CLEVELAND, Ohio — Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northeast Ohio are watching a new temple rise in Independence, a milestone that connects their faith’s historic roots in the region with hopes for the future.
But the move comes amid deep sorrow. Over the weekend, the church’s worldwide president, Russell Nelson, died at age 101. And on Sunday, news spread of a brutal attack at a Latter-day Saints congregation in Michigan, where police say a man rammed a truck into the building, set it on fire and opened fire on congregants, killing four and wounding eight.
“As members of faith we are optimistic people, and we are followers of Jesus Christ. We look forward to the temple,” said Robin Laubaugh, a spokesperson for the church in Northeast Ohio and the mayor of Wa