Fear Not

Yesterday we got a call from Adam's mom telling us that just a short time earlier, a tragedy happened in the Visalia 2nd ward (the ward Adam grew up in).

I'm sure by now most of the people who read my blog will have heard about the event. Bishop Clay Sannar was working in the office after church on Sunday and a man came in and shot him to death. There were at least 22 witnesses. The man was later gunned down by police and killed.

Because this was so "close to home" in many senses of the word, I have been dwelling on this tragedy for the past 24 hours.

Bishop Sannar left behind a wife and six kids. The Visalia stake is shaken up. Knowledge of the nature of God and the plan of happiness will help carry them (and all of us) through this tough time. Adam served with Bishop Sannar in the Elders quorum when he got home from his mission and he said that he was a wonderful man. Please keep them in your prayers at this time.

Today I have played the words to the song "Let Us All Press On" many times in my head. I love the chorus and I think it has a beautiful message:

Fear not, though the enemy deride,
Courage, for the Lord is on our side;
We will heed not what the wicked may say,
But the Lord alone we will obey

My feelings were best expressed by my friend Tera who said "I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation. Having this knowledge of HIS plan helps me to get through the tragic things happening all around."