The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

The Europe Central Area presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement of empathy and support in response to the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday, Feb. 6, and has resulted in more than 2,300 deaths at first count.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of many lives as a result of the earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria,” the statement reads. “We express our love and support to the people of those countries as they deal with this terrible tragedy.

“Our prayers, and the prayers of Latter-day Saints across Europe, are with them as they begin to recover from this disaster. The Church is currently reaching out to other relief organizations, both globally and in-country, to offer assistance.”

Published the same day on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, the statement is signed by the three General Authority Seventies who comprise the Church’s Europe Central Area presidency — Elder Massimo De Feo, president, and his counselors Elder Erich W. Kopischke and Elder RubĂ©n V. Alliaud.

Associated Press reported that the initial pre-dawn earthquake — registering a powerful 7.8 magnitude — sent damaging waves along wide swaths of Turkey and neighboring Syria.

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.Â