LDS Missionary Elder Ricardo Alberto Cuevas Magdaleno Passes Away From Sudden Illness In Costa Rica

Costa Rica media sources have been reporting this for the past two days, but were withholding the name of the decedent. Now the Deseret News is reporting that 20-year-old Elder Ricardo Alberto Cuevas Magdaleno, a missionary serving in the Costa Rica San Jose East Mission, passed away in his sleep of unknown causes sometime during the night of July 14-15, 2015. Elder Cuevas was from the Xalapa Mexico Stake. His companion, who was also from Mexico, was not identified.

But the Costa Rica Star (English) published additional details in their July 16th story. Elder Cuevas, a veteran of six months mission service in Sarapiqui in northeast Costa Rica, has been approved for his mission despite suffering from chronic asthma and other pulmonary issues; he had a supply of medication on hand. But he originally requested the Sarapiqui area because he felt that's where God wanted him to serve. On the evening of July 14th, Elder Cuevas told his companion that he had not felt well in the last few days, and decided to skip the customary end-of-day briefing and Bible study. His companion offered to take him to the hospital, but Elder Cuevas declined, saying his life in God’s hands. In the morning, when Elder Cuevas failed to emerge from his bedroom, his companion entered and found he had passed away during the night. First responders rendered a preliminary diagnosis as a respiratory arrest, but the medical examiner will make the final call.

Diario Extra also published a story (Spanish) which can be easily translated using Google Translate.

Elder Cuevas developed a reputation as a kind young man who always traveled on foot or bicycle, wore buttoned-up and crisply pressed white shirts, and who was very respectful and passionate about his religion. He is the fourth LDS missionary to have given his life in service to the Lord while on a mission in 2015.

Note: LDS members are allowed to serve full-time missions with chronic medical conditions if a physician certifies their ability to serve and ensures they know the medications they need to stabilize and control their condition. It is the missionary's responsibility to ensure he or she has the medications available.

LDS Missionary Elder Nathan Castle McBride Passes Away From Heart Attack After A Ward Soccer Activity In Mexico

The first missionary fatality of 2015 has been recorded. On Friday January 16th, 2015, 20-year-old Elder Nathan Castle McBride collapsed during a ward soccer activity in Mexico and subsequently passed away. Elder McBride, who came from the Pasco Washington North Stake, had been serving in the Mexico Merida Mission since January 2014. A preliminary autopsy indicates that Elder McBride suffered a heart attack.

His father, Robert McBride, told media outlets that after a break in the game, Elder McBride was running to get the ball when he fell down and never got back up. Although other players performed CPR and paramedics tried to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Elder McBride experienced no health problems and had been an active young man who loved hiking, fishing, pole vaulting and other sports. Missionaries are required to obtain extensive medical and dental exams before deployment. Elder McBride was described as a quiet leader, well disciplined, very driven and a perfectionist who once had considered retaking a CBC math class because his grade fell below his usual A’s. He amassed a 3.8 grade-point average when he got his associate degree from CBC, which was going to help him get into Brigham Young University as a transfer student after his mission. Although he had a passion for animals, as evidenced by his involvement in the 4-H program, Elder McBride wanted to become an orthopedic surgeon.

Elder McBride is survived by his parents, two siblings, grandparents Elaine and Bob McBride of Benton City and Fern and Alvin Harris of Pasco, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Robert McBride said the family is working with the American Consulate to get his son’s body home and project the funeral to occur on January 24th.

A photo of Elder McBride and his companion, Elder Granilla of Puebla, Mexico, is available HERE. His name will now be added to my partial list of missionaries who gave their lives while on the Lord's errand.

Two More Missionaries Give Their Lives In Service To The Lord: Elders Connor Benjamin Thredgold And Yu Peng Xiong

Just one day after Sister Nancy Vea passed away, two more LDS missionaries made the ultimate sacrifice. Elders Connor Benjamin Thredgold and Yu Peng Xiong were found dead in the apartment they shared in Taiwan after police conducted a welfare check when other missionaries reported them missing. Authorities have not yet determined the official cause of their deaths, but LDS Church spokeswoman Jessica Moody said no foul play is suspected at this point. According to a comment posted on KSL Channel 5 by Brent B., a gas leak resulting in carbon monoxide in the apartment is unofficially suspected. Both missionaries were assigned to the Taiwan Taipei Mission. They are, respectively, the sixth and seventh missionaries to give their lives in service to the Lord in 2014.

Elder Connor Benjamin Thredgold, 19, hails from Springville, UT. He began his mission in March 2014 and had been specifically deployed to Taiwan since June. Elder Thredgold was critically acclaimed by his mission president for being particularly hardworking; he reportedly worked tirelessly to earn money for his mission, working 24-hour shifts at times for a disaster cleanup company and repairing computers and remote control cars to resell. Blake Rapier, who was Thredgold's stake president in Springville, also paid tribute to Elder Thredgold. A missionary is formally set apart for a mission by the hometown stake president prior to deployment.

