The Mass Shooting Thread

[LVAllen]

Grand Blanc Ward, Michigan. Shooter entered meetinghouse (possibly by driving into the building), started a 5-alarm fire. One dead, at least 7-9 injured. Shooter down.

https://abc7chicago.com/post/mormon-...-say/17898631/

[Northwestcoug]

And there's concern for additional victims in the building that were caught in the fire. Horrible.

[Jeff Lebowski]

David Burge has our backs. God bless him.

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[Clark Addison]

David Burge has our backs. God bless him.

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I find myself agreeing with Burge more than anyone else on Twitter

[USUC]

David Burge has our backs. God bless him.

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Yikes. That's the picture they chose to accompany that message?

[YOhio]

This weekend shook me a bit. I genuinely don't care that they don't think we're Christian. By their definition we're not. But good grief. Our beloved leader suddenly passes in the most surprising death of a 101 year old man in the history of the world. We're in mourning and processing when we hear news of a horrendous act of violence against our people, not a week removed from our Sunday School lesson on Zion's Camp. People are burning alive in our chapels and children are dodging gunfire during evacuation. In that moment of our devastation, shock and grief a sizable portion of the online Christian community offers qualified compassion that's the functional equivalent of condemnation, even critiquing us for having he gumption of defining our own beliefs. It's one of the least Christian things I've seen.

[Jeff Lebowski]

This weekend shook me a bit. I genuinely don't care that they don't think we're Christian. By their definition we're not. But good grief. Our beloved leader suddenly passes in the most surprising death of a 101 year old man in the history of the world. We're in mourning and processing when we hear news of a horrendous act of violence against our people, not a week removed from our Sunday School lesson on Zion's Camp. People are burning alive in our chapels and children are dodging gunfire during evacuation. In that moment of our devastation, shock and grief a sizable portion of the online Christian community offers qualified compassion that's the functional equivalent of condemnation, even critiquing us for having he gumption of defining our own beliefs. It's one of the least Christian things I've seen.

I agree. There are a lot of horrible people out there and social media amplifies the worst behavior. That being said, I am encouraged by all of the support we have gotten and I would argue that the "mormons aren't christians" nonsense has been pretty thoroughly dunked on and repudiated by the people that matter. I think Clint is right in this take:

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[Jeff Lebowski]

By the way, here is another thing I have learned over the past couple of days. When you are offering an expression of sympathy or empathy in response to a tragedy, you should NEVER start with a qualifier. We saw this constantly with Charlie Kirk and now seeing people do it about my faith it strikes a chord.

"Charlie Kirk said some horrible things, but ..."

"I don't agree with what the mormon church teaches, but..."

If you can't bring yourself to offer your empathy straight up at a time like this, just shut up. Those qualifiers make make it seem shallow and insincere.

[MartyFunkhouser]

This weekend shook me a bit. I genuinely don't care that they don't think we're Christian. By their definition we're not. But good grief. Our beloved leader suddenly passes in the most surprising death of a 101 year old man in the history of the world. We're in mourning and processing when we hear news of a horrendous act of violence against our people, not a week removed from our Sunday School lesson on Zion's Camp. People are burning alive in our chapels and children are dodging gunfire during evacuation. In that moment of our devastation, shock and grief a sizable portion of the online Christian community offers qualified compassion that's the functional equivalent of condemnation, even critiquing us for having he gumption of defining our own beliefs. It's one of the least Christian things I've seen.

It is really effed up and this is coming from a non-believer.

Anyone that wants to post right now arguing about beliefs of the LDS church should take 30 seconds to think about the children that were in that church and the life altering trauma that they just witnessed. If you still want to argue theological beliefs, you should then take 30 seconds to think about the families that lost a loved one. If it still seems like a good idea, take another 30 seconds to think about the adults that were in that building and survived and suffered a life altering traumatic event. If after all that, you still think it is a good idea, I guess you are just an awful human being and there is nothing that can help you. Go and prove it to the world with your dumbass social media posts.

