Monday, August 30, 2010

Where Faith and Tragedy Meet--A Mormon Bishop's Death

Just yesterday, 
in the Church,
with witnesses,
by  a deranged man whom no one knew...
because he was a Mormon Bishop.
He left behind a wife and six children.
When I heard this tragic news,
I couldn't believe it at first.

This tragedy hits close to home.
If you know anything about Mormons,
you know we are tightly-knit.
We are family...
distance does not divide us.
The fact that I do not personally know the Sannar's
isn't even relevant.
Our hearts are grieving with theirs
as though we are family.

The solace we have in these grief-filled moments 
is that we believe that 
families are eternal...
this knowledge gives us comfort and hope.
It helps us bear the waves of loss.
The grief is still felt.
The sorrow is palpable.

And one can wonder--
Where is Heavenly Father in the midst of this?

That is where faith is tested and proven,
and we have to trust that He is in control
and this family is known and loved.

Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

13 comments:

  1. I cried when I read the news. It hits too close to home here. There have been too many times when my husband has said, "Pray for my safety tonight when I go in for interviews." I pray for Sis. Sannar and her sons.

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  2. I too am so sorry. All I have to say is that this man will be sorely missed by all of his family everywhere. My heart and prayers go out to them.

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  3. I heard about this after coming home from Church yesterday and just couldn't believe it! It's just so hard. Come to find out today that we lost our own beloved former Bishop last night as well. He passed from complications of leukemia. He was at church yesterday, he did leave early but that hasn't been unusual since his diagnosis. I guess it's all hitting me so hard. The young bishop that was shot though...so senseless, so scary and I feel for his family!

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  4. I'm still in shock. So hard. That poor family. I don't know how you handle this one.

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  5. M~
    prayers for the Family..
    one and all!
    Hugs..
    Loui♥

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  6. I was sickend by this tragedy. Sensless and selfish.

    My heart is heavy for that poor grieving mother and children.

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  7. I just heard about this a few hours ago. It is definately the worst type of news. So unbelievable.
    My prayers are definately with this family.

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  8. This has been on my mind most of the day. So difficult for the family and congregation. I know they will have lots of love and support, but oh...this is hard.

    "/

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  9. Yes, we do share similar feelings on this don't we? I've been thinking about it all day...but the poor wife and mother, and there children, have to think about it every day for the rest of her life. I've been surprised at how emotional I've been about it...and I really think it's because of the closeness I feel with other members, and it also reminds me how vulnerable we all are. My dad is in the mission presidency. He goes around wearing a name tag. Easy target. My father-in-law is stake president. Target. etc... My brother's friend is EQP and was supposed to be in a meeting with the Bishop at the time. I'm not sure if the meeting had been cancelled or what. I don't know the details on that...but he told my brother, if the guy had approached him...he would have said, "I'm the Elders' Quorum President...and that could have been me." The guy asked for a bishop or president. It's just...we never know. And it makes me think about how valuable our lives are - how I don't want to waste a single day. I'm sorry. I ramble on...anyway. Thanks for your comment. Good to know others are thinking the same.

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  10. so senseless... keeping the Sannar family in our thoughts and prayers.

    I just hope that we are able to still be open to those who truly need our help and that this one deranged fellow didn't just change church security forever.

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  11. That is so sad :-( Prayers indeed for the family and for all the hearts touched by this tragedy.

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  12. My sister just told me about this tonight. I guess I'm out of the loop. So sad. So close to home for all Mormon's with our lay callings. My prayers are with them, too.

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