M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Shall the Youth of Zion Falter: Commitment to a Commandment
by Kelly L. Martinez

Another in a periodic series spotlighting LDS youth in the sporting world who are making valiant decisions and giving heed to President Hinckley’s counsel to “stand a little taller.”

I’ve never been to Boise, but if ever I drive through Idaho’s capital city on a Sunday, I know I won’t find Leslie Clarke on any of its soccer fields. 

Since she played in her first soccer game as a child, Leslie has made it a point to keep God first in her life, which includes the decision to never play sports on Sunday.  Once she was chosen to play on a soccer team that would, if it advanced far enough into a tournament, require Sunday play.  She decided then that no matter what, she would not play on the Sabbath.  That particular team didn’t play on Sunday, but the decision young Leslie had made set a foundation for the future.

Back to the Future
Over the years, Leslie’s dad has had the opportunity to coach Leslie’s soccer teams.  One season, their team advanced to a tournament championship that was to be played on Sunday, but father and daughter joined forces and ­ along with other LDS players on the team ­ did not participate in the title game.  The team won without them, and as a result, teammates became supporters of Leslie and her Sabbath decision. 

In subsequent seasons, coaches have learned to accept the fact that Leslie will help take the team as far as she can on any of the other six days, but on Sunday, the team will have to play without her.

Not everyone has been supportive of Leslie’s absence from Sunday play.  One coach told her she couldn’t play for his team because of her stand.  He was unwilling for his team to be forced to play without one of its best players in crucial games that may be played on Sunday.  Others ­ including a member of the Church ­ have been critical of Leslie, claiming she’s not a true team player and she lacks commitment.  These things are difficult for her to hear, but she has stuck to her convictions.

Circle of Sisters
Michael and Sue Clarke have five daughters:  Casey, 30, Lindsay, 27, Heather, 24, Jesse, 21, and Leslie, 17.  Casey, Lindsay and Heather are married, and Jesse is serving a full-time mission in Venezuela.

“My sisters are so supportive of everything I do,” says Leslie.  “They are such wonderful examples to me.  I want to be just like them.  They are my best friends.”

“We’ve really been very blessed,” says Michael, who played club soccer at Ricks College during the early 70s.  “Our daughters are such wonderful young women.  I feel humbled by the examples they are to me.” 

Patriotic Footwork
This fall, Leslie will be entering her senior year at Centennial High in Boise, where she earned a letter last season helping the Patriots to a 6-6-2 overall record.   Additionally, she plays on club teams, which puts her in the position to make the decision regarding the Sabbath that she has.

Prior to leaving for the mission field, Jesse was invited to play soccer at Southern Virginia University.  Leslie made a trip to Buena Vista, Va., with her older sister and got to practice with the Knights’ women’s soccer team.  With one season of prep soccer remaining, Leslie is hopeful that she will have the opportunity to play collegiate soccer. 

Soccer is her first love, but Leslie has also recently finished her first season of track and field at CHS, competing in the mile, 4x200, 4x400, pole vault and her main event, the 400-meter.

Sports are not all that is important to Leslie; she also attends seminary, serves as first counselor in her Laurels class and is a member of the Key Club.

Role Players
During the Winter Games in Salt Lake, Leslie had the opportunity to meet and have her picture taken with her favorite athlete: track star Marion Jones.  “Marion is such a hard worker,” says Leslie.  “She’s not cocky and seems to be a very humble person.”

Leslie also admires soccer star Mia Hamm, whose jersey number (9) adorns the back of her own soccer jerseys.

She also looks to the scriptures for models of righteous living, listing Nephi as one of the prophets that she admires most and D&C 121: 45 as a scripture that provides her with the standard she strives to live by. 

Daaaaaaad!
Leslie is the first of the Clarke girls to be playing soccer at such a competitive level, making her the first to be faced with the decision about Sunday play.  She seems to have a disposition to do what is right, says her father.

“Leslie’s third grade teacher once told me that she was the most righteous child she had ever taught,” remembers Michael.  “Leslie is a wonderful young lady that hates to do the wrong thing.  I hope I haven’t embarrassed her.”

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