Fourteen-year-old Karter Iva, recently selected for the Gold Coast Future Titans High Performance Team, is a great example of a gifted young man staying true to his faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Karter
Karter Iva, Gold Coast Future Titans Training Team member.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Karter loves Seminary, a religion class for teenagers held on weekday mornings before school. He feels the importance of his priesthood duties in preparing the sacrament and setting up chairs for Sunday worship at his local congregation.
His dad, Francis Iva, says, “We’ve taught our children since they were young that we’re a family that worships God on Sunday.”
“God has given them talent,” Francis continues. It’s not about themselves. It’s about honouring God through their gifts and letting people know.”
“We see sports as a great thing. It’s something we do, it’s not who we are. We are children of God.”
Karter and his eight sports-loving siblings have taken these teachings to heart.
"Honouring the sabbath was always a thing for me,” says Karter. “When I got older, I gained a deeper meaning as I put this principle into practice.”
“There’s a section in the ‘For the Strength of Youth’ guidebook,” he says, “that talks about making inspired decisions. I understand that God trusts us to use talents to glorify Him and Jesus Christ. The way I do that is by keeping the Sabbath holy.”
Karter’s sporting community also knows that he doesn’t play on Sundays. Though they keep asking him to reconsider, Karter holds firm. Neither will he let Tuesday morning school rugby practice interfere with his early morning seminary class.
It’s a challenge for many families who must choose between sports and the Sabbath.
Francis tells his children, “Yes, it’s disappointing, but we see how you are blessed. The time will come. The Lord has your back.”
Karter
The Iva family enjoys spending time at the temple.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Karter’s current Titan development squad understands that he has church responsibilities on Sundays, partly due to the example and dedication of other faithful members.
Although Karter has missed a lot of grand finals and didn’t see blessings straight away, NRL clubs have offered him scholarships because he excels and shows commitment. He has previously shown commitment to his school basketball team by going to the state championships with them.
Karter likes spending time with his family and appreciates their guidance. “My mum is really big on education, so I do before and after school tutorials,” he says.
As for his future plans, Karter says, “I plan to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I want to go anywhere the Lord calls me to serve.”
