Our Seminary lesson on The Plan of Salvation felt poignant after the tragic shooting last Sunday of a Bishop in Visalia, California following church services. Bishop Clay Sannar was killed by a mentally ill man who had formerly attended church in the building but did not know Sannar personally.Bishop Sannar is Melisse Myer's older brother. Melisse and Rob Myers were in our Los Gatos Ward when Andie was in high school. We ran with Melisse and since she lived across from Los Gatos High sometimes we'd run over and wake her up if she didn't show up in the morning! At the time Melisse was newly married, lots of fun, and entertaining to run with. We really missed Rob & Melisse when they moved, first going to Utah then to London and currently they're back in Utah.
Knowing Melisse and realizing she's lost her older brother and looking at this tender family photo of Bishop Sannar with his beautiful wife and 6 darling boys makes the tragedy feel heartbreaking and terribly senseless!
Without an understanding of the gospel, Bishop Sannar's family could feel abandoned by God wondering why would God let this happen. Fortunately Clay and Melisse grew up in a strong and supportive family. Hopefully they'll all help each other through this painful time.
And not to mitigate the tragedy at all, it's horrific and so sad that the youngest boys won't even remember their dad, BUT, we also do believe that this life is not the end! Having faith that their family can be together again could be the balm that brings comfort and peace to the Sannar family.
Melisse spoke at Clay's funeral and noted that her brother "was always something of a family leader, especially after his mission. You just knew he had 'the answer' to any problem, such as which house to buy or the meaning of a Bible passage."
The Sannar family asked everyone to remember the family of the shooter (who was killed later by the police) in their prayers "because they are suffering as well." I thought that showed a lot of class and forgiveness to be able to reach out and extend an olive branch. Even during the Sannar's loss they recognized the pain of the shooter's family.
Bishop Sannar's random murder presented a sad but real life story to share with the youth while we studied the plan of salvation. Tragic things happen. But we knew that they would. I'm grateful for faith that eventually even senseless tragedies will be resolved. Although it still leaves a terrible loss for the Sannar family and the Visalia Ward that lost a new Bishop!
