LDS chaplains give spiritual support to athletes
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The 2002 Olympic Winter Games have been dubbed by some as the 'Healing Games,' and many people are acting to make sure they hold true to that name. Among these people are three Latter-day Saints who are serving as chaplains at the Olympic Village.
Mark Allison, a former U.S. Navy and Marine Corps chaplain; Alden Brown, a former U.S. Army chaplain; and Roger Keller, a convert who was a minister before joining the Church, were asked by the Salt Lake City Interfaith Roundtable to join more than 30 other interfaith accredited chaplains, who represent 22 different faiths, at the village. The interfaith roundtable is a division of the Games' Salt Lake Organizing Committee.
The other chaplains come from many belief systems, including a variety of other Christian faiths, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Native American medicine.
Brother Keller has a unique perspective about other faiths; he served as a Methodist minister for two years and a Presbyterian minister for 15 years; he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in June of 1986. He now teaches Comparative World Religions at Brigham Young University.
A member of the Wallsburg 2nd Ward, Midway Utah Stake, he said that his background has made him more aware of the spirituality of others and their love for God.
"I have an appreciation [for] the multiple places that one finds God's fingerprints in the world," he said.
Brother Brown, a member of the Battlecreek 8th Ward, Pleasant Grove Utah East Stake, has served as a chaplain in Germany, Korea and many places in the United States. He said it is always a blessing to work with so many people from other faiths.
"I have learned that our Heavenly Father loves all of His children," he said. "It's easy for me to love them and share a part of myself."
Brother Allison, a member of the Salt Lake Cottonwood Heights Stake and the first chaplain sent to the Persian Gulf War, has also gained from his experiences with members of other faiths. He said all chaplains think that the interaction between faiths is a positive experience. During his first week at the Olympic Village, he visited with a Baptist minister who had never done interfaith work before. The minister told him he hoped to go away benefiting from the associations he will have during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Brother Keller shares the hope of the Baptist minister.
He desires a "continuation of interfaith dialogue" that will "transcend and go beyond the Games."
The positive attitudes expressed by the other religious leaders are something the LDS chaplains hope to share with the athletes, coaches and staff they serve.
Brother Allison said he would like to provide a "sense of love and a sense of goodwill" to the people he interacts with. Brother Brown added that he wants the people in the Olympic Village to have a sense that someone is there for them.
The chaplains should be able to accomplish those goals as they perform their duties at the village. Their job description directs them to staff and maintain several interfaith facilities; they must be available to provide spiritual support to anyone who needs it.
It is the chaplains' responsibility "to assist any athletes or members of their national team in the event that there is a need for religious or spiritual care," Brother Brown said.
Brother Keller said that "spiritual healing" will be produced as the chaplains fulfill the wishes of the people they serve.
The requests range from grand to simple things.
"It is not uncommon for any team to call to have a team prayer," Brother Allison said.
He noted that some people are fearful about safety during the Games, and then said that the chaplains try to deal with that concern as well. He said the Olympics will be the focus of a great deal of prayer, not only for winning and glory, but also for safety.
In addition, he said that some people have misperceptions about Latter-day Saints and that, in his service, he may be able to dispel some of those ideas.
All three chaplains said they are embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Brother Keller said he feels humbled that he gets to be with some of the greatest athletes in the world and share with them in their hopes and dreams. Brother Brown said the work will be a great opportunity for him to learn more about other people.
"I feel very blessed to be a part of this," Brother Allison said in reference to the Olympics. He said that the "Olympians have prepared for this world-class event" and that he was honored to be among those providing chaplain service for them.
E-mail: ngrubbs@desnews.com
