Helping the Poor and Distressed
The Church of Jesus Christ is committed to serving those in need, and it is also committed to cooperating with others in that effort.
Brothers and sisters, our beloved President Russell M. Nelson will address us later in this session. He has asked me to be the first speaker. Why did Pres. Nelson want Elder Oaks to speak first? Why this topic?
My subject today concerns what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members give and do for the poor and distressed. Here he defines one of the chief aims of all disciples of Christ, especially us, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ. This consistent "action" should be one of the major things we define ourselves by. Does it begin and end with our tithes and offerings and what the Church does with our money? I will also speak of similar giving by other good people. Giving to those in need is a principle in all Abrahamic religions and in others as well. He establishes the good we have in common with all mankind that seeks to help the poor and needy.
A few months ago, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported for the first time why the need to report this "for the first time"? the extent of our humanitarian work worldwide.1 Our 2021 expenditures for those in need in 188 countries worldwide totaled $906 million—almost a billion dollars. Seems to want to make it sound bigger by saying "billion" instead of "million". Why is this important? In addition, our members volunteered over 6 million hours of labor in the same cause.
Those figures are, of course, an incomplete report of our giving and helping. They do not include the personal services our members give individually as they minister to one another in called positions and voluntary member-to-member service. And our 2021 report makes no mention of what our members do individually through innumerable charitable organizations not formally connected with our Church. I begin with these.
In 1831, less than two years after the restored Church was organized, the Lord gave this revelation to guide its members and, I believe, all of His children worldwide: (D&C 48:26-28)
“Behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant. …
“Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
“For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.” This is an important declaration. Pres. Oaks states this is a "guiding revelation" on how we live our lives. It could explain the 2020 decisions as an example of our leaders "not being commanded in all things". They may have felt like moving forward with supporting the mandates and shots was a "good cause" and part of the "many things of their own free will" they chose to support because they believed it would "bring to pass much righteousness". It is also an important statement that we, as members should not wait to be commanded in all things either - by the Lord or the Prophet!
In more than 38 years as an Apostle and over 30 years of professional employment, I have seen many generous efforts by organizations and persons of the kind this revelation describes as “a good cause” and “bring[ing] to pass much righteousness.” There are uncounted examples of such humanitarian service throughout the world, beyond our own borders and beyond our common knowledge. Contemplating this, I think of the Book of Mormon prophet-king Benjamin, whose sermon included this eternal truth: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”3 In our quest to love God, we must see our service to others as an expression of love for God first and our brothers and sisters as well.
Much welfare and humanitarian service to our fellow beings is taught and practiced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and by us as its members. For example, we fast at the first of each month and contribute at least the equivalent of the uneaten meals to help those in need in our own congregations. The Church also makes enormous contributions for humanitarian and other services throughout the world. This is a reminder that we should be fasting every month and making a fast offering to our wards to help our own neighbors. We are also encouraged to make other "offerings" to help the poor and needy. I struggle with these "other" donations right now, because I don't like to see it used for vaccines, so I often find others in need to help with my offerings. I think the Lord accepts that. I also think we should make a fast offering anytime we fast, outside of the first Sunday fast. It can be to the ward or someone we see in need. I think the Lord accepts and honors that as well.
Despite all that our Church does directly, most humanitarian service to the children of God worldwide is carried out by persons and organizations having no formal connection with our Church. As one of our Apostles observed: “God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. … It is too vast, too arduous, for any one people.”4 Orson F Whitney, Apr. 1928 As members of the restored Church, we need to be more aware and more appreciative of the service of others. Maybe one of the reasons for sharing all the church is doing is that we, as members, need to be more aware and more appreciative of what our own church is doing. Would that make us want to participate more? Or do you feel that "billions" is enough? Certainly, we need to be more aware and appreciative of the service of others - in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, state, and nation.
Notes from Orson F Whitney talk:
- What brings forth the "marvelous work and a wonder"? Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me,…
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a ‘marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, be destroyed, especially in a violent manner, disappear gradually, die, deteriorate, and the understanding of their prudent careful, good judgment, common sense, wisdom in practical matters, sensible, wise forethought men shall be hid.—Isa. 29:13, 14.
With the founding of the church, the Lord told the young boy Joseph, when speaking of the churches of the day, "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far form me;" - linking the ancient prophecy to the work begun by Joseph Smith.
"...Perhaps the Lord needs such men on the outside of his Church, to help it along. They are among its auxiliaries, and can do more good for the cause where the Lord has placed them, than anywhere else. And the same is true of the priesthood and its auxiliaries inside the Church. Hence, some are drawn into the fold and receive a testimony of the Truth; while others remain unconverted—for the present; the beauties and glories of the gospel being veiled temporarily from their view, for a wise purpose. The Lord will open their eyes in his own due time...Again I say, the Lord’s Work has need of auxiliaries outside as well as inside, to help it along. Because of their worldly influence —which would depart if they connected themselves with the Church—many are kept where they are, where the Lord has placed them, and can best use them for the good of all.
This is an important reason not to cast off the good people in the Christian world who are trying to spread the good news of Jesus to the world and witness for His name. They are needed where they are to do the work God has for them, even though outside the bounds of the fullness of the gospel. We also need the wealth and worldly wisdom of the Gentiles, their planes and ships and railroads to bring the children into the fold.
The Church of Jesus Christ is committed to serving those in need, and it is also committed to cooperating with others in that effort. We recently made a large gift to the United Nations World Food Programme. Over the many decades of our humanitarian work, two organizations stand out as key collaborators: projects with the Red Cross and Red Crescent agencies in dozens of countries have provided the children of God crucial relief during natural disasters and conflicts. Likewise, we have a long record of assistance with Catholic Relief Services. These organizations have taught us much about world-class relief. Here he affirms what Elder Whitney said. We need the "wisdom" of others in accomplishing God's work. We don't know everything nor have all the experience we need. Perhaps we need to work with the corrupt UN to gain access to those who are in need.
