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In the wake of a record 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that devastated northern Japan on March 11, the Church has relocated nearly 200 missionaries and pledged support to help the suffering.
"We express our love and support to the people of Japan as they deal with this terrible tragedy," said the First Presidency in a statement issued shortly after the disaster. "Our prayers, and the prayers of millions of Latter-day Saints across the world, are with them as they begin to recover from this disaster."
The earthquake struck Japan near the city of Sendai and generated a powerful tsunami, which caused widespread destruction to coastal areas and communities. Additionally, the quake damaged the cooling functions at key nuclear plants in northern Japan, triggering fires and radiation leaks.
Almost a week after the disaster — which claimed the lives of more than 4,300 people — more than 8,000 people were still missing.
The Japanese government declared a nuclear emergency and evacuated more than 200,000 residents within a 12 mile radius of the damaged plants. This is in addition to the more than 300,000 driven from their homes by the earthquake and tsunami.
"These are solemn times, these are sobering times for the world as we watch," said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve during a news conference March 15.
Elder Holland asked members and others for their prayers and faith in behalf of the victims. "We want the faith and support and prayerful interest of people from all over the globe."
All missionaries in Japan are safe and accounted for. However, in response to radiation danger, the Church moved missionaries from the Sendai and Tokyo missions out of the areas of concern.
Elder Holland said concerns over limited food, power shortages and the possibility of radiation leaks from damaged nuclear power plants prompted the Church to move the missionaries. "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 steadily 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."
Elder 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 if they can."
It took the Church more than 24 hours after the initial quake to locate all of the 638 missionaries (220 local Japanese, 342 from the United States, and the rest from other countries).
"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 of the Seventy and assistant executive director of the Church's Missionary Department, who also spoke at the press conference.
Elder Holland added, "Many of them have been wearing the same clothing on their backs; that is all that they had since the events occurred until now. But they are safe and accounted for. ... Undoubtedly there has been great courage and great faith and, in some cases, some deprivation, but everyone is OK."
He said the Church is also making every effort to help Church members in the country. "We know of no loss of life of a member of the Church yet," Elder Holland said. "That doesn't mean that we won't learn that, but we don't know of any at this point and we're very, very grateful for that. We are assessing ways to meet their needs — housing needs, food needs, fuel needs, and warmth and protection."
He praised local leaders who have tirelessly cared for local members.
"I cannot say enough about leaders who have worked through the day and through the night — and now, going on several days and several nights without sleep — to care for the people locally, ..." Elder Holland said. "We have bishops that have lost their own homes that are out there trying to find members to help. We have Relief Society presidents who have lost their own homes and they are out their trying to find the sisters and the children and the families."
The quake — the largest earthquake to ever hit Japan — displaced thousands, destroyed hundreds of homes and buildings and left four million people without power. A lack of infrastructure and communication is also hindering relief efforts.
Elder Holland emphasized 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. Needs, he said, will become evident as communication improves.
Elder Conan Grames, director of public affairs for the Asia North Area, said communications throughout Sendai are still virtually impossible. "Even the cell phone networks are down, regular telephone lines are down, electricity is out, gas is out and water is out. The situation is really difficult in terms of all utilities and transportation."
Elder Holland emphasized that local members are taking care of one another. The miracle of the Church's established welfare principles, he said, "is that they always work."
For example, under the direction of Branch President Brad Brough, members in Misawa donated food and warm blankets to those in need in nearby Hachinohe. Elder Holland said that kind of caring is happening in wards and branches across the country.
He said Church leaders know they can rely on local members. "They understand the [Church welfare] program, we understand the program and the principles tie us," he said.
Closing, Elder Holland emphasized, "Our concern and our prayers and our anxiety and our hopes and our confidence is for all the people of Japan, whether they are Latter-day Saints or not."
