SALT LAKE CITY — Elder David A. Bednar, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, traveled to Michigan on Tuesday to offer comfort to survivors of the deadly attack that killed four people and injured eight others at a local meetinghouse on Sunday.
Elder Bednar visited the remains of the destroyed chapel in Grand Blanc Township and met with victims recovering in local hospitals.
“There is nothing that can be said,” said Elder Bednar. “There is no sermon in and of itself that will have much of an effect. So, what I tried to do was invite the Holy Ghost, to bring to each individual, to each family that portion that was needful for them.”
Elder Bednar was accompanied on the one-day visit by his wife, Susan Bednar, and Elder Allen D. Haynie, the United States Northeast Area President, and his wife, Deborah Haynie.
The attack occurred Sunday when an ex-Marine crashed his pickup truck into the church, opened fire, and set the building ablaze during a crowded service.
Elder Bednar said the members’ capacity “to be firm and steadfast” amid the trauma was a testament to their faith.
“In the midst of this horrible event, what I’ve seen are faithful Latter-day Saints following the admonition of President Nelson to be peacemakers in how they respond to this episode, and how they support and serve each other,” Elder Bednar said.
The visit followed a Monday statement from Dallin H. Oaks, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who had publicly shared a message of hope.
Elder Bednar described his meetings with the recovering members as tender, saying their resolve was “remarkable” and he was moved to hear the details of the attack and the “mighty and many miracles that occurred during this episode.”
“I have not detected any bitterness. Certainly sorrow but no bitterness, no resentment.”
Elder Bednar also used the visit to thank local and federal law enforcement officers involved in the response and the ongoing investigation.