Remembering, Reflecting

I've been thinking this morning about September 11, 2001, and my feelings that day and since. That was my second year at BYU. I had an 8:00 am class, so I was already on campus, and we were waiting for the Hebrew professor to come to the classroom. Some of the other students were talking about how a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. In all honesty, my initial response was to want to laugh--I didn't, but that was how I felt. Who would do that? How could it possibly be real? But as the day unfolded and talk continued all over campus, that thought fled quickly. This wasn't funny. Far from it. It was very sobering. Still surreal, though.

President Bateman spoke at the campus-wide devotional that morning. His talk is still available online. I don't remember much of it, but skimmed it again today: his words were of peace and comfort and love. He spoke of the importance of us being messengers of peace, showing love to all around us.

That evening, Madame Welch came to talk to all of the students in the FLSR (Foreign Language Student Residence; I was living in the German House at the time). She expressed her condolences for all who had been affected (directly, especially; was there anyone who was not affected?) and even gave permission to watch the news in English that week. (Coming from her, that was huge; any TV or movies outside of the target language were strictly forbidden.) I felt sobered as I listened to her and even more sobered as I watched footage of the towers burning and collapsing. It still was very surreal--the whole day was rather a blur, and even as I watched the news footage, it still didn't seem possible. Why would anyone do such a thing? It just didn't make sense at all!

As the week went on, I think everyone probably spent more time in prayer: prayer for protection, for peace, for comfort for those who had lost loved ones.

I also remember that amidst all the tragedy, not all the news I received was bad. I had a cousin born that day. I have only seen Kendall about once a year, but I will certainly never forget her birthday. Life does go on, and amidst tragedy, we may also experience joy (or at least comfort) and peace.

I remember, also, how much the Church worked, particularly in that first week, to bring some measure of peace, comfort, and hope. The Tabernacle Choir performed on-air one evening that week, and President Hinckley briefly addressed the world. I don't remember much of that, either--only that it brought peace, knowing that we have a prophet of God on the earth and that the Lord's hand is still over all the earth.

The following summer in an American Heritage class, the professor presented an interesting and somewhat disheartening fact: in the months immediately following 9/11, church attendance (in all faiths) rose significantly, as people felt a greater need for the comfort and peace found through Christ (and probably through other beliefs, as I imagine this was not only Christians). This, of course, was good. However, by the time he presented this to us, he said it had declined again everywhere except New York.

This brings to mind the words of Alma to the people of Zarahemla: "Have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers?" (Alma 5:6) We were all humbled that day, drawn to the Lord, more eager to seek His guidance, His blessing, His comfort, for ourselves and for others. Alma continues later in the chapter: "If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I wold ask, can ye feel so now?" (Alma 5:26) Where has that humility gone? Where has that neighborly love gone? How can we bring it back without being driven to our knees by another great tragedy? The only hope for peace is in Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Let us all turn back to Him, seek Him, and seek to love our neighbors and to share the peace we have known. Let us stand united as Americans, offering prayers for our fellow citizens and for this nation. God bless America!