Elder Morgan W. Young, Age 21, of Bountiful,Utah, Passed Away On Jan 3, 2006 While Serving a Full Time Mission For the LDS Church In Virgina, USA.

Elder Morgan W. Young's official Obituary:

May 11, 1984-Jan. 3, 2006

Elder Morgan Winslow Young, age 21, was a missionary who served with honor for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Virginia Richmond Mission. In the early hours of Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006, he received his transfer to a more exalted estate and was spared of any mortal anguish and pain. He was born on 11 May 1984 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Mark Winslow and Kathy Williams Young. He was a graduate of Bountiful High School and completed one year at Weber State University prior to his mission.

He had a keen sense of humor and a well-developed imagination. He loved his family, was great with children, had an interest in art and computers, and enjoyed reading biographies. He was an Eagle Scout. He loved his mission and the people of Virginia. He served with diligence and enthusiasm and was blessed with outstanding companions. Although he had served for 21 months, he didn’t want to come home. He will never be released as a missionary.

Special thanks to President and Sister Spencer Kirk of the Virginia Richmond Mission, Elder Joshua Heidbrink, the First Presidency and officers of the Church and local leaders, the missionaries and members of the Virginia Richmond Mission for their kindness and compassion, and to the local law enforcement and hospital staff for their sensitivity and professionalism. We greatly appreciate the generosity, love and resources provided to our family from all those who have helped us during this difficult time.

Survived by his parents Mark and Kathy Young; siblings, Erin Lynn Young, Brennan William Young, and Helen Katlin Young; his grandparents Bud Williams, and J. Winslow and Marlene Young, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services were held at 12 noon on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, at the Bountiful 31st Ward Chapel, 585 East Center Street. Friends and family called Monday evening at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main and Tuesday morning from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Inter-ment,Salt Lake City Cemetery.

The family is collecting remembrances at agamid900@yahoo.

com.

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What a sad tragedy that this had to happen to this young man and my heart goes out to his Family, just like Benjamin Ellsworth's Family and the other 2 missionaries that died in New Zealand, Elder Jonathan R. Talmadge, 21, of Willamina, Oregon, and his companion, Elder Bradley J. Isle, 20, from Las Vegas, Nevada. They died in a head-on collision near Timaru, New Zealand. Both were serving in the New Zealand Wellington Mission. The accident also killed an elderly woman and seriously injured two people in the other car and my heart goes out to their Families as well.

There are so many tragedies everyday, that I can't cover them all. I know that we also have lost quite a few military men in the last week as well and my God bless their Families for the tremendous sacrifice of their loved ones that give us the freedoms that we have and enjoy, each and everyday. As soon as I locate the obituaries for these other missionaries from New Zealand, I will post them too.

The Deseret News also did an article the other day on missionary deaths from the last 7 years and I wanted and felt that it was only appropriate to list their names as well. This list already includes the 3 that just passed away.

LDS Missionary Deaths from 1999-2006

Isle Bradley New Zealand 1/5/2006 Auto accident Accident
Talmadge Jonathan New Zealand 1/5/2006 Auto accident Accident
Young Morgan U.S. 1/2/2006 Shot Witnessed crime, gunman shot him
Ellsworth Benjamin Argentina 12/5/2005 Train accident Fell under train
Flores Joel Galindo U.S. 11/9/2005 Hit by car Accident
Bent Michael Joshua Samoa 11/23/2003 Drowning Accident
Godfrey Nathan Scott Argentina 3/10/2003 Electrocuted Accident, trying to save another
Lym Kelly U.S. 10/18/2002 Auto accident Accident
Johnson Gregory Scott Mexico 9/29/2002 Electrocuted Accident
Atchley Adele Ivory Coast 8/3/2002 Murder Robbery
Leaunae Limuula Samoa 1/30/2002 Auto accident Accident
Platt Spencer U.S. 12/17/2001 Auto accident Accident
Thomas Jonathan Reed Argentina 8/29/2001 Hit by train Accident
Gleason Mark England 6/12/2001Auto accident Accident
Teodorescu Mihai England 6/12/2001 Auto accident Accident
Pixton Clark Henry Ukraine 7/14/2001 Fall Accident
Driggs Eric Robert Argentina 4/6/2000 Auto accident Accident
Christiansen Jaysen Ray U.S. 1/28/2000 Auto accident Accident
Pulham Jared Mont U.S. 1/28/2000 Auto accident Accident
Roundy Daniel Byrne U.S. 1/28/2000 Auto accident Accident
Savage Bradley Alan U.S. 1/28/2000 Auto accident Accident
Peterson Melissa U.S. 1/21/2000Auto accident Accident
Barrett Jonathan Philip Ivory Coast 4/24/1999 Stabbed Attacked by drunken man Papenfuss Jaarl Michael Canary Islands 1/18/1999 Drowning Accident
Prymak Joshua Matthew Canary Islands 1/18/1999 Drowning Accident

