Less than a week later, during the evening of Monday, July 10, 1989, the Hamacas Ward chapel in Santa Cruz, Bolivia was bombed. Others reported by the church who have died in 2021 include: Elder Saintlouis Pointdujours Dortilus, 24, from Haiti and began his missionary service in September 2020. We pray that their families, friends and the missionaries they have served alongside will all feel Gods love and peace during this difficult time.. [49][53] And of those, Perry declared, only 17 had died as martyrs in this cause. [31], When missionaries did begin to leave their apartments, they did so at first without wearing their name tags,[36] though shortly after they resumed doing so. "[51][52], The funerals for both men were held at noon on Tuesday, May 30, in their respective hometowns. Assisted by two therapists, she wrote, Creed recently walked the length of the hallway, and he is gaining some movement in his right side. "I guess it's fear of the unknown. As a result of these shootings, North American missionaries were further reduced in Bolivia and Peru. Your environment is different, youre away from your friends and family, and you have schedules and demands that are unique. The LDS Church views slain missionaries as martyrs. There was a push to pair North American missionaries with Latin missionaries as a precautionary measure. Fetal Deity But these adjustments dont have to get the best of you. Belde? How do you kill someone and NOT serve prison time??? A lie by ommission? As missionaries, the two elders used social media to teach people to come to Christ. Fetal Deity was killed Friday when she was hit by a truck while biking. Their bodies were found with a sign saying, "This is how imperialists' supporters die." [69](107) By February 8, 1990, the trial seemed to be entering into its final phases, when Judge David Rivas Gradin felt that the key testimonies of two women would enable him to reach a verdict. Facebook friends are sharing the news stories and sympathies as well. Montero was killed by a stray bullet in Cali, Colombia, according to a statement from Ruth Todd, LDS Church spokeswoman. An LDS missionary from Benton, Ark. Luke Masakazu Carter, 18, of Springville has been serving his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since November in the Texas Fort Worth Mission. He could not walk without a severe limp, and he slurred his speech such that you had to be very attentive to understand him. Ministering to Those with Financial Challenges, Ministering to Those Who Are Incarcerated, A Message of Hope for Those Who Are Incarcerated, Blessings and Challenges of Marrying Later in Life, My Heart Is Fixd: Eliza R. Snows Lifelong Conversion, We Can All Find Joy within Our Personal Prisons, How My Husbands Incarceration Affected Our Family, Finding Healing after My Dad Was Incarcerated, Crime, Incarceration, and the Worth of a Soul, Moving Forward with Hope during Unexpected Times, Covenant Living: A Guide for Returned Missionaries, Finding Strength in Christ to Finally Change My Life, Choosing Change Can Be Hard and Scary, but Its Worth It, Being OK with Not Being OK: Navigating Seasons of Grief, Adjusting to Life as a Missionary: Companions, Rejection, and Mental Health. He died in January from health complications. 1 U.S. interest in Bolivia is doing away with that problem. Keep trying, keep loving your companion and those you serve, keep being obedient, and keep following Christ. Re: Coming Forward: Years After the Killing of a Family Member at the Hands of the Victim's Companion and in My Uncle's Mission Field, a Courageous Woman Speaks Out for Justice & Truth Degrees of disobedience vary, and if you ever feel like a situation is hindering the work, you always have support. Without excusing his behavior, this companion was expected to not only do missionary work but to look after James. How sick to blame the disabled missionary. It was there that they spent two and a half days reading the entire Book of Mormon. When youre struggling, remember that God is on your side and that He is available and willing to help you when you ask. Thus, they were returning to their apartment at about 10:20 that evening. Lets also look at a few other ways you could relieve stress on your mission: Write letters to your friends and family on preparation day, Journal about trials, questions, miracles, or blessings, Exercise with your companion as directed in the daily schedule, Listen to relaxing Church music at appropriate times, Plan activities with members and those you are teaching. You have time set aside once a week where you and your companion can talk openly and lovingly about your companionship. You are one of the good guys Benson. I took that message from the embassy as a type of blackmail, pressure, and action with respect to my person. Elder Bailey of Richfield, Utah, and his companion were walking to an appointment when he was struck by a vehicle and killed. "[16] Some guessed that this group might be a branch of the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path), a prominent Peruvian terrorist group. St. George As a former running back, Creed Leonard was used to fighting for an extra foot or yard, but now a different yardstick is used to measure his forward momentum. Moreover, again in hindsight, this should have been obvious. As she continues her hospital vigil, Marla said she tries not to think about what her son was like before the accident or about the