โGrowing up, it was always God, family, and baseball. There were a lot of late nights practicing, a lot of traveling, and sometimes it was hard to get to church. But my parents helped me build a foundation on a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
โI always had a testimony, but I hadnโt read the Book of Mormon all the way through. I believed what my parents told me. Theyโre really smart, and their testimonies are strong. Then I got drafted, and I thought, โAll right, I probably need to read this for myself.โ
โOne of the guys I was drafted with shared my faith. We became roommates and studied the scriptures together. As I read, I received personal revelation. Thatโs when my testimony really became stronger. I could see Heavenly Fatherโs hand in putting someone like that in my life.
โReading helped me strengthen my testimony, and living what I believed gave me more opportunities to recognize His hand.
โMy mom had talked to me about tithing before I even had a job. She told me about the blessings sheโd seen and encouraged me to pay it. So I did. As Iโve kept that commitment, Iโve learned that the blessings can be physical, too. For me, being able to play baseball at my best is a blessing I connect directly to paying my tithing.
โPlaying at an elite level still has its ups and downs. After a good year, I had a rough year. Sometimes youโre asking Heavenly Father, โPlease help me,โ and you forget how much Heโs already helped. Looking back helped me recognize the opportunities and blessings He had already given me.
โThat same commitment to living my faith carries into how I take care of myself. Living the Word of Wisdom is a choice I made early. Iโve never wanted to drink or smoke. In high school, I watched people try vaping, get addicted, and struggle to stop. I didnโt want to find myself in that situation, and Iโm grateful I made that decision before I ever started playing professionally.
โSo when we were celebrating with the team and there wasnโt any sparkling cider, I opened the fridge, saw some Fanta in glass bottles, and grabbed a couple. I didnโt even want to hold alcohol because I didnโt want to give the impression I was drinking it. Then everybody started sending me pictures of their Fanta.
โReading the Book of Mormon, paying my tithing, and living the Word of Wisdom are commitments I carry with me. As Iโve lived them, the foundation my parents helped me build in the gospel of Jesus Christ has become stronger through my own experiences.
โHeavenly Father has really shown His hand in my life.โ
โCooper