Elder Yu Peng Xiong, 24, hails from the Kaohsiung Taiwan West Stake. He began his mission in March 2013.

An updated story from Focus Taiwan now states that police found a faulty indoor gas water heater, which they determined as the cause of the carbon monoxide leakage. There were no suspicious circumstances and the case has been closed.

LDS Missionary Sister Nancy Vea Critically Injured In Oklahoma Traffic Accident, Passes Away In Hospital

Update August 23rd: Sister Vea passed away from her injuries while in hospital. The family issued a statement in which they disclosed their intent to donate her organs. Sister Vea is the fifth missionary to give her life in service to the Lord in 2014.

A missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was critically injured in a traffic mishap in Oklahoma. Sister Nancy Vea, originally from the the West Jordan Cobble Creek Stake in West Jordan, UT and currently serving in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission out of Charleston, AR since May 2014, is reported to be on life support as of this post. The Tulsa World has a better account of the accident. KSTU Channel 13 also published an informative story. FOX 23 in Tulsa has a photo of the accident scene.

The mishap occurred on August 22nd, 2014 at around 8:30 A.M. CDT. Sister Vea was part of a group of three other missionaries and two regular LDS members heading southbound in a 2002 Dodge van on the Muskogee Turnpike from Greenwood, AR to Tulsa. A comment posted by Becky Bowman to the World implies they may have been enroute to a "conference", quite possibly a zone conference. The driver of the van, identified as 53-year-old Duane Carter of Greenwood, had missed an exit. Spotting an emergency cutout or barricade turnaround in the center median at mile marker 7 near Coweta, Carter abruptly slowed down to use it. The driver of a tractor-trailer immediately following the van jammed on his brakes. However, a 16-passenger VA van following the tractor-trailer did not react in time and struck the eighteen wheeler in the rear, propelling it into the Dodge van. The collision ejected Sister Vea from the van, since she was not wearing a seat belt.

Sister Vea was flown to St. John Medical Center in critical condition. Eighteen-year-old missionary Brady Osborne, originally from Las Vegas, was admitted to the hospital with head and internal trunk injuries. Three other passengers, including 19-year-old missionary McKell Peterson from Brigham City, and the driver from the Dodge van were treated and released from St. John Medical Center. The truck driver declined treatment at the scene. The driver of the VA bus was uninjured, and the five passengers were all treated and released from the VA hospital in Muskogee. FOX 23 says Duane Carter is likely to be ticketed for the illegal U-turn after toxicology reports are received.

A local church member, Gary Hughey, was quite impressed with Sister Vea's spirit:

"Just a beautiful, beautiful spirit, had just a very flowing personality. She had a certain sparkle in her eye. In Hawaii they would call it the ohana, which means the family. The mana about her, her spirit, her spirit was just so vibrant. You could just feel that she had a great love for, for everybody and for everything."

There's a comment posted to the Deseret News by Brent T. that leads me to believe there'll be an update to this story before long. And apparently Brent T. learned of Sister Vea's death through another channel.

Elder Angel de Jesus Martinez Campos Dies Of Injuries Sustained In Traffic Mishap While Serving LDS Mission In The Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission

Another missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has given his life in service to the Lord. Elder Angel de Jesus Martinez Campos, 27, of Usulutan, El Salvador, died on May 22nd, 2014 from injuries suffered when the vehicle in which he and his companion were traveling was involved in a car accident in Honduras. His companion, Elder George B. Lewis of Francis, Summit County, Utah was injured but is expected to recover. Both were assigned to the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission; Elder Martinez Campos had been serving since October 2013.

Update May 27th: Elder Lewis was returned to the United States for medical treatment. On Tuesday May 26th, he was released from an Intermountain Healthcare Hospital facility in Salt Lake, but no specifics on his injuries or his future plans were disclosed. It would not be unusual if he chose to return to the mission field to complete his unexpired mission term when his health permits.

Elder Martinez Campos is the third missionary fatality of 2014. As a sidelight for those not familiar with Latin American customs, Latin Americans have two last names because the first is the father's first surname (apellido paterno), and the second is the mother's first surname (apellido materno). Although the custom began in Spain, the Spaniards spread it to Latin America.

Elder Miller Edward Toa Dies Of Injuries Sustained In Fall While Serving Mission In The Micronesia Guam Mission

Another missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has given his life while on mission service. Elder Miller Edward Toa passed away on March 13th, 2014 as a result of injuries sustained in a fall. No additional details have yet been published. Elder Toa is the second missionary to have died while on mission service in 2014. An LDS spokesman issued the following statement:

"Elder Miller Edward Toa, age 20, from Layton, Utah, serving in the Micronesia Guam Mission, died on Thursday, March 13, from injuries resulting from a fall. Elder Toa, who began his missionary service in April 2013, had been serving on the island of Weno. We are saddened at Elder Toa's passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time."

