Deseret News | Apostle's wife felt comfort despite attack

Reader comments
Apostle's wife felt comfort despite attack

Anonymous | 9:58 p.m. Nov. 14, 2009

This seems like a toned down version of the account that was in the paper Friday. I found that story hard to believe. That someone off the street would enter the mission home with the intent to kill Elder Nelson. This person would not even know Elder Nelson. Why would someone target him specifically. It sounded more like someone who was deranged coming off the street and willing to hurt anyone in the way.

Re:Anonymous | 1:09 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Where do you get your information from? How do you know this person would not know who Elder Nelson was? Could they have been taught before by missionaries? Could they not have seen them in other areas of the country and asked who they were?
I don't know that is what happened; I am just asking how you know for sure? (I don't)

Scary | 2:45 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

I'm sure this was scary and for a mission president everything is spiritual. I get email chain letters from my Uncle and it's the same way. I guess when I was on a mission it was the same way for me.

But they were probably just trying to make money not really thinking who it was. Of course that's the same thing - they are still being led by the devil's cunning one way or the other.

Kidnappings are getting pretty bad in many parts of the world. I just watched a documentary caled manda bala streaming from netflix that explained the whole thing in Brazil. It's getting pretty bad, I don't know how the missionaries make it if it we not for spiritual protection. I was never bothered in Spain even in dark streets walking everywhere - amazing now that I think of it.

Comments continue below

Hope | 4:02 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Her remarks imply that if you are righteous, you will
be calm and protected. I submit that she was infact lucky.
A different robber may have easily killed them.
it's a nice turn lemons into lemonade story but there are plenty of
righteous people who have bad things happen to them.

Dr of Neuropsychology | 4:21 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

I do not find it hard to believe. Word gets around when an Apostle comes. I also do not doubt Sister Nelson's capacity to hear the whisperings of the Holy Spirit nor the Holy Spirit's capacity to tell her the intent within the minds of the attackers. I do wonder why the original story's wording was changed ("murder" was used where "harm" is now bracketed). Still, let us be grateful the end result was minor in comparison to its potential and take opportunity to introspect and apply the lessons we are impressed to learn.

DeepintheHeart | 6:01 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Criminals look for a high-dollar target. If they were observing, they probably saw that Elder Nelson was the one who, through body language from the others, was the leader or most valuable hostage or target. Not at all inconsistent with crimes in the states. Why do you think kidnapping is so big along the border or in Mexico? Its all about the money.

... | 8:52 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Elder Nelson was not targeted - the mission home was in an affluent area. This was a crime of opportunity.
How do I know? I have spoken with those who were in the Moputo mission and helped assist Elder & Sister Nelson & Packard after the attack.

To Hope | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Ditto on that, and realistically said.

Re: Hope 4:02 | 11:27 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

She did not imply anything but you did. She simply said what she felt.
You seem to have a problem with just hearing what is said without trying to fit it into your own template. Good luck to you in your life's ventures.

My2Cents | 12:34 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Why did the Deseret News change this article?

re;re:hope | 1:11 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Are you saying that God never helps anybody in any situation? I think Sister Nelson was just giving credit where she has always given credit; to God.
A appreciate the faithful person who recognizes Gods hand in our everyday lives.

Homer | 1:32 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Why the new picture and the change in the headline? The Dwseret News botched this again. When will the mormon times get some creditable writers and stop some of these non-sense stories? Oh please tell me when?

Doug Haymore | 1:55 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

My wife was at this event on Friday. My wife stated that Sister Nelson told the audience the intent of the robbers was to "kill her husband and kidnap her". Why isn't this in the story?

Cherie | 2:05 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

To- All those who use the HOPE blogging name of others and than some. God does not just protect curtain people. And I agree, that many rightious people have died because of the result of an evil person. Many of GODS children have not been protected as said. Many people are ill and sick, and that doesn't mean they are evil or unprotected or have a lack of faith. Many, many people suffer and that does not mean they are unrighteous. Many people who are evil have good lives and good health and worship a different God. Many so called good people tell many lies and take advantage of others throughout their entire life. Why doesn't God take his protection away from such people? Who knows why he doesn't, but to be superstitious is not of God.

Jump the gun on this story | 2:21 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

How does sister Nelson know that the robbers intentions were to kill them? If the robbers wanted to kill them then they would have done so. Lets not all jump on the band wagon at once. Somehow this story looks like a molehill being built into a mountain. Give it a break.

