Deseret News | LDS missionary slightly injured in Salt Lake shooting

Reader comments
LDS missionary slightly injured in Salt Lake shooting

135 comments | Read story

Page:
< Previous
1
2
3

Dave | 1:27 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

I agree lots of stuff happens on a mission that doesn't get reported to police. In the Philippines I had a knife pulled on me and my comp. We never thought of reporting it. Another time a Philippine soldier told us of an impending attack by Communist guarillas and told us to leave the village as soon as possible. We were stupid then and agreed to not tell our mission president so we would be around to see the action. Well, when the fighting started we were wishing we were somewhere else. I never told my parents about these incidents until after I was home because I didn't want them to worry.

Young missionaries don't always think clearly. They think of themselves as untouchable and safe no matter what and in large part they are protected because of their service. But Church mission rules, when followed, help missionaries avoid a lot of problems.

These two missionaries were fortunate they weren't more seriously hurt. I am sure they will learn from this and report things properly in the future.

This experience may show there is hatred towards the Church and its representatives due to prop8, beliefs, or some other rediculous reason.

Thank you! | 1:32 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

Thank you to those of you who have shared similar missionary experiences. I think it helps us to understand this situation better. Thank you to the moms who shared their understanding about being "fully cooked". Thank you to all who pray for the missionaries and watch out for them and stand up for them. Parents of missionaries appreciate your efforts.
Thank you

It just smells funny... | 2:19 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

This just doesn't sound right. I can understand missionaries who want to avoid causing their parents unnecessary concern, but this is the sort of war story missionaries are likely to share and share widely. I served in Argentina, and I recall having heard about similar incidents frequently.

But, if it is fishy, what's the motive supposedly? What is this about? It certainly wouldn't be the first time a missionary had done something stupid.

I don't know if this doesn't pass the "smell test". I do know that it's definitely up for the 72-hour "wait and see how this develops" test.

Comments continue below

To: Re: Been there | 2:20 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

I have to agree with "Been there". You should not jump to conclusions. I am mormon and I did serve a mission. And thing similar to what "Been there" described, did happen on my mission too. People are people and do foolish things. If unreported, then the person will not be sent home. While a great number of people that did those things were sent home, there were still others that kept silent and stayed the full length. It is sad that that type of behavior happens, but it does happen...

Old Timer | 3:22 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

In 1979 I was hit by two pellets in the leg while bicycling in California on my mission. I did not think about reporting it to the authorities.
I'm not sure if missionaries are instructed to report things like that. I wasn't.
Anyways, that night we picked up a family that was baptized and they brought several family members and friends into the gospel.
The church might want to give some guidance to the missionaries on what to do when crimes are committed against them.

Re: Been there | 3:36 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

If you are a Mormon, you should stop and think how your words effect others. You post made it sound like large numbers of missionaries are doing those things; dating, drinking, stealing...come on, use your head.

cjsnyder | 4:54 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

I am sorry to hear of another attack on ANYBODY - one's faith does seem, often, to play some part in the role; but all in all we are too likely to settle our *issues* with violence. As to *hinky* around here it's a term used (often by police department members* to indicate a behavior that arouses suspicion. Since I don't know the person who used the term, I am inferring, based on the rest of the sentence that a similar meaning was implied.

experience | 5:08 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

I had a gun held to my head and was robbed while I was on my mission. I didn't report it either, but I was also in a third world country. I don't think I ever told my mission President, and I certainly didn't tell my mom either. I can see why he didn't report it, but we are also in Utah and think something would have been done. Not sure if Missionaries can carry cell phones in field, but they should be able to for issues such as this.

Been There | 5:21 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

Truth is truth. In my opinion, 20 or more missionaries in one mission IS large numbers! If that is the way it appears, that is only because that is the way it WAS!

What, do you honestly expect me to sugar-coat things out of concern over APPEARANCES? You want me to "Lie for the Lord?"

Sorry, I calls 'em as I sees 'em. The truth is more important than appearances.

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 5:40 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

LOOK, I STILL DON'T BUY THIS STORY - LDS missionary slightly injured in Salt Lake shooting
By Pat Reavy Deseret News Published: Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 10:44 p.m - if I were shot, I would report it a few seconds after it happened, before infection set in the wound, and, to have the shooter busted then on the spot, they all carry cell phones, have video in them and pictures to, there is NO excuse for these two snowball tossing kid's to not do this. Merry Christmas. But I know better, do you?.