Elder Toa's parents published the following statement:

"It is with much sadness that we let all our family and friends know that our son, Miller Edward Toa, has been called home to Heavenly Father, who needed him more. Our stake president and bishop were here earlier this evening to let us know. We don't have much yet to go on, other than we are waiting for our son be returned home to Utah."

Before the Federated States of Micronesia became independent, the island of Weno used to be known as Moen, and the Chuuk island group was known as Truk. Until the end of World War II, the islands were possessed by Japan; a significant portion of the Japanese fleet was based at Chuuk. In February 1944, Operation Hailstone, one of the most important naval battles of the war, took place at Truk, in which many Japanese support vessels and aircraft were destroyed. As a result, Chuuk is a tourist attraction to divers who enjoy exploring many of the sunken shipwrecks that remain in place.

After the war, Chuuk became part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. All of Micronesia became fully independent on November 3rd, 1986 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Compact of Free Association allows Micronesian citizens to join the U.S. military without having to obtain U.S. permanent residency or citizenship, allows for immigration and employment for Micronesians in the U.S., and establishes economic and technical aid programs. The United States remains completely responsible for Micronesia's external military defense. Mormons are listed as one of the seven most prominent religious groups in Micronesia; there are 4,565 LDS members in residence.

The Micronesia Guam mission not only includes the Federated States of Micronesia, but also the U.S. Territory of Guam, Palau, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Although English is the official and common language, native languages are widely spoken outside the four state capitols of the FSM. Some comments from people who either knew Elder Toa or who previously served in the Micronesia Mission:

Lisa Holbrook Nampa, ID 2:04 p.m. March 13, 2014 (Deseret News):
My heart goes out to the Toa Family. We knew Elder Toa when he was in primary with our kids many years ago. I am saddened by the news but thankful for the blessing of Heavenly Father's plan. Heavenly Father will have a valiant young missionary to serve on the other side.

Sending prayers at this difficult time.

Carriek4 posted 2 hours ago (KSL Channel 5):
My son has been serving with Elder Toa and love him dearly. They are a tight knit group of boys serving together in the Chuuk mission. My thoughts and prayers are with the Toa family.

mcenut posted 1 hour ago (KSL Channel 5):
To Elder Toa's family and friends. I was greatly saddened with this news. My the Lord comfort you in this time of grief. I served in the Micronesia Guam Mission from 1986 and 1988 and have spent several days on Weno (but I knew it as Moen) and know that they are a choice people that Elder Toa was called to serve. In a way he just got transferred to another area. Peace be unto you.

Elder Mason Lewis Bailey Struck And Killed By Motorist While Serving LDS Mission In Sweden, Motorist Allegedly Arrested

The first missionary fatality of 2014 has been recorded and is also entered on my partial list of LDS missionaries who've given their lives while on mission service. On March 2nd, 2014, Elder Mason Lewis Bailey, 19, of Richfield, UT, was struck and killed by a motorist while walking along a road with his companion in Stockholm, Sweden. His companion was uninjured. They were on their way to an appointment. Elder Bailey had been assigned to the Sweden Stockholm Mission since 2013. According to the Daily Mail, the Sweden Stockholm Mission is headquartered in the suburb of Vasterhaninge, about 20 miles south of downtown Stockholm.

The Utah People's Post hinted that there might have been "road rage" involved. This may have come from a Swedish-language news story at VLT.se which was linked in one of the comments posted on KSL. Here's a Google translation of the Swedish-language story, although the article does not explicitly mention the two young men were Mormon missionaries:

A young man was just before 21.30 on Sunday evening hit in the intersection Narvavägen - Hammar Backvägen at Hammarby City Hage.

According to witnesses, the place were two young men walking across a pedestrian crossing at Narva road when a car came driving at high speed from the north on Narvavägen. The two men rushed in opposite directions, one forward in the crosswalk and the other backward, to escape the car.

The driver, in turn, swerved toward the man who ran back and drove at him.

The man was badly damaged and passersby rushed to do CPR, which rescue and paramedics continued when they arrived at the scene before the man was taken by ambulance to hospital.

The driver of the car was taken to the police station for questioning and testing. On Sunday evening there was a suspicion of drograttfylleri [drunk driving under the influence of drugs?]. The rest of the offense is unclear.

A lot of upset people in place testified to VLT about the high speeds at Narvavägen .

- It's 40 kph here , but few running 40 here. It goes in a hundred every night , says a woman at the VLT.

(Updated 23:55) A man was injured very hard when he was hit at high speed by a car on Narvavägen.

