For the Strength of Youth
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For the Strength of Youth June 2025


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Samuel G.

16, Bogotá, Colombia

young man

Photograph by Carolina Triana

I play basketball. One day, I messaged the coach that I wouldn’t be able to play in any Sunday games.

He responded, “What do you mean? If you want to go professional, you have to put the sport first.” I told him that if I wanted to go professional, I had to put God first, and He would help me.

My coach said, “I am going to do everything possible for the games to be on Saturdays.” And that’s the way it’s been.

It might not always work out that way. But I’m glad my coach knows that for me, the sport doesn’t come first—my Heavenly Father does.

When I do things right, I feel that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are proud of me. It’s a peace that no one can take from me, knowing that I’m trying and that They recognize my effort.