Official Response to the Violence at a Michigan Church

On Sunday, our fellow Church members in Grand Blanc, Michigan, were attacked during their worship service. As aspiring peacemakers, we are always troubled when we see targeted violence and were heartbroken to see members of our own faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, experience such brutality as they worshipped.

Our congregations consist of members with a diversity of political and world views who nevertheless choose to worship together in unity and love. Likewise, we invite all to come together across social, political, and ideological spectrums to collectively condemn violence and pursue peace.

As women of faith, we have covenanted to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. We stand fast in this commitment as we grieve with our community and proactively seek to build a more just and peaceful world. The most powerful response to violence and division is to practice its opposite: turning outward in love and connection.

Fostering mutual tolerance, respect, love, and protection for religious freedoms within a pluralist society is never easy. It takes time and effort and an ongoing dedication to sitting together through differences. But this work is also inextricably linked to peace.

At a moment when peace seems very far away, we reaffirm our foundational belief that peace is not only possible, it is sure. We see good people working toward a better world every day. And so today, as we sit in deep grief, we also look forward with hope for peace. We invite others to strive to be peacemakers with us, to bridge differences, and to learn to live with each other in Christlike love.