To brother Chuck | 5:52 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

My cell phone also has a camera in it, but I doubt that I would remember to use it under those circumstances.

Re: 5:52 p.m. | 6:36 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

When the Quorum of the Twelve met in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple to sustain President Monson as the 16th President of the Church, I marveled at the extraordinary abilities, wisdom, and spirituality of those who surrounded me. It made me recognize more clearly my own inadequacies. I love these fine men of great faith. I am grateful for the opportunity to raise my hand to sustain and pledge my support to them.

Been there | 7:09 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

Sugar coat? Lie for appearances? This is what the anti-Mormons are accusing us of. Go back and read your words, it made it sound like this was wide-spread. My missionary sons who have recently returned are irritated that such a negative perception is feeding anti fodder. I saw problems also as did my sons. But to imply that it is so wide spread is not true and damaging. Why would you want to put the Church in a bad light? Strict honesty, not over-embellishment, should be our criteria.

monitor | 7:14 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

I just sent in a post that had the wrong moniker. I should have put; re: Been there. I don't know if you can fix that but I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Re: 7:14 pm | 8:32 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

This reminds me, back some 50+ years ago, while in school, where you had to have a hall pass, checked out by a hall monitor, to do anything. Sorry, but I thought your post was kinda funny. You forgot to say the other "magic" word, to your monitor, and, that was please!, LOL. However, hope your monitor will play Santa for you, and, help you out. Merry Christmas.

To 50 year Reminiscer | 8:43 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

Well shoot! I knew I was doing something wrong. Thanks for the tip.

PLEASE!!!

Except it's too late. haha

Merry Christmas to you and to all

Re:Monitor / Re:Been There | 8:48 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

What's MONIKER? I don't mean to be stupid but what is it?

I've heard the term of the Anti Christ's or anti Christian, but not anti Mormon, does this mean that anti Mormons are also an anti-Christ and anti Christian? I was just wonder?

Mary | 8:57 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

Oh Please! what on earth is wrong with you people?

This is a very mysterious missionary if you want my opinion. There is definitely something shifty going on here.

Moniker | 9:45 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

moniker is the term for the name people use instead of their own name. On this forum, it is what they put at the top.

anti-Mormons are people who not only do not believe in the Mormon Church, but hate it and actively fight against it.

Mary, it is hard to understand missionaries passing off dangerous incidents unless you have been in that situation. Dozens here have shared similar stories so if you read those, it should help. Nothing shifty, nothing mysterious. We need to be careful about judging.

Oh Ye of Little Faith..... | 10:58 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

Good grief, 2 missionaries are shot at and by about the 3rd or 4th comment the tone is "the missionaries are lying, there must be more to the story".

Repent, you that are hard hearted, while you still can....

In case you refuse to pay attention to what has happened in recent years to LDS missionaries, many (of our 50,000+) have been shot, stabbed, beaten, assaulted, and some have even been killed.

A lot of them?

Statistics-wise, thank goodness, no.

But this doesn't surprise those who pay attention.

I personally had a gun pulled on me (southern Alabama) and got whacked in the arm with a 2x4 after my companion got hit in the face by a bunch of teenagers (Marerro, LA).

The caravan moves on, with or without you!

Don't Judge me MAN! | 11:32 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

Looks like everyone on here is judging someone else. The church is made up of judgmental people like you and me. Moniker is judging Mary and Mary is judging everyone else. God should have made a commandment that said for everyone to leave the judging up to him (GOD) who is the only one who truly has THE RIGHT to judge anyone else and everyone else, meaning he is GOD, and fortunately none of us are GODS, and probably never will be.

Not judging | 11:45 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008

Suggesting that someone not judge is a far cry from judging. Moniker was not judging Mary. You are doing the same thing you accused Moniker of doing. You are judging others who have the same message.

Judge not! | 9:15 a.m. Dec. 20, 2008

Wow, all the judges are on here.

Alex | 12:25 p.m. Dec. 20, 2008

I remember when I was on my mission. A van tried to sideswipe me and my companion off the road on our bicycles while flipping us off. It happened so fast that I was in "fight or flight" mode. I wasn't in "report it to the authorities" mode. I was looking to get out of danger. I was collecting evidence.

