Jason first became an MTC teacher in February of 1996. Like many, he desired to work at the MTC for two reasons: he loved the work of the Lord so much that he desired to continue contributing directly after his mission and he cherished the great friendships and associations he was able to develop and maintain with his companion teachers and leaders here at the MTC.
Without intending to do so, he quickly and naturally distinguished himself as an outstanding MTC teacher and leader. The thing many remember most about Jason is his contagious smile. He had a natural ability to relate well with everyone, a genuine goodness, and a sincere interest in and love for others. Jason was one of those rare people who could look you right in the eye and really listen to what you had to say without ever getting impatient or bored. He was loyal, supportive, and truly interested in doing good. The missionaries he taught and his companion teachers loved him dearly, and those who worked with him in leadership positions became some of his best friends. In many ways he was the epitome of what an MTC teacher and leader should be. He set an outstanding example.
One day, in 1999, he stopped by his director’s office to talk. His director had been having a challenging day and he was a little down. As Jason walked in, his spirit immediately lifted and strengthened his boss. After chatting a bit, Jason suddenly became uncharacteristically serious. “He looked me in the eyes and told me that he had come to express his appreciation for the blessing it was to work at the MTC,” said his director. “He looked especially content and very much at peace. It was as though his joy was full.”
“With emotion in his voice and tears in his eyes, he talked of the joy it had been for him to work at the MTC. He spoke of the Spirit he felt daily, he spoke of his testimony, and he spoke of his love for the work. He talked about how exhilarating it was for him to teach full-time representatives of the Lord. He told me he loved me personally, and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity we had to work together. I remember being surprised by his seriousness and touched by his sincerity. I remember feeling humbled by his great humility. He then gave me a big “abrazo,” and said goodbye. The following morning, he received a transfer…to the other side of the veil.”
His mortal life ended in an automobile accident on the way home from a volleyball game.
“In all my years at the MTC,” his director continues, “and having worked with literally thousands of the best of the best returned missionaries from all over the world, I can’t think of any teacher or leader who could be a better example than Jason or for whom it would be more appropriate to name this scholarship. The best thing any MTC teacher could do to become a truly great influence in the lives of many missionaries and others might well be to spend a few minutes with Jason and then just try to go and be like him.”
The funds for this scholarship are donated by family, friends, companions, companion MTC teachers and others who knew and loved Jason, as a way of remembering his legacy and encouraging others to follow his great example. May it be a blessing in the lives of others who are striving to be the same. To those who receive this scholarship we say that you have the privilege of walking in the footsteps of and benefiting directly from the love, purity and greatness of a truly wonderful young man. May you always remember those attributes and exemplify them throughout our life.
To apply to this one semester, Fall 2020, tuition scholarship award, scroll to the top of the screen and follow the instructions found in the menu under the website title.