This story is excerpted from Deseret News. Read the article here.
Nearly a month after the tragic bus accident that resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals — including 10 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints going to a youth activity — a memorial service provided peace to families and a community in pain.
Nearly 500 individuals gathered under tents on a local soccer field in Maputsoe, Lesotho, on Wednesday to share memories of loved ones and to comfort one another during a time of intense loss. Three days later, on Saturday, a crowd of more than 3,000 surrounded 11 caskets on the same soccer field as part of a shared funeral service. Four others who died in the accident have had or will have separate funerals. The sunrise service came after a night of heavy rain that settled the dust and cleared the air.
Among those in attendance at these events from the Church of Jesus Christ were leaders from the Maseru Lesotho District and the South Africa Johannesburg Mission, and an Area Seventy, Elder Siyabonga Mkhize. Local civic leaders included tribal chiefs, members of the Parliament of Lesotho, district leaders and Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane.
Setso’ana Selebeli, 17, survived the accident and spoke at the memorial service representing all the young women who had been in the bus.
“Jesus Christ loves us and is with us, even though our hearts hurt,” she said. Setso’ana’s younger sister, Moliehi, 11, was also in the bus and is currently in a hospital recovering from her injuries.
Setso’ana said she has already identified one reason that she feels some of those on the bus survived.
God ”chose some of us to stay behind and testify that God lives,” she said. “No one planned for the accident to happen. But God knew, and he prepared a way.”
Read more at Deseret News.
Br & Sister LaneJuly 23, 2025
Our hearts are full of love and prayers for the dear families.