Comments about ‘Still hoping: BYU student vanished in China 5 years ago; family believes he's alive’

What's with the portrait? Did Stuart really want a photo of them smiling?? Doesn't seem to correlate too well to the story....

Never Give Up.

Never give up! As in recent years many miracles have happened for parent's who for whatever reason have been asked to carry this burden. My heart goes out to you as no one should have to live through this kind of nightmare. I sincerely hope that through the grace of Heavenly Father David will come home.

Thank you for not giving up and don't give up now brother and sister Sneddon!!! Our prayer's are with you and David.

no body, no reason to think that he's died or been killed~

I hope this kid makes it back to the 801

My heart goes out to the Sneddon's. As a mother I would think this is one of the worst things that could happen, not knowing where your child was. He may still be alive...it is not out of the realm of possibilities that he just walked away from everything, no matter how religious he was. Nobody, not even family know what goes on in our heads, we always keep a little bit to ourselves.

Dave served in the same area I did for the last 8 months of my mission and the last months of his as well. He was in some Korean classes with me at BYU afterwards. I had no idea this happened. My heart if full of emotion for him and his family right now. He is a great soul and loved the Korean people. All my faith is exercised in your behalf

"I'm amazed at how many people I hardly know hear my name and say, 'Yes, I remember you. You lost a son in China."

Add me to the list. I just read the title of this story and had the words Tiger Gorge jump to mind.
I remember you.

The part I'd forgotten (or didn't know) was the Korea connection/suspicions of abduction.

May you be blessed as you keep hanging in there.

Just remember the saying that says, "Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." May God bless your family with peace.

why isn't Senator Hatch or Sen. Bennett doing something about this?

Our deepest prayer will go with you and your family.
Don't give up !

So sad, I hope that David is alright and that he is found, my prayers are with him and his family.

The former govenor of Utah is now the American ambassador to China, can't the family appeal to Jon Huntsman to look into David's dissappearance? Perhaps he might have some way of helping, they probably have already tried that route though. I'm so sorry for this terrible struggle that this family is going through.

Kathleen and Roy, I am in awe of your spirituality and strength, and know your son will be drawing on that strength now, as he faces trials which would wear down a lessor man. But he has the examples of his wonderful supporting parents to remember and to cling to... and he will. Thank God for parents such as you both.

Would the new LDS Ambassador to China be of any help to this family? Just a thought. HOPE.

I believe the truth will come someday. Our sister was killed 25 years ago in Texas, while at college. Only last year, through DNA, was her murder solved, and now we go to trial in 2010 in a capital murder case. I never thought I would know in my lifetime who did this. You cannot hide the truth - it will always come to light.

To the commenter above about the picture, those are not smiles on the parents' faces. Those are grimaces!

To the last commenter about the Senators - I am sure they have tried. Now that a highly placed Utahn is Ambassador to China, perhaps they should try again!

My heart goes out to this family and their friends as well. May this missing man be serving as well as Paul did in his bonds if that's where he is. If he is serving on the "other side" of the veil, may he also be ministering to those in need there.

I lived and taught university in Korea for 8 years.

During that time I twice gave money to an evangelical group rescuing North Korean. I offered to physically go an help. I was told in very certain terms that I was not wanted for that.

I hope the Sneddons get their son back. He seems to have been very special.

Is Ambassador Huntsman (our former governor)pressing this question?

Thank you for this story. In addition to the great example of faith and persistence on the part of the family, it's important to challenge such comments as the embassy staff person reportedly made regarding Americans' presumed safety in China (or anywhere else, especially the US!). Would appreciate hearing lessons learned and advice (such as shared by the Smart family) regarding how to maintain contact with loved ones/alert in case of trouble for those traveling as tourists as well as for programs such as those sponsored by BYU.

RE: jamesRobertWalton and Lindy

I'm with you--especially the Gov. Huntsman part. Surely he can do something.