A subsequent VLT.se story indicates the victim died and that the 21-year-old driver of the vehicle has been arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving. Investigative work is now continuing in continuing the questioning of the suspect and witnesses, said Jan Lundqvist, Head of Traffic Investigation Section of the Police Department of Västmanland. While the Mormon connection is not explicitly mention, all the other facts match up. A newer story published by KSL Channel 5 on March 4th confirms the Swedish story, and adds that a fund has been set up to help the family pay for Bailey's funeral costs.

The official statement from the LDS Church:

“Elder Mason Lewis Bailey, age 19, 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. Elder Bailey’s companion was not hit by the car and is uninjured. We are mindful of Elder Bailey’s family and loved ones during this difficult time and unite our faith and prayers with all Church members, who mourn at the death of a missionary.”

According to his profile on Mormon.org, which is still up as of this post, Elder Bailey enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding his dirt bike and his horse, and canyoneering. He also enjoying serving others, and he loved the Church and all the service opportunities available. A newer KSL story published on March 3rd provides even more background on Elder Bailey, and states that Bailey had written home to his family and told them how excited he was and that he had just baptized a woman into the LDS Church. It was the last thing he did before he lost his life.

Public Reaction: A number of anti-Mormon comments appended to the Daily Mail story were strongly downvoted. A couple of comments of particular interest:

Sandra Nordh March 3, 2014 at 10:29 am (KSTU Channel 13):
I’m seriously in shock. I met him yesterday [Mar. 2] in sweden on the bus just a few hours erlier. And i talked to the boys all the way when i was on the bus, and they vere so nice, now i can’t believe that the very kind, funny man died a few hours later. I am so sorry and my prayers go out to his friends and family.

KKunzler posted 6 hours ago (KSL Channel 5):
Quote from my missionary serving in Sweden from his letter today:
"As for the news on Elder Bailey, it hit my companion and I pretty hard this morning when we received a text from President and Syster Newell. It is hard to think that someone could leave this life so quickly but it is also comforting knowing that it was in the Lord's time. Nobody passes away on a mission unless they are truly needed on the other side. My companion and I were talking about it this morning and how Elder Bailey had such a huge impact on so many. Not only the whole mission, but those who he served with individually. He was an inspiring missionary and was placed in this mission to show unto many of us how a missionary should be and how they all should act. Him passing away only makes that stronger."

Elder Andrew Edward Page Killed In Bicycle Mishap During LDS Mission Service In Southern California; 12th Mormon Missionary Fatality In 2013

Another LDS missionary fatality has been reported by the media. Eighteen-year-old Andrew Edward Page, a native of Charlotte, NC, died in hospital at 10:00 P.M. on October 10th, 2013 from injuries he sustained when he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle near Azusa in Southern California. Elder Page had been serving in the California Arcadia Mission since August 2013. This is the 12th missionary fatality recorded in 2013, and the third fatality from a bicycling accident. The LDS Church recently sought to reassure the public that missionary service is still inherently safe.

Updated media reports now indicate the mishap took place around 4:00 P.M. Elder Page was hit while riding on Newburgh Street in Azusa. According to his companion, the two were on bicycles and had missed the turn where they were headed. They were turning around when Elder Page stopped for a minute and adjusted his pants leg, then whipped his bike around without looking, after which he was struck by a car. Elder Page was wearing a helmet when the car hit him. The officer on the scene ruled Page's death an accident. Elder Page was taken by medical helicopter in critical condition to a nearby trauma center with major injuries, including head trauma, after which he passed away at 10 P.M. The Biking In LA blog notes that Elder Page's fatality is the 69th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 29th in Los Angeles County, compared to 22 in the county for all of last year.

According to the Charlotte Observer, Elder Page was a graduate of Independence High School, and was looking forward to attending BYU-Provo after his mission. Page’s mother, Maggie Page, described her son as a peaceful, faith-filled and humorous teen. He graduated in the top 20 of his class, was a Boy Scout and loved playing the tenor saxophone. a funeral is planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday October 19th at the Charlotte North Carolina Central Stake on Rocky River Road.

Some pertinent comments from the media sources:

DerrickPope posted 21 minutes ago (KSL Channel 5):
My son is currently serving in the California, Arcadia mission; the same one the Elder Andrew Page was serving in and this terrible accident is heavy on our minds today. His death not only effects this dear elder's family, but the missionaries that are currently serving there. My heart aches for the family that with faith sent their son out to serve a two-year LDS mission. Elder Page knew that what he believed was true and valuable and wanted to share it with the wonderful people of California. It is that kind of love and testimony for God that I admire. He was a convenant-keeping young man and will continue to be so. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pres. and Sister Jorge T. Becerra, Elder Page's family and the missionaries who continue to serve there.

LifeElevatored posted 36 minutes ago (KSL Channel 5):
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune (CA) reported the incident as "out-of-state-bicyclist" being struck by a car. The incident according to that paper, had an Azusa,CA police officer on-scene immediately after it had happened, and the "bicyclist" had critical head injuries. It was a auto vs. bicycle, and the driver remained on scene.

