Deseret News | Help others, LDS urged

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Help others, LDS urged

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ruth22 | 1:26 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Worldly Permisiveness? Ok, let's return to a time when everyone understood their social location! The LDS wants women to accept the Proclamation etc. It is, "the church" that needs to change. Daughters or Sons...we need to change this. Maybe we should all become Methodists...at least they have become more progressive and mainstream.

Garry | 6:58 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

It was a privilege to hear these talks over the weekend and what a beacon of light and hope in a world with so many mixed values. It made me want to be better and gave me new goals to become more Christlike. Like Jacob of old noted, "O be wise, what can I can more."

Monson Forgot | 8:02 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

One key phrase all LDS need to her. HELP all neighbors, not just the ones that go to the ward. That should be the real word

Comments continue below

To Monson Forgot | 8:30 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

He did not forget. The LDS Church teaches to help ALL people.

xscribe | 8:34 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Judging by most of the posts these days, helping others would equate to a hand-out and the road to socialism.

utahmomof8 | 8:40 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

ruth22......."Maybe we should all become Methodists...at least they have become more progressive and mainstream."
That is EXACTLY the point that was being made. While the rest of society embraces worldly permissiveness and becomes more "progressive and mainstream" .....
WE WILL NOT! We each have different roles, one no better than the other, just different.

Pagan | 8:41 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Agreed.

'Help Others' is the message from this years LDS conference.

I'm a gay man, would the LDS church help me?

I have seen little effort to date.

Think I'm wrong? Give me an example of the LDS church helping gay and lesbian men/women.

Re: xscribe | 8:56 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Once again, you demonstrate your complete lack of understanding.

There's a big difference between members of a private organization CHOOSING to share their substance with others who are less fortunate, and the government arbitrarily FORCING them to do it.

Remember, it ain't charity if you're giving away other people's money.

Pagan Parody | 8:57 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Agreed.

I'm a bank robber, would the LDS church help me?

Give me an example of the LDS church helping rob a bank.

Re: Pagan | 9:04 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Of course they would; they have helped many gay members who have come to them for help, both temporal and spiritual.

But I suspect your defintion of "help" would be something along the lines of allowing you and your gay buddies to turn the Main Street Plaza in Salt Lake City into the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. If that's the case, then no, they won't help you at all.

But by all means, please try to force the issue; there are many naive Mormons who still believe the gay community does not hate them. Seeing half-naked leather-clad men simulating sex acts in front of the temple will go a long way towards dispelling that illusion.

Lost in Utah | 9:16 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

I am sorry President Monson, if you read these comments you will see why it is so difficult for people to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and take care of the poor, the sick, the people in prison. They are selfish and gready. They resist any effort to do what Christ tells us we need to do.

Even when you tell us to do it.

How sad.

to Pagan | 9:35 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

My temple attending sister and her family invited a young gay man to live in their home paying for his food and rejecting any payment so that he could save enough money to move on his own.

Anonymous | 9:47 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Seriously, we don't want you to help us. We just want you to leave us alone.

Re: Pagan | 9:48 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Yes the LDS Church can help...go to any local bishop and be taught the principals of repentance and then go and do and sin no more.

Potatoe heads | 9:49 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

This is pathetic.. Grow up folks! You all remind me of a kindergarten class. Perhaps it is a kindergarten class after all???

kathyn | 9:49 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

This Conference was one of the most solemn and powerful ones ever. And I listened to all of the talks. Never did the speakers tell us just to serve other LDS. They emphasized the need for service and helping others, regardless of religion or any other determining factors.

They also emphasized that we need to be brave enough to stand up for the Lord's standards, no matter what. We do not follow the world.

The most powerful talk, to me, was the one by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. If you are a disaffected Mormon, former Mormon or apostate, I admonish you to listen to that talk or read it.

kathyn to Ruth22 | 9:54 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

The LDS Church will not become like the rest of the world. Why would you want the Church to become more "progressive"? That's like telling Jesus Christ to "get with the times" and change all of the commandments to suit today's moral sensitivities. The Lord was never one for political correctness. He is eternal. Our modern- day world is not.

John Pack Lambert | 9:55 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

President Monson's talk clearly gave hope. There are many ways the Church helps individuals of all types and many ways we can help more.
The reason we get a message of needing to be good neighbors and needing to reach out in GREATER love and kindness is because we have not done so ENOUGH. We are not sufficiently Christlike, loving and so forth.
I will be the first to admit I get angry too often, respond with jabs instead of love and so forth.
The point of these messages is change. As was said by one speaker, the past is no gaurantee of the future. As they say in adds for investments "past performance is no garantee of future results".
We need to apply the same principals in our lives. We need to be more loving, kind and compassionate.

matthewmslc | 10:16 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Many feel that the LDS church only help others expecting that they are allowed to try and convert you to their faith.

Many feel that LDS members say one thing and do the other. You offer service to your neighbors but then turn around and try and put them down.

