This weekend, our family bought the movie Forever Strong. It’s an inspirational sports movie that was filmed in Salt Lake City. It’s a true story about a talented but troubled high school rugby player who loses his position as the star of an Arizona rugby team when he is sentenced to a boys’ juvenile detention center in Salt Lake City. He ends up playing for Salt Lake’s notable Highland High School rugby team in the national championships - against his old team, which is coached by his father. The story has a strong message about loyalty to family and the team, respect and honor, rising above our mistakes, and service to others. Be sure to watch the additional features on the DVD to learn the signifance of the Haka dance. Deseret Book offers a free discussion guide you can download that gives tips in discussing the movie with your family.
There is also an important substory about Highland’s rugby coach. Larry Gelwix was a seminary teacher at Highland High and an assistant football coach in the fall, a wrestling coach in the winter, and a rugby coach in the spring. He has coached Highland’s powerhouse rugby team for 33 of his 58 years of life. In the past 24 years, Highland has won the national championship 18 times, finished second five times, and third once. They are the most decorated high school rugby program in the USA. You can read more about Gelwix’s story on MormonTimes.com, watch a video about Gelwix, or read an interview with Gelwix to learn what influenced him and how he’s inspired so many young men to achieve and serve missions. On top of that, Larry Gelwix was one of the principal owners of Morris Travel, CEO of WinAir Airlines, and is the “Getwway Guru” of Columbus Travel.
What’s your favorite family movie that teaches good values?
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