Mormon Church Leaders Urge Forgiveness Following Michigan Church Shooting

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called for forgiveness, love, and peace in response to a deadly attack on a Michigan congregation that killed four and injured eight. The gunman, described as harboring anti-Mormon views, died in a shootout with police after ramming his truck into the chapel and setting it on fire. The attack compounded the grief of church members mourning the recent death of President Russell M. Nelson, whose successor, Dallin H. Oaks, is expected to be announced soon. The church enhanced security measures at its general conference, where over 100,000 members gathered amid heavy law enforcement presence and security screenings. Church leaders emphasized confronting hate through compassion, with members raising significant funds to support both victims' families and the shooter's family. Despite concerns, some local congregations, like those in Indiana, opt to maintain open doors while increasing spiritual support through prayer rather than heightened security.