Tragedy struck the YouTube community as a 27-year-old Mormon content creator lost his life in a car accident in Utah, mere hours after posting a video reflecting on thoughts about the afterlife.
Chandler David Hendry, an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reportedly ran a red light and impacted two cars in Lehi, according to KUTV. His vehicle was traveling west when the collision occurred.
The incident unfolded as Hendry’s car intercepted two vehicles at an intersection — one heading north and the other south.
Tragically, Hendry was not utilizing a seat belt during the accident and was later pronounced dead at a nearby medical facility, just shy of his second wedding anniversary, reported by Deseret News.
Thankfully, the crash did not result in any other significant injuries to those involved.
Hendry, who had over 70,000 followers on social media, was the founder of the Restored Truth podcast – a nod to the idea that God re-established the gospel of Jesus after teachings had become corrupt.
He often ended his videos with “The Restored Truth is that God has never stopped reaching out to humanity. He continues to reveal, guide and pursue a relationship with us today.
“So remember: Keep your knees on the ground and your eyes toward heaven!”
He died just hours after attending the FAIR conference in Lehi – a three-day event that answers questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The final video shared on his Instagram was a reflection of that event, where he commented on a picture of the afterlife which was presented by Anthony Sweat at the conference.
The illustration showed one line in the center and several lines coming off each side.
“That is what the eternities will look like,” Hendry said in the video.
“A link of the family unit of God.”
It refers to the teaching that families will be together after death.
Before his death, Hendry, affectionately known as “Chuck,” had organized an event for young members of the church gearing up to take part in missions.
The event went ahead on Saturday and it turned into a memorial event with his relatives recounting stories.
Hendry’s dad Chad recalled how his son wasn’t initially enthusiastic about public speaking.
When the “bishop asked him to speak as a senior in high school, he said ‘no,’” Chad told the audience at the Orem, Utah, event.
But his attitude changed after his first mission in Jackson, Mississippi.
“You will speak in the name of Christ and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Hendry was told, according to his dad.
Tributes have poured in following his death.
“In this world where so many Latter Day Saints are apologizing for their faith, Chandler stood firm, and didn’t back down,” fellow member Sarah Clark, who describes herself as a “bold and unapologetic” content creator, wrote on X.
“May we all be more like him, proclaiming the truth continually.”
Chase Dahl told how he was inspired by Hendry to take his faith more seriously.
Doltan Williams, the founder of the Unashamed Truth platform, said Hendry “led by example and inspired us all to live our faith more boldly.”
“Thank you for being the epitome of what a brother meant,” Hendry sister Chaleigh Rowley said,
“Thank you for loving me through all these phases of life we both endured. thank you for being at all my important milestones.
“Your light here on this earth will be missed. Your energy, your smile, your laugh, will be remembered daily. it’s left us too soon.”
And his wife, Analynn, said, “He was the best person that I knew.
“I felt God’s love for me through him every single day.”