Here is the link for a complete listing of all 189 Christian missionaries who died during the past 7 years. One thing for sure, there are risks involved for any missionary work for any Church, no matter where you are serving. It doesn't matter if it was a savage crime or an accident, the missionary is gone and the lives of their Family and Friends are changed forever.

Now, I do want to say that the Mormon Church's initial response, from M. Russell Ballard, was not pleasing to me and I felt it to be cold. But let's remember that they have to make sure that something like this, doesn't affect future recruits. I hate to say it, but it's true. Let me now share a few of the words by Ballard, shorty after finding out about Morgan W. Young's death and the deaths in New Zealand:

Elder Ballard says the work of the Lord through the missionary program of the Church will continue:

This work will continue to go forward regardless of what happens, regardless of what the future may hold. If there are other missionaries that are hurt or other missionaries that are killed, it will not stop this work. Joseph Smith made that abundantly clear that there would be nothing that would stop this work from rolling forward till the Great Jehovah comes forward and says the work is done. And He hasn't said that yet.

Elder M. Russell Ballard
Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Text of the remark
Audio of the remark

He also said the following:

When you say, What kind of work do we do to see that the missionaries are kept in safe places and that they proselyte in safe places? We do the very, very best we know how, under the supervision of inspired, called, wonderful mission presidents and their wives.

Elder M. Russell Ballard
Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Text of the remark
Audio of the remark

Here is a link to a summary of his talk which doesn't even include the fullness of the above quotes:

"This Work Will Continue to Go Forward"Elder Ballard talks about missionary safety January 6, 2006

Now, one more thing that I want everyone to remember and never forget as you ponder the tragic deaths of these young men; the words of the current Mormon President and Prophet of God, Gordon B. Hinckley, regarding missionaries, farewells and homecomings and that what they do is simply expected. This should give everyone some extra perspective on what he truly believes.

Gordon B. Hinckley, “To Men of the Priesthood,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 56

Elder Ballard has spoken to you concerning missionaries. I wish to endorse what he said. I hope that our young men, and our young women, will rise to the challenge he has set forth. We must raise the bar on the worthiness and qualifications of those who go into the world as ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now we have an interesting custom in the Church. Departing missionaries are accorded a farewell. In some wards this has become a problem. Between outgoing missionaries and returning missionaries, most sacrament meetings are devoted to farewells and homecomings.

No one else in the Church has a farewell when entering a particular service. We never have a special farewell-type meeting for a newly called bishop, for a stake president, for a Relief Society president, for a General Authority, or anyone else of whom I can think. Why should we have missionary farewells?

The First Presidency and the Twelve, after most prayerful and careful consideration, have reached the decision that the present program of missionary farewells should be modified.

The departing missionary will be given opportunity to speak in a sacrament meeting for 15 or 20 minutes. But parents and siblings will not be invited to do so. There might be two or more departing missionaries who speak in the same service. The meeting will be entirely in the hands of the bishop and will not be arranged by the family. There will not be special music or anything of that kind.

We know this will be a great disappointment to many families. Mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, and friends have participated in the past. We ask that you accept this decision. Where a farewell has already been arranged, it may go forward. But none in the traditional sense should be planned for the future. We are convinced that when all aspects of the situation are considered, this is a wise decision. Please accept it, my dear brethren. I extend this plea also to the sisters, particularly the mothers.

