Mormon missionary from Utah dies in Micronesia

A Mormon missionary from Layton died Thursday from injuries sustained in a fall while serving in the LDS Church's Micronesia Guam Mission.

Elder Miller Edward Toa, 20, was halfway through his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having begun his assignment on the Federated States of Micronesia's island of Weno in April 2013, church spokesman Cody Craynor said.

"We are saddened at Elder Toa's passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time," Craynor said.

In a Facebook post, Toa's parents shared how their LDS stake president and bishop visited them in the evening to break the news.

"It is with much sadness that we let all our family and friends know that our son, Miller Edward Toa, has been called home to Heavenly Father who needed him more," his parents wrote in the post. "… We don't have much yet to go on, other than we are waiting for our son to be returned home to [Utah]."

Toa's mother also posted a recent e-mail they received from Toa, dated Feb. 24. He was helping reach out to an area that the past elders had not gone to for a long time, according to his e-mail.

"just pushing the work along! hope all is good out there!!" the end of the e-mail reads. "latahs! love yous"

Reporter Michael McFall contributed to this story.

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Twitter: @remims