I have to be with Creed and focus on him as he is right now.. The two women were serving in the Georgia Atlanta North Mission. No one will ever do that as well as someone who is close to you and who loves you. 1 U.S. interest in Bolivia is doing away with that problem. The first violent attacks against the LDS Church occurred in Colombia in 1983 where two meetinghouses were bombed eight times. Compassion for Those Affected by Crime and Incarceration. 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 I don't understand how this missionary was not prosecuted at all. One of their friends has also started a GoFundMe page to help the family pay for future expenses related to Creeds long-term rehabilitation and medical care. Edited 3 time(s). It sounds like much of poor James' life was tragic. Hayduke 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. Creed spent much of the first month at Massachusetts General in a coma and on life support in the hospitals intensive care unit. steve benson Last edit at 02/16/2013 02:46AM by steve benson. I can't imagine how painful that was for her to continue to tell my brother no, he could not go on a regular mission. Turns out she had very good reason for that--she needed to protect her son. 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. It occurred during a heavy rainstorm. Oh brother. JeffreyR. Holland, Missionary Work and the Atonement, 15. But there is no question that as a companion, Elder Christensen would be, and was, a huge challenge, requiring great patience. Perhaps, if Reed Smith sees this, he can again post and shed pertinent light on what occurred, as he saw and understood it from his unique vantage point. "Recovery from Mormonism - www.exmormon.org". Ball's funeral was attended by President Ezra Taft Benson and his counselor Thomas S. Monson, as well as Ballard and Monte J. Brough of the Seventy and over one thousand guests. ', Testimony in the three-day bench trial revealed that Bjelde "[10] Jane Caspar, a friend of the Ball family explained the general feeling, "No one can comprehend it; it's just unbelievable. 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. [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. I just can't see him as a victim. It was the post about James Christensen, the mentally-disabled young man who was killed by his companion while on his mission. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions.2. "[31] Another mother expressed of her son, "I just don't know how I'm going to live through the next year if he stays there. Missionaries are encouraged to learn how to work with and love their companions, but when you are with someone 24/7, it is likely that conflict may occur. Not long after, tragedy occurred. Assassinations of Jeffrey Brent Ball and Todd Ray Wilson, Learn how and when to remove this template message, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacin-Zarate Willka, Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacin Zarate Willka, United States House Foreign Affairs Committee, the temple that will someday be built in Bolivia, Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA), "Missionaries and Terror: The Assassination of Two Elders in Bolivia", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Assassinations_of_Jeffrey_Brent_Ball_and_Todd_Ray_Wilson&oldid=1148001877. 2nd LDS missionary dies in 2 days | KSL.com Before his junior year of high school he decided to move to Richfield to live with an aunt and uncle and their three children. [9] He was also active in student politics at North Summit High School in Coalville, where he served as student body vice president. Damn cult! Their bodies were found with a sign saying, "This is how imperialists' supporters die." He was so funny and bright and he was one of the children of my village when I raised the first half of my family. He was laid to rest in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the Latter-day Saints erected a monument bearing the words: "There is no law in Georgia for the Mormons." His only miscue, his mother said, was when he confused the holiday with his birthday since he had received a gift that day. 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. While he asserted that "a bomb is not going to scare any of us," the First Presidency responded to the general political unrest by reassigning some American missionaries in Bolivia and Peru to other countries and sending others home early. . Your help in compiling a more complete account of those we would honor will be greatly appreciated.". I hadnt noticed, but once she helped me recognize that, I was able to make an effort to be more positive, and our work improved. The church therefore made no appropriate plans to accommodate James's disability, and is therefore culpable. You have time set aside once a week where you and your companion can talk openly and lovingly about your companionship. Also suspected were two individuals known as "Horacio" and "El Sapo" (the toad), presumably the leaders of the group. He died Sunday after being hit by a vehicle while serving in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. STE 1058, Provo, UT 84601, Springville LDS missionary and companion killed in Texas car crash. His companion was not hurt. 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. Like the investigation of the accident, which Waggoner said is still ongoing more than three months later, Creeds prognosis is uncertain. The sicker feeling I have is that the Mormon hierarchy probably makes decisions such as "no more missionaries with mental illness" not because of kindness but because of trying to avoid bad publicity. I only recently found out about all of this because for so many years, it was too painful for my mother to talk about. Merovea She gave me permission to share the contents of her correspondence with me here, including her full identity. Obviously, he probably shouldn't have been allowed to go in the first place. Check out YA Weekly, located in the Young Adults section under Audiences in the Gospel Library, for new, inspiring content for young adults each week. 