We hope also that holding elaborate open houses after the sacrament meeting at which the missionary speaks will not prevail. Members of the family may wish to get together. We have no objection to this. However, we ask that there be no public reception to which large numbers are invited.

Missionary service is such a wonderful experience that it brings with it its own generous reward. And when a missionary returns to his family and his ward, he may again be given opportunity to speak in a sacrament meeting.

Well, due to the nature of this post, I will try to remain calm even though these words from Hinckley, completely outrage me, in every way. Well, Mr. Hinckley, these particular missionaries, didn't get that chance "to speak in sacrament meeting" again, did they? Too bad you robbed them and their Families, of that one more special moment together of a "Family Farewell", where they all got to talk, in particular, their Mothers, Fathers, Brothers, Sisters or friends, etc. What a shame!! You should be ashamed of yourself Mr. Hinckley, ASHAMED!! You are a disgrace!! What was the "wonderful experience and own generous reward" for these missionaries and Families?

You robbed these poor Families of that one more special moment together, just like you rob the poor and ask them to pay tithing instead of feeding their Families if given the choice. Wow, no more "special musical numbers or anything of the kind" either? Why Mr. Hinckley, does special, spiritual musical numbers offend you and the evil that permeates your pathetic heart and soul?

They can't even have a big open house with their Friends and Family? What business is that of yours what they want to do on their own time, in their own way, in their own house, to say goodbye to their Son or Daughter? Oh, but thank you for allowing "Family members to get together"...how freakin nice and thoughtful of you. Thank you for your permission!! Good God above, if people don't think he is a control freak, they need a mental checkup. If this stuff doesn't make you mad or upset you, you need a class in humanity. This is a lesson in Cult 101 baby!!

People think I'm bitter? What the hell is this Hinckley character? He has single handedly destroyed and taken away every good or fun thing that ever existed in the Church, from when I was a kid and growing up. One of the highlights for me, was my farewell, where my whole Family participated and then we had the big get together/open house, with my Family, Friends and people from the ward and we did that both before and after my mission. It meant the world to me.

HINCKLEY, these guys and gals are leaving for a year and a half or two years, for you and your Church and your Joseph Smith that you worhsip........what the hell is wrong with you? What a bitter, unhappy, disgusting old man that wants everyone to be miserable like he is!! To top it off, they are paying their own way.......WOW and for what? For the honor and privilege of being treated like a piece of crap, now both before, during and after their mission, by the very Church that they are serving? How pathetic!!

HINCKLEY, RETIRE!! Do everyone a big favor. Let's just pray to the Mormon God that Packer never takes over, he'll make Hinckley look like Bambi and already does.

Let me quote one more time, the one particular part of the above Hinckley statement, that is the most absurd:

No one else in the Church has a farewell when entering a particular service. We never have a special farewell-type meeting for a newly called bishop, for a stake president, for a Relief Society president, for a General Authority, or anyone else of whom I can think. Why should we have missionary farewells?

Okay, again, I'm really trying to remain calm here, but hey, Hinckley, you must think we are really stupid, right? I mean, you just celebrated Joseph's damn birthday all year long, not to mention your own, if I recall correctly. Wasn't there like this big 95th birthday bash with Donny Osmond, Mike Wallace,Gladys Knight. sibling pianists, The 5 Browns, Brazilian singer Liriel Domiciano, world-renowned violinist Vesna Gruppman and Metropolitan Opera soloist Stanford Olsen. Maybe I just imagined him being serenaded and praised.

It was broadcast live on their NBC affiliate, KSL, and then over and over on KBYU and BYU-TV. How many times did you watch it Hinckley......over and over and over I bet. How disgusting!! Talk about self-worship!! How much did that big shindig cost? So it's okay for you, but not for missionaries, that are sacrificing a hell of a lot more than you are including in some cases, their very lives, for YOU? You can allow a huge, massive party to be thrown for you and 21,000 of your closest friends but nothing for missionaries? You disgust me!!

