There is a verse in the Doctrine and Covenants (one of the books of scripture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) which reads: “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.” This story, In Chile: The Lord’s Earthquake Warning, is a powerful example of how a group of missionaries was able to be prepared for the earthquake because of spiritual impressions that had come to the Mormon woman responsible (alongside her husband, the mission president) for 171 missionaries. (Couples are given responsibility to preside over 150-200 missionaries in 340 (as of Feb. 13, 2010) different geographical locations all over the world.)

(For ideas on emergency preparedness, see the Church’s information here. Also, this website, compiled by two Mormon women, has a lot of helpful information.)

Read about one missionary’s experience helping near the epicenter in Chile.

Read about LDS relief efforts in Chile here.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who served for several years on assignment in Chile, shares his thoughts after hearing about the earthquake. He reminds us that, “Even for those who have sustained terrible loss the Spirit can bring peace, tranquility, a hope for the future.”

Please remember to pray for those in Chile, Haiti, and Taiwan…as well as in other places where trial and tragedy abound.

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Read several stories and see photo essays of Mormon Church members helping in Haiti here.

Read the thoughts of former mission presidents and their wives on life in Haiti before the earthquake here.

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The recent tragedy of Marie Osmond’s son committing suicide may raise question in some people’s minds about LDS views on this difficult topic.

First of all, we want to encourage those who may feel they or someone they know is in danger of hurting themselves to get help. There are numerous crisis lines and online resources available if you search “suicide hotline” or other similar topics.

Following are some resources about Mormon beliefs regarding suicide:

“What do Mormons believe about suicide?” Two-part series, part 1 and part 2 here at Mormon Women: Who We Are.

Articles on suicide from the LDS Family Services section of the LDS Church’s website, Provident Living