Source: Shelby Raymond

by Dallan Wright

I grew up in the 14th Ward of the Rexburg Idaho Center Stake and today my father, who still lives in the ward, shared sobering news that occurred this past Friday.

The scouts took a trip to ride the rapids of the Hoback river and after three successful runs of the river decided to go for a fourth. It was on this run that three of the adults in the raft fell into the river and were sucked underwater. Two of those individuals (one the bishop of the ward) were able to release themselves from the force of the undertow but one, a man in his fifties, was held under for too long and died as a result.

My father shared how this man loved being with the young men, helping them in their activities, and how he took special interest in their progress and success. News like this hits me with an amazing impact. Not only is this my former ward but I personally have responsibilities for the young men of my current ward and situations like this are very sobering for me.

Every time our young men head out on a trip I worry I’ll see one of their pictures on the news because they’ve become lost in the woods. In fact last year our scouts were on a camp out in the same area where a boy became lost. I was very happy to finally contact the scout leader and find it was not one of ours, and I was happier still to hear of that young man eventually being found safe.

The scouting program is a wonderful tool that takes young men, teaches them life skills, and forms them into good men. They do this through weekly activities, monthly camp outs, and high adventures that push them to their limits. They can only succeed because of leaders who take the youth under their wing and show them the way.

I’m thankful for those who took time out from their lives to show me the wonders of nature, all the while putting themselves at risk, and I offer my thoughts and prayers to the family of this good man who was taking care of others when the unthinkable happened.

Update: 29 June 2009 The Jackson Hole News and Guide wrote a story about this today… click here.