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Show CHURCH NEWS Cancervictim defies death for mission By MARY ANN LEMON Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau LAYTON — Sean Haltom’s se- mior year in high schoollast year was not typical. For one thing, he neverslept. On top of his classes and sports activities, Haltom worked 40 hours a week at a night janitorial job, trying to earn money for an LDS mission. “I used to stay up for four days at a time ... I rememberfalling asleep carrying a mop down the hall,” he said. Secondly, he kept up that pace in spite of ill health. By all accounts, Haltom said, he should have been dead years ago from the cancerous tumorthat has been growing in his brain since birth. Half of Haltom’s skull is made of plaster, which doctors have but he doesn’t know if he'll live that long. “It’s hard for me knowing I might die during my mission,” he said. Nevertheless, he says his mission means so much to him he’s willing to take that risk. In fact, he believes it may be the reason he’s been spared this long. “I know this is where I’m sup- says, “Listen cessive operations and the cancer. Take a step off the fast-paced life He wears a patch over one eye, weakened from recent surgery. and think about why we’re here.” ded in his brain to remove, so doctors have only been able to impede its growth over the years through surgery. Doctors have told Haltom he should be paralyzed, and they’re amazed he’s alive, Haltom said. Far from being paralyzed, Haltom has “done every sport you can imagine,” including stints on school basketball, soccer and track teams. A Brigham Young University football fan, he once received an autographed football from for- we believe, whether traditional or non-traditional. One thing we're sure — if it’s perfunctory it’s not worship.” Hunter began inviting guest preachers after the suicide last spring of pastor Robert Yoh, who had been the minister for 34 years. “It's a good example of people pulling together to keep a church not only alive, but vibrant and active,” said Vermont Secretary of State James Douglas, who drove from across the state to take over the pulpit in the historic Weathersfield Meetinghouse in July. “I give them a lot of credit for carrying on successfully in this situation.” Whetherit was a history lesson or a wrap-up of New Age philosophy from a rock drummer, members of the church said they enjoyed it. “These new thoughts are bringing more and younger people into Diane Haltom loved the look of tom said. “She was still planning to bible- the church,” said Donald Noake, have now converted to the LDS who is retired and has lived in Weathersfield since 1953. religion. Religion has drawn the family close, and Haltom saysits a combination of his faith and his mother’s example that keep him going. “Churches have to present somé- thing like this to offset all the other distracting modern activities.” “It’s indescribable,” said Betty Besides working as a nurse, Hal- Murray, former town clerk. “It’s re- tom said his mother found time to be a best friend to her 12 chil- ally marvelous that we have new ideas in the church.” The town of 2,500 is in south- dren. Not long ago, she donated a year of her time caring for a young man in the family’s LDS ward who had been paralyzed in a car accident, Haltom said. eastern “Mom’s the most giving person Haltom said heis the third child be New the vast timeless reality in which more “She’s always telling stories aT me. She’s got me on Cloud the than the traditional service. ‘ “I don’t knowif it’s something in the air, but I find a lot of my contemporaries are thinking about in the family to serve a mission, couldn’t on parishioners, who are predominately elderly, are looking for more in the world. She’d do anything for anybody,” he said. and mom proud. Vermont Hampshire border. Hunter said the we find ourselves,” he said. “How KRISTINE WOLFF/Standard-Examiner Elder Sean Haltom, 18, who has a cancerousbrain tumor, is serving an LDS mission. do we explain things in a satisfactory relationship — are we forgotten orphans in a vast cosmos? See PREACH on 10A MISSIONARIES RETURNING MISSIONARIES All missionaries will speak Sunday unless otherwise noted. Elder Jason Edward Law, son of Wayne and Candice Law of West Point, served in the Jamaica Kingston Mission. He will speak at the West Point 5th Ward, 3488 W. 300 North, at 2:15 p.m. Elder Ryan David Paul, son of Don S. and Kayleen L. Paul of Layton, served in the West Indies Mission. He will speak at the Oakhills Ward, 1410 E. Gentile St., Layton, at 11 a.m. Elder Jared Sanders, son of David and LuAnne Sanders of Kaysville, served in the Brazil Fortaleza/Manaus Missions. He will speak at the Kaysville 15th Ward, 