Rivalries

Sports rivalries are what make sports fun. Being a soccer fan, I have several rivalries that I'm personally concerned with. The Colorado Rapids are rivals with Real Salt Lake. Chelsea FC are rivals with Arsenal... and Manchester United... and Liverpool... and Tottenham... There are a few. Also, being a Red Sox fan, I have nothing but disdain for the Yankees. There are other major rivalries existing in all sports. This makes it personal for you. It's one thing just to watch the game, and want your team to win just because it's your team, it's quite another to have more than just a win on the line. If your team is playing that team, the team you hate more than any other, it makes it more intense. You want a win because it gives you bragging rights. It means one more feather in your cap. It's not just a win, it's a victory! A triumph over the foe! Nothing makes me happier than to see my team beat their rivals, which, unfortunately, hasn't happened too often recently, but there are always times I can look back to: Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Manchester United last year, Red Sox coming back from down 3 games to none against the Yankees, pulling off a series win in the 7th game to clinch the ALCS in 2004 (and later going on to win the World Series), Rapids... Well, at least they won the MLS Cup last year! These rivalries make it exciting as it makes you feel more involved and connected with your team, even outside of the game. You show your support by wearing your colors, and if someone's wearing the wrong color, you let them know that.
However, we must always remember a simple fact: rivalries aside, we're all on the same side. We're all children of God, and we should never let anything (especially something as trivial as sports) cause contention amongst us. I've seen many times a sports argument turn into something much too serious. We can't be divided. We must stay strong in our purpose, or we'll fall. It's not just sports (obviously), it can be anything, from serious things like politics, economics, or our overall view of the world, to simple things like sports, music, television, whatever. The point is, we're all trying to get back to our Heavenly Father, and we all need the help of others to do so. Who cares if you don't agree with the person next to you? Who cares if their opinion seems illogical and dumb? Who cares if they like the wrong team? "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another." (3 Nephi 11:29). You know who said that? Jesus Christ. Contention is of the devil, and will never solve anything. Don't get so caught up in your own opinions that they turn into "facts". Opinions are just that, and no matter how much you think them, they'll never be commonly accepted. People are stubborn and hard to change, and you'll find it difficult, if not impossible, to change someone to your way of thinking, especially if you go about it in a contentious way. We're all brothers and sisters, and we should treat each other as such.
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."