A young Church member who was slain in a New York City subway station was praised in a Sept. 8 funeral sermon by President Thomas S. Monson for "a life of courage, a life of sacrifice, a life of joy and a life of caring."

Brian Watkins, 22, a member of the Provo North 4th Ward, was killed Sept. 2 in the act of defending his parents during a robbery, according to police. He was in New York with his parents and brother and sister-in-law for the U. S. Open tennis tournament.His father, Sherwin, was cut on the leg, and his mother, Karen, was hit in the mouth during the incident. Brian and his brother, Todd, jumped to her defense, and Brian was stabbed in the scuffle. He died that evening in a hospital of a wound to the heart.

"We'll never think of our Brian without thinking of his life, and we will be better for those thoughts," declared President Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, who recalled the death years ago of another Brian - Brian Piccolo, a running back for the Chicago Bears football team - who died from a fatal illness before he could reach the zenith of his career.

"A movie was made about his life, and the theme song of the movie was `Brian's Song.' Anytime anyone heard that song, they thought of the courage of Brian Piccolo."

Similarly, thoughts of Brian Watkins will bring a remembrance of his courage and caring, President Monson commented.

Referring to remarks from other funeral speakers - including Michael R. Hill, Brian's former bishop; Todd, his only brother; Rett Johnson, his best friend; and the Watkins' current bishop, David G. Hansen - President Monson said: "As I heard the account of those things which brought happiness to Brian Watkins, in the vernacular of the day, I would say he's my kind of man. He was a competitor, and he loved to shine if you please. But he did so modestly, and he did so sharing and extending his love."

President Monson said the young man lived life to the fullest and was a product of love and testimony.

The Church leader recounted an incident of many years ago in which he visited a young man who was gravely ill. "I had been his bishop. He was dying of cancer. He was just 21. He had a sweet wife and one little child. And as he looked up at me with tear-filled eyes, he said, `Bishop, where does my spirit go when I die?' '

President Monson said he gave a silent prayer that he would have the answer and then opened a copy of the Book of Mormon at the young man's bedside. The book happened to open to Alma 40, in which it is stated that upon death, the spirits of all men are taken home to God who gave them life, and the spirits of the righteous are received into a state of happiness called paradise. (See Alma 40:11-12.)

"I testify that the soul of our beloved Brian has gone to that place in paradise to rest from care and sorrow," President Monson said, "but he shall be busily engaged in the work of the Lord. Anyone with a personality like he has and a zest for living like he has will not be idle in paradise."

Noting that President Joseph F. Smith saw in vision missionary work being undertaken in the spirit world (See D&C 138.), President Monson said: "I don't know, from what I've heard here today, of a man who would be more effective in influencing the spirits and souls of others than one who could smile, one who could love and one who could labor such as Brian Watkins."

President Monson said thousands of Church members grieve for the loss along with the Watkins family, and acknowledged that many New Yorkers have shown their sorrow for the tragedy by sending messages and by placing flowers at the entrance to the subway where the killing occurred.

He read a letter signed by the First Presidency, which said in part: "We've not been left without comfort. It is a loving Heavenly Father who rejoices in the return of His children and an understanding Savior who said: `Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' (John 14:27.)

"We are told in the words of Alma, `. . .Therefore, ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God.' (Alma 60:13.)"