Dear Parents:
Your sons and daughters are safe. Thursday
and again yesterday we experienced severe storms and additional
tornados in our mission area. Yesterday’s storms were more dangerous
and destructive than Thursday’s storms. Our missionaries
were never in any danger on Thursday
but yesterday caused us more concern because we had missionary relief
crews out working in the morning. As is my practice, I sent the work
crews home well in advance of the approaching storms so they could be
near their
local weather contacts and shelters. My practice is to personally
monitor the storms and alert missionaries directly and through our
mission leadership. Local weather contacts are also very helpful to
us.
Based on preliminary reports, yesterday’s storms
caused substantial new damage and sadly, additional lives were lost.
103,000 homes in the City (including the mission home) are without
power. The damage, downed power lines and traffic
have prevented me from communicating with you earlier this morning.
We also had all our missionaries in South Oklahoma City this morning
for a meeting with Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the
Seventy. Now all of our missionaries are out working
on tornado cleanup projects for the day.
I will generally not communicate with you after
every storm. I will reserve these communications for storms that strike
near where we have missionaries stationed. If power is out and I am
prevented from emailing you I will call the Church
operators and let them know the missionaries are safe. I will also
inform the Missionary Department of the safety of our missionaries. As
you can imagine, we have a lot going on out here right now. The safety
of our missionaries (your daughters and sons)
is our paramount concern and priority. We will tend to them first and
inform you once I have verified their safety and tended to other
priorities related to the missionaries. Thank you for your patience and
prayers.
We are grateful for the Lord’s protection and your
prayers. Many miracles are occurring through these events. The Lord
truly does make all things work together for the good of those who
believe.
Warm Regards, President Taylor
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