Things always work out the way they should.
BYU outfielder Kory Knell is living proof that things work out. He's a man who doesn't worry about the future because he knows if he does what's right, things work out for the best, they always do, he says.
The 6-foot, 190-pound senior grew up in Salt Lake City and prepped at Cottonwood High School. But Knell was different than most kids growing up in Salt Lake. He excelled in football and baseball, earning all-region honors in both sports. He also participated in hockey and track and field. Perhaps what made him the most different from the other kids was the fact that he wasn't an active member of the Church.
He was baptized when he was eight years old at the encouragement of his Grandma Knell, but his mom' s side of the family wasn't members and he didn't attend church. His grandma and friends were good influences on him, something that would pay off in the long run.
Knell is grateful for the influence of his friends and grandma, Zola Knell.
"I always knew there was something good when I was around them," he said. "There was always a different atmosphere when I was at my grandma's."
Knell decided to attend college in California at Saddleback Junior College. That's when things really began to work out for Knell.
He chose Saddleback because none of the Division I schools that recruited him wanted him to play both football and baseball. He quickly became the starting quarterback after spending time at wide receiver and slot and he started in baseball.
Things were really working out for Knell.
He was the starting quarterback of the football, a star on the baseball team and would leave practices and head straight to the beach to surf. Life was good.
But then he began to look around and found himself in a different atmosphere; things were a little wilder than he was used to.
Things began to change for the two-sport star. Things began to work out for the best.
Knell's friend was called to serve a mission in the area Knell was living. The friend's dad called Knell and told him to meet up with his missionary friend. The two met and the missionaries began to rely on Knell for rides to the beach. The rides to the beach turned into rides to appointments and before long, Knell was dressing up and going inside with the missionaries. Knell became moved by the message and work of the missionaries.
One Sunday, he went to find the missionaries at church but he accidentally stumbled upon the local singles ward where he was instantly fellowshipped.
"After that first visit, I had like three dates for that week and a dinner appointment at the Bishop's house the next week," Knell said.
As the Bishop would see Knell, he would tease him about serving a mission. But Knell didn't consider it, after all things were working out so well.
Then came a turning point for Knell. The Bishop convinced him to get his patriarchal blessing. Knell fasted through two baseball practices and a weightlifting session before receiving his blessing.
"After I came out from the blessing, I knew I had bigger and more important things to do than baseball," Knell said. "I knew I had to go on a mission."
Things continued to work out for Knell as he prepared for a mission.
The football coach was fired, relieving Knell of any commitments to the team, and after talking things over with the baseball coach, Knell was promised his spot back when he returned, if he gave up football. Knell agreed.
Knell was called to serve in the Peoria, Illinois mission, where he had the opportunity to visit and take investigators to the Nauvoo Temple and Carthage Jail.
"I learned the process and pattern for study," he said. "I gained an appreciation for knowledge and learning."
His newfound love for learning has helped him in his schooling. Academics had never been a priority for the outfielder, but he now sports a 3.99 grade point average and has just been admitted to BYU's prestigious accounting program, while working on his minor in English. He even plans to get an MBA.
Armed with a love for learning, Knell returned to Saddleback and to baseball. He was nervous about returning to the team after a two-year layoff.
"I was unsure about my physical condition," he said. "But I knew everything was going to work."
And they did work out. He batted a league-leading .431, hit 15 doubles, three triples and seven homers in 2002 as team MVP. He was voted first-team All-Orange Empire Conference and first-team All-California. His great play caught the attention of the BYU baseball coaches. Coach Vance Law offered Knell a spot on the team and a chance to come to BYU.
Knell had never considered attending BYU, because he'd grown up a fan of the University of Utah, but the coaches and facilities in Provo appealed to him.
And of course, things have worked out for the best since he came to BYU.
Knell led the team in hitting last year with a .340 average. He was named Collegiate Baseball's Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week after hitting .619 with five home runs, 15 RBI, 11 runs scored, three doubles and a slugging percentage of 1.476 in the six-game series against the Air Force Falcons.
"I can't explain it," Knell said. "Every time I went to the plate, the ball was flying out of the park. I'd run around the bases with a smile on my face."
Perhaps Knell's success against Air Force can be attributed to two injuries he sustained just prior to the series and during the first game of the series. Knell was knocked unconscious in a collision at home plate against New Mexico and then he popped out his shoulder against Air Force. Immediately after popping his shoulder back in place, he pounded a double and his hot streak against the Falcons was started.
"The guys on the team tell me to pop my shoulder out again. I think definitely think there's a connection," Knell said in jest.
Maybe the thing that's worked out best for Knell since coming to BYU is the chance to play in front of his friends and family.
"They've been my support," he said. "That's what makes it fun, doing it for your friends."
Knell's friends have started a mini fan club for their favorite outfielder. They call themselves the Betty Banditos and have become notorious for heckling the umpires and players.
During the Air Force series, the Banditos began to heckle Coach Law for resting Knell during the final game of the six-game series. In the sixth inning, Law came to Knell and said, "I can't take this anymore. Get your glove and go out there to shut them up."
Knell entered the game to the emphatic cheers of the Banditos.
Things have worked out well for Knell so far in his life. He has great friends, he's active in the church, he gets to play a game he loves and he's doing well in school. So does Knell think the future will work out as well as the rest of his life has?
"I don't worry about the future," Knell said. "I'm going to keep my priorities in line. What's supposed to happen will happen."
And with that attitude, things will work for the best. They always have and they always will.