While interviewing Aaron Shamy for a feature segment on ESPN that was to air prior to the World Speed Climbing Championship, the commentator abruptly broke from his line of questioning to ask: "Can you be religious and cool?"

The question came without warning and inferred that being "cool" was contrary to being righteous.For a second, the question caught Aaron off guard. One moment they were talking about rock climbing and what it meant to be the top-rated speed climber in the world. The next, the commentator seemed caught up in the testimony of this 18-year-old from the Holladay 24th Ward, Holladay Utah North Stake.

After considering his answer for a split second, Aaron threw his arms wide and said, "Hey, come on," as if to humbly say, "Look, it works for me."

Those without spiritual vision may not see it, but it is possible for the youth of the Church to be "religious and cool," affirmed Valori Layton, program administrator for the Church Educational System Youth and Family Program.

Indeed, she says, it's the striving to be righteous that brings out the best in a personality.

During the course of the year, Sister Layton will rub shoulders with about 31,000 youth of the Church in various programs held at Brigham Young University and around the country.

The way to be "cool," she tells the youth, "is to feel good about yourself. And you feel good about yourself by doing what is right. Feeling good about yourself leads to happiness, confidence, a willingness to be involved and gain new experiences."

There is no doubt the youth of the Church face challenges, she said. "But I see a depth and breadth in their spirits. They are strong. They are doing great. What amazes me is their desire to do good and strike a balance in life that is spiritually rich. They are developing meaningful testimonies at a young age and are reading the scriptures and making up their minds to serve missions."

Being "cool," in the vernacular of the youth, certainly depends on the definition, noted Duane Hiatt, director of CES editorial and media production. Being "cool" in a righteous sense leads to loving others and a development of personal talents, he said. While being "cool" in a worldly sense can lead to selfishness, personal gratification and the glitz of popularity.

Being "cool" in the Lord's eyes, continued Sister Layton, "comes as a result of being committed to religious principles. That commitment leads to feeling the Spirit that, in turn, leads to a beautiful personality."

As an administrator of youth programs, Sister Layton sees this transformation every week. "Some are shy and quiet when they arrive on Monday for camps. But during the week they feel the Spirit and make a commitment to the gospel. Near the end of the week they arise with new confidence. They have a new presence about themselves. Others sense that confidence and enjoy being around them to feel of their joy and kindness."

Sister Layton told of a counselor currently working in the youth programs who joined the Church because his member friends knew how to have spiritually based fun.

"This young man was a popular high school athlete in California who found that of all his many friends, he had more fun with his member friends.

"It makes life fun when the Spirit guides our friendships, our work and our play," she said. Being "cool" in the eyes of the Lord, suggested Sister Layton, is the result of being "alive" in the Lord.