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You don't see this every day (at least not publicized), but an active LDS rugby star in New Zealand has changed his mind and now decided NOT to serve an LDS mission. Instead, he'll continue his rising rugby career and, as he puts it, serve as a good example to other LDS kids. I bet this story will never make it to the Church News (which is never shy about publishing a story about a star athlete deciding to go on a mission instead of playing). See link below for article:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4202334a10713.html

Here's an even better article, from Australia:

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/se ... 00900.html

Two parts made me smile:

1. The kid's mother is quite candid in saying the boy didn't want to go on a mission (she attributes this to his not being spiritually ready); and

2. The boy and his family seem to aspire to the boy's becoming a bishop like his dad.

Rollo Tomasi wrote:You don't see this every day (at least not publicized), but an active LDS rugby star in New Zealand has changed his mind and now decided NOT to serve an LDS mission. Instead, he'll continue his rising rugby career and, as he puts it, serve as a good example to other LDS kids. I bet this story will never make it to the Church News (which is never shy about publishing a story about a star athlete deciding to go on a mission instead of playing). See link below for article:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4202334a10713.html

My guess is that the Church will use him any way they can. If he becomes a big star and has influence, you'll see him in the Church News sometime in the future.

Could we be seeing rugby's answer to Steve Young?

(Although Rugby is too sports what Mormonism to the Mainstream)

So they sneer. Anonymously.

rcrocket wrote:So they sneer. Anonymously.

Are you going to ride this Anonymity thing all the way to godhood?

Should I give you your congratulations now (anonymously of course)?

rcrocket wrote:So they sneer. Anonymously.

One-note-wonder Bob strikes again.

I don't know. In the end, it's the kid's decision, not ours. My guess is that his parents are disappointed. My son will be 19 next month, and he has no plans to go on a mission. I told him I'd support him whatever he decided to do, but he has not been interested in the church since he was about 12. Of his 2 best friends, one is in the MTC and one got his mission call yesterday. I hope it's a good experience for them.

rcrocket wrote:So they sneer. Anonymously.

One day, there may be a point to one of your posts. If we all have faith, it may come to pass.

As for the OP, good for him. He's doing the right thing, and is providing a good example to other LDS kids: "Don't waste your time, boys!"

What's the big deal. If Steve Young can choose football over a mission, why can't this rugby player? Of course the argument can be made that Rugby isn't as important as football. Once we allow rugby players to skip missions, next it will be soccer players, then volleyball players, then Little League coaches, then ballerinas, and the next thing you know someone will say, "Sorry bishop, I can't go on a mission because my company's weekend kickball team really needs me." THe church needs to draw the line somewhere between a good excuse for skipping a mission and a bad excuse.

Or even worse, "sorry Bishop, but I'm not going on a mission because I'm entering into my second year of college and that's more important to me than acting as a door to door salesman for a false belief system."