Mormons Follow the Example of the Savior to Reach out to Our Fellow Man

Mormons Follow the Example of the Savior to Reach out to Our Fellow Man-As the world continues to be affected by many natural disasters that seem to keep getting larger and more devastating we all find ourselves getting emotional over the hardships being placed on our brothers and sisters around the world. This creates in us the desire to follow Christ's command to love our neighbor and help them, even if only in a small way. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believes in this very strongly. As disciples of Jesus Christ, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to follow the Savior’s teaching to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, and clothe the naked. This led to the creation of the Church's Humanitarian Aid Program sponsored by and run by the LDS Church. Over the last 26 years that this program has officially been established it has assisted 178 countries donating over 1.3 Billion dollars to aid those in need after a natural disaster, war, and to improve living conditions. They have also distributed 16,892 tons of food, 13,920 of medical supplies, and 86,269 tons of clothing. The money and one hundred percent of the donations given to the Church’s humanitarian services are used for relief efforts. The Church takes care of any excess costs. The church also sponsors other projects around the world helping people become more self-reliant, neonatal resuscitation training, clean water projects, wheelchair distribution, vision treatment, and measles vaccinations. 

     Following the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan and in the recent April LDS General Conference President Thomas S. Monson said "The Church continues to provide humanitarian aid in times of disaster. Most recently our hearts and our help have gone out to Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami and the resultant nuclear challenges. We have distributed over 70 tons of supplies, including food, water, blankets, bedding, hygiene items, clothing, and fuel." "Service projects to assemble hygiene kits and cleaning kits are being organized in multiple stakes and wards in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Thus far, over 40,000 hours of service have been donated by more than 4,000 volunteers. Our help will be ongoing in Japan and in any other areas where there is need."

    The amazing thing about the LDS Humanitarian project isn't the staggering numbers of supplies and money donated by the Church to aid those in need. It's the fact that everyone is willing to pitch in and help out their neighbor by donating that time and money. I remember soon after the devastating hurricane Katrina hit the coasts of Mississippi and New Orleans our Young Men's and Young Women's youth groups got together to make hygiene kits to send to the Church so that they could distribute them to the thousands in need. It was such a positive feeling being there with everyone who wanted to make a difference in the lives of those in the areas affected by the hurricane. It allowed us all to feel the love of our Savior as we placed toothbrushes, combs, soaps, and other health care items. I remember afterwards thinking to myself how grateful those people must have been to receive those items that we take for granted every day. I was grateful for the opportunity I had to serve my fellow man and follow the example of the Savior in loving my neighbor and I look forward to more opportunities to donate my time and goods to the humanitarian aid. I know there are ways that we can all reach out more to those around us who are in need and when we do we will feel more of the Savior's love in our lives
     If you are asking yourself how can you better help your neighbors and those affected by what seems like a daily disaster you can check out this website that talks more about the Humanitarian efforts of the Church and how you can join in on them.