Mormonism Research Ministry

Statement on the Grand Blanc LDS Chapel Tragedy

—

Sharon Lindbloom

We at Mormonism Research Ministry are deeply grieved by this horrific act of violence. Our hearts ache for the lives cut short, the wounded who now suffer, and the families left shattered in its wake.

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints suffered another tragedy in what has been a difficult year for the church. On this Sunday, a man drove his truck through the walls of an LDS church building in Michigan during a sacrament meeting. He opened fire on the people inside and then set a massive fire that ended up consuming most of the building. As of this writing it is known that four Latter-day Saints were killed and eight were injured. Many Latter-day Saints have been changed forever by the trauma.

The FBI investigation into this horrific attack has only just begun so the details are sketchy and the known facts are few. The gunman, killed at the church by responding law enforcement officers, cannot provide any answers. Though it has been widely reported that the gunman has no known connection to the LDS church, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted,

“From what I understand, based on my conversations with the FBI director, all they know right now is this was an individual who hated people of the Mormon faith…”

In the coming days we might discover what drove this man to hate Latter-day Saints. We might find the answers to some of our “why” questions. Such answers will not do much to ease the heavy weight Latter-day Saints are carrying in the aftermath of this tremendous loss of life and peace.

As Latter-day Saints look to their church leaders to make sense of this tragedy and restore peace to the church, Christians must point them to Jesus, the source of deep and lasting comfort. Limitless peace that passes all understanding is available through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to all who seek Him.

Please join MRM’s staff in praying for the LDS people. Please pray for those who have lost loved ones. Please pray for those who are injured. Please pray for those who are deeply wounded by the events of Sunday morning. Please pray that God will extend His mercy to the LDS people and draw them to Himself where they will find hope and rest for their troubled souls.

See also