2 Kings 4:1-7
John 17:3
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