future she envisioned for him. Hes reading and talking and then something happens and you are scared that [a seizure] will happen again.. You also have the pressures of adjusting to living with a companion 24/7 and stressful situations that might affect your mental health. My sympathies to everyone that loved Elder Christensen and to the family that is still affected by his loss and the circumstances surrounding it. He is relearning how to walk and talk and the right side of his body barely functions. Reed Smith He could communicate and express himself. Compassion for Those Affected by Crime and Incarceration. This is one of the more horrific things I have read on RfM. The killer was ultimately remanded by the courts to the custody of his parents and served no prison time. Later, three Peruvians, Elders Manuel Hidalgo, Cristian Ugarte, and Oscar Zapata were killed in Peru for similar reasons on August 22, 1990, and March 6, 1991. They have died as martyrs in the cause of the Lord. [41] The investigation included five or six members who brought ballistics laboratory equipment, polygraphs, and other equipment. There is probably a lot of personal blame to go around, including some in my own direction. [53] President Benson's other counselor, Gordon B. Hinckley, presided at Wilson's funeral, which was also attended by L. Tom Perry of the Twelve, Taylor, and seven hundred others. I had confidence they were with my son and helping to protect him. The decision to offer a $500,000 reward was made on June 17 to encourage local residents to come forward with information. STE 1058, Provo, UT 84601, Springville LDS missionary and companion killed in Texas car crash. He died Sunday after being hit by a vehicle while serving in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. Re: Coming Forward: Years After the Killing of a Family Member at the Hands of the Victim's Companion and in My Uncle's Mission Field, a Courageous Woman Speaks Out for Justice & Truth He spent time doing all kinds of outdoor things[riding] horses, snowmobiling, and biking.. And a sad and perplexing story, Steve. I am absolutely sure that every time my mother thought of James, she pictured her own son, also mentally disabled, going on a mission as he had often begged to do. Serving others makes it easier to forget about yourself and your list of differences. It appeared that his limitations were mostly physical. Chad Waggoner, Creeds stepfather, said the accident occurred on a rainy evening when his son and his missionary companion were struck by a car at a crosswalk while they were en route to link up with someone who was going to drive them to a teaching appointment. Whenever someone is in a challenging situation, it always helps to know that it will only be for a short duration and then will end. It's too bad there isn't more readily available information surrounding the circustances of the whole thing. They had no explanation why the bomb had not gone off. Later that year on December 20, 1989, protesting American intervention in Panama, they attacked the U.S. Embassy in a failed attempt to assassinate U.S. His companion and two other missionaries also at the scene were. ), and getting enough sleepthese simple but important steps will make a huge difference in your overall health. "It's pure Cuban terrorism, I don't think there is any question about it," said Ambassador Robert Gelbard. http://www.down-syndrome.org/practice/179/. An optometrist in St. George, Chad flies out once or twice a month to reunite with Marla, Creed and the rest of the family. [14] Between 1984 and 1989, targets of the LDS Church in Latin America were hit by terrorists sixty-two times. Word spread quickly in the mission. Missionaries end their day by 10:30 p.m. Marla Leonard-Waggoner, Creeds mother, was recuperating from knee surgery at home on Dec. 1 when she received a call at 1 a.m. from the mission president telling her son had been in a terrible accident. The first judge assigned to the case, Nestor Loredo, resigned on October 4 as a consequence of anonymous telephoned death threats. I was not shocked at all when you mentioned the Benson family blamed him. Elder Mason Lewis Bailey from Richfield, Utah, serving in the Sweden Stockholm Mission since July 2013, died after being struck by a vehicle while he and his companion were walking along a road on their way to an appointment. Re: Coming Forward: Years After the Killing of a Family Member at the Hands of the Victim's Companion and in My Uncle's Mission Field, a Courageous Woman Speaks Out for Justice & Truth "[11] His desire to serve a mission was manifested by his selling his Jeep that he "dearly loved" to finance it. Re: Coming Forward: Years After the Killing of a Family Member at the Hands of the Victim's Companion and in My Uncle's Mission Field, a Courageous Woman Speaks Out for Justice & Truth "[25][26], Terrorist acts against the LDS Church in South America did not end with the deaths of Wilson and Ball. What is so touching about this is that Creed has always loved little children, Moody said. These missionaries are typically young men, who undertake missionary duties . After weeks in the hospital, for instance, he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility where he was learning to walk with assistance and making great progress until he started failing and was shuttled back to the hospital for yet another surgery on the shunt. [24], Police continued to