Chris Yokoyama was with two of his friends when their car crashed and Chris died. Darren Haslam, 18, was driving the car and escaped mostly unharmed. The other passenger, Christopher Evanson, 18, received a severe head injury and was in a coma.
"When Chris Yokoyama died, it was really tough for me," says Darren. "It was tough that I had nothing wrong with me, just a fractured elbow, and they—one was in critical condition just trying to survive and one had passed away. I was the driver. It was tough to see [Chris's sister and brother] Aniko and Derrick at school because it brought the whole experience back."
Darren received a lot of help and counsel from his family, his seminary teacher, and others. "The one thing that bothered me the most is I didn't die in that accident, so I must be here for a reason, but what is it? I didn't want people to feel bad for me. I wanted to serve them."
Meanwhile, Christopher Evanson remained in a coma at a hospital in Calgary, over three hours away. He had regular visitors, including a steady stream of peers from school. After about a month he came out of the coma, but he did not regain full consciousness until a few months later.
"They had to teach me how to walk, how to talk again, to do everything," says Chris. "That took six months, and then I got released. That was a happy day."
While he was recovering in the hospital, Chris, like Darren, began to think about others. "Faces would flash in my mind, and I would think, 'I want to share the gospel with them. Maybe I could talk with them once I get back to Taber.' My desire for sharing the gospel has increased."
During this time, many non-LDS teens were visiting the seminary in Taber, and they kept coming back. "A lot of these kids were lost," says Darren. "A lot of them came to the seminary building, and they just broke down. I think they felt the love of Jesus Christ. They started to understand the Atonement."
As more people kept coming, Darren was able to fulfill his desire to serve. "I'm a little shy," he admits. "I'm scared that if I talk to my friends about the gospel, they're going to reject me, but more and more I'm trying my best to reach out and invite people to activities and make them feel included."
Christopher Evanson feels that he has a stronger testimony as a result of his experiences. "I just love our Savior so very much. I felt His constant love, and I built a love for Him within me. I forgot a lot of things up in the hospital, but not once did I ever forget how true the gospel is, and how much I love my family. Every part of the gospel makes sense and is true.
"Chris Yokoyama was the perfect example to me. Ever since he's passed away, I've tried my best to be like him. I can say, 'Hey, come to seminary.' 'Hey, let's go to church.' I believe it's just a matter of time before others will start to understand the whole meaning of the Church and the gospel. They will want to be a part of it and have the Holy Ghost with them all the time."
Though the accident brought sadness and trials into the lives of Darren Haslam and Christopher Evanson, they have chosen to turn their experiences into a blessing for others.
Below: Jennifer Phillips (16), Darrilynn Row (18), and Brett Phillips (15), from nearby Vauxhall were also inspired to do missionary work, and they were motivated by the students in Taber.
"Once we started seeing people in Taber actually doing missionary work, then we wanted to," says Jennifer.
Darrilynn says,"It's a good experience because it helps you to strengthen your testimony."
"And studying the scriptures in seminary motivates you, too," says Brett.
Students in the Taber seminary (top) have faced the heartbreak of losing their friend. And by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, they have brought healing and hope to others.
Photographs by David A. Edwards and courtesy of the Yokoyama family