With the increase in missionaries, we can expect an increase in the number of fatalities among our missionaries. There are also times, when our missionaries may or may not be wearing the helmets, or riding their bikes appropriately, and sometimes accidents DO happen, even to missionaries.We do not know what happened in this case, yet.

Our condolences to his family, loved ones and friends.

Good Ole Fox posted 1 hour ago (KSL Channel 5):
Death is part of the plan for all of us. All of us must die, but through the great plan of our Eternal Heavenly Father, the sting of death is taken up in Christ. I am comforted in the knowledge that there is a glorious place prepared for us in heaven and that all of us will be resurrected through the atonement of Jesus Christ. This knowledge give me hope (in what is becoming more of a hopeless world) to be able to endure the trials of this world as I work each day to become a better person and do my best to make this world better for other while I am yet upon it.

If I am wrong, I die in peace and fade away having been a better person and hopefully the world is better because I was here. But if I am right, I hope to be gloriously reunited with friends and family on the other side and take part in the fullness of Joy promised through my Savior, Jesus Christ. Want to learn more about this hope in Christ, contact the Missionaries. May God bless and protect them and keep them in his hand, no matter the trials that come upon them while they serve in this mortal sphere.

BTW - I have one son currently serving a mission in Texas and another waiting for his mission call. My prayers are for the missionaries every morning and night.

Malihini Northern, UT October 11th 1:21 P.M. (Deseret News):
It is well past time for the church to step up it's missionary safety program. If they want to have 80,000 missionaries all across the world then they need to be able to afford it, i.e., more cars, less (or no bikes), less public transportation & provide more safety guidelines around their service assignments. They are working in undeveloped areas of the world where the US safety codes are irrelevant. The church needs to see this and provide in a better way for them.

To say that the mortality rate for missionaries is less than the national, or world average, is totally mis-leading. The mortality rate for missionaries should be compared to the mortality rate for 18-25 YM who don't drink, are average to above average students, and with a high percentage living in the western US. Compare the missionary demographics and lifestyle to what they would be doing if they were not in the mission field.

Furthermore, for the church to issue the same blanket statement, "...our hearts are with the family..." not only gets old, but seems a bit veneer. I love the church, but we can do better than this.

Elder Colt Daniel Kunz Electrocuted While On Mission Service In Tampico, Mexico; 11th Mormon Missionary Fatality In 2013

Twenty-year-old Elder Colt Daniel Kunz becomes the 11th missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to give his life while on missionary service during 2013. He died on Wednesday October 9th, 2013 in Mexico after sustaining injuries when he came in contact with a live electrical wire on top of a building and fell two stories to the ground. Photo available from the Teton Valley News.

Updated media reports indicate that Elder Kunz had gone to another missionary's apartment on October 9th so he could attend a training meeting on October 10th. He and the other missionaries decided to study scriptures outside because it was cooler. The missionaries lived on the second story of the building and needed to walk on a ledge to get back inside. There was a live wire hanging and it brushed against him and the shock pushed him off the building. So he fell two stories and then landed, which ended up being the cause of death. Although paramedics performed CPR on Elder Kunz for a half hour, they just couldn't get him back.

Elder Kunz hails from Victor, Idaho, where he was a member of the Victor 1st Ward in the Driggs Stake, and had arrived in the Mexico Tampico Mission just one month prior. He was a 2012 graduate of Teton High School and an accomplished athlete, participating in cross country, basketball, baseball and track and field. He is the son of Ryan and Ranae Kunz; Ryan serves as a stake president in his home town. Eric Hawkins, an LDS Church spokesman, said “In his short service he had been described as the kind of missionary every mission president wants to receive. Our thoughts and prayers are with Elder Kunz’s family, friends and others who mourn his passing.”

Not only is Elder Kunz the 11th missionary to pass on this year, but he's the second to have died in a rooftop electrocution accident in Latin America. Elder Siosiua Andrew Taufa died on Wednesday June 20th, 2013 after coming into contact with a high-voltage wire while patching a Guatemalan family's leaky roof during a rainstorm. Consequently, some are wondering what missionaries are doing gallivanting around on roof. One interesting comment posted to the Salt Lake Tribune provides an answer. Justcap wrote, "In Mexico you do lots of things on top of buildings. I served in that mission almost 10 years ago and most of my houses/apartments had stairs up to the roof. The water tank is always on top; sometimes our washboard and clothesline; sometimes people keep their dogs on top; sometimes you help people clean up their roof or add on or fix a leak; sometimes that is where people have chairs set up to sit on; or sometimes it makes for a better view for pictures of the hills, jungle, river, etc." On September 6th of this year, in response to escalating public concern about missionary safety, Elder David F. Evans said Mormon missions are still inherently safe, explaining that the church had seen similar surges in missionary fatalities in 2003 and 2008 followed by declines in intervening years.

