Paz

Got a call Tuesday morning asking for help cleaning up the Stake building after some vandalism. They wanted us to show up at around 2:00pm to allow the law enforcement personnel to finish their investigative process. I asked what equipment would be needed and the Elder's Quorum president said that as far as he knew, we would be picking up broken glass and doing general cleanup. So I envisioned some broken classroom windows and possibly even some plate glass of one of the entry areas. I also figured we would see the usual four or five elders and a handful of high priests to tackle the job. I arrived at the Stake Center shortly before 2:00 and there were at least fifteen cars and trucks there and more arriving and dropping people off. Kids from age five to out of high school were already busy gathering up trash and broken glass and vacuuming the rooms most heavily hit. Almost every picture in the building had been either smashed, cracked or soiled somehow. Cleaning products had been taken from the janitorial closet and spilled on the carpet and some furniture. The library was hit particularly hard with materials torn and flung and a lot of the lights broken. Bishop Lindsey's office had been thoroughly trashed and stuff scattered everywhere. We had been busy picking up the mess for around fifteen minutes when we got the word that Bishop Lindsey wanted us all to meet in the chapel for a short meeting. We gathered quickly. There were probably sixty or more of us there. First Bishop thanked us for showing up then asked the HP group leader to say a prayer. In that prayer Brother Short asked that the troubled heart of the person or persons who did this would be able to find peace and that we would be able to avoid the temptation for vengeance. Then Bishop thanked us again and said that the authorities had no idea who was responsible nor any reason why this happened. He said it was not our concern to worry or fret about that but wanted us to know that he planned to have Mutual the following night as usual. I have to say that THAT was one of the shortest, most spiritual meetings i have been to. We got back to work and soon had the bulk of the task completed. A feeling of calm prevailed as we finished up. It was almost as if no one wanted to leave the building. I am grateful that we were able to share this sacred experience. It made me wonder if it might be a preparatory event as things in the world continue to decline (in one sense) and wrap up.