It is easy to say these missionaries should have reported it and perhaps they should, but when you are right in the middle of it, there isn't time to think. By the time you think to yourself, "I need to get the license number!" or "I need to get a description of the perp!", it is too late.

Anonymous | 12:55 p.m. Dec. 20, 2008

It appalls me that missionaries won't report being threatened by a gun. It endangers future missionaries. They need to be warned about the hostile person living at that address. There is nothing noble or heroic about remaining silent. It is stupid and inconsiderate of others.

Alex | 2:11 p.m. Dec. 20, 2008

In my last post, I meant to say, "I wasn't collecting evidence." rather than "I was collecting evidence."

K | 5:49 p.m. Dec. 20, 2008

Why would a missionary be sent home if they are fine afterward? Crime can happen to anyone. If anything the missionary would have to return to where they were assigned to deal with the judicial system if the person caught goes to trial, etc...

It happens against priests and nuns and ministers too. No religious person doing good work is immune to an attack. It can happen to any because they are a member of a religion or just cause they happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Re: K | 6:49 p.m. Dec. 20, 2008

Cuz it was made up or fabricated. You are obviously not in the know on this story.

Bro Chuck's Rant n Rave | 8:44 p.m. Dec. 20, 2008

I really believe this story was made up or fabricated, There is nothing noble or heroic about remaining silent. It is stupid and inconsiderate of others. Oh yes, I forgot, it's the Jesus will protect me only thing. How sad & stupid. Liberal Mainstream Media Ignores the Real Stories again - for this Republican bashing garbage?. This week the so-called mainstream media fixated on a Baghdad shoe-throwing contest, more government bailout bucks and the delightful prospect of having Caroline Kennedy appointed to Hillary Clinton's vacant seat in the U.S. Senate. The potentates of the press gave short shrift, or simply ignored two far more important news stories, the first-ever assembly of Latin American leaders gathered to stick it to the United States, and the passing of a great conservative leader who helped Ronald Reagan become one of America's greatest presidents. Both stories deserved more attention than they received. That, however, would require journalists, news directors and editors to have some knowledge of history and current events beyond what they can collect from a quick "Google search" and an attention span greater than a fruit fly. Why don't they talk about their "The One" Obamacon, and where's his paper's at?.

Seriously? | 10:49 p.m. Dec. 20, 2008

I can't believe all the comments about this. Why would the missionary make this story up? Are you people so bored (or snowbound) that you would sit around and debate this?

And of the guy who said there is widespread drinking and dating among the full-time missionaries, I don't know his definition of widespread, but 20 missionaries in one mission a long time ago isn't a blip on the radar. I never saw or heard of any missionary doing any of these things in my time and in the past 20 years I've lived outside of Utah and worked with countless missionaries as a church leader, such actions are extremely rare and isolated.

Matt | 12:27 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008

Actually, I was shot at when I was serving my mission. I reported it to my leaders but not to the police.

Sometimes you're more worried about what the investigation is going to take, then the isolated incident itself.

The Other Eye | 4:00 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008

Obviously, something needs to be put in the handbook about reporting crimes, attempted assassinations, drive by shootings, and spit wads. These things should be noted so that every last drop of vengence can be fully extracted. The missionaries would have to be pretty stupid to make something like that up. Maybe it's just a publicity stunt. Little Christmas cheer - maybe the next doors will feel sorry for them and let them in out of the rain of bullets.

I didn't report things that happened on my mission to my MP. I figured he had enough to worry about or that he was omniscient and knew everything already.

Story would have had a different ending if the missionary were lying in a morgue right now. Comments would be different, too, come to think of it.

How 'bout that?

Missionaries should obey the rules. We had a missionary killed by a security guard because he was out after midnight. Rules are there for a reason.

Updates to the HOA will be out in January. Get your copy soon.

Are You Kidding | 4:42 p.m. Dec. 25, 2008

Who gets shot and doesn't call the cops. What are you stupid? Scared your mom might worry? That's pretty lame. Lucky he wasn't hurt worse.

Lydia | 2:18 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

My son is serving in the SLC mission, and yes it should have been reported. For the safety of the missionary's and everyone else in the area.

anonym | 8:43 a.m. Jan. 21, 2009

i was in the mission when it all happened...lydia who is your son?

Page:
< Previous
1
2
3

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.