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]. That August, according to the Salt Lake Tribune (8-13-77,) Bjelde was sentenced to five years probation and fined $3,500. Why Utahs independent bookstore network is thriving, Utah hydrologic outlook warns of rising waterways due to snowmelt as temperatures heat up, Higher densities may be coming soon to your SLC neighborhood. Up until he was 16, Elder Bailey lived in Provo, Utah, with his mother and two younger siblings. Mormon missionary killed, another injured in Atlanta car accident Twinker Leonards progress now is often a matter of mere inches or millimeters. It is absolutely deplorable to blame this mentally challenged young man with his own torture and death! Elder Belde was not put in an impossible position, other companions served with Elder Christensen without abusing him. ", One witness for the defense, a psychiatrist, called Bjelde a "chronic schizophrenic.". I will hasten to add, common sense should have been enough, but surely an inspired mission president should have seen this immediately. Letting Go of Contention (Afton Nelson, Ensign, Jan. 2018, 2223), Three Things to Remember before You Judge (Chakell Wardleigh, Ensign, Jan. 2020, 7679), Bearing One Anothers Burdens (JeffreyR. Holland, Ensign, June 2018, 2429), Turning Rejection into Hope (Molly Holt, YA Weekly, Jan. 2021, digital only), How Can I Be a Successful Missionary? (Lauren Bangerter Wilde, Ensign, Oct. 2013, 3235), If I Had Known at 19 (Roger Terry, New Era, Mar. It was obvious from their dress that those who entered were Bolivians. In the Bolivia Cochabamba mission, forty-eight American elders and two sisters arrived in the first year (September 1994 September 1995). Missionary Program - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints It hurts to see my family continually abused by the Church. When the church severed its ties with the Boy Scouts of America, his parents said Creed carried on, pressure-washing and repainting all the dugouts at a Little League baseball diamond to earn his Eagle Scout Award. [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. My heart truly goes out to that family. A typical missionary day begins by waking at 6:30 a.m.* for personal study. Hit-and-run Driver Strikes and Kills Lds Missionary One of our men ran, 'stop, stop, stop,' and threw them both to the ground. It would be another way for the world to learn the modus operandi of TSCC. We're real scared," said Mark Huffaker, a former companion of Ball to Deseret News reporters. Serve them. [14][18][20][22][29][38][39][41][42][43][44] However, this drug theory later became seen as only part of a larger problem as officials discovered FAL Zarate Willka's Marxist ideology, which was mixed with the philosophies of an Indian Rights movement known as Katarismo. In a public school, he would be given an aide to assist him all day. The full, ugly details of that murder need to be brought into the bright light of day. Young died at the hospital. It is a dangerous illusion, as this case demonstrates. My companion and I would sometimes sit there after a day of teaching to ponder and stargaze. Sometimes these challenges can culminate in serious mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. At home, he would have family members to help him. But everyone still wants to finish their missions. He was the kind of missionary that Reed Benson particularly appreciated. He became the young man that other people liked being friends with, President Thomas said, remembering Elder Bailey as someone who was happy and who others liked to be around. At the time, Judge German Urquiza had been scheduled to decide whether the defendants had been accessories to the shooting. Why is his identity such a secret? [39] Years later, graffiti asserting that "Coca is not cocaine nor Coca-Cola" could be seen on walls in Bolivia. I cannot in my wildest dreams imagine that someone could beat another person and kill them and then be left free to live their life. I really don't know whether short of actual known abuse, any change would have been made in time to prevent this tragedy. Why Utahs independent bookstore network is thriving, Utah hydrologic outlook warns of rising waterways due to snowmelt as temperatures heat up, Higher densities may be coming soon to your SLC neighborhood, 24-year-old elder serving in his home country of Haiti died, 20-year-old Nigerian serving a mission in his homeland died. She also shared videos of her granddaughter Eowyn with her nephew. "It's pure Cuban terrorism, I don't think there is any question about it," said Ambassador Robert Gelbard. But to my mind, the most blame goes to Mormonism itself, the false, cultish, system that propagates these pressures, while falsely claiming that they come from and are validated by God. 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. Whether youre serving in your own country or one foreign to you, its always nice to have someone you can rely on. How on earth did this happen??? 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 also started reading portions of Dr. Seuss and Berenstein Bear books aloud, although the effort exhausted him. They are unforgivable under any circumstances but seem especially so when the victims are young men who have made great personal sacrifices and dedicated themselves to serve their church and fellow man." Lori Vallow, a blonde beauty pageant-winning mom from California, allegedly murdered her two children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua Jackson 'JJ' Vallow, seven. One final comment. While Juan's sister tried to get the order reversed, his mother watched her son die.