An important role of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to provide service within the community. This became evident when the family of a local police sergeant, who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reached out and asked if they might use the newly completed Beenleigh Stake Centre to bid farewell to their beloved wife and mother, who had lost her battle with cancer. Teaching and sharing the sacred use of the chapel and building was important, and appreciated by the family and police.
- Funeral for Police Sergeant Charmaine Leafe, Queensland Australia, January 2020.
- Funeral for Police Sergeant Charmaine Leafe, Queensland, Australia, January 2020.
- Funeral for Police Sergeant Charmaine Leafe, Queensland Australia, January 2020.
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The service was held on Thursday January 16, 2020 and was attended by approximately 300 uniformed police officers, including Queensland police commissioner Katarina Carroll and assistant commissioner Brian Codd. In addition, there were 500 close friends and family in attendance. The memorable service was conducted by local police chaplains, with President Tuiatua, 1st Counsellor of the Beenleigh Stake, in attendance. The family and the police service were grateful to the local church leaders for the use of the building, and many of them commented on how beautifully the building and grounds are kept.
Sergeant Charmaine Leafe, who headed up the Domestic and Family Violence Unit at Beenleigh, was farewelled with a Guard of Honour held on the church grounds before a police motorcade escorted Sergeant Leafe to her resting place. One of her favourite sayings was "It will be okay."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a very good relationship with the Queensland police service, other faiths and the community over the years and will endeavour to further solidify that relationship in the years to come.
If you would like to know more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please visit comeuntochrist.org
