A 19-year-old from Nevada on his mission for less than a week collapsed — and later died — while working out Monday at the LDS Church’s Missionary Training Center in South Africa.
Zane Lamping, from Moapa, was transported from the MTC in Johannesburg to a hospital, where he died. According to Daniel Woodruff, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “The cause of his death is unknown at this time.”
According to Brandon Leavitt, president of Lamping’s Latter-day Saint stake in Nevada, there was no indication that the young missionary suffered from any physical ailments.
“There was none at all,” he said. “He was very healthy and athletic, active and strong.”
Lamping was assigned to the South Africa Johannesburg Mission and had entered the MTC there Nov. 22.
“Zane was an exceptional young man,” Leavitt said. “He had a smile that was contagious. And he just had a zest for life. He was an exemplary young man in every way. Everyone just loved him.
“It’s such a heartbreaking tragedy. He was just so excited to go and serve the Lord and serve the people of South Africa.”
The Utah-based faith has about 66,000 full-time missionaries throughout the world. They must undergo medical examinations before applying for missionary service.
“Our hearts go out to [Lamping’s] family and loved ones,” Woodruff said. “We pray they will feel the love of our Heavenly Father during this difficult time.”