[15]. So obviously, I don't have any inside information on what happened. 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]. LDS missionaries killed in New Mexico car accident; 10 missionary [24], Police continued to watch the homes of the remaining members of FAL Zarate Willka. In January, a 24-year-old elder serving in his home country of Haiti died after being admitted to a hospital with health complications; a 19-year-old elder from Utah was killed in a car crash in Arkansas; and a 20-year-old Nigerian serving a mission in his homeland died after a sudden health episode (unrelated to COVID-19).. But it seems to me that about the only way that the senior companion could have gotten off scott free like he did was if TSCC used its might, muscle, and money to get him off. [36] Members brought in their meals. Still, Chad added, just what that recovery may look like or how long it may take remains uncertain. felt that Christensen, who suffered several physical disabilities because of his accident, was lacking in appropriate Photo courtesy of Rex and Nicole Persons family. These were the first assassinations in memory, at least in several years. It read: Yankees and their Bolivian lackeys' violation of our national sovereignty will not remain unpunished. 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. These incidents were reported to the Mission President, Steven R. Wright, who did not feel inspired to remove missionaries from the area, but counseled them to live close to the spirit and follow that inspiration. [29] On Wednesday, May 24, 1989, after returning at about 9:30p.m., Jeffrey Ball and Todd Wilson left their apartment. Their faith is absolutely unwavering so far. Occasionally you might be paired with someone who struggles with following all the missionary rules. And he smiled when Marla wrote the word smile on a bulletin board. I was not in Kentucky when Elder Christensen died, so I cannot speak to the specific events or aftermath. Here's the Salt Lake Tribune story. That is a pretty standard defense for the Church when something goes wrong. On Saturday, June 24, after following a "trail of suspects," police arrested Constantino Yujra Loza,[66] a sociology student, and his cousin, who was later released. Feeling love frequently follows doing things to show love. My heart goes out to both of their families and all of their close friends. [23], Finally, on October 9, 1991, the U.S. State Department announced that the defendants had been sentenced to long prison terms. Other missions in Bolivia and Peru saw similar patterns as the missions were reintegrated with American and Latin missionaries. Your companion helps you navigate the new culture, learn the area, and talk to members and other people. He was particularly well known for his hard work and aggressive missionary attitude. They were then followed back to their apartment as they returned at about 10:20p.m.[31]. All rights reserved. The Mormon city at center of Lori Vallow's 'doomsday cult' But this was the 70s when he went wasn't it? As a result, the prisoners protested their innocence, and began staging a hunger strike on March 31. As far as I can tell, Bjelde is now 56 years old, and still lives in his native Wisconsin. You also have the pressures of adjusting to living with a companion 24/7 and stressful situations that might affect your mental health. There is probably a lot of personal blame to go around, including some in my own direction. The families of these individuals considered them to have disappeared. [2] Todd entered the MTC in July 1988. Bjelde was later diagnosed with schizophrenia during the investigation. He clearly understood what he was doing on a mission, and wanted to be there. During this time, Latin missionaries were called to the Bolivia Cochabamba mission at about twice the rate of North American missionaries. Only five more American elders had arrived by September 1996, when regular groups of Elders and Sisters began arriving. Thank you, Angela Voss, for courageously sharing your experience, your pain and your hopes. I'm not concerned about violence, but more convinced that there will be a lot of unnecessary suffering because of these unreasonable cultural expectations. 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. ), and getting enough sleepthese simple but important steps will make a huge difference in your overall health. (His assignment there ran from 1975 to 1978). In November, on an obscure island in the Indian Ocean, Chau - a 26-year-old American adventure blogger, beef-jerky marketer, and evangelical missionary - was killed by the isolated tribe he . It can be hard to resolve conflicts and discuss any challenges that might be keeping your companionship from working together in unity, so you should approach these conversations with humility and the desire to improve together. There is no question that these two should never have been put together. A 20-year-old missionary from Utah and his companion were killed Thursday in a head-on collision in New Mexico, according to a news release Friday from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No wonder the kid snapped. In this context, human beings and human reasoning always take a back seat, and there is always the opportunity to finally place blame on the victim, while escaping responsibility further by invoking "God's will.". Cnl. [9] A scholarship fund was also established in his memory. [18][19][26][38][42][27] While this may have helped, Robert Wharten, press attach at the U.S. Embassy said that the arrests were "the result of good, solid police work on the part of the Bolivians. Courtesy Rex and Nicole Persons family 16 of 19 Mason Bailey, 19, lived with family in Richfield before leaving on his LDS mission in July. This should not be a chance to complain or gossip about your companion; use this time to receive inspiration on how to help them best. 