Vai's View: Vai's View: Mission could open doors for young hoops phenom

My favorite quote from the sidebar piece is from Chad Lewis, who said of his mission, "It did not shut doors. It opened them." And I loved the quote from Jabari's older brother Christian, who encourages him to serve because "nothing can replace a mission." It's obvious to me what kind of missionary Christian was in the Georgia Atlanta Mission.

One of the reasons I served was because of my father. He had drifted from the faith. I had a strong impression that my service would soften his heart and bring him back. My mission wasn't just for me or the Lord; it was for my father and, by extension, my mother. A year out, a Tongan branch was formed in Mesa, Ariz., and the branch president was inspired to call Dad as his counselor. He responded positively, I'm convinced, because of my service in South Dakota. It changed his life, the dynamics of their marriage, our home life and how my life would unfold.

Jabari Parker can possibly have that kind of effect on his own family circumstances — something neither money nor fame can buy.

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