It is wonderful for people to put their faith into action. Good for everyone.

"Look at us! We are Christians because we help flood victims!"

Beware the LDS, for they bind heavy burdens of Church attendance and tithing and callings, which are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders.
5 But all their works, such as helping flood victims, they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their new headlines, and enlarge the borders of their garments so you can see how righteous they are,
6 And they love the uppermost rooms at Conference, and the chief seats in the chapels because they glory in callings and positions,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Bishop, or President.(Matthew 23:4-7)

The Church needs to stop reporting the service of their members. The only reason to report it is "to be seen of men".

You have your reward, but will get none in heaven.

I agree with the post above...we sure do toot our horn. Everytime I turn around there is a new "huntsman cancer center" or a "sorenson wing" of this or that, Steve Young speaking in priesthood session, etc.. We worship financial success. We reward it with high position. We make statements all the time that essentially equate to financical success = personal righteousness. I am sick of it. Where are the humble fishermen of Galilee? (Now I dare you...print this!)

You have got to be kidding me!!!!!!!

The church is allowed to toot its horn. That is broadcsting good news. Individuals should be more circumspect.

Could it just be that the Church tells of the service so people know where they can turn for help? Jesus proclaimed His miracles, in part, I believe, for the same reason. To know to Whom people could turn for help.

The Church may be "allowed" to toot its own horn, but doing so is NOT consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ, whom they CLAIM to follow!

It seems strange that the only time I read stories about missionaries, it's when they're doing service projects. I know a lot of it has to do with PR, but I'd love to hear a story every once in a while about missionaries actually doing what they were called to do--proclaim the gospel.

To Dave:

They *are* proclaiming the gospel - through service to their fellow men. They are following the admonitions of both Jesus Christ and King Benjamin, not to mention all the prophets of this dispensation.

James is wrong! Jesus did NOT proclaim his miracles!

After performing miracles, Jesus said,

"See thou tell no man" (Matthew 8:4)

"And he charged them that they should tell no man:" (Mark 7:36)

"And he charged them that they should tell no man of him." (Mark 8:30)

"And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done." (Luke 8:56)

“TAKE heed that ye do not your balms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew6:1-4)

Know your scriptures if you are going to claim to be a Christian.

The anti's are out early again today. Great story Mormon Times! It is awesome to read of the service that is done by our members. In our newspaper I only read about other Churches service because we don't call the paper about ours. We do nothing to PROVE that we are Christians, we just are. Remeber, faith without works is dead (James 2:18,20,26).

You know these people who "Hate" the LDS church sure did pick the wrong place to live. We LDS people just are trying to make the world a better place, and if that means "helping" someone out, then so be it. These rants are psycho, have no basis, and just exacerbate the morons in our society. There sure are plenty of them.

I don't blame anyone for saying LDS are "tooting our horn." But how many people out there think and say, "Mormons only help their own!" or "Mormons don't do anything for their fellow man but preach to them!" I have relatives who have said it, and I have heard others say it. I'd rather hear criticism over publicizing service than not see the Church do any service whatsoever.

How can you claim to follow Jesus if you do not obey his teachings?

Jesus clearly teaches that you should NOT do your acts of religious service in public!

By all means, help others. Just don't publicize it all over the news!

Ever heard of quiet service?

I have observed whenever our lawn gets mowed, there is soon the buzz of mowers nearby on the block. It is the same with service, when it is observed or read about it pops up with others and in different places. I love reading about kindness and service whatever the group or denomination. Service or good works of that magnitude reported is newsworthy and encourages others to help out.

I helping clean the floods up in Iowa. The employees of the local casion wear their T-shirts so everyone can see where they come from. I promise you, if Casino's "advertise" while helping flood victims, I'm going to do the same for a CHURCH!

In addition, to those quoting scripture, I think you need to read the teaching on mote and beams. Also a great discourse in Matthew 7:1, you know that one...JUDGE NOT, THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED.

Carol,

That may be your observation in your neighborhood, but it is not Christian doctrine.

If LDS claim to follow Jesus, they must be held to His teachings. He taught not to publicize acts of service. Period. Either comply or be quiet. Period.

To IA Flood,

Do what you want, but don't claim to follow Jesus if you don't obey His word!

If you are publicizing your service and good works, you are NOT obeying Jesus' teachings. It is as simple as that. You can try to spin it all you want, but you are wrong.

Can the author of some of these posts show me where in the scriptures it says not to publicize acts of service? I've read 'Correction' post, but those are just fragments of verses taken out of context as is so often done by those who want the scriptures to fit into their way of thinking, not Christs.

I, for one, really enjoy reading about what Mormons in other areas of the world are involved in. It's nice to see that even outside of Utah, they can bring together a critical mass of people and perform some needed service.

To Really,

Look up the verses quoted. They are NOT taken out of context. You just want justification for your imperialist religion. There is none to be found in the teachings of Jesus. If you take the time to read His Word, you will discover that.

If 500 people volunteer and 1 calls the newspaper, do they all go to hell?

If 1 Mormon performs service and it is 'noised abroad' while 1 anti-mormon spends the same time bashing said service, which is more Christ-like?

