AS A BISHOP of a congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Port Angeles, I’ve considered what to do if an active shooter entered our church.
It’s unlikely, but in today’s world, we know anything can happen. We see violence at shopping centers, schools and even at places of worship.
On Sept. 28, we were grieving the death of the president of the church, Russell M. Nelson, who had died at the age of 101. I was going into a youth class, and I overheard in the hallway about the shooting that had taken place in Grand Blanc, Mich., at one of our churches.
A truck had plowed into the building while a sacrament meeting was being held in the chapel. When the loud bang was heard, several people ran out to help, thinking there had been an accident.
They were met with gunfire. The attacker then poured gasoline and set the building on fire. Members were scrambling to shield and protect children and move them to safety. Police responded swiftly. In the end, five were dead, including the shooter, and others were injured. The building was a total loss. The FBI is investigating reports he “hated people of Mormon faith.”
How ironic that my last column, published just days before the attack, called for peace. I said, “My dear friends, let us set aside hatred, contention and strife. Consider the question, ‘Who are you listening to?’ Let us love our neighbors. Let us be peacemakers. Rivet ourselves on the words of Christ and follow Him with our actions. Let us be cautious with whom we are listening to, and give ear to the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.”
In the aftermath, one member of our church set up a fundraiser to help the family of the shooter, realizing that the shooter left behind a wife and children who would be grieving. More than $387,000 has been raised for this family.
Members of my faith covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and stand as a witness of God, and mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. This family is in need of comfort just like the families of the other victims who lost their lives that day.
Many other faiths have expressed words of comfort or offered their chapels for use. Jeffrey Schaub, the bishop in Grand Blanc, said he’s been uplifted by the outreach from other faiths. “It was humbling to see how much good there is in the world today. Above all, we are all children of the same Father in Heaven, and we love each other.”
The church issued this statement: “We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and concern from so many people around the world. In moments of sorrow and uncertainty, we find strength and comfort through our faith in Jesus Christ. Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”
Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake,” (Matthew 5:9-12).
As I sit on the stand this Sunday, and I look at the congregation, I won’t dwell on what could go wrong.
I’m not naive, but I am at peace with putting my trust in the Lord.
I can only control my actions.
We are each agents. I hope to show love, charity and compassion to my brothers and sisters from other faiths.
I will endeavor to love God and to love my neighbor.
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Issues of Faith is a rotating column by religious leaders on the North Olympic Peninsula. Bishop Jason Bringhurst is the leader of the Mount Pleasant Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Port Angeles, ComeUntoChrist.org. His email is jasonbring@gmail.com.
