It
was eleven at night and I was winding down for the evening. I'd
gotten home from work around seven, spent a few hours with the little
ones, then got onto Facebook to catch up on the happenings of the
day.
Deb
Graham posted a link on her Facebook page. No description. Just a
link. I noticed it was from Deseret News, so I figured it would
be worth clicking on. I was taken to an article about Dallin H.
Oaks and his report on the Church Welfare system. During his talk, he provided a breakdown of
service by the members of the Church. I was mesmerized by the
staggering statistics, and the sheer amount of service that our
members offer to those around the world. Among other amazing statistics, he reported, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spends about $40 million on welfare, humanitarian and other LDS Church-sponsored projects around the world and has done so for more than 30 years."
I pondered the article. $40 million per year. $1.2
billion over 30 years. Responding to 132 disasters last year
alone. That's pretty darned impressive. With more than
15.6 million members worldwide as of 2015, we are becoming a force
for good.
In Matthew 25:40 it says, "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Worldwide, we are becoming disciples of the Lord. I've often
considered the gospel to be a gospel of service. Nearly everything Christ did was an act of service. From the time he spent in the
temple preaching the gospel, to washing the feet of the twelve
apostles, to the miracle of the loaves and the fishes, to healing the
sick and blessing small children.
It
does my heart good to occasionally see some sort of quantification
the good the LDS church has done for the world. And those dollars
spent don't even consider the hours up on hours of service we, as members, spend
in our ward and stake callings, at girls/scout camps, compassionate service,
visiting/home teaching, etc.
Yes,
there is much evil in the word today. So much so that it
frightens me at times. But this article is also proof that
there is also much good. And we, as Latter-Day-Saints, do much
to brighten the world around us by living a Christ like life.
Yes, that article staggered me, too! We do more good than we realize, both in a worldwide scale and within our own address. Nicely written, and thanks for trusting me, even though it was just a "FWD" with no description!
ReplyDeleteWith all the negative news in the world today, It is a great reminder that there are great things happening. our prophets keep reminding us that this is a great time in which to live. Thank you for this boost!
ReplyDelete