Update: LDS church issues statement after missionary fights back, foils armed robbery attempt in Brazil

Update: LDS church issues statement after missionary fights back, foils armed robbery attempt

MANAUS, Brazil, March 16, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A video of an LDS missionary who decided not to turn the other cheek, and instead beat up an armed attacker trying to rob him, has gone viral after surveillance footage of the exchanged surfaced.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has confirmed that the two young missionaries caught on the grainy video serve in the Brazil — Manaus mission.

The missionaries, seen wearing dark pants, white shirts, ties and black name placards, are shown with other pedestrians on a sidewalk when a motorcycle carrying two men rolls to a stop.

The motorcycle passenger dismounts and retrieves what appears to be a gun from his waistband area of his shorts.

While the other pedestrians and one missionary submit, the defiant missionary wrestles his attacker, gets control of the gun, and points it at the attempted robber.

As the first attacker retreats, the motorcycle driver steps forward to try to retrieve the gun, which the missionary tosses over a tall, chain link fence.

The missionary and the driver then engage in hand-to-hand combat, and the driver suffers multiple face punches and a kick from the missionary.

After a bystander pulls the two apart, the driver flees. The missionary chases the man a few more steps, then stops, breathing heavily, as evidenced by the movement of his name placard.

The LDS Church has not identified the missionaries, but did say they have been temporarily removed from the area. They will not be facing disciplinary action. The person who posted the video on Facebook said the plucky proselytizer is an American.

LDS church spokesman Eric Hawkins released the following statement to the media: “We are grateful that this incident did not end tragically, either for the missionaries or the other individuals involved. The guidance given to missionaries is to avoid conflict. Every situation is unique, and as adults, missionaries must make decisions about their safety. In this case, the assailant had a weapon and the missionary reacted in the moment to protect his life and that of his companion.”

8 COMMENTS

  1. Besides this story,which it is about self protection; it is right to remind for those who do not know,that this religion stands much on occultism(even though cheaters want to deny it). In fact,mister Smith(as a free mason, with other founders of this religion,was deeply involved in it-his revelations and visions are the sad result of his divination;… and this is why he suffered from spiritual troubles until his death;and the same thing happens,even nowadays,to a lot of followers and leaders of this religion). May the Grace and the Love of our Lord JESUS protect us from deception,evil and hell.

    • Precious Joan,I have studied the book of mormon,and besides my opinions it has been confirmed it is absolutely worthless(never a Tribe of Israel went to the Americas to give birth to the Natives-the DNA test denies it-. The Peoples of America are very different and not just one(Lamanite-Nefite). Truly,the so called original manuscript along with the “pearl of great value” were just a list of obituaries written in the old language of Egypt,… and the “apostles” in Salt Lake know it well). We have already a perfect testament,which you can find it in the GOSPEL(Galataians 1,6-9). Blessings

      • Paolo,

        That’s right. It’s a real head scratcher that these folks are still around and walking up and down the streets of the world. This video is a taste of what used to happen to their kind when they were kicked out of every place they settled.

  2. I think he’s awesome. It’s not as if he was attacking without provocation, this is 100% within the realms of self defense. He chose to throw the gun over the fence instead of shooting, he didn’t want anyone to get hurt. Punching the robber was to drive him away and it worked. He may have saved lives. Hero.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here