For the individual receiving help, are they served less by someone in a yellow t-shirt than one without?

If these mormons are really trying to be live righteously, might there be some comparison problems in applying admonitions Jesus gave to the hypocritcal Pharisees to these helping hands?

If someone has already stored considerable treasure in heaven, might they righteously choose a rather minor earthly reward without being judged?

So is the problem that the Mormons are performing service again, or is the problem that the media is reporting it again?

How many flood victims do you think from this evangical Christian state will reject Mormon help on the grounds that it is not true service?

and for all those accusing Mormons of performing service with beams in their eyes, I ask,

how wet are your feet?

"A new commandment I give unto you, "That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another"
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another"
John 13:34-35

Anonymous, I really don't think these people are feeling your love as you attempt to attack and hurt each one of them.

Thanks for serving out there Indianan and Iowa members. May we all do more to serve and love our neighbor.

According to your quoted scriptures, I guess Christ didn't have a very strong voice amongst his followers. He told all these people to "tell no man of him", yet his name is probably the most well known name of all time, and all his miricles and service were published in the most published book of all time (the bible) and are repeated throughout every book in the New Testament.

When examples of service are witnessed, others will follow (as Christ did). No better way spread that example than a news story. Besides, I doubt the missionaries called the paper to make sure their service was noticed, others came to them because they have pages of newspaper to fill and needed a story.

To Anonymous,

Thanks for today's entertainment. You fail to recognize that "Mormon Times" is a publication directed at, guess who? Brilliant. Mormons. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I assume the Deseret News includes it because a large portion of their readers are, guess what? You're on a roll-Mormons.

Guess who saw Jesus do his works and wrote them down? His followers. Yup. Members of his Church. Millions have read about Jesus' good works.

Critique us about our doctrine, that's fine. There are reasonable arguments abound. But don't come over to our house, and then tell us how we decorate offends you. This is a communication from Mormons, to Mormons, about Mormons.

Nothing else to see here. Move along, Anonymous.

Chris Dutkiewicz

Much like people other than Christ "reported" his service, the same is happening here. The folks who rendered service did not "report" or toot thier own horns about what they did. Someone else did. Is this so different? Even though Christ said to tell no man, did not the story get told? It was told, no doubt, by a believer/follower of Christ. It's the same thing. I'm sure these people had no intention of getting their horn tooted.

I've seen distraught folks lately, I've seen these same folks pick themselves up by their bootstraps when an "army" comes to help build a sandbag wall in their back yard. This is where the strenght to overcome comes from. This is why Christ wants us to help each other.

I seem to recall that there is something about "Let your light so shine that others may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. I believe that is right after the Sermon on the Mount. Am I mistaken here?

I find it odd that you so willingly condemn another for serving his neighbors. You have no clue how much the church does to serve those around the world because the majority of what we do is NOT reported. I find it sad that instead of getting out and helping people yourself, you instead condemn those who do and then profess to be the TRUE follower of Christ. A little ironic.

Mom,

Yes, "let your light so shine"...

But don't go around shining it in people's faces, broadcasting it in the news, and making out like you are so righteous because you do good works!

Do you people actually READ the New Testament?

Attacking LDS people for their service (or for the publication of the article that tells of the service... yes, that's real Christianity.

Read more carefully.

"Beware" never condemned anyone for doing good things.

You miss the point because you are NOT following Jesus' teachings.

Beware merely pointed out that PUBLICIZING it is not Christian.

It is a valid point.

I'm glad that, as part of his witness of Him, someone reported on Christ's incredible service--even though it's only the tip of the iceberg--to others. What Christ taught (from which I believe Anonymous evidently drew an inconsistent conclusion, that any public service is unBiblical) is that it's wrong to do good publicly if your primary motivation is so people will see it and praise you. But Christ very clearly and consistently told us to do good for its own sake, and to express through it our love for Him and all His children. I'm happy to acknowledge the good others do, and I'd suggest that we all would be better off if we did. I don't see anything in the articles or actions of the hundreds helping the recent flood victims suggesting they were doing it so the world would praise them.

Yes, I do read the New Testament.

Anonymous is a hater. There is no evidence of Christianity in him/her. Non sought after publicity is not against Christ's teachings. "No one lights a lamp and hides it under a bushel". If someone chooses to publicize the good works of others, I am confident that Christ has no issue with that. The scriptures are a great example of published good works.

Seriously, are those that are talking bad about the church over their helping the victims of the flood? If you look at Christian views, what means more to our Savior, those that are helping their fellow brothers or sisters or those that are sitting in the back talking bad about those that are? From what it sounds like, it seems that those who are talking bad are NOT serving their Savior they are service another master and I'm really sorry about that. The church does so much for so many that goes unkown, how dare you say that the church brags or toots any horn. Also, I have served a mission and doing service projects is an amazing way to proclaim what you believe in and that is that we should love one another as Jesus did. Jesus served everyone that he could. Thank you for all those, regardless what religion or belief, help out those that can't help out themselves. For those that put others before themselves. For all those that demonstrate the 2nd greatest commandment not because of fame or glory but because of Love. Thank you.

