readstoomuch Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Three LDS missionaries died yesterday. A sister from Utah died in an accident in Oklahoma. She had taken her seatbelt off to hand something to someone else in the backseat. Something I think about each time one of my kids does the same thing. Two elders, one from the United States and one with a native sounding name were found dead in their apartment in Taiwan. The immediate cause is not known, though foulplay is not suspected. It sounds like it was an accident such as a gas leak. The parents of the missionaries from the US said their children loved their missions and that seemed to comfort them as well as knowledge of the gospel plan. I think it is the first time so many missionaries in separate locations have been killed on the same day. It sounds like a few missionaries die each year, something that is unfortunate, but probably the reality of having over 80,000 missionaries in the field. Accidents are a leading cause of death in people that age. My heart goes out to the families. I remember when a member of my seminary class lost his brother to an accident when we were seniors. 1
Calm Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 For LDS from the US at least, their death rate is lower during the time they are on a mission than if they were to stay home but a mission is not a guarantee from harm.I hope the parents and other loved ones receive great comfort from the Spirit as they mourn. 1
Rivers Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Tragic. I've never heard of two companions dying together. Is this a first? My heart goes out to the families as well.
Duncan Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Tragic. I've never heard of two companions dying together. Is this a first? My heart goes out to the families as well. sadly it isn't the first time companions have died together
MorningStar Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Tragic. I've never heard of two companions dying together. Is this a first? My heart goes out to the families as well.I believe there was a time two missionaries were murdered by someone. This is so heartbreaking. Yes, accidents are probably more common when they're not on their missions, but to think that they last time the parents go to hear their voices was months ago on Mother's Day, that's really hard.
readstoomuch Posted August 25, 2014 Author Posted August 25, 2014 There were some older sister missionaries in Charleston, South Carolina in 1978 by an investigator with mental health problems. One of the sisters missionary journal was used to find out the identity of the killer.
Calm Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 (edited) Tragic. I've never heard of two companions dying together. Is this a first?My heart goes out to the families as well.. I vaguely remember a similar situation happening awhile back.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700005957/2-Mormon-missionaries-die-in-natural-gas-leak-in-Romania.html?pg=all Edited August 25, 2014 by calmoriah
Coreyb Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Three LDS missionaries died yesterday. A sister from Utah died in an accident in Oklahoma. She had taken her seatbelt off to hand something to someone else in the backseat. Something I think about each time one of my kids does the same thing.Two elders, one from the United States and one with a native sounding name were found dead in their apartment in Taiwan. The immediate cause is not known, though foulplay is not suspected. It sounds like it was an accident such as a gas leak.The parents of the missionaries from the US said their children loved their missions and that seemed to comfort them as well as knowledge of the gospel plan. I think it is the first time so many missionaries in separate locations have been killed on the same day. It sounds like a few missionaries die each year, something that is unfortunate, but probably the reality of having over 80,000 missionaries in the field. Accidents are a leading cause of death in people that age.My heart goes out to the families. I remember when a member of my seminary class lost his brother to an accident when we were seniors.The sister who died in Oklahoma was in my former mission. Very sad news
smac97 Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 The missionaries in Taiwan died from carbon monoxide fumes from a faulty gas water heater. See here. I served in the Taiwan Taipei mission (1993-1995), so this brings back some memories for me. During my time there, gas water heaters were fueled by large pressurized gas cannisters delivered by courier. I can envision a situation where the connective fittings get damages or incorrectly utilized, or some other mistake in use or defect in the equipment leading to this tragic outcome. My sympathies are with the families of these young men, and also with the family of the young sister missionary who died from a car accident in Oklahoma. -Smac
Tacenda Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Missionaries are very brave souls and can be putting their lives on the line in many situations. As much as I like the door to door approach and the hands on, it may not be a very safe mode of missionary work. I wonder what it will be like in the coming years. Today in Sacrament meeting my Stake's two missionaries spoke and the one from France was an interesting fellow, he was so innocent in his faith and belief, I hope he isn't fed to wolves anywhere. Apparently just before coming to Utah he was in a college class, I think, and the professor ran him along the coals in his class with this missionaries belief that Adam and Eve were the first children on the earth. But he remained steadfast and even taught the class about the first vision. Anyway, such faith. But what I wanted to mention is that this pair of missionaries are making it a point to visit each of the families in our ward. I think this is perhaps a good way to proselyte, since there are maybe people that have lost their testimony or know of inactive or non Mormons that they could directly teach. I feel for these families, this is so devastating, but I guess one good thing is...they believe their children will continue to be missionaries elsewhere, and that is comforting!
