Like many of you, I’ve been watching the news about Japan with a mixture of shock and sorrow. It is a little weird to me that I am going to work, doing my daily routine, and spending time with friends while on the other side of the world people are trying to account for thousands of people, get the basic necessities, and dealing with a nuclear fallout that could still become worse.
I happened to be on lds.org on Friday and noticed that the church had already posted an article saying they were sending aid immediately. Elder Holland, one of the twelve apostles who along with the first presidency lead the church, has given a press conference on the topic saying that “substantial financial help has already been committed to the nation.” In a video of the conference he stressed, “We are trying to deal with the needs of everyone in Japan to the extent that we can. Our concern is great for everyone.”
One of the amazing things about the Mormon Church is that as soon as a disaster happens anywhere in the world it responds. In 2010 the Church helped people in 58 countries affected by 119 disasters. As a child I was in Hurricane Hugo in SC, and I remember clearly the efficiency of relief efforts and the outpouring of volunteers from neighboring states to help.
While I have never experienced destruction of this magnitude, I do know the feeling of normal life breaking into pieces before my eyes. The tragic times in my life have greatly shaped who I am and my relationship with God. I have greatly needed his love to have strength in difficulty and to heal. I know it is available to everyone. I hope so much for Japan that things can quickly stabilize, recovery can progress, and that those who have lost loved ones may be comforted. My prayers are with you.