Friends, classmates and community members gathered at The Gates housing complex in Rexburg on Sunday to honor the life of BYU-Idaho student Bradley Thomas Beaver, who passed away in a car accident this weekend.

The vigil, publicized via social media and word of mouth, brought dozens of students together in a solemn walk from The Gates, where Beaver lived, to the Rexburg Idaho Temple to “signify [Beaver’s] walk home,” organizers said. 

Participants at the vigil shared stories and remembered Beaver as a young man described by those closest to him as joyful, dedicated and full of faith.

“He made people feel loved. He believed in us. He always bore your burdens with you. He picked you up when you fell. He took the darkness away. His light rubbed off onto everyone around him,” said Dean Steton, Beaver’s previous roommate. “His legacy should tell people to love in the moment. Stay close to your friends, your family, and to your Father in Heaven.”

Dean’s wife, Lainey Steton said Beaver taught her how easy it was to love and be kind as she worked alongside him. 

“Walking to the temple means so much to both [my husband and me],” she said. “It is a great reminder of [Beaver] returning to his Heavenly Father to continue his work. Bradley is safe, he is happy. This vigil will give us peace and help us to remember that he is home.”

That kindness and compassion was also remembered by Adwen Harris, who served with Bradley in the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission. 

“On our mission, I remember he always took the opportunity to help in the branch we served in, when a lot of times me and my other companions in the area forgot. A lot of us wanted to be here tonight from the mission to remember him as a trainer, district leader and friend,” Harris said. “[Beaver] also spoke faster and walked faster than some of my other companions.”

Dean Steton also remarked on how quickly Beaver spoke. “Bradley was amazing,” he said. “He had a special quirk of talking so fast. Half the time he spoke so fast we had no clue what he was saying. His fast words were always kind and uplifting.”

Rowdy Shinkle also served with Beaver in the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission, and said that Beaver was an "incredibly good” example of Jesus Christ.  

“[Beaver] set me up on a trajectory to have an incredible mission and because of that mission, an incredible life,” Shinkle said. 

The vigil served as a moment of reflection not only on Beaver’s life, but also on the legacy he leaves behind. 

Friends emphasized his faith, kindness and ability to bring joy to those around him.

Candles in hand, friends and family shared memories of and experiences with Beaver:

• “Do what Bradley would have done,” one person remarked. “Always help someone you see in need.”
  
• “Even though I only knew him these five days this semester, he taught me to always smile no matter how hard the situation,” a new roommate said.
  
• “I bet he has already gone on a run,” one person remarked with a laugh when commenting on Beaver in heaven, “and already met some of his heroes.”
  
• “Every Tuesday morning at 5:45 a.m. he would always drag me out of bed to go to the temple,” another person shared.
  
• A girl from Louisiana who met Beaver during his time serving his mission said, “I wouldn’t be here in Rexburg or even here in Idaho if it wasn’t for Bradley’s example on his mission and influencing me.”
  

As the night closed with prayer, attendees expressed gratitude for the time they had with Beaver and shared more stories. 

Many left with candles still glowing, a symbol of the light he shared and the lives he touched.