Brian Johnston’s passing and help for his family

[Anonymous]

I was really sad to read that Brian Johnston passed away. Such a good and decent person who did a lot for StayLDS, I’m sure much more than I’m aware of since I didn’t know him personally.

His wife’s sister, Elizabeth Allen, has started a gofundme account for his family. They were in the middle of a move and there are lots of things to figure out.

I didn’t manage to copy the link, and maybe it’s against site rules to post it. But I assume it’s findable at gofundme.com.

I would love to hear more about Brian’s work here from people who knew him well.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t know Brian super well, my only interactions with him were here (some were through private messaging). For those who don’t know, Brian was a leading founding member of StayLDS and was once very active here and did help many of us. I am saddened by this loss.

I don’t think there would be any objection to linking gofundme here in a situation like this.

[Anonymous]

Brian was a good friend, we shared some great times together, since he lives near my home. I think he was instrumental in keeping me sane through the whole idea of faith crisis. I’d love to learn more about the GoFundMe for his family.

warmest regards to you all.

-wayfarer

[Anonymous]

Here’s a link to the gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/n37cv-in-memory-of-brian-johnston?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bupdate” class=”bbcode_url”>https://www.gofundme.com/f/n37cv-in-memory-of-brian-johnston?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bupdate

Here’s a link to his last post here, My farewell to StayLDS, which I find to be poignant.

Valoel/Brian was mostly active here before I found StayLDS but since joining I’ve read several historic threads. He’s a kind, intelligent, and creative soul. The world lost a true treasure.

[Anonymous]

Brian kept up with administrative and maintenance duties for StayLDS long after moving on spiritually. I understand that in the year before he handed over administrative duties, he ended up paying our maintenance fees out of his own pocket. Brian left such big shoes to fill in the administrative team that it took two of us to attempt it. I took over the treasurer role and nibbler as chief technical officer (these are not actual titles but they give a rough idea of responsibilities).

Brian’s “fingerprints” are all over the cover page of our website.

In the early days, Brian was also pretty prolific in writing here and responding to people’s posts with a kind listening ear. He helped many without any thought of reward, simply because of the type of person that he was. Brian will be sorely missed.

Edit: I just read Brian’s Goodbye to StayLDS and it is indeed poignant.

[Anonymous]

I got curious about Brian’s avatar, so I googled it and found a post from him on this site. “Tom Haws” asked about it on April 6, 2009, and this is part of Brian’s reply.

Brian wrote:

Quote:

“The name Valoel also has a meaning. It is the name of a mythical archangel that represents and governs over certain universal principles. I wanted to be associated with that meaning.

…Valoel presides over peace, while filling our minds with tranquility, serenity, and happiness. Valoel inspires cooperation and calmness when we have conflicts within our hearts. Valoel is considered to be an archangel as he brings us inner peace and balance.

I’m not being so arrogant as to think I am that archangel. I just like what the name represents, and use the name to focus my own feeble efforts to influence the world around me. It is a nice ideal to strive for.”

I think he lived up to his name.

[Anonymous]

Brian was the person who asked me to join the administrative team over a decade ago. We talked occasionally, and we even did an interview with someone outside Mormonism who was doing a podcast about faith crises and wanted to include our involvement here.

He was (and, if our theology is correct, still is) a wonderful person. He had such an amazingly kind heart. We are what we are due largely to Brian, and I will miss the thought of being able to talk with him, even if it has been a long time since we have done so.

Thanks for posting the GoFundMe link.

[Anonymous]

It was Brian who said to me “the sooner you get on your own clock, the happier you’ll be”. That one statement sent me determining what I really think of our religion, and not just was is “supposed to be”. Sorry he passed…

[Anonymous]

I’m really sorry Brian did pass away. He seemed like a really nice man through interviews. I don’t think this site staylds.com would exist if it wasn’t for him.

[Anonymous]

Very sorry to hear this. I did have some interaction when I first joined here years ago. I hate to ask but did he have a long term thing? If so, I hope he is in a better place.

[Anonymous]

SamBee wrote:

Very sorry to hear this. I did have some interaction when I first joined here years ago. I hate to ask but did he have a long term thing? If so, I hope he is in a better place.

I do not know the circumstances. I am confident that he is in a better place.

[Author]

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