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Young Latter-day Saint Missionary Dies in Sierra Leone

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A missionary serving for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has passed away. The following statement is from Church spokesman Daniel Woodruff:

Our hearts are heavy as we share news of the passing of a young missionary.

Elder Antonio Schwenke, age 19, of Vailima, Samoa, passed away Friday due to complications from malaria. He had been serving in the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission since May 2019. We are deeply saddened by this news and pray sincerely for his family and loved ones as they mourn his passing and remember his life.

A video was shared on social media highlighting some of the pictures from Elder Schwenke’s life and service.

Lead Image Courtesy of Vaitogi A. Matafeo via the Samoa Observer
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Aleah Ingram
Aleah Ingram
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast "Single to the Glory" about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.

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