"Rugby [league] players — especially Lagi Setu in 2010 and Will Hopoate this past month — leaving the National Rugby League to serve full-time missions have grabbed headlines," reports U.S. newspaper, the Deseret News.
The last Latter-day Saint rugby league player to decide he will serve as a missionary, Sydney's Will Hopoate, generated over 200 media stories with his announcement. Many journalists expressed amazement that he would walk away from lucrative contracts with rugby league clubs to teach others about his faith.
To read Hillary Bowler's article in the Deseret News, click here.
To learn what young Latter-day Saints do to prepare for their 18 months to two years service, go here. The Church's missionary program is described here.
There are two Latter-day Saint missions in New Zealand, and missions throughout the Pacific. Over 52,000 missionaries serve around the world for no pay and at their own expense.
In addition to teaching people about the gospel of Jesus Christ, missionaries also provide community service in their local neighbourhoods.