555 N. 100 East, at 3:15 p.m. Elder Brendan M. Murphy, son of Daniel and Sheila Murphy of South Ogden and Chuck and Janet Casteel of Anchorage, served in the Spain Las Mission. He will speak Windsor Hills Ward, 5150 want a service that questions what the LDS temple there. She was not LDSat the time, but she read scriptures and, in fact, she eventually got together well, because she kept agreeing with everything they said,” Sean said. All but two of the Haltom clan Haltom has been in Layton for who is organizing the services. “We They eventually settled in Arizona, where they stopped because time bicycling around Layton as a missionary. For the most part, he spendshis free time immersed in religious studies. But when he does take a break, he’s back at his sports, lifting weights or riding his mountain bike in thehills. He pulls out a few snapshots: There he is with his companion just a few weeks with the UtahOgden LDS Mission. He moved here three months ago from Mesa, Ariz., leaving behind his large family — he’s one of 14 members — his girlfriend and his beloved pit bull, Bruno. He worries he may never see them again. As a missionary, he will serve in Utah for two years before he can go homefora visit, said Armstrong Hunter, a deacon Diane Haltom packed up the family and moved from thestate. bash, but it didn’t work out too destroyed,” he said. state. “People ask if this is worship,” die. Beside herself with grief, These days, Haltom spends his “It was wild; my bike almost got have been a mystical author, a jazz band and the Vermontsecretary of Haltom was born in Massachusetts and lived the first eight monthsofhis life in a hospital The doctors believed he was beyond hope, so finally, in despair, his mother brought him hometo with some LDS missionaries in hopes of a good argument, Hal- missionary, Elder Jared Brown, 214-year-old church. Amongthose delivering the sermon and conducting the service to missionaries! mer quarterback Steve Young and teammates as a goodwill gesture. “There are some advantages to having cancer,” he joked. riding down from Francis Peak in the rain, clothes soaked and hair dripping from a sudden downpour. pit this past summer in an experiment they hope will save their and that’s an idea he hopes to used to replace the bone as it de- The tumoris too deeply imbed- WEATHERSFIELD,Vt. (AP) — The 34 members of the First Congregational Church haveallowed an unusual lineup to take the pul- I'm alive today is to share the gospel with people,” he said. Haltom said his battle with cancer has taught him to look inward, to question why he has been placed on Earth and how he might best use the time he has. Every day on earth is precious, teriorated from the effects of suc- Vermont church versatile Unusual services highlight schedule posed to be ... I believe the reason convey as a missionary. Asked what one piece of advice he’d like to leave the world, he Saturday, Sept. 28, 1991 SA Alaska, Palmas at the S. 1200 East, South Ogden, at 2:20 p.m. Elder Kraig Laine Kerr, son of Larry and ShuRee Kerr of Syracuse, served in the Australia Melbourne Mission. He will speak at the Syracuse 7th Ward, 1700 S. 1100 West, at 2:50 p.m. Elder Monte S. Lloyd, son of Steven R. and Karen Lloyd of Kaysville, served in the Texas Corpus Christi Mission. He will speak at the Kaysville 7th Ward, 50 W. 300 South, at 2:20 p.m. Sister Suzanne Taylor, daughter of Norman and Dorothy Taylor of Ogden, served in the France Paris Mission. She will speak at the Canyon View Ist Ward, 1000 Suncrest Drive, Ogden, at 10:50 a.m. Elder Brett D. Wade, son of Dean and Judy Wade of Fruit Heights, served in the England Bristol Mission. He will speak at the Fruit Heights 4th Ward, 24 S. Country Lane, at 10:20 a.m. Elder Jon Housley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Housley of Hooper, served in the Chile Santiago North Mission. He will speak at the Hooper Ist Ward, 5601 S. 6100 West, at 9 a.m. Deadline for Church News items is 5 p.m. Tuesdays at the Standard-Examiner main office or 3 p.m. at the Layton office. Pictures will be published of departing mission- aries only. All missionaries will speak Sunday unless othJensen erwise noted. Sister Annette Jensen, daughter of LaMoyne and Phyllis Jensen of Roy, will serve in the Philippine Bacolod Mission. She will speak at Cline Willoughby Honolulu Mission. He will speak at the Roy Sth Ward, 5300 S. 2100 West, at 9 a.m. Elder Byron W. Jeppsen, son of the Lakeview Ward, 4900 S. 2000 _ J. Brent and Renee Jeppsen of Clinton and Pam Raitt of Ogden, West, at 9 a.m. will serve in the Guatemala GuateEider Jason R. “Randy” Adams, son of James R. and Nancy L. Adams of Roy, will serve in the Germany Frankfurt Mission. He will speak at the