Sunday School bell mistaken for fire alarm, visitors, investigators flee

Source: Otto Maiway

Visitors to DC 2nd were startled Sunday after the ring of the Sunday School bell sparked panic in Gospel Essentials class. Several investigators and friends of ward members evacuated after the “5 minute” bell sounded. Although Michel C. warned flirters in the hallways of his intention to sound the bell, members of the class failed to recognize the benign nature of the ringing.

Gospel Essentials participants experienced tension from the outset of the lesson entitled, “Signs of the Second Coming.” Ward Mission Leader, Eric C., recounted the scene, “Travis lead the class in a scripture chase on the wickedness, war, and turmoil that would usher in the second coming of the Savior.”

Recent convert, Laura O., volunteered to read Doctrine & Covenants 43: 32 immediately before the incident. “… and the earth shall pass away so as by fire,” she recited, as the alarm began to ring. Panicked visitors toppled over chairs and slipped on hymnals as they scrambled toward the door. Unfortunately, the evacuation plans normally located near the exit of each classroom had been removed earlier in the week to be updated as part of the Eagle Scout project of a Chevy Chase Ward youth.

“People were headed in every direction,” Eric recalled. “There was nothing we could do to stop them from running.” Panic spread among the hallway minglers, and many evacuated with the fleeing visitors. By the time members of the bishopric restored order, the block schedule was nearly complete. Visitors that remained after the evacuation were invited to return next week, and Bishop B. promised to replace the bell with a less confusing sound for transition between classes.