LOGAN, UTAH
Though it might be too soon to call him a legend, Jaycee Carroll certainly achieved hero status among Utah State University basketball fans while displaying his remarkable basketball skills on the hardwood floor of the school's Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
More than 2,300 "fans" returned to watch him in action one last time in the Spectrum on Sunday, April 20. This time he was not in shorts and jersey, but in suit and tie. This time he wasn't displaying the remarkable shooting ability that made him Utah State's all-time leading scorer, but was displaying the fervent testimony that shined during his four years as an Aggie.
Joined by his wife of just less than a year, Baylee, he spoke during the fireside to young adults, high school seniors and others about his mission to Chile, his college life and his marriage.
Noting he has spoken to 60-80 youth groups during his college career, he called the opportunity "an answer to my prayers."
As a missionary, "I really got a love for teaching and sharing my testimony," he said, "and I would pray for opportunities to share my testimony when I got to Logan, when I got to school."
After bearing testimony of the Savior, he said, "I'd like to share some experiences of my own life that have helped me to believe, that have helped me gain a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
He said that as a young boy growing up in Wyoming he wasn't sure he wanted to go on a mission. But seminary teacher Robert K. Wagner's stories about his mission and how much he loved it reached him and he firmly committed to go on a mission himself. "I looked forward to it, I prepared for it," he said.
At the same time, he said he got pretty good at basketball and started scoring a lot of points at Evanston (Wyoming) High School. Colleges recruited him, but many cooled when they found out he was going on a mission.
"I lost opportunities to go and play at different schools," Brother Carroll said. "But at the same time, it opened up opportunities, which happened to be this one. I'm forever grateful that this is where I ended up.
"The Lord really knows where we need to be and He'll put us there if we give Him the opportunity, if we listen to Him."
He recalled the last time he shot baskets before his mission, then going home and putting his basketball shoes in the back of his closet, figuratively putting girls and girlfriends "way in the back of my closet," and his family in the closet "just in the front by the door."
He quit thinking about himself, he said, and learned to serve, love and help others as a missionary. "Because of that, my life has been blessed ever since," he said.
But all the blessings he was receiving didn't prevent him from becoming a little complacent in the Church. He said there was nothing too serious, but he started to put some important things on the back burner, the most important being marriage.
He had a girlfriend, but after almost a year of dating, he decided they needed to break up. Several times they got back together and broke up again. He worried about her being a distraction to his basketball.
"That's not good thinking, let me tell you that," he said.
Finally, he said, his bishop called him in and opened up for him Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-35 and read, "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
"Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men. ..."
"He didn't have to go any further," Brother Carroll said. It put his life back into perspective. He prayed for forgiveness and knew he had to think seriously about marriage.
So he went to his erstwhile girlfriend, Baylee Roche, and said, "Hey, Baylee, I think we need to get married." She said, "Too bad. I've moved on."
He didn't sleep that night, he recalled. The next morning after institute class, he took Baylee aside and shared with her what the bishop had told him.
"I explained that I was sorry that my heart had gotten so wrapped up in things of the world. I told her how much I loved her and that I was ready to commit and make a commitment with her.
"She started crying. She said, 'Are you serious?' I said yes. We committed right then that we would be engaged and get married as soon as possible."
He said he wanted to take her out to dinner to celebrate, "but she said, 'Hold up. I've got to go talk to my boyfriend first."' Talking over the laughter, he continued, "So I sat at home while she went and talked to her boyfriend and explained to him what all had happened. She wished him good luck and I wished him good luck as well."
Then, he stated, "She's the girl for me. I'm eternally grateful that I made that decision."
And whether being married before his senior basketball season was a distraction, he noted, "Everything from my junior to senior year improved, including our team record." During that stellar season, among other things he broke the school scoring record and received all-America honors.
He counseled members of the audience, "The Lord blesses us when we listen for what He wants of us. You might not be as lucky as I was. Don't ignore those promptings."
Sister Carroll preceded her husband to the pulpit and talked about why she believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ. She listed a few things that help members stand out in the world, such as modest clothing, missionary service, tithing, and clean language and entertainment, and said, "By doing these small things, we will receive blessings, guidance and safely do what is right and stay on the celestial path."
E-mail to: ghill@desnews.com
