Church Reemphasizes Concern for People of Japan, Moving Missionaries Out of Affected Areas
15 March 2011 — Salt Lake City
News Release
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told reporters in a news conference today that the Church
has committed substantial financial aid to Japan and that Church missionaries will be moved out of affected areas.
“We have great concern for everyone. Our prayers are being offered for them, and substantial financial help has already
been committed to the nation.”
Concerns over limited food, power shortages and the possibility of radiation leaks from damaged nuclear power plants has
prompted the Church to move its missionaries from two missions. “Given the radiation issue, we have taken the precaution
of moving them out of the immediate area of concern in the Sendai and Tokyo missions,” he said. “We are moving the
missionaries as safely as we can, given the transportation and infrastructure being what they are. No one’s panicking.
We’re doing this in a calm and reasonable and very optimistic way.”
The Church had previously announced that all missionaries were accounted for. “There was great joy both for the leaders
in Japan and the leaders here as we were finally able to report that every missionary is safe and accounted for,” said
Elder David F. Evans, an executive director of the Church's Missionary Department, who also spoke at the press
conference.
Holland said evacuating missionaries also helps lessen the burden on others. “We want to have them out of harm’s way.
That doesn’t mean we are any less concerned about anyone else who is in that circumstance. But we don’t want people
worrying about the missionaries. All members are going to worry about the missionaries, and we don’t want any local
Japanese people worrying about the missionaries if we can worry about them. We want them to take care of themselves and
their own families as they can.”
Around 200 missionaries are being evacuated to other missions north and south of Sendai but will remain in Japan. “We
are moving them to very safe distances. Whatever the government is saying, we are doubling, we are tripling, that
distance.”
There are approximately 125,000 Japanese members. All members are safe and accounted for except for three congregations.
“We know of no loss of life of a member of the Church yet. That doesn’t mean that we won’t learn of that, but we don’t
know of any at this point and we’re very, very grateful for that,” said Elder Holland.
Elder Holland reemphasized concern for the people of Japan and said that the Church will work with government agencies,
the Red Cross and others to make available any resources. “We traditionally do that as The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints,” he said.
ENDS