VideoGameJunkie Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 My brother was held up at gunpoint when he was on his mission in Brazil. Missions can be scary.
Yirgacheffe Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Three LDS missionaries died yesterday. A sister from Utah died in an accident in Oklahoma. She had taken her seatbelt off to hand something to someone else in the backseat. Something I think about each time one of my kids does the same thing. Maybe you could bring this up with your kids so they don't do the same thing. We had a similar case with one of my kids classmates who died, I took my kids to the wake and we went past the casket, the kids were 4th grade and younger. It made a huge impression and as a result my children never unbuckle when we are moving. Until 7th or 8th grade we couldn't even start the car unless everyone was belted (including guests) without hearing a huge protest from the back of the car.
The Nehor Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 My brother was held up at gunpoint when he was on his mission in Brazil. Missions can be scary. I had a guy pull a shotgun on me. He really did not like missionaries but I guess his fear of prison overwhelmed his desire to murder my and my companion. So that's nice I guess. 1
Calm Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 (edited) Maybe you could bring this up with your kids so they don't do the same thing. We had a similar case with one of my kids classmates who died, I took my kids to the wake and we went past the casket, the kids were 4th grade and younger. It made a huge impression and as a result my children never unbuckle when we are moving. Until 7th or 8th grade we couldn't even start the car unless everyone was belted (including guests) without hearing a huge protest from the back of the car.When my son was six a classmate's little sister died in a head on collosion even though they were only going 25 miles an hour (adds up to 50 for the two cars...still one thinks one is going to not break one's neck due to impact in a residential zone). No one else in the car even had a scratch, but she was about 3 and was allowed to stand up in the middle of the car so she could dance. Never had to argue with my son about wearing a belt and his kids are the same and always in carseats or we don't go anywhere.I would have gone through the windshield at 13 without one. Always wear one since as does anyone that is in a car I am in. Edited August 25, 2014 by calmoriah
Tacenda Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Cal, I hate it when some adults won't put a seat belt on since they think it's only their lives their putting in danger...hello...you fly in the car and become a danger to everyone else. I now say something to these people. .
thesometimesaint Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Prayers and condolences to the families.
VideoGameJunkie Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Nehor, I'm glad you weren't shot. You add so much humor to this board.
Johnnie Cake Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 (edited) Why the church can't spend $15.00 per missionary companionship for carbon monoxide alarms to be placed in each apartment is beyond me. $15 could have saved these missionaries lives. $15.00 could have prevented this tragedy. The biggest tragedy of this matter is that the church has known or should have known for well over 30 years of the risk of Carbon Monoxide asphyxiation to missionaries. There have been multiple deaths and near deaths of young missionaries year after year from asphyxiation and yet they do nothing to prevent these easily preventable tragedies. This is a tragedy...a preventable tragedy...yet the church has for year chosen to look the other way and do nothing... When I was on my mission in Australia we had 2 missionaries who nearly died from asphyxiation...fortunately they survived...were I sending out a son or a daughter ton a mission you better be damn sure I'd be sending them out with a C O detector and alarm. Edited August 25, 2014 by Johnnie Cake
Yirgacheffe Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 (edited) ...were I sending out a son or a daughter ton a mission you better be damn sure I'd be sending them out with a C O detector and alarm.If I were sending out a son or daughter I'd send them with two, then if they were transferred they could leave one behind for the safety of those who followed and have one for their new place. I'd want them to let me know so I could get them back up to the the 2 detector level. Where I used to work our Budweiser delivery guy handed out little detectors and literature after he and his family had a very close call. It was something I was unaware of at the time and I appreciated the evangelization in that instance. Edited August 26, 2014 by Yirgacheffe
Buzzard Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 (edited) Others have posted on other forums that August in Taiwan is hot and muggy, missionaries often sleep with every window flung open wide. CO poisoning seems unlikely. Maybe a natural gas leak? I don't think anyone knows for sure yet what happened. No matter what, it is certainly a tragedy. Edit-I see above that it was determined to be CO,just not from a space heater, the usual culprit in such things. Edited August 26, 2014 by Buzzard
Calm Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 If they had an AC though:"The New Taipei City Fire Department reminded the public that carbon monoxide poisoning does not just happen in winter when people close their windows against the cold.In the summer, carbon monoxide poisoning can be a hazard, as people tend to keep doors and windows closed to maintain the coolness produced by air conditioners, the department said."From the above link
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