Bryan Burningham is a 19-year-old man without a face. It was shot away during an accidental shooting six years ago.
But despite his disfigurement and difficulty in talking, the LDS Church is trying something with Bryan it rarely does. News Specialist Ed Yeates reports.
The Church decided to call Bryan on a mission. He was to report to President Robert Haight in Vancouver British Columbia to work in the town of Richmond.
No one knew what to expect when Bryan arrived in Vancouver. Some believed he may not be well suited for what most missionaries do. The Church wanted to protect him.
At first, Bryan was assigned to work only in the mission center, somewhat isolated from what the LDS Church calls street proselyting.
So it began here, answering phones and doing office work.
But President Haight says Bryan touched people - uniquely - in a way which surprised everybody, including his companion, Joel Jensen.
"Optimism just flows from the kid and you can't help but take it over, being around him."
Elder Joel Jensen/LDS Missionary: "His spirit shines through. And you don't even look at him like he has a disfigurement."
It didn't take long for President Haight to make changes.
Bryan now walks the streets like other missionaries, meeting strangers face to face for the first time.
"He does it better than some people that have regular abilities and capabilities to speak. He comes across with a special spirit in a wonderful way."
Elder Robert Haight/Mission President: "And he does it in such a way that the people don't want to close the door, but they want to hear him a little bit more.. some out of interest to see, can I understand him?"
"We are so grateful for the time we have now."
With companions, members and strangers -- Bryan prays, teaches, and laughs!
Though not every spoken word is heard, his message of compassion and tolerance - who he is on the inside, comes through loud and clear.
Elder Bryan Burningham/LDS Missionary: "It's given me a sense of knowing who I really am. I had to fully accept exactly who I am and be happy with what I am and what I do."
Back home in Logan, Bryan's mother, an art teacher, still worries. Zan and her husband Lee have protected their son for six years - and now he's on his own among strangers.
But President Haight says never fear!
"I don't think there is a missionary in this mission who receives more mail than Bryan Burningham."
Bryan had a chance for followup surgery to make him look better. It would have given him synthetic teeth and a more formed mouth. But it was all cosmetic. In fact, he would talk less -- or, not at all - and he wouldn't be able to eat anymore through the mouth. Bryan said NO!
Elder Burningham: "Right now, I'm here. I'm talking to you. I'm out talking to people on the street. It doesn't matter what I look like right now. Because this small moment in time is nothing. It's nothing! Life is so wonderful."