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. I would use my time, pay the internet caf, and then quietly sit next to my companion until she was done. Orrin Hatch (RUT) echoed his colleague, calling the killings "a heinous act" of terrorism; "their service was in no way political, and they were innocents in this despicable act."[16]. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. It is generally felt that this group targeted American missionaries because they were such an easy mark. I was so surprised when I found that post. I'm so glad we all left the church. Springville LDS missionary and companion killed in Texas car crash 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! "I don't think anyone felt secure at the time," expressed Young. Your last paragraph is excellent and insightful. I initially found out about the tragic death of James E. Christensen when I overheard members of my family privately criticizing this senselessly-slain missionary at a Benson family gathering (one that was held during LDS General Conference, as our wider family get-togethers often are). To give her son the best chance possible, Marla spends every day with him, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. She rents a nearby apartment in Boston, where she is currently living with her daughter Sway and son Cross. The truth must be told. [26][38], At first, beyond the note received at newspaper offices, officials knew little about FAL Zarate Willka's philosophy. 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. This is the first I have heard of the murder/torture of Elder James Christensen. Tragic story. Many worried about their investigators, who would not receive regular contact, and who, if the missionaries were transferred or redeployed, might not be contacted again for "quite some time. My mother and I walked around numerous relatives graves at the Moroni cemetery. He just did the work, without worrying too much about the basis for his motivation. Elder Bailey of Richfield, Utah, and his companion were walking to an appointment when he was struck by a vehicle and killed. Even Jesus Christ Himself was rejected, and He was the perfect missionary. Angela then proceeded to explain more about the killing of her mothers cousin, James E. Christensen, and how her mother has not been forthcoming about the particulars of the court proceedings that ensued in the wake of his death: What I can't figure out, and what my mother will not tell me, are the details of the criminal proceedings. The work of Mormon missionaries is quite well regarded down there. They had no explanation why the bomb had not gone off. Contributed ByBy Marianne Holman Prescott, Church News staff writer. 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. LDS Church Spokesman Sam Penrod released the following statement on the incident: We are saddened to share news of the passing of two young missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who were killed in a head-on traffic collision on Tuesday in Denton, Texas. Missionary Dies after Being Struck by Vehicle He was a country boy at heart, so it was natural for him to want to be back in the country. No doubt he got some bad advise in going on a mission, but I also understand that within the Mormon culture, missionary pressures, from prospective missionaries, their families, local ward members and leaders, etc. In hindsight it was a stupid mistake, and I deeply regret that I was not more thoughtful and sensitive, as well as outspoken, about the potential dynamics of this combination. We, the poor, have no other road than to rise up in arms. One says that they had simply returned home that evening without having eaten dinner. We cant wait to hear from you! Learn more about guidelines and necessary forms. Greyfort Yujra declared that the police "approached me and told me 'I have an arrest warrant,' whereupon I resisted and even tried to escape, so they grabbed me and started to hit me brutally until they had me on the ground. In this respect Elder Belde was a victim of Mormonism too. Photo courtesy of Rex and Nicole Persons family. Photo courtesy of Rex and Nicole Persons family. Secondly, with him going, he should have gone on a service mission. (Notwithstanding his outrageous and delusional political views, which is another story) He would not have taken this lightly. Similar feelings were expressed at a memorial service held Sunday May 28 in the Sopocachi Stake Center in La Paz, Bolivia. If you feel your mental health is suffering beyond your control, reach out to your mission president to get the help you need. [20][46], FAL Zarate Willka attacked religious targets, such as the LDS Church, because they viewed the church as an imperialist agent of U.S. interests. It seems it would have at least been in the news but I can't find any record of it. Ask a local member to teach you how to cook a new dish, or do an activity unique to the area. A bomb exploded near his motorcade, but no one was hurt. Here are some thoughts to consider as you make the transition to a missionary lifestyle. One agent, Michael McPheters, commented on the Bolivians' lack of equipment, "the only big case they'd ever had was when terrorists tried to kill George Shultz. 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. I would ask all about the person whose grave we were at and she would tell me stories of all the charming things she remembered or knew about our relatives. Ambassador Robert Gelbard. As one sister of Wilson expressed over ten years later, "It is something you never forget. Awaiting the plane's arrival were M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, Russell C. Taylor of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, and Jeffrey Ball's mother, father, grandfather, brother, and sister, Wendy, who had taken a leave of absence from her mission.
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