Sad Cost for Missionary Service - Death of Missionary (link)

[_The Mighty Builder]

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=239544 ... featured-1

OKLAHOMA CITY — An LDS missionary from Benton, Ark. was killed Friday when she was hit by a truck while biking.

Alesa Renee Smith, 22, was serving a mission in Oklahoma City. She was hit from behind by a truck while riding with her companion, according to a statement from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[_Chap]

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=23954442&nid=148&title=lds-missionary-dies-after-being-hit-by-truck-while-biking-in-okla-&fm=home_page&s_cid=featured-1

OKLAHOMA CITY — An LDS missionary from Benton, Ark. was killed Friday when she was hit by a truck while biking.

Alesa Renee Smith, 22, was serving a mission in Oklahoma City. She was hit from behind by a truck while riding with her companion, according to a statement from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Nothing to do with missions at all that I can see. Just a tragic accident to a young woman riding a bike. It might just as well have happened to her near her home.

(I can imagine the possibility of a missionary link - if, for instance she was being made to ride around on roads unsuitable for bikes, or was riding without lights at the time of the accident at 8:30 pm, because of improper bike maintenance by her mission. But I don't see evidence for that.)

[_Fence Sitter]

I would expect the number of deaths per 1000 to be lower for those on a mission than for the same demographic that are not on a mission.

[_Jonah]

Sad. My heart goes out to Sister Smith's family. I'm sure they prayed daily for her safety but were lulled into some sense of security that god would protect her because she was in his service. Now the mental masturbation begins - - "She is in a better place", "The lord has called her to a bigger mission", "She is now sharing the gospel to those in spirit prison blah...blah...blah". I guess you have to tell yourself whatever it takes to get through such a tragedy. Sad.

I have known two missionaries who died on their missions. One who was killed in a car wreck in a snowstorm. The other was a senior missionary, the wife of my former Bishop. She was murdered (throat slit) by a fellow former missionary who had been exposed (stealing from the mission) by my former Bishop. Somehow I don't see that as "just as well have happened to her near her home". If she would have been near her home and not in a dangerous foreign country, she more than likely would have been doting on her harmless grandchildren instead.

My son is currently on his mission. I advised him long ago not to rely on a burning in his boob or the "still small voice" of some holy spook for his safety. I told him instead to use his own common sense, be aware of his surroundings, and to trust his own instincts. I remind him in every email I send him to not take risks, to be smart, and to stay safe. So far, so good.