Latter-day Saint leaders expressed sympathy to the Jewish community after an attacker rammed his car into a Detroit-area synagogue this week — and noted the parallel to a fiery assault on one of their own Michigan churches last fall.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands with all people of faith who face violence because of their beliefs,” the faith’s Northeast Area Presidency said in a statement Thursday. “Having experienced a similar attack in nearby Grand Blanc, church members express their love, support, and deep concern for all who are affected by today’s act of violence at a synagogue in West Bloomfield.”

In the September assault, the driver drove into a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse, set it ablaze and began shooting. Four church members died and eight others were wounded. The attacker was killed by law enforcement. In West Bloomfield, the assailant was killed by armed security officers at Temple Israel.

In both cases, investigators said, the attacks were motivated by hostility to the respective faiths.

“Houses of worship should be sanctuaries of peace, prayer, and community,” the Latter-day Saint statement said. “We pray for healing, comfort, and peace for all who are suffering.”

Facing a rise in antisemitism in the past few years, Utah’s Jewish community has beefed up security at its synagogues, including arming its guards.

Chabad Lubavitch of Utah has hired off-duty police officers to protect worshippers during services at one of its synagogues, Rabbi Benny Zippel said Friday.

The violence in West Bloomfield “was tragic,” Zippel said. “It’s an awakening that antisemitism is alive and strong.”