A couple of comments from relatives posted to the KSL Channel 5 website:

Lori B. posted 2 hours ago:
This is my sweet cousin. What a wonderful man he was - always smiling and so friendly. He has an amazing family - he was the baby of many children so he will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family. My last memory of him was him driving a team of horses on a sleigh during Christmas last year - he was beautiful inside and out.

OshaPhill posted 1 hour ago:
Our hearts go out to his parents. He is our Nephew, and as others have indicated, he was a most loving, kind person. His influence was wide and now he has the opportunity to greatly increase that influence. Our prayers are with and for the family and ask for God to bring them comfort.

Here's the list of the other 10 missionaries who have died in service this year (after the jump):

LDS Church Reveals That 10 Missionaries Have Died While On Mission Service In 2013 As Of October 1st

While I have made an effort to track LDS missionaries who have given their lives while on mission service, I had identified only eight who had died in 2013. However, the LDS Church has revealed that 10 missionaries have given their lives while on mission service in 2013, according to this Salt Lake Tribune story. Here is information about the two missionaries who escaped my notice:

-- Elder George Peter Solie, 21, of Edgerton, Kansas, died on January 23rd, 2013 from an unspecified medical condition. Elder Solie had served in the Utah Salt Lake City West Mission for a year. The only information about this was published in an official obituary.

-- Elder Juan Junior Litano Montero, 20, of Piura, Peru, died in July 2013 after contracting tuberculous meningoencephalitis. Originally slated to serve in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission, he had been serving in the Peru Piura Mission since February while waiting for his Argentine visa to be approved. A story was published in the Deseret News on September 17th.

These two names have now been added to my Partial List Of LDS Missionaries Who Have Given Their Lives While On Mission Service. I look forward to the day when a memorial for these champions for Christ is erected in Temple Square; the memorial should be similar in style and concept to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC. Since missionaries go the extra mile and give up so much to bring the Gospel to the world, I consider them worthy of special recognition on earth regardless of the rewards which await them in the eternities.

The sudden media interest is driven by concern over whether or not missionary service is becoming more hazardous. In a rare statement issued on September 6th after the 10th missionary died, Elder David F. Evans said Mormon missions are still inherently safe, and offered words of solace to the affected families. Elder Evans also said the church had seen similar surges in missionary fatalities in 2003 and 2008 followed by declines in intervening years. Although the LDS Church does not normally share its statistics on missionary deaths, independent counts since the 1980s indicate the rate hovers between three and six a year. Missionary candidates are required to pass physicals before being called, and missionaries receive safety training at the MTC and in the field, to include bicycle safety. The LDS Missionary Department Health Services division reviews and gives medical advice in cases worldwide.

The website LDSmissionarymoms.com circulates regional information to more than 15,000 email addresses worldwide, read mostly by moms and a few dads with missionary children. The Deseret News reports that there's also a brand-new website called MissionHome.com, which aims to help missionaries and their families learn more about, prepare for and succeed in missionary service.

Here are the names of the other eight missionaries who have given their lives during 2013 (after the jump):

Elder Jose Daniel Encarnacion Montero Dies From Stray Bullet In Colombia, Becomes The Seventh LDS Missionary To Give His Life In The Mission Field During 2013

While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endeavors to make a full-time mission as safe of an experience as possible for missionaries, unforeseen mishaps can occur. On Saturday August 31st, 2013. Elder Jose Daniel Encarnacion Montero became the seventh LDS missionary to give his life while serving in the mission field during 2013.

According to LDS spokeswoman Ruth Todd, the 20-year-old Elder Montero was with three other missionaries when he was struck by a stray bullet in Cali, Colombia. The other missionaries were unharmed, and the incident is currently under investigation by police in Colombia. Elder Montero, who hails from the Dominican Republic, was assigned to the Colombia Cali Mission. A comment posted to the KSL story directs us to a story from Elpais.com.co, a Spanish-language media outlet from Cali. According to the English-language translation of this story, Elder Montero had been assigned to Cali for three weeks, and was struck by the stray bullet while inside an apartment located at 123 Race Street in the Desepaz Calimío neighborhood east of the city. Witnesses say they did not hear any gunfire or witness any gang fights at the time of the shooting. Two of Elder Montero's three companions are further identified; one is from Bolivia, and another from Ecuador. But another commenter to the KSL story says rival media outlets in the area report the shooting took place in the Agua Blanca district, which was off limits to missionaries 15 years ago.

The LDS Church issued the following statement:

"Elder Encarnacion's passing will be deeply felt in the mission and by all who knew him. We grieve with his family and friends during this time of mourning and extend to them our love, prayers, and deepest sympathy."

