POCATELLO, IDAHO
Early in the afternoon of June 28, Elder Tom Atkins received an unexpected phone call from his son, Dallen. The news wasn't good. A wildfire was spreading near the Atkins family home nestled in the juniper-lined hills on the southern edge of Pocatello. He hung up and hoped for the best. Elder Atkins and his wife, Sister Jean Atkins, who are serving a family history mission together in Salt Lake City, had lived in the home for three decades. It had never been threatened by fire.

Dallen called back 45 minutes later with a grim update. The home was gone. After notifying their mission president, Elder and Sister Atkins embarked on the sobering drive back to Pocatello. When the flames of the 1,000-acre blaze were doused days later, the couple was allowed to visit the charred ruins of what had been their home. They were staggered by the scale of the destruction. Little remained outside of a few blackened knickknacks and a treasured family Nativity set. Even the contents of a small fire safe had been destroyed.

As he surveyed the ashes days later, Elder Atkins told the Church News he was grateful he and his wife were miles away when the flames claimed their beloved home. "It would have been harder to watch it burn."

The Atkins and 23 other Latter-day Saint families lost their homes to the Pocatello wildfire. About a third of the houses from the Mink Creek Ward, Pocatello Idaho Stake, were destroyed — including the home of the bishop, Efrain Velasquez. Many say the tragedy has stirred a powerful mixture of emotions: sadness at the loss of homes and irreplaceable family mementos — and gratitude that no one was killed or seriously injured in the fire that investigators said was human caused.
"Overall, things are going relatively well," said stake President Kenneth Stucki of the fire's aftermath. "A lot of homeowners are starting to come to grips with what happened."

The local Church leader added that many families continue to be sustained by the spiritual and temporal support of fellow members and neighbors in the greater Pocatello community.
While little can be done to reverse the absolute destruction of the burned homes, folks from all backgrounds have stepped forward to do what they can. Many have donated meals, clothing, cash and other needed items. One woman contributed $100 to replace lost sets of scriptures. Some even stepped forward and donated equipment such as sleeping bags, tents and new Scout uniforms — with achievement patches already sewn in to place — so that the Mink Creek Ward young men and their leaders could participate in a previously-scheduled Scout camp.
"There has been a tremendous outpouring of generosity," said President Stucki.
Such kindness will likely help sooth the deep emotional wounds inflicted by the fire.
Michael and Jessica Malcolm said their four young children find no pleasure or adventure in visiting the framed pit of ash and blackened debris that, days earlier, had been their lifelong home.
"The children are doing the best they can, but it's hard for them," said Sister Malcolm.
A part-time X-ray technician and dance instructor, Sister Malcolm was out visiting teaching when flames erupted near her home. From a distance she spotted smoke billowing on a neighboring mountain. Worried, she rushed home to gather up her children. She was met there by her husband. The couple had just a few minutes to gather a few family files, photos, journals and the family's black lab, Bolt, before police ordered them to evacuate the area.
"Minutes after we left our home was in flames," said Sister Malcolm.
The family has found temporary housing and continues to feel "a roller coaster" of emotions. Many family treasures (including almost all photos of oldest son Derric) were lost. They can't be replaced. Time demanded by insurance and family matters has also kept Brother Malcolm away from his commission-only sales job.
"But our faith has gotten us through this," he said. "We've been able to get through this as a family."
The Malcolms have also witnessed the power and reach of social media. Word of the family's plight via Facebook "has spread like wildfire," said Brother Malcolm with a wink. Friends, families and acquaintances from across the country have offered to help.
While families such the Atkins and the Malcolms must deal with the loss of their home, others marvel that their own homes were spared. Lori Wallis of the neighboring Gibson Jack Ward was evacuated from her home and spent several hours in anguish, wondering if she would return to a livable home. She is grateful her home was not damaged and has looked for opportunities to serve those affected by the disaster.
Meanwhile, Steven Farnsworth and his wife, Karen, eye the scorched earth that borders their home on three sides and shake their heads at the fire's hit-and-miss nature. "You look around and think, 'This house should not be here,' " said Sister Farnsworth.
Families from both circumstances say the tragedy has placed their own priorities into sharp focus. Days after the blaze, Brother Malcolm attended a special Sabbath sacrament meeting at the Mink Creek Ward meetinghouse and shared his testimony of the gospel.
"I talked about how fire brings about new life. This fire will bring new life. It's not what we wanted. We have lost a house, but we have not lost our home. Our family is our home and we have our kids with us."
Shane and Jessica Siler share a sentiment expressed by many who lost their houses to the Pocatello fire: they plan to rebuild. But they are practical people and know difficult days are ahead. First, they have to clear out and sift through the remains of their charred home and property. They will be assisted on Saturday, July 14, by a large-scale, Church-sponsored Helping Hands project. Scores of members from the stakes across southern Idaho are expected to join in a massive effort to cut down trees and haul away debris.
The volunteers will help all in need, reported President Stucki.

Sister Atkins is eager to return to full-time missionary work with her husband. Her sadness is balanced by a comforting impulse that some good will come from the wildfire.
"There is a peace that everything will be okay," she said.