Grace in Fruit Heights | 3:54 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Sister Nelson said the attempted robbery and abduction was a sobering experience that confirms that "life is a spook alley".

I disagree with Sister Nelson. I have found that life is beautiful, inspiring and a challenge.

Get on with your life | 4:57 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Why do some members like to cry the woe is me story to everyone? Geez! Life has its ups and downs for all of us, but dwelling on one single incident continuously for days, months and even years on end is not healthy for the mind nor the spirit. We all have trails, and NO ONE is exempt.

Bill | 7:53 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

I find it odd that people fail to understand what she was saying. She felt comfort and peace come to her before the event took place thus allowing her to be calm during the attack. When have some of us felt the same comfort, a warning to stop, to change a flight or in some instances to just stay home. Does this just come to the righteous or does it come to all? Fact is every person on Earth is born with the light of Christ in their spiritual body. The other is how often do we listen to these feelings. We all get these feelings or impressions and it depends what we do with them. Sure, some could even say she was lucky but I submit there is no such thing in luck, we do that ourselves.

When a plane crashes many good and evil people probably die with it. God allows this to happen because otherwise he takes away our agency to choose our path. He allows it to rain on both good and bad just as he allows the sun to shine on both. It all depends on who we give the credit to.

neglected details | 10:31 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

I'm curious why the quotes in the article have been changed since it was originally published on Friday? And unless the intruders have confessed, how does anyone know their intentions? I think it is poor journalism to publish a story, later alter quotes, without providing important details.

jan | 10:48 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

I think it is helpful for Sister Nelson to share her experience with others. I have had the experience of having peace that does not make sense given the situation. (Peace which passeth all understanding.) It is a gift from God. It is good to let others know that no matter what you have to go through, "as thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be."

I didn't see any indication that Sister Nelson was trying to build up herself. She did say that Cindy Packard was a hero. She said that Heavenly Father helped them through it and then she talked about lessons she has learned from it. Not much different than any of the rest of us when we have such an experience.

Would it hurt to be respectful?

To: Neglected Details | 11:05 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Don't read the New York Times if you don't like post-publishing editing! You probably love it when it suits you though, eh? To the rest of you who have found fault in the re-telling of a spiritual experience which is meant to help others, get a life. Your bitter comments come across as petty and juvenile.

Sandy | 7:31 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

I respect and honor Elder and Sister Nelson, and I read the DesNews in preference to the Trib, but this article is poor journalism, to be sure. I agree that the motive for the intruders is unsubstantiated. Sister Nelson and the writer should have given some evidence for it. Without that, it does sound a bit like self-aggrandization. "Life is spook alley"? . . . hmm. It's all rather sensational.

Kevin | 11:21 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Thank you!

Dave | 5:36 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

How do we know that the robbers' intentions were NOT murder? Could it be that Sis Nelson was privy to details that we are not? I beleive she was trying to use her experience to illustrate a principle. Has this not been done before? The journalism may be poor, but I think we assume that we know more than we really do of the situation.

Tammy | 7:30 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

Those men may or may not have known who Elder Nelson was. However, Satan knows, and he can guide those to do his work for him. He's leading people all over the world. Why is it so impossible for you to believe he would target our leaders. He thinks without them the Gospel would not go on. Get a clue people. The TV news, the newspapers, and radio's might make it seem the world is a scary place and you hear so much about it that it doesn't even faze you. Try reading the scriptures. They don't lie and they will tell you the world is an evil and wicked place. It will only get worse and that is why it is so important to listen to the spirit. Thank goodness there are those who still do. Like Elder & Sister Nelson.

Hello | 8:42 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

Talking to direct family of the Nelson's, I can tell you that Sister Nelson is not telling everything that went on. There is much more to the story than what is being reported. She would have reason to believe that she was going to be kidnapped for things that were said and things that were done that was not reported.

Cats | 9:06 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

Honestly! I can't believe some of these blogs!

This article quotes what Sister Nelson said in her talk. It wasn't the purpose of the article to verify the facts. Why they changed "kill" to "hurt" I am not sure. However, Sister Nelson probably knows what she is talking about. After all, SHE WAS THERE.

She knows what spiritual experiences she had during that event. She also knows what lessons she took from it that she wants to apply to other situations in life.

