| A Brother's Influence |
| In 1996, I sat in church trying to listen to the talks of the day. My thoughts wandered repeatedly until finally I heard a voice in my mind that told me to tell this story. The feeling was so real and demanding that I could not deny it. Years later, I struggled with the best way to begin. I thought about writing an entire book, but I honestly don't feel qualified to put a real life on paper. I felt then that the best way to tell others about this incredible influence was to tell my own story. A Brother's Influence is the story of my brother, Todd, and how he changed my life and made me a better person for having known him. |
| In memory of Todd Larry Walker May 29, 1968 - January 14, 1988 |
This article was accepted by the New Era in June of 2001. I will be notified upon printing and will post the information on my home page for all interested in reading it. I hope to eventually have a link to a page where you can read the entire article. |
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| A Brief Bio. Todd was born May 29, 1968 in Van Nuys, California. My parents had prayed for a child for years and finally they were able to travel a few hundred miles and pick up their new son. He was adopted and sealed to my family. Another son was adopted, and soon after, I was born. I was followed by two brothers and one sister. Todd had trouble learning, and after years of struggles, he was diagnosed with dyslexia. In high school, he was hospitalized and diagnosed with diabetes. At the age of nineteen, he decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served a short five and a half months in the Lansing, Michigan mission before the Lord called him home. He and two other elders were killed on an icy road on the way to zone conference. In his short life, he touched thousands of lives. He taught in a sincere childlike manner that touched the heart. His missionary experiences inspired me to begin a new project that you can read about in |