watch the homes of the remaining members of FAL Zarate Willka. [58], Following the assassinations, all missionaries were ordered to remain in their rooms for one full week. Their idea of imperialism is not limited to territorial expansion, but "involves a whole series of political, cultural, and religious means,"[14] including the LDS Church. For example, one time my companion pointed out that I was complaining frequently. I didn't think anyone else knew about it.. By all accounts, Creed has a strong personality and gives his all to any task he undertakes. He seemed capable of communicating any desire to leave, or any abuse he was suffering, which to my knowledge he never did. We cant wait to hear from you! [2], Todd Ray Wilson was born May 5, 1969. [29] On Wednesday, May 24, 1989, after returning at about 9:30p.m., Jeffrey Ball and Todd Wilson left their apartment. The circumstances of James death were shocking. Soon thereafter, asked how he was doing, Creed raised his left hand and made the OK gesture and was later able to make the thumbs-up gesture. Although the culture, food, or people might be different from what youre used to, you can always find things to love. Doctors had to remove a portion of the left side of his skull to treat his hydrocephalus and put a shunt in to drain the fluid from his brain. Also suspected were two individuals known as "Horacio" and "El Sapo" (the toad), presumably the leaders of the group. Helen Lane, Bolivian desk officer for the U.S. State Department, expressed the Bolivians' dismay at the slayings, The Bolivian governmentfrom the president on downis shocked by the crime. President Thomas said that Elder Bailey, who hadnt grown up in Richfield, was able to go to the high school as a new kid and gather good friends around him. Sister Natalie Ann Barnard, 20, of Snoqualmie, Washington was killed and Sister Rachel Beckstrom, 19, of Tooele, was hospitalized with serious injuries. Your companion helps you navigate the new culture, learn the area, and talk to members and other people. Regardless of your companions behavior, do your best to love them, be obedient, and show them a good example. I noted that he was young when he died. It would be another way for the world to learn the modus operandi of TSCC. No one will ever do that as well as someone who is close to you and who loves you. And people talk about a loving god? I did some research of my own on the killed Mormon missionary, James E. Christensen, and in the process came across a so-called reunion "found list" of missionaries who had served under my uncle Reed Benson in the Louisville KY mission. Photo courtesy of Rex and Nicole Persons family. For information on this genetic disorder, see, What Do We Know Bbout the Needs of Children with Mosaic Down Syndrome and Their Families?, at: http://www.down-syndrome.org/practice/179/; and What is Mosaic Down Syndrome?, at; http://www.mosaicdownsyndrome.com/faqs.htm]. Re: Coming Forward: Years After the Killing of a Family Member at the Hands of the Victim's Companion and in My Uncle's Mission Field, a Courageous Woman Speaks Out for Justice & Truth Being a new missionary can be a stressful experiencehere are a few ways to make the transition easier. He knew both the murder victim, Elder James Christensen, and James killer, and has shared particulars about the case here. In defense of their own, what members of the Benson family were doing was laying blame for Elder Christensens death at his own feet, saying that because he had failed to follow the counsel of his local Mormon Church leaders to forego a mission, he had paid with his own life. He clearly understood what he was doing on a mission, and wanted to be there. (Chad Waggoner) Creed Leonard, right, poses for a photograph with his stepdad, Chad Waggoner. A bomb exploded near his motorcade, but no one was hurt. The mother was convinced that it was a miracle.[27]. His companion was not hurt. [45] Thus, Bolivian Marxist ideologues and politicians such as FAL Zarate Willka considered United States anti-drug and military aid programs as violating their national sovereignty. A young man attending a youth activity saw a cardboard box in the chapel and took it home to his family, who lived across the street. Many people along the way are to blame, only the dead missionary lies blameless in this situation. [28][33][34][35][36] Mylroie was the first to find them. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=50805840. "[16] The general climate in Bolivia reflected dissatisfaction with these policies. To allow him to simply go on with her life is unbelievable to me. One of our men ran, 'stop, stop, stop,' and threw them both to the ground. Re: Response During this visit, they "gave instructions to the missionaries concerning safety precautions they need to observe, including returning to their apartments by 9:30 p.m. and how to travel and conduct themselves in the present climate." The church leaders were accompanied by Richard T. Bretzing, managing director of church security and a retired FBI agent, who gave the missionaries "guidelines for taking precautionary measures," such as to "change [their] routine every day and not do the same things at the same time."