Dying college student found joy in visiting every Utah temple in his final months

Note: Originally published as “Dying LDS college student found joy in visiting every Utah temple in his final months” on December 20, 2017, by Kelsey Schwab Adams, For the Deseret News.

“Be happy. Take advantage of the opportunities you have. Love other people. Take the opportunity to share the gospel. Feel the gospel and how real it is to you. Take the time to do the little things. Through scripture study, prayer and temple attendance, I’ve been able to feel peace and joy and live a happier life. Don’t look at my life and think of how unfair this is. Please. Look at my life and let it be an example to go and do something today that makes you happy. Life is all about learning and growing, relying on the Spirit and enjoying the journey along the way.”

CEDAR CITY — It took countless miles, round trip, through 28 of Utah’s 29 counties. It took him over mountain passes and through red rock country, across vast deserts and through sprawling suburbs.

Erik Gray was on a mission.

The 23-year-old man from Cedar City wanted to visit every temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah. From St. George in the south to Logan in the north, at the time, there were 16 operating temples and one under construction. Gray was determined to get to them all.

The only question was whether he would be able to do so before cancer took his life.

Read full article: https://www.deseret.com/2017/12/20/20624559/dying-lds-college-student-found-joy-in-visiting-every-utah-temple-in-his-final-months