The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
Nearly 500 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were among the estimated 35,000 people who had to evacuate their homes when a fast-moving wildfire tore through Boulder County, Colorado, on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Colorado authorities say the 6,200-acre fire destroyed 991 buildings, and as of Saturday evening, three people were still missing as 10 inches of snow fell on the charred landscape.
All missionaries and Church members were accounted for and safe, and all Church buildings were intact, although at least 11 homes belonging to members were destroyed. Other families were still awaiting confirmation on their homes, according to Church authorities in the area, with nearly 500 Latter-day Saints among those forced to evacuate.
Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, a General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s North America Central Area, spoke to the Church News on behalf of the area presidency.
“We continue to assess this tragic and fluid situation. Our hearts are tender right now thinking about those whose lives have been impacted. We are offering our prayers for them and stand ready to assist as we learn more,” Elder Nielsen said. “We are so grateful for the kind response from local leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints along with first responders, other friends, neighbors and local agencies in the affected area. They have reached out to show Christlike love in an unprecedented way.”
Said President Quinn P. Remund of the Boulder Colorado Stake: “Our hearts are heavy knowing that some members of the stake lost their homes along with so many of our neighbors in the community. We’re deeply grateful that all of our members are safe and well. Throughout this tragic event, members remained positive and resolute, while seeking to help others around them even when they’ve been directly impacted themselves.”
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
