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Summarized by Kent Larsen
President Hinckley unexpectedly visits and speaks at missionary funeral
Deseret News 5Feb00 N1
By Don Baker and Lois M. Collins: Deseret News staff writers
LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley unexpectedly visited and spoke
at the funeral of Elder Jaysen R. Christiansen, one of the four
missionaries killed in an automobile accident on Friday, January 28th.
Members of the First Presidency also visited the funerals of the other
three missionaries killed in the accident, expressing their condolences
to the families.
President Hinckley spoke to the mourners at the Christiansen funeral
along with Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone of the First Quorum of the
Seventy. In his remarks, President Hinckley told the assembled friends
and family that Elder Christiansen was still serving the Lord beyond the
veil, [I have] not the slightest doubt . . . your son is serving as a
missionary there." He also expressed wonder that some people are taken
so early in life while others "live to be as old as I am."
President James E. Faust of the First Presidency spoke at the Kaysville,
Utah funeral of Elder Daniel B. Roundy, giving the mourners there a
similar message that Elder Roundy is still serving, "In essence . . .
[Elder Roundy has] received a transfer." He also said that, "Daniel has
joined a very select group of those who have been willing to give their
lives" [in the service of the Lord.] President Faust also quoted from a
letter to Elder Roundy's family from a woman he had been teaching on his
mission, "I would like to thank you for sharing your son with us. We are
better people" [because of the association] wrote the investigator.
The funeral of a third missionary, Elder Jared Pulham, was also held on
Friday, but the family of Elder Pulham asked that the media not cover
the services. President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the church
presidency, was scheduled to speak at Elder Pulham's funeral.
The funeral of the fourth missionary, Elder Bradly Savage, was held on
Thursday in Lehi, Utah. President Monson also spoke at that funeral,
also telling the family that Elder Savage was continuing his work. He
also stressed the importance of accepting the will of the Lord in this
case, "I want everyone here to doubt not the will of the Lord. If you
walk in faith you will have a smiling face when you go forth to meet
with him again."
See Also:
LDS Leaders Offer Comfort at Missionaries' Funerals
Salt Lake Tribune 5Feb00 N1
By Bob Mims: Salt Lake Tribune
Final farewell for LDS missionary
Deseret News 4Feb00 N1
By Jeffrey P. Haney: Deseret News staff writer
President Monson consoles friends and loved ones of elder
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