We have also had fruitful collaborations with other organizations, including Muslim Aid, Water for People, and IsraAID, to name just a few. While each humanitarian organization has its own areas of specialization, we share the common goal of relieving suffering among God’s children. All of this is part of God’s work for His children. I don't think the church, or God, for that matter are as concerned with the politics or religious views of a group as they are the desire to help the poor and the needy. Join hands with anyone who wants to lift another.
Modern revelation teaches that our Savior, Jesus Christ, is “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”5 By this, all the children of God are enlightened to serve Him and one another to the best of their knowledge and ability.
The Book of Mormon teaches that “every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.”6Everything and everyone.
Continuing:
“For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; meaning you ARE to judge (in God's way) for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ. …
“And now, my brethren, … ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ.”7
Here are some examples of children of God helping other children of God with their vital needs for food, medical care, and teaching:
Ten years ago, the Kandharis, a Sikh husband and wife in the United Arab Emirates, personally launched a remarkable effort to feed the hungry. Through the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple, they are currently serving over 30,000 vegetarian meals every weekend to anyone who enters their doors, regardless of religion or race. Dr. Kandhari explains, “We believe that all are one, we are children of one God, and we are here to serve humanity.”8
The provision of medical and dental care to those in need is another example. In Chicago, I met a Syrian-American critical care physician, Dr. Zaher Sahloul. He is one of the founders of MedGlobal, which organizes medical professionals to volunteer their time, skills, knowledge, and leadership to help others in crises, such as in the Syrian war, where Dr. Sahloul risked his life in giving medical care to civilians. MedGlobal and similar organizations (including many Latter-day Saint professionals) demonstrate that God is moving professionals of faith to bring the poor needed relief worldwide.9
Many unselfish children of God are involved in teaching efforts, also worldwide. A good example, known to us through our humanitarian efforts, is the activity of a man known as Mr. Gabriel, who has been a refugee from various conflicts on several occasions. He recently observed that hundreds of thousands of refugee children in East Africa needed help to keep their hopes alive and their minds active. He organized other teachers in the refugee population into what they called “tree schools,” where children were gathered for lessons under the shade of a tree. He did not wait for others to organize or direct but personally led efforts that have provided learning opportunities for thousands of primary school children during stressful years of displacement. Caring for the poor and needy requires one to be unselfish, which means the opposite is true. If you have the means and you do not engage, then perhaps you are being selfish. Don't wait for others to tell you when it's okay to serve. Let the Spirit tell you and it will always be right.
Of course, these three examples do not mean that everything said or done by organizations or individuals purporting to be good or of God is truly that. These examples do show that God inspires many organizations and individuals to do much good. It also shows that more of us should be recognizing the good done by others and supporting it as we have the time and means to do so. He seems to make the statement here, that you do not have withhold your help from an organization if some of what they say or do is not good. Just recognize the good they are doing and support it as you are able with your time and means. I would submit that one has to be careful that your time and means are actually going where it is needed if you are dealing with a group that has some activities and causes you do not support.
Here are some examples of service the Church supports and which our members and other good people and organizations also support with individual donations of time and money:
I begin with religious freedom. In supporting that, we serve our own interests but also the interests of other religions. As our first President, Joseph Smith, taught, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”10
Other examples of the restored Church’s humanitarian and other assistance that are also supported voluntarily by our members are our well-known schools, colleges, and universities this is a hard one, since so many schools and universities have things going on that I do not support. One must be careful an selective and not just give a blank check and our less-known but now published large donations for the relief of those suffering from the destructions and dislocations of natural disasters like tornadoes and earthquakes.
Other charitable activities our members support by their voluntary donations and efforts are too numerous to list, but just mentioning these few will suggest their variety and importance: combating racism and other prejudices; researching how to prevent and cure diseases; helping the disabled; supporting music organizations; and improving the moral and physical environment for all.
All of the humanitarian efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seek to follow the example of a righteous people described in the Book of Mormon: “And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, … and they … were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church.”11 The church is under current fire for some of the investments that they did not disclose properly according to current laws. Is the church withholding aid to the need by investing the money instead? Or do the proceeds from the investments do just as much or more than the money would if spent when received? Is it ok to invest in companies that have profit motives that cause them to engage in immoral or illegal or unethical behavior? Do you not care about what your money supports if it kicks back a portion of it's ill-gotten profits back to you? If the church does not support gambling because it promotes a "something for nothing" attitude, what is the stock market? Most people do not invest because the want to support the growth of a company. They only care about the possibilities of a return. The company gets the "something" but the people don't care about that nor do they receive that, generally. They only see the profit.
I testify of Jesus Christ, whose light and Spirit guide all of the children of God in helping the poor and distressed throughout the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Regardless of what you think the church should or shouldn't be doing with the tithes and offerings, the main message here is that Disciples of Christ should be anxiously engaged in relieving the suffering of their brothers and sisters and should join hands with others who desire to do the same.
Lessons Learned:
Define your discipleship as one who helps the poor and distressed and encourage other Christians to do the same.
This is how you "Love God"
Don't wait to be "commanded in all things"
Fast once a month and give a fast offering.
You can help others around the world through other offerings.
Don't discount those outside our Church that God is using to do His work. Be aware and grateful. Work with them.
How to judge if something is good or evil: (stated twice in a row)
EVERY THING and EVERY ONE that:
invites to do good, AND
to love God, AND
to serve Him
is inspired of God.
(Perhaps other "good works" that lack the elements of God and serving Him are examples of people being "anxiously engaged in a good cause; doing many things "of their own free will")
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