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| Elder and Sister Bednar in Grand Blanc, Michigan – Tuesday, September 30, 2025 |
The silence was the loudest sound. It wasn't the natural quiet of a peaceful Michigan afternoon, but a heavy, echoing silence born of sudden, devastating loss. The air still carried the acrid tang of burnt timber and wet ash, a constant, sharp reminder of the tragedy that had struck the community of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc.
On this somber Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, accompanied by his beloved wife, Sister Susan Bednar, arrived. They did not come for a formal address or a grand ceremony. They came, simply, to mourn with those who mourned and to bear witness to the power of enduring faith. Their visit centered on one heartbreaking tableau: the skeletal remains of the Grand Blanc Ward meetinghouse.
What once stood as a beacon of light, a sacred space for worship, learning, and community gathering, was now a ruin. The steeple, which had pointed heavenward for decades, was gone. The roof was a tangle of blackened beams, and the walls were stark, charred outlines against the cloudy sky. The destruction was comprehensive, a visible symbol of the pain felt by every member of the congregation.
As they walked the perimeter of the fenced-off debris, Elder and Sister Bednar’s demeanor was one of profound reverence and quiet sorrow. They moved slowly, their eyes taking in the full measure of the devastation. Elder Bednar, known throughout the Church for his powerful teachings on enduring to the end and focusing on eternal perspective, was clearly moved by the temporal loss. Sister Bednar, a constant source of strength and empathy, walked close by his side, her hand often resting on his arm.
It was in this desolate setting that a moment of raw, authentic human connection unfolded—a moment captured by a silent observer and one that encapsulated the very essence of their ministry: comfort, solidarity, and eternal hope.
They stopped near the sign—miraculously, the ward sign remained, declaring "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Grand Blanc Ward" despite the wreckage behind it. Elder Bednar turned to Sister Bednar. In a spontaneous, deeply personal gesture, he pulled her close, encircling her in a firm, heartfelt embrace.
This was not a pose for the camera; it was an overflow of genuine emotion.
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| The devastating event that took place |
The Power of an Embrace:
In that moment, their embrace was a multifaceted expression. It was, first, a shared acknowledgement of grief—the sorrow for the lost sanctuary, for the irreplaceable memories held within those walls, and for the heartache of the local members. It was a visible demonstration of their personal empathy, an affirmation that the Brethren and their wives feel deeply the burdens and trials of the Saints everywhere.
But more profoundly, the embrace was a symbol of strength and solidarity. It was a silent statement that while the building was destroyed, the Church—the covenant people—was whole and intact. Holding one another, they visually represented the core truth that the foundation of their faith does not rest on brick and mortar, but on Christ, and on the unbreakable bonds of love and covenant that tie believers together. Their physical support of one another mirrored the spiritual support they offered to the entire community.
Looking at the photo, one sees not just an Apostle and his wife, but two devoted servants standing on holy, albeit damaged, ground, comforting one another while simultaneously radiating comfort outward. It's a visible portrayal of the counsel they have consistently given to the Church: to succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees (Doctrine and Covenants 81:5).
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| A Message of Enduring Faith |
A Message of Enduring Faith:
The meetinghouse will be rebuilt. The property will be cleared, new plans drawn, and a new structure will rise, a testament to the generosity and resilience of the Saints. Yet, the greater lesson conveyed by Elder and Sister Bednar on that Tuesday afternoon in Grand Blanc is one that transcends construction timelines and insurance claims.
It is the lesson that, even when flames consume our most sacred places, they cannot touch our most sacred relationships or our faith. They cannot burn away the covenants made, the doctrine taught, or the spirit felt. The fire may have created ashes, but it simultaneously revealed a diamond of enduring discipleship in the Grand Blanc Ward.
As Elder and Sister Bednar released their embrace and continued their quiet conversations with local leaders and members, the message was clear: The Lord is in the process. He is with the Saints in Grand Blanc. And just as they offered solace to each other, so too will the members draw comfort from the Lord, from their covenants, and from the worldwide family of the Church. The ruins were a reminder of loss, but the embrace was a promise of resurrection—a promise that from the ashes of today, a brighter, stronger future will surely rise.
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