[YOhio]

By the way, here is another thing I have learned over the past couple of days. When you are offering an expression of sympathy or empathy in response to a tragedy, you should NEVER start with a qualifier. We saw this constantly with Charlie Kirk and now seeing people do it about my faith it strikes a chord.

"Charlie Kirk said some horrible things, but ..."

"I don't agree with what the mormon church teaches, but..."

If you can't bring yourself to offer your empathy straight up at a time like this, just shut up. Those qualifiers make make it seem shallow and insincere.

[Bo Diddley]

By the way, here is another thing I have learned over the past couple of days. When you are offering an expression of sympathy or empathy in response to a tragedy, you should NEVER start with a qualifier. We saw this constantly with Charlie Kirk and now seeing people do it about my faith it strikes a chord.

"Charlie Kirk said some horrible things, but ..."

"I don't agree with what the mormon church teaches, but..."

If you can't bring yourself to offer your empathy straight up at a time like this, just shut up. Those qualifiers make make it seem shallow and insincere.

Very true. And unfortunately, we're going to have plenty of opportunities to continue to offer support and empathy in a very sick world. So we better just get better at it now so we can better support each other as times require.

[Shaka]

This weekend shook me a bit. I genuinely don't care that they don't think we're Christian. By their definition we're not. But good grief. Our beloved leader suddenly passes in the most surprising death of a 101 year old man in the history of the world. We're in mourning and processing when we hear news of a horrendous act of violence against our people, not a week removed from our Sunday School lesson on Zion's Camp. People are burning alive in our chapels and children are dodging gunfire during evacuation. In that moment of our devastation, shock and grief a sizable portion of the online Christian community offers qualified compassion that's the functional equivalent of condemnation, even critiquing us for having he gumption of defining our own beliefs. It's one of the least Christian things I've seen.

I spent a lot of time fuming over the treatment. Evangelical leaders were often the most challenging people to deal with on my mission. Whenever I meet one, I'm instantly on guard and sceptical. I hope this tragedy exposes these people for what they are. Especially that Mark Driscoll idiot. He has a face I'd like to punch.

The Teeples tweet was excellent.

[myboynoah]

This weekend shook me a bit. I genuinely don't care that they don't think we're Christian. By their definition we're not. But good grief. Our beloved leader suddenly passes in the most surprising death of a 101 year old man in the history of the world. We're in mourning and processing when we hear news of a horrendous act of violence against our people, not a week removed from our Sunday School lesson on Zion's Camp. People are burning alive in our chapels and children are dodging gunfire during evacuation. In that moment of our devastation, shock and grief a sizable portion of the online Christian community offers qualified compassion that's the functional equivalent of condemnation, even critiquing us for having he gumption of defining our own beliefs. It's one of the least Christian things I've seen.

Hang in there, Brother. You are not alone. It's a strange thing to realize that those friendly "Christian" relatives and neighbors actually believe that you are going to spend eternity in an unquenchable fiery hell over some doctrinal minutia. Such a conundrum led Joseph Smith to inquire of the Lord and the eternities were opened to him, and to us.

[Shaka]

By the way, here is another thing I have learned over the past couple of days. When you are offering an expression of sympathy or empathy in response to a tragedy, you should NEVER start with a qualifier. We saw this constantly with Charlie Kirk and now seeing people do it about my faith it strikes a chord.

"Charlie Kirk said some horrible things, but ..."

"I don't agree with what the mormon church teaches, but..."

If you can't bring yourself to offer your empathy straight up at a time like this, just shut up. Those qualifiers make make it seem shallow and insincere.

[Moliere]

I got a call last night from a friend that attends a Christian church in our area. This friend has taken the missionary discussions several years ago. He was distraught by the violence against my faith and felt compelled to call me and let me know his family is praying for us and for the members in Michigan. It was heartfelt and sincere and I let him know I appreciated his words and friendship.

MJ has a Catholic friend that sent her $20 with a note that it is to be used to help rebuild the chapel in Michigan.

There are some really good people out there.