Unity and faith in Jesus Christ can help the survivors of the Grand Blanc, Michigan, church shooting, a local church leader said in an op-ed published by the Detroit Free Press.
Grand Blanc Stake President Marcelino Sanchez oversees five congregations in the region for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He called for both prayers and action, asking community members to be peacemakers.
“Let us remember to pray for the victims and their families, asking for the Lord’s comforting presence to be with them during this difficult time,” he wrote.
“May we all be instruments of his peace, spreading love and kindness throughout our community,” he added.
A man drove a truck into an outer wall of the Latter-day Saint meetinghouse in Grand Blanc on Sept. 28, then opened fire on members of the Grand Blanc Ward who had been holding their weekly sacrament meeting.
Four church members died in the gunfire and the fire that engulfed the building in the aftermath — Thelma Armstrong, John Bond, Craig Hayden and William Patrick “Pat” Howard.
Sanchez called the tragedy horrific and said it shook the community to its core.
“As we navigate through this challenging time,” he wrote, “let us cling to our faith in the Savior and to one another, knowing that together, we can overcome even the darkest of days.”
He said unity will be a key to healling.
“In these trying times,” he said, “it is crucial that we come together as a community, united in our faith, compassion and commitment to healing.”
Sanchez quoted the peacemaking teachings of the late President Russell M. Nelson, the church’s prophet and president who died on Sept. 27, who said, “Anger never persuades, hostility builds no one, contention never leads to inspired solutions.”
Civility and kindness are paramount, Sanchez said.
“We must strive to embody these principles,” he said, “allowing them to guide our thoughts, words, and actions.”
He also quoted two other senior Latter-day Saint leaders, President Dallin H. Oaks, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder David A. Bednar, who visited Michigan to minister to the victims’ families.
Sanchez said healing will take time and require connection.
“Our church community must be a haven for hope and healing,” he said. “I encourage you to reach out to your neighbors, check in on one another, and participate actively in our upcoming gatherings.”
Sanchez said the church will hold memorial services and discussions that aim to foster healing and understanding.
People who join those events will be invaluable to the grieving, he said.
“Together,” he said, “we can create a compassionate environment that allows for healing and growth.”