[27][60]. Political statement against the perceived violations of the national sovereignty of Bolivia by the United States. [54] President Monson affirmed, "It is no small thing to have every missionary parent praying for you and knowing that your hearts are filled with sorrow." I can't imagine anyone staying in the Church after such an event. twojedis He didnt move or talk and would stare blankly ahead. Thanks for sharing this story, disturbing as it is. At press time, no funeral arrangements had been made. Here's the Salt Lake Tribune story. I'm sure it's obvious by now that this grave was James Christensen's grave. Despite these precautions, trouble continued to brew. He continued, "I think your son would say, 'Do not grieve, mother. This view of the LDS Church as Yankee is reinforced by a heavy American missionary presence, midwestern worship styles, centralization of the church in the United States, and the church's doctrinal justification of the United States Constitution. The only thing I found was his obituary, a picture of his grave and your post. :-(. Michael Austin Davis of Corinne, Utah, and 20-year-old Tyson Gene Haycock, of Miles City, Mont., who had been serving the faiths New Mexico Farmington Mission, died in the crash. Your job is not to call your companion to repentance or to shame them. As far as I can tell, Bjelde is now 56 years old, and still lives in his native Wisconsin. As I remember it, the situation involved a collision with a train. Missionary work can be hard. Your good example will always work better than anger. Whether youre serving in your own country or one foreign to you, its always nice to have someone you can rely on. ethan Tragic story. Bjelde was later diagnosed with schizophrenia during the investigation. Their names "will be engraved forever in the history of this Church as those who lived as faithful servants of God and died as martyrs to His eternal work[s]. I would use my time, pay the internet caf, and then quietly sit next to my companion until she was done. For me, the death of my brother meant that I had to give myself up at some point, I was a fugitive for three years. It sounds like Elder Christensen only had a few months to go on his mission and that's just tragic. For example, when I served my mission, we had one hour every preparation day for emailing. It is a dangerous illusion, as this case demonstrates. [54] "Missionaries are so dear to the entire church that when one is lost through death the entire church grieves," said President Hinckley. But there is no question that as a companion, Elder Christensen would be, and was, a huge challenge, requiring great patience. Their white shirts, ties, and name tags made them stand out prominently, to say nothing of their generally fair complexion and relative height. Don LeFevre, spokesman for the LDS Church, commended "the Bolivian authorities for their persistence in the pursuit of justice. Mormon Missionary Murdered by his Companion steve benson Feb. 2013 I recently received email correspondence from a family member of a Mormon missionary who was horribly and tragically killed by his companion while serving in the Louisville-Kentucky mission--which, at the time, was headed by my uncle, Reed Benson, as its president. An 18-year-old missionary from Utah and his companion were killed in a car accident in Texas on Tuesday, according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [40] Because sisters are called for periods of eighteen months and elders for periods of twenty-four months, all but a handful of the initial American missionaries who had arrived in the first two years since the mission was reopened to Americans had returned home by July 1997. noaccountyet I am on the Lord's errand and he may do with me as he sees fit. Missionaries face rejection, physical exertion, challenges of learning languages and getting used to new cultures, homesickness, and so on. "[10] Another friend, Terry McQueen lamented, "He was there doing what the Lord wanted him to do, so why did this happen? A schizophrenic was expected to take over the care of a handicapped missionary companion. I remember your sharing it a couple of years ago. [14], One group that specifically targeted the LDS Church in Bolivia was known as Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacin Zarate Willka (Zarate Willka Armed Forces of Liberation, hereafter referred to as FAL Zarate Willka), named for a nineteenth century Indian hero. The Yankee invaders who come to massacre our peasant brethren are warned, as are their local slaves. The problem is compounded when Mormon leaders come to believe that if they pray hard and live the commandments, both of which Reed Benson did, whatever they might do, or think, can be confidently viewed as inspired; and that the "Lord" will validate such decisions. [12][13], When Jeffrey Ball and Todd Wilson arrived in Bolivia in 1988, they entered an environment of severe political unrest and anti-Mormon antagonism in the nation and in Latin America generally. Sway is taking a hiatus from her studies at Utah Tech University to help out. It is absolutely deplorable to blame this mentally challenged young man with his own torture and death! The cause of the accident is being investigated by local law enforcement, Penrod continued. [31][36][51][59] They were told only to leave when absolutely necessary, and then to wear preparation day clothing instead of regular missionary attire. As in all situations involving the death of missionaries, the church extends its sympathy to the families and friends of the deceased. "[51] It was a tense situation. There are approximately 54,000 full-time missionaries serving