Here are the other six who have given their lives in 2013:

-- Elder Jason Reid Wiberg, 19, of Roy, Utah, died of injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle while bicycling in Kuching, Malaysia on August 24th, 2013. Elder Wiberg was serving in the Singapore Mission.
-- Elder Thomas Milo Bennett, 21, of Window Rock, AZ, suffers cardiac arrest and passes away in Casper, WY on Saturday August 3rd, 2013. Elder Bennett was serving in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission.
-- Elder Joshua Allen Burton, 23, of Cardston, AB, Canada, died of post-surgical complications on Monday July 22nd, 2013, two days after a runaway truck slammed into him. Elder Burton was serving in the Coban Guatemala Stake.
-- Elder Siosiua Andrew Taufa, 20, of Salt Lake City, Utah, died on Wednesday June 20th, 2013 after coming into contact with a high-voltage wire while patching a Guatemalan family's leaky roof during a rainstorm. Elder Taufa served in the Guatemala Retalhuleu Mission.
-- Elder Jeffrey Rogil Guerra Alfaro, 22, of Lidingo, Sweden, collapsed while jogging in Provo, Utah on May 9th, 2013. He was later diagnosed with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm and passed on. Elder Alfaro served in the Utah Provo Mission.
-- Sister Alesa Smith, 22, of Benton, AR, died on February 1st, 2013 after being struck by a pickup truck while bicycling in Woodward, OK. She was assigned to the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Mission.

These fatalities run in cycles; during 2012, no missionaries died while on mission service. The last missionary to have died by gunfire was Elder Jermaine Luther Walker of Kingston, Jamaica, who was shot and killed in crossfire while police were chasing another vehicle on January 17th, 2010. I have noticed that an excessive number of missionaries die after being struck and killed by motorists while bicycling during evening and nighttime hours. See my partial list of missionaries who have given their lives while on mission service.

Another LDS Missionary Passes On Before His Time; Elder Jason Reid Wiberg Fatally Struck By Vehicle In Kuching, Malaysia

Another missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has his earthly mission terminated prematurely. Nineteen year old Elder Jason Reid Wiberg of Roy, Utah has passed on as a result of injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle in Kuching, Malaysia, located within the boundaries of the Singapore Mission. He had served there since October 2012. Media stories published by KSL Channel 5, the Deseret News, and KSTU Channel 13 all convey similar information.

The circumstances are more completely explained in a statement issued through the LDS Church by Elder Wiberg’s parents, Reid and Janice Wiberg:

“Elder Jason Wiberg, a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Roy, Utah, died on Sunday, August 25, 2013 in Kuching, Malaysia. He was severely injured when he was hit by a car as he was traveling home on his bicycle after his appointments Saturday evening August 24, 2013. After his accident his companion provided immediate first aid. Paramedics arrived quickly and he was transported to a hospital where he was stabilized. He was later transferred to a larger more advanced hospital where the medical staff provided treatment. In spite of the quick and excellent treatment he received his condition deteriorated. Jason’s organs were donated for transplant so he can continue to help and be with the people of Malaysia he so dearly loved. His missionary work will continue in the spirit world.

The family would like to express their appreciation and love to all those who have been praying for Jason. We all hoped for a miracle yet are comfortable with the knowledge and accept that God has other plans for Jason at this time.

The family would also like to express our sincere appreciation for his companion and all the medical personnel that worked so hard to save his life.”

Although the news stories don't specify what time of the evening the mishap occurred, sunset at Kuching took place at 6:46 P.M. local time on August 24th. So it's possible the motorist did not spot Elder Wiberg until it was too late. The accident investigation will reveal if this was the case. Elder Wiberg's name has been added to my partial list of missionaries who've given their lives while serving.

According to Doctrine & Covenants Section 138, missionaries who die while on mission service may continue their missions in the spirit world. In verse 57, President Joseph F. Smith wrote "I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead". This is part of the Vision of the Redemption of the Dead granted to Joseph F. Smith on October 3rd, 1918

LDS Missionary Elder Thomas Milo Bennett Suffers Fatal Cardiac Arrest In Casper, Wyoming Just Three Days Before Scheduled Surgery

Yet another addition to my partial list of LDS missionaries who gave their lives while serving the Lord. On Saturday August 3rd, 2013, Elder Thomas Milo Bennett suffered a fatal cardiac arrest and died in hospital in Casper, Wyoming. This occurred only three days before he was scheduled to fly home for a surgical procedure. Elder Bennett, who hails from Window Rock, AZ and who was serving in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission, had been admitted to the hospital earlier that day suffering from nausea. He leaves behind his parents, Darrell and Laverne Bennett, as well as three siblings. Complete stories have been published by the Deseret News and KSL Channel 5.



