The Team Uniform You Wear Matters
Most people don’t even give the idea a second thought.
I am intrigued with the ways the different groups of people in the Book of Mormon set themselves apart from each other.
The manner of dress, grooming, and behavior of each group becomes an identifier.
A type of uniform. An outer expression of the inner self.
“And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites; nevertheless they had not shorn their heads like unto the Lamanites.
Now the heads of the Lamanites were shorn; and they were naked, save it were skin which was girded about their loins, and also their armor, which was girded about them, and their bows, and their arrows, and their stones, and their slings, and so forth.”
-Alma 3:4-5
The Nephites looked and behaved like Nephites.
Lamanites wore a uniform consisting of a loincloth, some kind of armor, light armaments, a shaved head, and a red mark on the forehead.
The Amlicites must have looked a lot like Nephites, a problem that could increase “friendly fire” casualties in battle.
The solution was for the Amlicites to blaze a red mark on their foreheads to distinguish themselves from the Nephites.
Once marked, the Lamanites and Amlicites shared a common identifier. However, the Amlicites did not shave their heads in the Lamanite fashion.
The behavior of these three groups also became a style and symbol of their true inner commitment.
The Nephites were clearly in one camp of belief and moral standards, while the Amalicites joined with the Lamanites in an opposing moral camp.
With their “uniforms” determined, the three armies could distinguish between ally and enemy at a glance.
It was like that during the American Civil War. The combatants on both sides looked very similar. It took uniforms to distinguish the two sides. Blue for the Union and gray for the Confederates.
Being able to instantly identify the group you belong to in the heat of battle is a bigger deal than we give credit for and could be the difference between life and death.
“Uniforms” are important in nature and in human society
Species of plant and animal life share physical and behavioral similarities. It’s a sort of code in nature to keep things organized. That’s how birds, beasts, and fish can distinguish friends from foes and identify the social group they belong to.
Who is a predator, and who is the prey.
Humans are much more diverse.
There are lessons we can learn from nature when it comes to paying attention to uniforms.
An experience from my youth came to mind while thinking about this topic of wearing the appropriate uniform to define who we really are.
Growing up in the north end of the Sacramento Valley of California was a paradise. Hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, snow skiing in the winter, and water-based activities in the summer. There was always a reason to be outside.
The Sacramento Valley is a major flyway for migrating waterfowl in the fall and early winter. Many species stay put and overwinter in the valley. All this makes the valley a prime hunting area for waterfowlers.
My Pop was never much of a duck and goose hunter. He preferred upland game and deer. That means I was never much of a waterfowler, either.
But one day, an acquaintance who had just relocated to our town persuaded Pop to go goose hunting. In fact, the snow geese were migrating, which meant this was the perfect time to go.
So that’s what we did. We got up early, left the house at 0430, and headed south an hour and a half drive down the Sacramento Valley to be there before dawn.
Because we had a different schedule for later in the day, Pop and the newcomer, whom we will call Jack, had previously agreed to drive separate vehicles and meet at the hunting area.
We made our way and met up with Jack. As the eastern sky brightened, we were hidden in the valley corn stalks, toolies, and marshland.
The birds were flying! Thousands in the sky from horizon to horizon. The snow geese were thick, as promised. The only thing off was it was a clear morning, so the birds were flying high. That was frustrating, but the promise of a beautiful morning otherwise.
As the sun rose and night gave way to day, it became evident there was another problem. The swans were also flying, often near the snow geese.
Pop pointed out the anomaly to Jack and expressed caution. But Jack confidently assured us he could tell the difference and would only shoot the “snows.”
Snow geese were legal to harvest. But swans were and still are protected. Even shooting at a swan violates FEDERAL law and comes with hefty monetary fines and punitive penalties that can ruin your day and future hunting privileges.
Swans and snow geese each wear their own unique uniforms.
Swans are generally about twice the size of snow geese and have longer necks. Swans also tend to have a more elegant and graceful appearance.