Clearly, she, her husband and the others in the Mission Home were protected. God has his reasons for everything he does. In this case, he had his reasons for protecting those individuals. God's hand does protect the righteous whether, it be spiritually or physically, at whatever times fulfill his purposes.

Emjay | 9:15 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

To Cherie: Yours is a very immature understanding. The righteous are always blessed and the wicked are always called to account.

I have learned a VERY IMPORTANT lesson in life. What goes around comes around. Whether it be sooner or later, in this life or the next, everyone receives their just desserts. NO ONE GETS AWAY WITH ANYTHING!

It may appear that righteous people are being punished and wicked people are being blessed. That is not the case. We are all tried and we all have our alloted time in this life to be tested. If you do something righteous, you will be blessed in whatever way God deems is appropriate. If you do wrong, your life will not go right no matter how much it may appear otherwise from the outside.

THIS AN ETERNAL PRINCIPLE AND IT IS TRUE. GOD IS JUST.

PHILO | 12:22 p.m. Nov. 17, 2009

Emjay, you totally missed Cherie's point...she didn't say that righteous people get punished or that she believes that "evil" people get, "blessed?" You should probably read her comments again...anyway, HER point was simple and true, that really bad things happen to really good people sometimes, i.e., car accidents, illness, financial difficulty. And that is not a curse or punishment, it's called life. No one should feel God is punishing them if they become ill, loose a job, suffer in some way. Welcome to earth! We suffer, we laugh, we cry, we joy, everyone has trial; everyone has joy, in varying degrees at various times, regardless of status, belief, understanding, what have you. Read again Cherie's comments. Very true. And may everyone have a great day today!

Why The Need to Criticize? | 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17, 2009

One thing I have learned is that people will always criticize and question church leaders simply because of pride. Why does it matter whether the intruders intended on killing Elder Nelson or just harming him or kidnapping him and his wife? The point is that they were attacked and Sister Nelson was sharing what she learned from the situation. None of us was there so none of us know what information has not been shared or made public about the attack. What's so wrong with just taking the story for what it's worth? It's an inspiring story of how this group of people survived a scary and difficult situation.

Anonymous | 1:34 p.m. Nov. 17, 2009

When you are used to living under a bell jar and finally have an encounter with life outside it, you might just want to crawl back under your jar and proclaim that "life is spooky" and get accolades for it.

awsomeron | 2:00 p.m. Nov. 17, 2009

People who live in that very special world of Sister Nelason, live in that World. That is a mind set that I greatly admire and respect for the vast most part.

For the rest of us we realize that there are bad elements all around and there is no Completely Safe Haven. Therefore we lock our doors, and Mr Smith and Wesson, and Mr. Colt are our friends. I like guns that make big holes.

I am still not sure how the Ebanizer thing fits in. Except that the small percentage of the members that sing the Hymns will repeat any words written weather they understand the meaning or not.

I belong to a small Ward and we do not have a Choir as such. Even after many tries. One of the reasons is the Members do not like to practice. They believe that how it comes out is how it should be. Going over somthing 10 times to get it right does not bring them joy. Certain exceptions of course, such as Christmas Plays.

Elder Nelson is one of my Favorite People and I am glad things turned out okey for them.

Anonymous | 4:22 p.m. Nov. 17, 2009

Thanks to Heavenly Father for protecting them all!!!!!

Emjay | 4:37 p.m. Nov. 17, 2009

to Philo: I did reread Cherie's remarks and you are right. I skimmed over them too quickly. We all agree about the principles of righteousness and evil.

Lee | 4:54 p.m. Nov. 17, 2009

I always admire our leaders who take their callings without worry and fear. I guess that's also why we are
encouraged to pray for them in our everyday prayers.

Janette Kristjanson | 2:26 p.m. Nov. 18, 2009

Thanks for this article in the Deseret News. It is nice hearing from Sister Nelson perspective what happened. Our son was serving in Mozambique at the time. He especially admired Elder Nelson\'s calm and caring attitude in his comments during the Mission Conference regarding the robbery. Our son wrote in his e-mail to us, \"Truly Elder Nelson is an apostle and a witness of Jesus Christ to be able to have love like that at all times. We could feel it the whole time during the conference.\"\r\nSincerely,\r\nJanette Kristjanson

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