Reader comments
LDS Church sends fruit to pantries

djbundy | 5:45 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

A lot of people use this space to take shots at the LDS Church and to whine about how its teachings or policies are exclusionary or hurtful to this minority or that. But in reality, no orgainzation in America, or in the world for that matter, accomplishes more good and directly or indireclty helps more people when times are hard than the Latter-day Saints.

Tina | 7:57 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

In reality...many churches and organization do just as much, if not more good. Don't short change the rest. Look up the numbers.

Ernest T. Bass | 8:01 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I like it when they issue press releases like this.

Comments continue below

Everton | 8:04 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I wonder why there is no much comment on this article huh? When it comes times to criticize the Church there are many that come with full hands and big month to do so, but when there is time to praise an organization that seeks to help the need there are just a few that say something. How bizarre!!!

Re: Tina | 11:58 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I have looked up the numbers. Other churches do accomplish a lot of welfare to those in need, and that's a great accomplishment. But I've yet to see them be able to accomplish more. The fact is, I get really sick of people complaining about our church, because they don't see it for what it really is. Our church leaders tirelessly WORK, for FREE, to help their fellowman in any way they can, and do priceless good. Our common members, though far from perfect, do their level best to follow that example and really, Christ's example. Do we as individuals screw up? Of course, EVERYONE does. I see it in members and leaders of other churches and organizations all the time, as well as my own friends and neighbors. But we are doing our best, so please stop trashing us every turn.

papadon | 12:36 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I am glad the Church continues it's humanitarian efforts around the WORLD. And of course those who criticize the Church will be the first to stand in line when the need arises for FREE handouts just as they did in California during the last fires they had. Even back to JFK the church has been praised for it's humanitarian efforts and will continue to do so, even to those who are of the immoral majority.
And as for the numbers Tina, the church doesn't want to win the popularity contest, it is just doing what the Lord would want them to do. So numbers truly don't matter, unless YOU want to win a contest of some sorts.
And our members don't get paid to what they do, as they volunteer whole heatedly.
There always has to be someone who tries to find the negativity in what the Church does though and take it our of proportion...
but they will have to answer for their doings to the Lord, not me.
Thank you all for your giving this year and throughout the past and future. May you continue to be blessed and loved.

Tina | 1:59 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Ok, and that's all fine and good, but you act like members of other denominations in communities don't do as much as the LDS do. I'm not slaming your church by saying that in actuality, they do. Some areas more than others, same thing with LDS areas. But there are many more people in other religions (hello, billions around the world) who do good too. Don't discount them.

to re: Tina | 2:31 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Your leadership doesn't work for "free." Not that I have any criticism of that, but just get your facts straight. Homes, cars (new every 2-3 years), insurance, stipends, book deals - they are well supported financially. It's silly to think they wouldn't be.

I'm just glad people of every stripe help those in need. Support the several good cause balls and parties the GLTB community throws every year and have some fun while your $ support those who could use the help.

Brutus | 4:31 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Essentially the leaders (we're talking the GA's) do work for free. They give their all to the church--everything--and then they are given back only what they need. This is a handful of people. The rest of the hundreds of thousands of members who serve in the church give their service without financial compensation.

Tina | 7:46 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I don't have any "leadership," thank you. I am not affiliated with any organized religion.My beef is just that people come on these discussion boards touting how amazing the church is for donating time and money when not only do other churches and organizations do that, they SHOULD do that. We all should. Many do not get paid. And who cares if some do? They have made a CAREER out of helping others. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes.

John Pack Lambert | 9:25 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

To the 2:31 commentator,
No area authority seventies get any of the things you are talking about.
Your idea that the General Authorities live in the lap of luxury is alos out of touch with reality. It is good you used the word "stipend" for what they get paid. It is generally not what would be called a salary.
However the Area Authority Seventies and everyone on down from there get paid nothing. Bishops and stake presidents and people holding several other callings put in huge amounts of time without any compensation.
Those who try to claim the leaders of the church are all about making money and serve the almighty dollar are just out of touch with reality.
On the other hand I wish people would stop making the best claims. There are thousands of ways we could do more to help others. If people were perfect than we would not need to be counseled and guided. There are good people in every nation, denomination and kindred.
So I just wish people would back off from claiming the church does more good in a physical sense than other organizations.

Doodles | 10:30 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

My, how we wander in our comments!

The Church of Jesus Christ does a lot to help others. As an example, this week they shipped truckloads of fruit to shelters for the hungry. The fruit was grown, harvested, and canned by members of the Church on farms and in canneries that exist to help the needy. It will be transported and distributed by the Church as the welfare committee sees fit. This is a great gift in these economic times as many food pantries are at all-time lows.

In no way does this story diminish the great good many other organizations and individuals accomplish. It was not intended to be a listing of charitable acts. It is not a contest for brownie points; it is an effort to help feed the hungry.

mel | 10:47 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

i am from the UK, and am a member of the LDS church, i have been for 35 years. i am grateful for all denominations and their help towards others seen and unseen, from my point of view, by advertising the fact that any organisation is giving is encouraging others that it is a worthwhile thing to do, i find when i am asked to help out, it never seems at a convienant time, or that i am financially well off to do so, i do struggle sometimes, but i know the benefits are to those whom i help and to myself, by making friends, making someones life a bit brighter.
lately i have designed a garden and helped create it for an organisation helping homeless people, become an assistant scout leader, cleared up another denominations grave yard, i do it because i love to help, thats what we lds do! try to make a difference. and encourage others who would not of thought it beneficial to do the same, whoever they are, where ever they are. we have a programe at the moment the secret millionaire, wow what a difference they have made, and changed themselves by doing it.

mel | 10:55 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

just to say the secret millionaire is a tv show nothing to do with the lds church but whatever anyone gives goes to make a difference

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.