Gospel offering comfort to LDS Spaniards
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The grieving continues for Spanish Church members left emotionally wounded from the March 11 terrorist train bombings in Madrid.
While few members suffered physical injury, many know someone who was lost in the tragedy that claimed about 200 lives. One stake president, for example, lost a 26-year-old cousin. Others are mourning the deaths of close friends and neighbors.
"I lost a good friend of mine who was a teacher and was working for the Spanish Ministry of Education in International Cooperation Project," said Virginio Baptista. "He was a sociologist and is survived by two daughters, 2 and 5, and his good wife."
Bitin Uema — an LDS physician whose ears were damaged when a bomb exploded in the train car in which he was traveling (see March 20 Church News, p. 3) — continues to deal with the many feelings prompted by witnessing the crimes first-hand.
"Having to pass (through) experiences like this one is not a pleasant thing for anybody," wrote Brother Uema in an e-mail to the Church News. "Although human life is an important event, it seems that for some people, like the terrorists, it is not."
Still, Brother Uema is grateful for the love and protection he believes the Lord offered him at the time of the attack. "I can testify that His divine power accompanied me in every moment."
The bomb blast left him unconscious and many around him dead. When he came to he was welcomed by the horror of what had happened.
"Although I was very (shaken) by the nightmare I was going through, I remember I broke into tears and thanked Heavenly Father for still being alive," he wrote. "Although I felt very weak at that time, the image of my wife and son gave me power to fight and go ahead."
Madrid Spain East Stake President Jose Reina and other priesthood leaders have reminded Spanish members that trouble and sadness will remain in the world. "But if we have faith and do the right thing, we can be comforted and protected," President Reina said.
Gospel testimonies and an understanding of the plan of salvation are helping many LDS Spaniards endure.
"You can be so sad, but also feel the comfort and joy of the gospel," President Reina added.
A program commemorating the organization of the Relief Society had been planned for March 13, two days after the bombings occurred. President Reina and others considered canceling the program, then opted to move forward.
"It was a great activity, attendance was strong," he said. "It was good for the sisters to be together."
President Reina has witnessed inspiring acts of service and love. One worker at the Madrid Spain Temple has enlisted his training as a psychologist to assist the families of bomb victims. And throughout Spain, people have given blood. Taxi drivers have waived fares, and food vendors in Madrid have handed out food to strangers.
E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com