Romero Brown, president of the Chinle Arizona Stake from where Elder Bennett originated, said that the medical staff did everything possible to save Bennett. He further stated "The family is taking it pretty hard. But they have great faith. They got him ready to go on this mission. They trust their son is in Heavenly Father's care."

Of interest is the fact that Elder Bennett had set his sights upon a mission even before he was baptized into the Church. When he was only six years old, he would show up at church in a dark suit and a white shirt and tie with a name tag that said "Future Missionary" on it. Elder Bennett also made a pact with three childhood friends that they would all serve full-time missions for the Church. Nothing like having the desire for a mission planted early in life and getting reinforcement from peers at the same time; he ended up following in the footsteps of Samuel the Lamanite. By the way, the Chinle Stake has sent out 20 missionaries during the past three years alone.

Funeral services for Elder Bennett are pending, although Brown said they would most likely be held on Friday or Saturday.

LDS Missionary Joshua Allen Burton Passes Away From Complications After Traffic-Related Mishap In Guatemala

Another name has now been added to my partial list of LDS missionaries who have given their lives while in service to the Lord. Elder Joshua Allen Burton passed away on Monday July 22nd, 2013 due to post-surgical complications stemming from a traffic-related mishap in Guatemala. Media stories published by the Deseret News and KSL Channel 5 and the Lethbridge Evening News. There are some slight differences between the first two stories; since KSL cites a statement posted by the stake, I consider their account more authoritative.

Summary: Elder Barton and three other missionaries were performing a service activity in the Coban Guatemala Stake when they were struck by a truck that rolled down an embankment early on Saturday July 20th. While the other three missionaries sustained only minor injuries, Elder Barton suffered a broken back, a broken shoulder, and a concussion, and was hospitalized. After undergoing surgery Saturday night, Elder Barton reported that sensation was returning to his legs, but then abruptly passed away on Monday night after suffering a series of heart attacks. Heather Burton posted more details on this Facebook page. A post on the Facebook page identifies one of the other four missionaries as Elder Ryan Hatch.

The 23-year-old Elder Burton, who hails from Cardston, Alberta, Canada, had been serving in the mission field for 21 months and was expected to return home in November. He was also a dedicated pianist and composer.

Tributes are pouring in; some examples:

Ryan Hatch 3 hours ago Facebook:
Hi on my other post to you I failed to mention that our son Ryan was one of the 4 missionaries in the rollover accident. He has given us a quite detailed account of the accident in three portions because of the pain in writing the story.

Julia-Matt Nelson 2 hours ago Facebook:
I don't know you, but I served in Coban 11 years ago. When I was there it was just an area, now it's a mission. I never knew a more heavenly place than Alta Verapaz where your son served, and I've never met a more heavenly people than the Kekchi. I can guarantee you that there are thousands upon thousands of them praying for you and your family now. My heart goes out to you and your's. I feel for the loss of a fellow Guatemalan brother.

Shayne Tolman 3 hours ago Facebook:
This is impossible. Not Josh. I wish I had some profound nugget of wisdom or words of comfort. I don't. All I can say is that some time nearing two years ago, there was a knock on my door. When I opened it, our home was flooded with the sunshine of life that flowed so freely from Josh. It was the same thing I always felt and I'm sure all that know him felt as he passed by ALWAYS making eye contact with a nod and a smile touching us in ways only Josh could. I don't remember what he said at the door, but I'll never forget what I felt as I stood in the presence of this young man who's smile should have made the Guinness Book of World Records for the category of 'genuine'. He handed me a CD of his music. Of course I bought it. I love the individuality and spontaneity of his music, but mostly I was paying for something I felt and I should have payed much more for what he gave in a moment in such an honest, enthusiastic way. That will stay with me. I think his post of May 27th says it all in way that captures what I'm trying to say, "I love life." You couldn't help but know that in his presence. My heart goes out to all of you - I am so very sad, but grateful to have known him - I didn't know him as some of you do, but he always made me feel like I did. What a gift. I will treasure it.

Partial List Of LDS Missionaries Who Have Given Their Lives While On Mission Service

Update July 17th, 2015: Elder Ricardo Alberto Cuevas Magdaleno added to the list.

While the military along with various fire departments and police departments around the USA have meticulously documented the names and lives of those who have given their lives while on active service, I noticed that it's difficult to find any similar list of missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have given their lives while on service in the mission field.

In fact, I have found only two sources that provide even partial lists; the Mormon Mission blog, and the Mormon Truth blog. The latter source is more comprehensive and better organized, but it is edited by Samuel the Utahnite, an ex-Mormon who is vociferously and explicitly critical of the Church. Nevertheless, despite his attitude towards the Church, he cared enough about his former fellow missionaries to assemble and publish a list; his concern for their memory is noteworthy and commendable. I have scrubbed down the list to remove duplications and to also remove the asterisked names, which were of those who were severely injured; the list is intended only for fatalities.