You're right, "Beware" did point out that publicizing is not "Christian". However, my same argument can EASILY be directed towards several others who have posted here claiming that we who help our neighbors are not Christian.

"I find it odd that you so willingly condemn another for serving his neighbors. You have no clue how much the church does to serve those around the world because the majority of what we do is NOT reported. I find it sad that instead of getting out and helping people yourself, you instead condemn those who do and then profess to be the TRUE follower of Christ. A little ironic."

Anti's: Get off your soapbox and stop wasting your energy being bitter

Mormons: keep doing your thing

I humbly submit that if his denomination was offering service, Mr. Anon would also be tooting their horn.
But since the service is being performed by infidel mormons, anything they do is actually a bad thing.

The LDS Church an "imperialist religion"!

Love it! Great comment!

It has the ring of truth: the Mormons always flaunting their good works as advertizing for their "imperialist religion"!

You nailed it!

I love reading stories of people helping those in need, no matter what religion they are. My NM aunt sent me a post of a bunch of people from Oral Roberts who went to China to help with the aftermath of the earthquakes there. It was GOOD NEWS. (guess what? "Gospel" means good news.)

Thank you, Des. News, for the nice story. And thanks to the yellow-shirted helpers for lending a hand, whether or not anyone chose to report it. :)

Yes we are imperialists. This Gospel shall be preached to the entire world till every knee shall bow before Christ.

For you naysayers...get off your hiney and help somebody.

As someone who lives 3 blocks up the hill from the Birdland area that was flooded in Iowa. I enjoy hearing about people helping out. Locally we've had reports of military, children, churches and NCAA athletes helping with sandbagging and other things. It's uplifting to know that someone would assist others that they don't know. Between tornados and floods 3/4 of our state has damage and more is still coming.
If someone offers assistance of time or money or even prayers the article did it's job. Keep them coming.
For all of you that just want to do LDS bashing why don't you set up your own blog and enjoy yourself.
The rest of us will just enjoy reading about uplifting things that make us feel better and inspire us to help others.

Just to be clear....I wrote the earlier comment about how we toot our horn. Doing good works is great, it is what the Saviour wants us to do. The church, or more specifically, the members do ALOT of service and they never get recognition, which is fine, their reward "is in heaven". I just don't know why we (our church) feels the need to publish all the things it does. It is not the biggest issue I have, but it does cause me concern, sometimes. What does concern me more, is the affinity we have with rich members. This type of person is often called to high position, leaving us with the clear inference that wealth results from personal righteousness. Wealth in this life is really a thing that (usually) comes to the "lucky". More often than not it is not earned. I view the wealthy as having a responsibility to use their wealth to help others. Many of them do this, albeit what they give away is usually a pitance and leaves them fabulously wealthy even after giving some away. The greater sacrifice (and reward) is with those who have very little, yet give generously and anonomously.

I'm going to take these comments to the Salvation Army who bring their white trucks with their name all over, dressed in their uniforms, and I'm going to tell them they are not christian because they are shouting their good works. Oh and the next time they ring their bells at Christmas, watch out they are condemned! Oh and the Baptist church in Texas that showed up in their church named busses to help FLDS folks get into shelters, I'm going to call them infidels too!

You folks who are bashing the LDS church are shallow at best. If you are so Christian, get out here in Iowa and pick up a shovel! Get off your self-righteous throne and go to work.

I have an idea, lets preach some more hate and intollerence for each other in these forums, that will solve alot.

By their fruits ye shall know them. Hey I'll take a Mormon with a shovel in his hand over a lazy finger pointer any day. Let the Mormon wear whatever he wants, just keep shoveling!

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." - from the Thirteenth Article of Faith

Deseret News is not reporting this stuff to glorify the people of the Church. It reports this stuff because (a) that is the job of a journalist - to report what happens, and (b) because Latter-day Saints are encouraged, even commanded, to seek after things of "good report."

I know that lots of you who criticize the LDS Church are just angry to live in a state that is so predominately Mormon, but here's a hint: if you don't like your community, just move. Really, no one is forcing you to sit in Utah and whine "woe is me, I have to live with the Mormons." It's not as if the Mormons invaded your state. Utah was established so the Mormons would have a place of refuge. Everybody knows this.

There's a quote that states "Damned if you do and Damned if you don't".

Thanks Chris for pointing out that this is an article in the MORMON TIMES section of the Deseret News, the LDS alternative to the Salt Lake Tribune. It is there to be presumably read by LDS people (or LDS friendly people) who like to keep up with family, friends, and Church members around the globe, and love hearing that members are putting themselves into communities to help those in need. The only place I read about these acts of love and service are in the Mormon Times! Keep them coming please.

If you are not LDS, or anti-LDS, or non-Christian, or have a beef about religion in general, I would suggest you not waste your time and effort in reading these messages, and therefore not get upset, angry or judgmental.

Three LDS families in our general area are among those who have just lost their homes in a wildfire. I would love to hear how they are being helped, and indeed, if I can help them and their neighbors myself. If I don't read about something out of my small area, how do I know what service I can give?

Its good everyone went out to help flood victims. Everyone can meet at my house for treats... I'm serving humble pie.