throughout the world at present. Page's companion reported that the two were on bicycles and had missed the . I was not in Kentucky when Elder Christensen died, so I cannot speak to the specific events or aftermath. At the time, Judge German Urquiza had been scheduled to decide whether the defendants had been accessories to the shooting. He told us, I really dont know what to expect in phase two because most people with injuries like Creeds dont survive phase one, " Chad said. Obviously, he probably shouldn't have been allowed to go in the first place. The right includes the big landowners and mine owners. I'm not concerned about violence, but more convinced that there will be a lot of unnecessary suffering because of these unreasonable cultural expectations. Dont be hesitant to ask for strength to manage your expectations or to control your attitude. As a result of the accident, James was permanently brain damaged but was determined to serve a mission, nonetheless. ladell This dream has been a great comfort to me and has helped me to understand and accept their deaths. [32], Jeffrey Ball and Todd Wilson shared an apartment with two other missionaries, Thayne Carlson and V. Shane Mylroie. The other received a spray of bullets in his stomach and back. He was a good friend to so many both in the ward and in the community.. Elder Mason Lewis Bailey from Richfield, Utah, serving in the Sweden Stockholm Mission since July 2013, died after being struck by a vehicle while he and his companion were walking along a road on their way to an appointment. In May, an 18-year-old missionary from Utah and his 20-year-old companion from Colorado were killed in a head-on collision in Denton, Texas. By any metric, it has been a difficult fight for both him and his family ever since the 20-year-old missionary from St. George and his companion were struck by a car on Nov. 30 while serving a Spanish-speaking mission in Boston for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a running back his senior year at Crimson Cliffs High School, Creed rushed for 704 yards and seven touchdowns, and he had dreams of joining the Brigham Young University football team as a walk-on after his mission. Leaving just a few months after high school graduation, Elder Bailey had been serving on his mission since July 2013. We, the poor, have no other road than to rise up in arms. Utah's senior senator, Jake Garn (R) expressed, "Such wanton and cowardly acts are among the most disgusting and callous actions of which human beings are capable. They also worry people will look at the page and mistakenly conclude the church is not doing anything, saying church leaders have helped out with flights and all kinds of expenses. On August 22, 1990, at about 1:30p.m., in Huancayo, Peru, members of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) ambushed Manuel Antonio Hidalgo of Arequipa, Peru and his companion Cristian Andreani Ugarte of Trujillo, Peru, serving in the Peru Lima East Mission. [50], Community reaction was one of shock. Ask a local member to teach you how to cook a new dish, or do an activity unique to the area. Bjelde had been charged with three counts of murder and one of aggravated assault. Missionary companions are instructed to stay together always with reasonable exceptions for showering and using the bathroom. "I speak for the other missionaries when I say I'm scared right now. When Creed was in fifth grade, for example, Chad said he arose every morning at 5:30 to do planks and push-ups to get in shape. Others have also buoyed the familys spirits. My name is Angela Voss and I recently came across one of your contributing posts to exmormon.org. You will get through hard things, become stronger because of them, and be the successful, Christlike missionary the Lord knows you can be. True, and when you throw people together, with little or nor regard to how well they can get along, then tell them they can't leave each other's presence, bad things happen. For her part, Marla is no stranger to grief. It simply was a bad match. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. [40], It was early theorized by Bolivian and U.S. officials that this group resisted U.S. anti-drug policies, possibly being connected with drug traffickers. That is, until we came to one grave, wherein she got a heavy look on her face and refused to tell me about him, other than that they were close and he was her cousin. Elder Eli Jon Fowler, 20, of Pueblo West, Colorado. It's absolutely baffling that he got off with no jail time. As long as you give everyone the option to understand and learn the gospel, you are being successful in your calling. They were then followed back to their apartment as they returned at about 10:20p.m.[31]. You need to know that you are very inspirational to people interested in knowing and understanding the hidden "gospel principles" that are so harmful to the spiritual and physical lives of people and make this religion a veritable C U L T! Dont be afraid to call down miracles for you and the work in your area. Elder Bailey left for his mission shortly after high school graduation and had been serving since July 2013. I was Facebook friends with both Elder Luke Carter and Elder Eli Fowler. (Marla Leonard-Waggoner) Marla Leonard-Waggoner and her son, Creed Waggoner, who was injured while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Boston.
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