New Zealand rugby star's Mormon mission the latest step in the life of a fine young man

Ever since he was born, William Hopoate, 20, has been exceedingly good. As a baby, he only cried once a day. As a little boy, he sat quietly in his room, reading the Bible. He never fidgeted in church. He did everything his parents asked. He fed, bathed and changed his nine little brothers and sisters.

Even his mother Brenda admits William was so well behaved, she occasionally thought it was weird.

Fellow members of Sydney's Mormon congregation watched young William grow up and knew what a fine young man he was, but even they were surprised when, at age 19, he turned down a $1.8 million football contract to spend two years as a Mormon missionary. The only people he didn't surprise were his parents.

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