Many people feel that members of the LDS church only like other members of the church. If you are not a member then you are a lesser person. (this can be seen on the school yard with who your kids associate with)

The LDS Church needs to own their perception. It doesn't matter if it is true or not, this how non-members view your church. If you do not like it then change those things that people perceive as wrong with your church.

So while we like the message of service to others, we are very distrustful in the reasons you are offering your service.

To Anonymous | 10:18 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

You say you want to be left alone. Great! No member of the Church of Jesus Christ forces you to accept their help. However, when the disaster happens, I can bet that you'll be the first in line at the local ward building, for a handout.

Words v. Action | 10:46 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Helping others? Sounds good. Let's start out by not being so against health insurance for everyone.
A lot of people in Utah say they want to help the less fortunate folk, but when it comes time to paying for it they protest the most. What is your opinion on paying a few more dollars in taxes to help the uninsured? Most of the people have their mind made up on that issue in this good state. Most of the people in Utah are a mirror image of that political conservative Beck. Nice words from your spiritual leader. In one ear and out the other.

Linda | 11:12 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Help is good and usually appreciated. Snooping is wrong. Sometimes it's better just to mind ones own business.

Ruth 22 | 11:45 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Get some sleep. Stirring up trouble won't help your insomnia.

ramper | 12:36 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

It is amazing how even a simple Christ like message brings such simple minded responses.

Thomas | 12:43 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Kathryn, I did listen to that talk.

Insults are not convincing argument.

ok Sam | 1:09 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

have at it ..it ain't hogwash is it?

g | 1:29 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Thomas,

What insults would you be referring to?

Anonymous | 1:29 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

"Help Others Was the message from the LDS conference."

I personally find it really sad that people actually have to be told to do this... As an Atheist I find it pretty common sense that when you see someone in need, you help them...

Benjamin | 1:52 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Helping others implies you are better than them.

You are not.

I agree with the atheist above. You should not need to be told to help others. It should be a natural and sensible response to those who are less fortunate than yourselves.

But stop telling yourselves the lie that all those outside of the LDS Church are "miserable" and "unhappy" because they don't have the one and only truth!

You don't know what you are talking about.

WWJD | 1:53 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

What a grand Conference.

And what beautiful "LIBERAL" messages.

H | 2:00 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

@g,

Calling those who reject the Book of Mormon foolish, misled, and deceived is insulting. Saying that those who leave the church do so while "crawling...for the exit" is also insulting.

LARRY | 2:02 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

If all U.S. churches and their members would step up with their
private charity (helping hands), we wouldn't open the door for the government and their help (socialism). The status quo (some people without health care) seems very unchristian. What would Christ do? Health care to those who can afford it?
What bible do you read?

Harper | 2:15 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

WOW..talk about craziness up in here.
I have tons of LDS friends who have gone out of their way to help me and my family out, on many occasions. Not once did we ever feel that they were helping us out because they were "better than us".
These same LDS friends help and treat others equally, irrespective of religious affiliations (both within the LDS faith and outside their faith), gender orientation, social class etc..etc.
YES, helping others should be a natural and sensible response to those who are less fortunate...this reminder from the LDS President Thomas S. Monson is simply that - a reminder. STOP reading into this more than you all should.
I welcome the reminder, even though I'm not of the LDS faith. This, but more importantly the help from my friends - makes me want to help others.
THANK YOU

Warren | 2:18 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

"Calling those who reject the Book of Mormon foolish, misled, and deceived is insulting. Saying that those who leave the church do so while "crawling...for the exit" is also insulting."

I remember the Savior calling a few people Vipers.

The Savior did not insult them, he rebuked them. There is a difference.

Victor | 2:33 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

People should not be asked to help someone else in need if they know about it, and they should be able to help out from the goodness of their own hearts, and not expect to receive something in return for doing a good deed, or be praised by others for doing something good for someone else. Some people seem to think if someone isn't doing something good for them continuously than neither should they do anything good for anyone else. This kind of person has a bad attitude and needs to do some good strong repentance.

Egoless | 2:34 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

All of the religions are the same. They all claim to be the only true religion. There is good and bad to found in everyone. I don't mind any of them accept when they knock on my door and try to force their beliefs upon me. As far as helping others, well, that's just what egoless people do. It has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with the realization that everything is not only connected with everything else, but also with the Source of all life out of wich it came.

RW | 2:41 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

I can see why people are hesitant to serve others (though I believe we all should without any expectations). In my town, there are many who use the Food Bank to receive canned goods, but then try and take them back to the store for cash to buy cigarettes and beer. As a result, all canned goods that are given to the needy are scanned prior to being handed out and those numbers are given to local stores. Service to others used to be a simple feat, but now it's more complex, requires more effort and often is unappreciated. Now that's sad!

coolman | 2:56 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

I AM NOT LDS BUT I HELP OTHERS IN NEED BECAUSE I CARE LIKE JESUS DID. HELPING OTHERS MAKES ME FEEL GOOD AND WANT TO HELP MORE.

Service | 3:06 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

RW: Service isn't conditional. If you suspect your charitable works are being taken advantage of, then you are not doing it for the right reason.

