Setting records shouldn't be taken lightly, according to Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve. For that reason, he and Elder Monte J. Brough of the Presidency of the Seventy paid a visit to the small, northern Utah community of Randolph on Dec. 1.

Elder Perry was the featured speaker at a fireside at the Church's meetinghouse in Randolph, honoring Rich High School's accomplishments in the recently completed fall sports season. The fireside was sponsored by the seminary in Randolph."These little communities are really the solid foundation of America," Elder Perry said, explaining his enthusiasm for making the trip in a snowstorm to northern Utah's Rich County. "We should recognize them and honor them for their achievements."

Athletes at Rich High School, which is located in Randolph but draws students from throughout the Bear Lake region, have distinguished themselves in competition over the past few years.

The Rebels football team set a new state record of 25 consecutive wins with a 39-12 victory over Duchesne High School in the 1996 Class 1-A state championship game Nov 9. The milestone also gave the Rebels their third straight state championship.

Meanwhile, the Rich girls volleyball team won a record-setting fifth consecutive state title by beating Wayne High School in the finale on Nov. 2.

Speaking in the packed meetinghouse, Elder Perry spoke about what it means to set a record. "It means you are the best at one thing, better than anyone else. It gives you a standard to move forward from. We should go throughout life stretching ourselves to accomplish something a little better."

Elder Perry said that when a small, isolated community, which doesn't have an abundance of activities available, rallies around its high school, it is a great blessing. "They couldn't run a football team without every boy's participation," he said.

While on a trip to Eastern Europe with Elder Brough in early November, Elder Perry asked his secretary in Salt Lake City to leave telephone messages for him each week with the results of the San Francisco 49ers, BYU and Rich High School football games. As the Rebels approached the football record, Elder Perry said he was very interested in how they would come out.

Elder Brough, who grew up in Randolph, said, "When we learned while in Europe that they set the record, Elder Perry said he would like to go up there."

After speaking personally to many of the football players and asking them about their mission plans, Elder Brough said, "They all indicated they were planning to go."

Most of the students attending were also on track to graduate from seminary.

"For an apostle to go out of his way, as Elder Perry did, to bless a community, is a wonderful thing," Elder Brough said. "The community was really appreciative."