Dear Stake Family,
We are all shocked and saddened by the horrific attack on one of our congregations at a meetinghouse in Michigan last weekend. Events like these can stir many different emotions – including fear, uncertainty, anger and sadness. We all continue to pray for the families and friends of all those impacted in Grand Blanc, MI.
Based on last weekend’s event (and taking into consideration prior and current discussions with our local law enforcement), we are taking the following near-term measures to increase building security in our stake’s meetinghouses:
(1) Controlled Access to Our Buildings – We will be locking all building doors on Sunday during our meetings except for two main entrances. The back and side doors are to remain locked. We ask all members to leave them locked. They can be used to exit the building only. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. This measure will go into effect on Sunday, October 12th.
(2) Additional Greeting System at Open Main Entrances – We will be asking bishops to work with each building’s agent bishop to have door attendants assigned at each main entrance to monitor who enters the building. These “greeters” are to be welcoming but also discerning. They will be provided tools to alert others if there is danger. Our young women will continue to greet members as they arrive, but we ask them to remain inside the chapel doors.
(3) Posted Evacuation Maps in Each Classroom – We will create and post maps with clearly marked exits on the back of the door of each classroom. Each room will show routes to multiple exits. We will also have door stops placed in each classroom to be used in situations where exiting the classroom is not feasible.
(4) Emergency Preparation Included in Annual Teacher Training – Specific training for all teachers will be provided for emergencies and dangerous situations.
(5) Specialized First Aid Equipment – We have ordered specific equipment to be placed in each of our buildings. Locations will be shared once the equipment arrives.
Many of you have asked about efforts to “harden” our meetinghouses (like many schools have done) or about hiring private security. Any security enhancements like these must come from the Brethren.
Church leaders are aware of what has happened. We await further instructions.
In the meantime, we are taking these measures now. We plan to have most of them in place over the next 30 days.
The safety of our members (and the friends you invite to come worship with us) is our top priority. And while we must all be a little more guarded and aware of our surroundings as we come worship together, we still want to maintain a welcoming environment for all – especially those who are visiting us.
With these measures in place, we feel our buildings will be safer and we as members will be better prepared for any possible risk we face while we worship together. Outside of our buildings, the most important thing we can do is to follow the counsel of our dear prophet, President Russell M Nelson—which is to be peacemakers. In his April 2023 general conference address, he taught: “One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people.
The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.”Let us share this invitation with all our friends and neighbors. Unitedly, as fellow peacemakers, we stand the best chance to solve our problems and disagreements with love and respect and further reduce the risk of such horrific acts in the future. That is all of our hope.
With love,
Lewisville Texas Stake Presidency
Lewis L Bird, III
Ryan D Elmer
Aaron J Graham