Everyone Else: Why is this news to you? Christ and the LDS church always teaches service. What President Monson was trying to to get across is that far too few of us Serve other. Not serving Christ or the church, but Others. The salt of the Earth.
If you do not feel that service to others is for you, then get a different religion.
If you are LDS and not actively serving others, stop being a hypocrite and find a way to serve.

Teresa in Colorado | 3:07 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

I was glad to hear, among other things, more encouragement to help others. I happen to run marathons and fundraise for a charity organization and it takes a lot of time but is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I often wonder if it takes too much time (it cuts me out of Saturday morning church-helping events). BUT, it's a door the Lord opened for me and I feel like it's something He wants me to do. So as long as I make time to fulfill my ward and stake obligations, I feel even better about it than I did before. Thank you!

Athena | 3:10 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Please, LDS members: research the Church on the internet. After joining the Church in 3/1974, I *finally* was brave enough to research. So much has changed...they are sanitizing the Church, trying to stay relevant.

I had 10 children as a member. I believed it all.

Please: study the Church from its beginnings. Make an informed decision about the Church.

Reaching out | 3:12 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Reaching out to others to help them is a grand idea. We also need to remember not to be a doormat, or to be abused or to jeopardize our loved ones well being. There are things that we can do to help others along the way that don't expose us to those who would wrong us.

Volunteer in your local communities - at school, at the old folks home, at the library, at the zoo, at the local soup kitchens, and other large organizations. Even the smaller ones could use an extra hand now and again.

Have you even thought to pick up trash along the road???

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 3:22 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

HELP OTHER's?, it's about time someone did. Hope this means Member's to that need help. IN A PERFECT AMERICA we could reach out and listen to each other, stand there holding hands and singing "We Are The World", but it'll never be that, a perfect America. Even though we ARE the richest nation in the World, the lawmakers we elect ignore us, send those monies over to some third world country, in the name of "let's do it for the children", when it gets there, it's lost, and floats around in their blackmarket underground, and we still suffer right here in America. Republicans and Democrats do the same things year after year, decade after decade. In a 2 Party system of Capitalist's and Socialist's. We still suffer badly, such as the Veteran's, the seniors, the elderly, the disabled, the retired that lost everything, the needy, the homeless, the jobless etc. Ask yourself why?. Is it because of the I, Me and My generation this bickering goes on and on?. I think so. Because it's NOT THEM that fills these shoes yet. Member's helping member's must be first.

Re: Service | 3:31 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

I did state that service should be given without expectations... I have no problem doing it. I never stated that it should be conditional. You misread me, sorry about that. I was merely stating a fact, and a sad one at that. Local retailers should not have to bear the burden of paying out money on free services meant to support the needy. Just a fact of life. Maybe I am a bit pessimistic, but in my experience, someone will always try to use service to get what they want, rather than what is needed. Just my viewpoint.

Don't be greedy | 3:44 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

When we were poor we helped others , now that we live comfortable, and keep our bills paid, we still help others. Never stop helping others no matter what your circumstances might be. There is no time in our world to be greedy and selfish, or covet what your neighbor might have. And I am not talking about taking your neighbors 4 cookies on a paper plate. Service is being there and helping out when times are rough.

Re; Service | 3:52 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

How about a third option, namely if you are LDS but are sick of insincere people looking for any excuse to tear down the church and its members in order to justify their own weaknesses?

I've worked in the LDS church welfare system, and I've personally seen numerous instances of non-members being helped by the selfless service of LDS members, almost none of whom called the media and bragged about it afterwards.

Apparently they should brag about it, because based on the comments here even Mormons have no clue about how many good works their church and fellow members do every day.

Being a good Christian doesn't mean being a doormat. If you'll remember, the Savior himself not once but twice fashioned a whip of cords and used physical violence to stand up for what he knew was right. Mormons should stop automatically assuming that the snarky comments of non-Mormons are the truth.

Dutchman | 4:14 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

It is so different to hear the Prophet speak in comparison to politicians. I believe what he said has been weighing on his mind because that is what the Lord wants us to do and we got the message through Pres. Monson. While hate builds around the world and evil people plot wars and destruction against each other the Lord is saying through his Prophet to Love one another and serve each other. To me, this is exactly what the Lord would say if he were here.

Doormat | 4:29 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

I am here just let me know what you need?

John Pack Lambert | 5:11 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

The 3:52 commentators statement about those of other faiths being helped by the Church is very true. I knew of one bishop in a stake I served in in Las Vegas who would always refer those of other faiths he was helping to meet with the missionaries. I remember one lady we taught who was not able to get baptized (due to living out of wedlock among other issues), who the bishop had arranged for her to work at DI.
However, I am not sure we will ever help enough people to make some happy. Some people will always be griping about something.

Beesley | 5:16 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Sometimes simple kind words to others are needed. Checking on someone through an email or phone call might help. Just be kind to others and have a listening ear when needed, and don't chit-chat about yourself so much.

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Deseret News

President Thomas S. Monson said Primary children gave him this jar filled with "warm fuzzies" that each represented an act of service that they had performed for others.

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