Roy 11th Ward, 2175 W. 4250 South, at 9 a.m. Elder Derek T. Bowles, son of Chad Bowles of Clearfield and Debra Jaques of Roy, will serve in the North Carolina Raleigh Mission. He will speak at the Clearfield 19th Ward, 2186 S. 125 West, at 10:45 a.m. Elder Kelly S. Cline, son of Dellalee M. Cline of Ogden and the late Lloyd C. Cline, will serve in the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission. He will speak at the Ogden 9th mala City South Mission. He will speak at the Clinton 7th Ward, 1448 W. 1800 North, at 1 p.m. Sister Lynette Hughes, daugh- ter of William and Kathryn Hughes of Beaver Dam, will serve in the Connecticut Hartford Mission. She will speak at the Beaver Dam Ward Sunday at noon. Sister Lanette Barfuss, daugh- ter of Paul and Nancy Barfuss of Layton, will serve in the Italy Padova Mission. She will speak at the Layton 33rd Ward, 590 W. 2000 North, at 3:10 p.m. Elder Andrew S. Young, son of Vicki and Steve Young of Ogden, Ward, 3270 Orchard Ave., at 9 a.m. burgh Mission. He will speak at the Elder Ryan D. Willoughby, son Mount Ogden Ward, 1314 27th St., of Russell and Linda S. Willoughby of Roy, will serve in the Hawaii will serve in the Scotland Edin- at 12:30 p.m. Elder Kevin Ward Gatherum, A Gatherum Anderson son of Dawn M. and Eloise Gath- erum of Roy, will serve in the Gua- Dabb Brandley 10:50 a.m. Sister Deneice M. Dabb, daugh- temala Guatemala City North Mission. He will speak at the Roy 24th Ward, 5900 S. 3100 West, at noon. ter of David and Kathleen Dabb of Ogden, will serve in the Germany Elder Todd Allen Anderson, son of Roger.and Debbie Anderson of ton Drive, at 10:40 a.m. Elder John Palmer Brandley, son of David S. and Nola D. Brandley of Ogden, will serve in the Scotland Edinburgh Mission. He East Layton, will serve in the Missouri Independence Mission. He will speak at the Layton 43rd Berlin Mission. She will speak at the Ogden 50th Ward, 1425 Kings- Burrell Thompson 1000 Jefferson Ave., at 2:50 p.m. Elder Jonathan Burrell, son of Phil C. and JoAnne Burrell of West Point, will serve in the Arkansas Little Rock Mission. He will speak at the West Point 3rd Ward, 4395 W. 300 North, at 2:20 p.m. Eider Bryan T. Thompson of Roywill be serving a mission for the LDS Church. He will speak at the Roy 28th Ward, 5725 S. 3750 West, at 11:30 a.m. Ward, 2375 E. 3225 North, at will speak at the Ogden 21st Ward, we caught carp in the river, dragged them to her home and sold her a stringer of fish for a quarter. The cats loved to see us walking up We would stand on the sidewalk daring each other to knock on her door. Occasionally, some young might open the door with an auto- guyfilled with derring-do would child today is not afraid of being the road, and she never turned us run to the door, knock once and kidnapped or murdered? away without a sale. tumble off the porch with legs churning. Our fear of this woman was probably fueled by stories as fanciful as “Hansel and Gretel.” Today, children’s fear of adults is founded Clown says Halloween should be fun, not frightening Don Berkowski, better known as SKI the clown, called me last week while driving somewhere north of Kalamazoo, Mich. No, he wasn’t using two tin cans and a string — it was a bona fide car phone. He called for a serious reason. SKI, which Berkowski says stands for *“Skill, Knowledge and Intelligence,”is concerned about Halloween. He thinks we're all getting too serious about the holiday, and he wants to replace the horror with humor. : SKI makes a good point. During my trick-or-treat days, the only CLARK MORPHEW Knight-Ridder Newspapers thing a child had to worry about was getting hijacked by the town bully. But Halloween night wasa different story. That was the night the cats howled in the woman’s home. Her house was 2!ways dark early in I knownow that our game was mean and a disturbance of this poor woman’s peace. But we lived to the old memory bin, there have the evening, sitting in the shadows in more innocent times, and it was always been frightening things about Halloween. I remembera re- like a monster in the night. The porch had caved in and leaned to the right. The paint had peeled off a prank that adults seemed to accept as inevitable. Today, children would never attempt something as foolhardy. For goodness sakes, some madman But when youreally dig back in- clusive woman who kept a houseful of cats and dressed in long, «black dresses. During the summer, 4 7 the outside walls, leaving only a gray residue. 4 matic weapon in hand and mow down the neighborhood. What on real stories they see on TV news and in newspapers. Today, parents would be negligent to let their fearful children roam the streets on Halloween without adult supervision. See MORPHEW on 10A. |