LYON, France — The president of a Latter-day Saint mission in France died this weekend at the age of 54, just months into his service.
President Jason Michael Soulier of the France Lyon Mission died unexpectedly in his sleep on Saturday, according to an announcement from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"I would say everybody is absolutely in shock. They just can't believe he's gone. He wasn't very old," said Rick Glauser, a close friend of Soulier's.
The church said Soulier had been sick for a few days, but the exact cause of his death is not yet determined. He and his wife, Sister Jennifer H. Soulier, had been serving in Lyon since June. They were from the Salt Lake East Mill Creek Stake.
"He loved being a missionary. He loved being a mission president. I don't think I've ever seen anyone more excited to go be a mission president than Jason Soulier," said Glauser.
Glauser, who was also Soulier's neighbor, sat down with FOX 13 News on Sunday to remember his late friend.
"We spent hours together — praying, reading scriptures, visiting people, attending meetings," he said. "He was energetic and full of life and everybody loved him, and just can't believe he's gone."
Glauser enjoyed all the memories he and Soulier had together.
"I used to jokingly call him 'Boanerges,' which is the nickname that Christ gave James and John, his two disciples. It means 'sons of thunder,'" Glauser said. "And that describes Jason. He was full of zeal. He was energetic. People that heard him talk — he spoke with a lot of enthusiasm."
Both Glauser — and those at Church headquarters — gave their condolences to those affected by the Soulier's sudden passing.
"We express our love and deepest sympathies to President Soulier’s family and all the missionaries in the France Lyon Mission during this difficult time. We pray all will feel the Savior’s love as they honor and remember President Soulier’s faithful service," the church's announcement read.
Elder James W. McConkie III, the second counselor in the Europe Central Area Presidency, and his wife, Laurel, will go to Lyon to support Sister Soulier and "provide temporary leadership of the mission," the church said, which includes 200 full-time missionaries.
Mission presidents are generally retired or take a break from their careers for three years to serve. They preside over one of the church's 400+ missions. Most serve for three years.
"I think Jason would want the work of Christ to go forward. I mean, he devoted his whole life to it, and he was so enthusiastic and so energetic, and he would want people to come to Christ," said Glauser.
