From Brazil: Be Careful Which Elder You Step To!!

[ZealouslyStriving]

The Elder was having no part of this robbery. 😆

 

 

Edited March 17, 2025 by ZealouslyStriving

[Pyreaux]

Yep, foreigners often get targeted to be robbed (but usually not clergy). Gangs don't usually expect resistance either, so were probably unprepared to shoot and he surprised them. He was kind of lucky it was just 2 smaller guys, gangs can be ruthless. Though once upon a time missionaries did not carry anything valuable so could giving up (a $5 watch, etc.) I guess now they have phones. Or do what some locals do, carry a fake wallet with a few dollars in it.

[manol]

Dude won a gunfight while violating the first rule of gunfighting... which is, "have a gun".   Orrin Porter Rockwell would be proud.

[Calm]

Being the paranoid type, I hope they transfer him and his partner out of the area quickly, like immediately if possible, and maybe even limit missionaries in the area for a time to avoid retaliation.

Not saying he did the wrong thing, I get a charge when I see bad guys getting it turned around on them.  And maybe it will actually help future missionaries in the area not get attacked.

Edited March 17, 2025 by Calm

[Calm]

That happened in 2017, so I can stop worrying as whatever happened is over with one way or the other….I wonder if I can find out what happened next.

[Calm]

https://www.fox17online.com/2017/03/15/video-shows-mormon-missionary-fighting-off-armed-attacker-in-brazil
 

Quote

Acosta would not speculate on if the missionary made a good decision in grabbing the gun. He did say, in general, it’s better to hand over whatever the robbers want.

“If you don’t feel like your life is for sure in danger, like you’re going to be shot, then just hand over whatever it is you have. Don’t resist because it is so dangerous. So dangerous to resist,” said Acosta.

Acosta has some experience to speak from. He says he was robbed at gunpoint during his mission, but much like what is shown in the video, he fought back, grabbing the gun. Though his battle and the one captured on surveillance video were both won, he worries the larger battle could be lost.

“These robbers, that’s their turf…If those guys hold a grudge, it’s just that white shirt and plaque that become a target,” said Acosta.

So not so paranoid…or rightly so.

Quote

“We are grateful that this incident did not end tragically, either for the missionaries or the other individuals involved. The guidance given to missionaries is to avoid conflict. Every situation is unique, and as adults, missionaries must make decisions about their safety. In this case, the assailant had a weapon and the missionary reacted in the moment to protect his life and that of his companion.”

The church has not identified either of the missionaries but confirmed that they have been moved to a different location. Neither one will be disciplined over the incident, according to officials.

 

[InCognitus]

32 minutes ago, Calm said:

https://www.fox17online.com/2017/03/15/video-shows-mormon-missionary-fighting-off-armed-attacker-in-brazil
 

So not so paranoid…or rightly so.

 

The missionary probably should have taken the same approach as Celia Cruz did when she was attacked by a mugger in 1995 in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico.  It's the story as recounted in Saints, Volume 4, Chapter 28, and told again recently in the October General Conference by Elder Jorge M. Alvarado. 

Celia told the mugger at the time of the attack, "You are assaulting a servant of the Lord".  The young man attacking her said nothing, searched her hand bag and stole a five dollar bill and a gift-wrapped Book of Mormon (thinking it was something valuable), and later read the book, felt remorse and joined the church.

So the missionary should have just handed him a Book of Mormon and told him it was his most priceless possession and see where it would go with that.

[blackstrap]

I must have missed that MMA/ self defense class at the MTC .😁