It seems like things like this are happening with increasing frequency. The prophecies that I believe in would indicate that that is so. But still, every time it shocks us. And it should. It frightens us, it angers us. How should we respond? How should we feel?
I am one for turning to the Savior's example. I often think of his reaction when he arrived at the home of Mary and Martha, and found that one friend was dead and the rest were mourning. He didn't immediately remove the source of their pain. He didn't tell them it would be OK. He simply wept with them. They had lost a most precious thing--their brother--and had every right to cry and be hurt, and he let them know that he hurt with them.
Its also important to remember his counsel to his Apostles just before he left his earthly ministry, knowing that they would be rejected, tortured and killed: "In the world, ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world. . . .my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
So what do we do? We do everything we can to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. We embrace those that need a hug, we cry with those who shed tears, we donate blood and wrap cold souls in blankets and give whatever time we can to help make people whole.
And then we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and keep living our lives remembering that, even if it seems like it gains points in skirmishes here and there, evil ultimately loses. We refuse to let our lives, our hearts, be ruled by fear or anger or hatred. In the end good always wins, because in the ugly face of evil's brutality, good refuses to quit being good. There is much ugliness and horror, yes, but if you pay attention you will see that there is even more selflessness, generosity, patience, humility and courage. Every where there are neighbors and strangers reaching out to help others, with no thought of the cost or effort. Life is full of heroes, who offer selfless deeds with tremendous love. Be one of them. That's what you do.
I am one for turning to the Savior's example. I often think of his reaction when he arrived at the home of Mary and Martha, and found that one friend was dead and the rest were mourning. He didn't immediately remove the source of their pain. He didn't tell them it would be OK. He simply wept with them. They had lost a most precious thing--their brother--and had every right to cry and be hurt, and he let them know that he hurt with them.
Its also important to remember his counsel to his Apostles just before he left his earthly ministry, knowing that they would be rejected, tortured and killed: "In the world, ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world. . . .my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
So what do we do? We do everything we can to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. We embrace those that need a hug, we cry with those who shed tears, we donate blood and wrap cold souls in blankets and give whatever time we can to help make people whole.
And then we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and keep living our lives remembering that, even if it seems like it gains points in skirmishes here and there, evil ultimately loses. We refuse to let our lives, our hearts, be ruled by fear or anger or hatred. In the end good always wins, because in the ugly face of evil's brutality, good refuses to quit being good. There is much ugliness and horror, yes, but if you pay attention you will see that there is even more selflessness, generosity, patience, humility and courage. Every where there are neighbors and strangers reaching out to help others, with no thought of the cost or effort. Life is full of heroes, who offer selfless deeds with tremendous love. Be one of them. That's what you do.
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