Hey, come to think of it, didn't Hinckley do the same BS for his 90th and then mentioned at the recent 95th bash, that he'd see us all in 5 years for his 100th? Please, spare us from you vainness and self-glory while you coldly crap on missionaries Mr. Hinckley!! Maybe you should be hiring professional entertainment like you are apparently worthy of, for missionary farewells?

Now the real joke of the above quote, is that others don't get farewells when entering a particular service, like Bishops, Stake Presidents, etc......well duh, you dumb ass, it's because they aren't going anywhere...holy crap, is he really this dumb? He's the Mormon Prophet, Seer and Revelator with a direct pipeline to God? I'm glad that I no longer believe that BS. Just so you understand Mr. Hinckley, and I'll go very slow for you, when someone is called to be a Bishop in their local ward, they aren't going to Argentina for 2 years, got it, can you understand that? DAMN!! How ridiculous!!

Now the facts are, when a new Bishop is called, there generally is a special welcome meeting and in my wards, many times, the new Bishop and his wife speak and the counselors too and their wives, to welcome themselves and introduce themselves, not to say farewell and oh by the way, the departing Bishop does say farewell and speaks to the ward too. But Hinckley puts a wrap on the subject, after saying what he said, when he sums it up by saying, "why should we have missionary farewells?

Well, let me answer that question for the Moron Prophet of fraud; you have missionary farewells because some of them may never be coming home again and it will be a great lasting memory for those Families and loved ones. But then again, why would Hinckley care about any of that, it all about numbers and money and the sacrifice or loss of missionaries is just part of it. Like Ballard said, if "more missionaries are hurt or killed", it will not stop this work. What would stop the work, is if people would just stop going on missions, then it would grind to a complete halt and I pray that it does, the sooner, the better.

I just don't want to see any more young men lose their lives for these men that couldn't care less and only have one thing on their mind....MONEY!! These men, Mormon General Authorities, don't care that missionaries are knocking doors, in sometimes very poor and dangerous parts of town, do they? Of course they don't, as long as they produce those baptisms, it's all good. By the way, just a question, that needs to be asked; why aren't the holy Mormon garments protecting these men that are dying? Just thought I'd ask. Don't give me that crap that it's based on their worthiness either.

This is truly a tragic situation and I apologize for writing all of this on the same page of this poor young mans obituary, but it comes from my heart and soul and it needs to be said by someone. People need to wake up and realize what this so called called Church is really all about and that you mean nothing to them in the end. Sadly, you are just another number, like we all were or still are. After all, after you die, they admit to keeping you on the roles and count you as a member until you are 110 years old. So this poor Elder from Bountiful, will be counted as a member for another 89 years? So, are there really only like 8-9 million actual members?

Also, one more time, for those that say I'm bashing the Families and missionaries that have died, have no heart and no compassion and that the devil will curse me for it; take a reading comprehension 101 course, it might help you out. I'm criticizing the Mormon hierarchy, not the Families.

I read another article tonight from a former companion of this Elder and according to him, it was fairly common place to be threatened with being shot. They also heard gun shots a lot too. He also said that he would have expected something like this in Richmond, Virginia but not where it happened? What does all that tell you? Yeah, it sounds like they are being protected well and taken good care off, while allowed to tract and knock doors in dangerous, unsafe neighborhoods where they can hear gunshots on a regular basis. How comforting for Parents of other missionaries, eh? Just get me those numbers Hinckley says!!

I do wish Morgan W. Young's Family the very best. They seem very steadfast, strong and comforted with the fact that "he died with his boots on." All I know is that I wouldn't feel the same way if I was in the same situation, so good for them. I know that they are in deep grief and mourning and sometimes, we say what we need to, just in order to survive the moment and each day and that may be the case with them.

Sometimes people put on a brave front when in reality, they are in pieces. I've lost loved ones, but losing a Son or Daughter, must be devastating. I can't even begin to imagine the pain associated with something so horrible. However or wherever they find peace, I just hope that they can have it.

I also hope that things go well for his two younger siblings that are both planning on serving missions in the next year and a half. They say they are more determined than ever to now live up to his legacy. I just pray that they come home safely, that's all.

Samuel the Utahnite