1995
Members Assist after Oklahoma Bomb Blast
July 1995


“Members Assist after Oklahoma Bomb Blast,” Ensign, July 1995, 76–77

Members Assist after Oklahoma Bomb Blast

Following the death and devastation left in the wake of a bomb blast in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Church members rushed to offer assistance to those who lost loved ones in the tragedy, as well as to those working in the cleanup efforts.

Within hours of the April 19 bomb blast that exploded in front of a federal office building, a truckload of food from the regional bishops’ storehouse had been sent to rescue workers carefully sifting through the rubble. “We sent all kinds of food items that were easily prepared,” said Jerrell Chesney, president of the Norman Oklahoma Stake. A second truckload of food for the rescue workers was sent the following day. “We would have sent more, but by that time people all over the city, state, and country had sent mountains of food supplies,” President Chesney said.

Among the 167 persons killed or still missing was one Church member, Paul Broxterman, a member of the Oklahoma City Oklahoma North Stake. Brother Broxterman was an employee at the building. He was married with three children. Two other Church members sustained minor injuries during the explosion.

While trained professionals worked around the clock searching for signs of life, members worked closely with relief agencies to donate blood, flashlights, waterproof clothing, money, and other items needed in the rescue effort. When officials from relief agencies indicated a need for volunteers to work in their bereavement counseling program, Church members again offered to help.

“We had many local priesthood brethren assist in that effort,” President Chesney explained. “When bodies were identified, those people helped notify families and provided as much emotional support and comfort and strength as they could under the circumstances.”

In addition, counselors from LDS Social Services in Tulsa, Oklahoma, helped provide counseling for those who had lost loved ones in the blast.

Many members helped feed the volunteers, President Chesney reported, including a class of Merrie Miss girls and Blazer boys, who served food on two occasions.

“It was amazing the way people responded, members of our church and of other faiths,” said President Chesney. “It demonstrates that there are a lot of people in this world who have good hearts.”