Church News senior reporter Jason Swensen reflects on Latter-day Saint athletes who showcase discipline and persistence

<p>Summer is here and with the rising heat there is a rising excitement for the once-postponed Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Every few years the world comes together to celebrate the connecting power of sports, and <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-06-29/mykayla-skinner-gymnastics-olympics-tokyo-utah-temple-218080">this year several members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints &mdash; including gymnast MyKayla Skinner &mdash; will compete for the honor of a gold</a> medal. This episode of the Church News Podcast, features Church News senior reporter <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/author/jswensendeseretnews-com">Jason Swenson</a> reflecting on the <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-07-07/sam-merrill-missionary-nicaragua-nba-finals-bucks-milwaukee-218933">gospel principles</a> he has <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-06-12/vai-sikahema-general-authority-seventy-football-byu-philadelphia-nfl-215919">observed athletes practice</a> on their journey toward <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-06-23/anna-camp-bennett-byu-national-champion-runner-217229">conquering their goals</a>. He also shares the one trait he has observed in all of them &mdash; the belief that their identity is, first and foremost, defined not by being an athlete, but by being a son or daughter of God.&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast">The Church News Podcast</a> is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> across the globe. Host <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/author/sarahdeseretnews-com">Sarah Jane Weaver</a>, reporter and editor for <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/">The Church News</a> for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, &ldquo;What do I know now?&rdquo; because of the experience. Produced by<a href="https://kellieannhalvo.com/"> KellieAnn Halvorsen</a>.</p>