Snow geese are predominantly white with black wingtips, while swans are typically all white but can vary slightly depending on the species.
Swans are known for their distinctive trumpeting calls and are often considered more serene. Snow geese create a deafening clamor, especially in larger flocks, with their loud, honking calls.
With the commotion of hundreds or even thousands of white birds occupying the sky together at varying altitudes, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two species if you are not paying close attention. When flying in close proximity, shooting at a legal snow goose can equally endanger a swan.
Due to the clear morning weather, most of the fowl, though quite abundant, continued to fly high and beyond shooting range. This was very frustrating! And Jack was not the least bit shy about expressing his growing disappointment.
Finally, A flock of geese came over, barely within range. Frustrated by the clear morning flight patterns and anxious to fill his daily bag limit, Jack emptied five10 gauge shells with BB shot from his Browning pump shotgun into the flock.
Pop stared in disbelief. None of the birds had black wingtips.
The soon-to-be “just some adult I once met” also did not have a “plug” in his shotgun, limiting the number of shots to three before reloading. Another legal violation.
A bird fell from the sky, and another flew away, having sustained apparent mortal wounds. That swan would be dinner for some coyote or fox during the coming night.
Jack walked from the cornfield and waded into the toolies, retrieving what he thought was a snow goose.
With a big grin and swagger of triumph, he held up a very large, very white bird for us to see.
Annoyed and concerned, Pop leaned close and whispered in my right ear, “Go to the car now. We are leaving.” We quickly packed up and left Jack to deal with his illegal mess.
Lessons learned.
Initially, I left Pop alone in his thoughts, knowing he would share when ready.
Pop opened up after a good half hour of driving time back home on I-5 North. He was aggravated by the possible legal predicament Jack had created.
While not the triggerman, there is the possibioity for trouble by association.
It’s like playing with a skunk. It's an activity that can be a lot of fun but will surely get the skunk’s stink on you!
He was also mourning the loss of a potential hunting and fishing companion. Outdoor buddies you can trust and rely on are a rare commodity. It was now painfully clear that Jack’s judgment in our world of outdoor adventures could not be trusted, meaning a pal had been lost.
Experiences in nature often provide the best practical life lessons.
We spent a lot of time in the wilds of Northern California. My dad was the master teacher, making sure those lessons were never wasted.
In his normal fashion, Pop boiled down the lessons of this experience.
Be confident in who you are, whether it be a snow goose or a swan.
Only associate with those you know will do the right thing even when nobody is watching.
Don’t hang out in the wrong flock even if they are loud, fun, and fly fast. You may be shot even if you are a protected swan but blend in with all the other snow geese.
Uniform of the Day.
Thinking back on that experience, the importance of uniforms is at the forefront of my mind.
The snow geese and the swans wore their full uniforms nature had provided. They had no choice in their attire and behavior.
But we do have a choice as humans to determine how we present ourselves.
I have a few foggy ideas but do not clearly remember who the real “Jack” was. But the picture of him that beautiful morning standing in the toolies with a proud smile on his face while holding a dead swan by the neck is as clear today as it was some fifty-five-plus years ago.
I also can still see the look in my dad’s eyes and clinched jaw looking at the same sight I was.
Jack had clearly identified his true self by his behavior. Not the best-looking uniform of the day.
In that moment and many more in the following decades, I preferred my dad's uniform.
So, I ask…
Living in these wonderful and challenging times, what in our manner of dress, doctrine, principles, values, and behavior comprise our “uniforms?”
Are we excited to wear the uniform of the team we choose to play for?
Can our truest teammates quickly identify our common affiliation?
Do we hang out in the safety of a flock wearing an outer uniform symbolic of a shared inner commitment? A commitment united in belief and moral standards?
Thanks for reading and thinking for yourself! Be sure to subscribe so you do not miss out on future posts.
Russell Anderson
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