SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 5, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Two missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died Tuesday in a traffic accident near Beulah, North Dakota.
Elder Robert “Tommy” Gardner, from Riverton, Utah and Elder Jacob Aaron Kesler, from Ely, Nevada, both were 20.
They fatally injured when their vehicle hit a semi truck that had stopped on the highway due to an accident, says a Church statement released Wednesday.
Both men died at the scene.
“Elder Kesler has been serving since July 2022 and Elder Gardner since November 2022,” the Church statement says.
“We send our love and condolences to Elder Kesler’s and Elder Gardner’s families and friends and their fellow missionaries in the North Dakota Bismarck Mission.
“We pray they will each be comforted and feel peace during this tragic time as they reflect on the faithful service these young men have given to the Savior by sharing His gospel.”
