On February 14, 2018, Latter-day Saint teen Alaina Petty was killed during the tragic school shooting at Marjory Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. On the second anniversary of her death, her missionary brother shared his testimony on social media.
Elder Patrick Petty, currently serving as a missionary in Illinois, wrote, “2 years ago we lost 17 beautiful people. It was an unspeakable horror, a tragedy. My wonderful sister, Alaina, lost her life. I never thought I could feel joy again. Today, I wish to share a few truths I have learned since that day.”
Elder Petty went on to share multiple scriptures and four truths, including Alma 40:23, which reads:
The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.
He concluded with his testimony, “I know that Jesus Christ lives. I feel His perfect love every day. I know Alaina will live again, I know I will see her again and I know that she is in Paradise, looking down upon us all. No matter what trial, temptation or affliction you are facing Jesus Christ is the way through. He will carry you, He will lift you up and He will heal you! I love my Savior, I know that He wants me to forgive, I cannot say that I have fully forgiven this terrible act, but I am trying, and I know my Father in Heaven sees that. I leave you my witness, young as it may be, that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all things are possible.”
Read Elder Petty’s full post here.
The Petty family also remembered Alaina by sharing the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse announced the launch of SchoolSafey.gov, a website created by the federal government to provide schools and districts with the help they need to create safer schools.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
