While it’s hard to be sure of all the details, the latest news suggests that the person who shot worshipers at an LDS Church building in Michigan was motivated by anti-Mormon sentiment. It isn’t clear yet what the shooter’s own religious convictions were. But it is clear that he scapegoated members and saw the Church as the anti-Christ.

A lot of my Latter-day Saint friends have been hurt by people not speaking up loudly enough in condemnation of these events. And as someone who has been publicly critical of LDS teachings, I want to speak out and be clear about where I stand.

I stand with my LDS friends and family members in condemnation of this horrific event. Period.

There is no excuse for shooting men, women, and children gathered to worship God. Whatever theological difference you have with them, there is simply no excuse and no justification for such an evil action.

This was not just an attack on doctrines or institutions—it was an attack on people: parents bringing their children to worship and families gathering to pray. To target them is an act of pure evil that makes Satan and his angels rejoice.

This attack was particularly heinous because it took place at a church building. Churches should be sanctuaries—places where families gather to worship God, not places of violence and bloodshed. And as someone who attended church in similar LDS chapels for 14 years, and as a regular churchgoer now, I take this attack personally. I see myself in those victims, and I weep.

Being critical of LDS doctrine is not, and must never be, a license for hostility or mistreatment. The moment criticism turns into dehumanization or violence, it has left the way of Christ. Anyone who commits an act of violence like this against innocent people is far away from the teachings of Jesus. Jesus taught us to love even our enemies, to pray for them, to be known for our compassion and love. The New Testament authors constantly remind us not to give into our anger and hatred, but to respond even to persecution and reviling with compassion. As Paul wrote, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

Our model is the submissive, suffering Christ—who though he was God, willingly gave his life up for us on the cross. (Phil 2:5-11). His followers are called to be known by their love (John 13:35).

So, what am I going to do personally in response?

1. Watching my words even more carefully
   Christians who are critiquing Mormonism need to be careful in what we say to avoid unnecessary polemics and to season our speech with salt. I already try to do this. But there are still times when I have added a rhetorical jab that I didn’t need to, or spoken more polemically than I needed to. I am going to commit to avoiding that as much as possible.
2. Speaking out against unfair criticism
   I’ve been more silent than I should be about unfair or hostile criticism against Latter-day Saints. I am going to be more willing to correct the record when someone misspeaks and to call out false statements even if they come from someone on my “side.”
3. Focusing on relationships
   I want to try to do better at developing and maintaining relationships with Latter-day Saints and building bridges to more productive dialogue and conversations. This has always been my greatest desire since I left the Church. Honestly this is really hard. I am viewed with a certain level of skepticism because I am a former member. But the fact that it’s hard isn’t an excuse to stop trying to cultivate those kinds of relationships. I am going to try to listen more, to show up, and to build bridges wherever possible.
4. Praying for my LDS Friends– I want to pray more often for my Latter-day Saint friends. Specifically, right now I am praying for those who were wounded, for families who lost loved ones, and even for the family of the shooter who are left devastated by his choices. I also want to call on all Christians to pray for these things and that God’s comfort would be near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and that His light would shine even in the midst of this darkness.

Evil will not have the last word. The hope of the gospel is that Christ has triumphed over sin and death. He is risen and ascended. His kingdom cannot be shaken. May we cling to that hope, even as we grieve with those who grieve.