MORONI -- Elder Jaarl Michael Papenfuss, 20, one of two LDS missionaries who drowned Jan. 18 in the Canary Islands, "has been reassigned in his service."
That according to Elder David B. Haight, 92, a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve, who told mourners during the Saturday morning funeral service that "Some of you will live as long as I and some will go early. It's a part of the gospel plan."Elder Haight, chairman of the church's missionary committee, presided at the services in the Moroni LDS Stake Center some 15 miles north of Manti. He said the challenge for church members following such a loss rests in their own testimonies and understanding.
Recalling a death that impacted his own life, he spoke of his father's unexpected death from a heart attack when Elder Haight was only nine-years-old.
"He was my hero and he died suddenly," he said.
The other missionary who drowned, Joshua Matthew Prymak, 19, of Virginia, was memorialized in a separate service Saturday in Dale City, Va. Bishop Richard C. Edgley, first counselor in the church's Presiding Bishopric, presided over that funeral at the Quantico Ward Chapel.
Papenfuss and Prymak drowned Jan. 18 after being swept out to sea by rough waves in the Canary Islands. The full-time missionaries were serving in the Spain Las Palmas Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Prymak and another missionary were initially swept out to sea while taking pictures near waves crashing against rocks. The other missionary made it back to shore, but Prymak didn't and so Papenfuss jumped in and swam out after him but was also taken away by the heavy surf. Their bodies were recovered two days later.
One of Papenfuss' brothers, Joshua, spoke of his life of service.
"I'm proud of Jaarl for giving of himself . . . in an attempt to save another."
Michael Noakes, the father of Elder Chad Noakes -- a former companion of Papenfuss -- said his son had described the late missionary as a spiritual giant who was always thinking of others, rather than himself.
Noakes said Papenfuss was hit by a wave early in his rescue attempt and could have turned safely back at that point but didn't.
"Elder Papenfuss is a hero. He has set the standard for fellow elders to live up to," Noakes said.
Joseph M. Papenfuss, father of Jaarl, said he had many dreams for his son.
"Some of these dreams will never be, others are postponed," he said. "We'll miss his cheerfulness and helpful presence."
However, he said he's certain his son is happy where he is.
Bishop Dwight E. Cook said he is able to feel a peace and understanding with Papenfuss' sudden death.
"His passing is right," he said.
Following the service, Papenfuss was buried in the Fountain Green Cemetery.
The two drownings were the third in two months involving LDS missionaries or church leaders. Elder Dallas Nielsen Archibald, a member of the Church's First Quorum of Seventy and president of the church's Chile Area, drowned in a fishing accident Dec. 14 near Concepcion, Chile.