Two Arrested After Shootout in Idaho Falls Temple Parking Lot

[latterdaytemplar]

https://www.ldsdaily.com/world/two-arrested-after-shootout-in-idaho-falls-temple-parking-lot/

[latterdaytemplar]

This might be of more interest to me since this is where my wife and I were sealed; but I thought that I would share it here nonetheless.

[Robert F. Smith]

They probably figured the temple parking lot would be a good place to meet, rather than a Walmart parking lot.  They didn't go there for the ambience.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Violence, of any type in or around “Holy Places”, leaves open wounds, and serves as a sad reminder to those who seek to worship in these places long after. It wounds both the air, and the earth. In so doing, even the very soul for a time, and only time and by the Grace of God can all be healed. Until one day, for those who were aware, will not feel threatened, nor remember.. Having served so long in law enforcement (23 years) with the City of Atlanta, I have been, too many times, and too many places of worship throughout the city, both Christian and Jewish, where violence has occurred. For me, it took years before I could pass these places of worship, and not feel or remember what took place. One of the worst, was Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr Martin Luther King Sr, and Dr King Jr both preached. In fact it is this Church where Dr King Jr, grew up, and his family were a large (100+ years) part of it’s history and culture. It many ways, this place of worship, is literally “ground zero” for the modern day “Civil Rights Movement”, in the South. Tragically, one Wednesday night before services began, (thankfully this robbed a gunman more targets), the mother of MLK Jr was shot in the back and killed while playing the Organ, as if that family had not suffered enough. 
 

I have found that hearing and reading of this incident, my mind is suddenly flooded with many unhappy images. Some memories of events that occurred during my years of service, and witnessing the grief, and the aftermath, also reminding me of past violences, here in the South. Although this was not an attack on the (our) Temple, it is by extension because of the daily remembrances, for those who visit this, “House of the Lord”. It reminds me of the altercation I got into with J.B. Stoner outside of an Ice Cream Shop, in my hometown. He was there in his wheelchair, with his armed bodyguards, “Klansmen”, protesting an Ice Cream Shop’s decision to start serving African Americans. I did not just get into this altercation because he was there protesting, I did so because, I knew, and everyone knew he planted the bomb in the Birmingham Church where four little Black girls were killed. Sadly it took a number of years before the State of Alabama, got the courage to bring charges, and finally convicted him of the heinous crime. I remember my older brother dragging me down the sidewalk as I continued yelling at him, reminding me the men with him were armed. Anyway, sorry for the rant; Nuff Said”. 
 

Except to say, let us all pray that soon, The “Prince of Peace”, even the Lord Jesus Christ will come, and in so doing, maybe the earth finally rest!  
 

Your brother, Bill…