Comments about ‘LDS to boost emphasis on helping the needy; Salt Lake Temple not closing’

In the New Testament it states in several places that disciples of Christ were sent out to preach the Gospel and minister to the needs of the people. Latter-day Saints and anyone who believes in Christ should do the same thing.

I worked within my ward for many years, always giving service when ever possible. However this "new" release is a bit of shock to me! I just recently had to have two total knee replacements and my ward helped me out for three months and then I was tyold to get a job anf support myself! At this point I couldn't walk as far as the bustop! Nor could I sit for more than 25 minutes. I have two doctors telliung me NOT to work and a physical therapist that says it would not be prudent for me to over exert the knees.

So much for the "NEW" helping the needy tenent!!!

Bah Humbug!!!

Question..
What was the very first commandment in the the NT?

Answer..
It was John the Baptist, saying that "If you have 2 coats, give one away"

Giving is the foundation of the Gospel. Maybe its time to clean our all of our excess stuff and give it to someone that needs it?

Just a thought

This is better than regulating people's private lives. I'm glad to see the change in emphasis. It's what jesus would be doing instead of funding battles against the gays.

And some people think that churches are going to help families pay their unaffordable and outrageous healthcare bills..

Time for a public healthcare option for Families.

No... probably not the time to be blessing people with families. Might bankrupt this nation....


Hmmm...

It amazes me how much this community gives to this church, and how little it returns. Has the LDS church ever run a homeless shelter? It must be the only church in the world that cares more about building a mall than helping the needy. I would rather give my tithing to McDonald's.

I find this new development so thrilling. Many of my friends take their free market, capitalistic conservatism so far that it becomes a religion unto itself. I am so tired of arguing with people who say that all the best economic systems run on the principle of greed. This change in emphasis will remind all LDS of the weightier matters, that giving and caring for the poor is more than a personal choice but is also an institutional covenant this church has made to the less fortunate.

Conservatives are going to have a difficult time with this one.......

@Shunned member
Your ward helped you for THREE MONTHS and you are complaining? I had ankle surgery twice and was back to work on crutches both times in 3 days. (I know it's not the same as a total knee replacement) One of the basic tenets (not "tenent") of the LDS Church is self reliance. We use our own resources (savings, food storage etc), then we ask for help from our families and extended families. Only when those resources are exhausted does Church welfare kick in and it is always meant to be temporary. You may need different employment but there are jobs available for those who don't walk well. Good luck!

Bishops vary greatly in how they interpert need. Wards vary greatly in how they fellowship or do not fellowship. The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is wonderful as long as personal opinions, myths, and Handbooks don't get in the way. Take it up the line.

The question is: Why does this need to be stated when
in any christian church it should be self-evident?

You know very well that your Bishop did not just tell you to "go out and get a job". You have misrepresented yourself and your Bishop. Your Bishop very likely did tell you that the church does not have the ability to pay all of your bills indefinitely. I am sure your Bishop then talked to you about long term assistance from other sources such as family, etc. If he did not, then he should have.

Dear Shunned Member-- Get over it! The Ward helped for 3 Months-- Church assistance is temporary. Where is your family? Not all jobs require walking and 3 months after Knee replacement you have a real problem I would be talking to another Doctor.
The problem is American Culture has become an Culture of entitlement. Instead of helping ourselves and freeing ourselves from debt and assistance from others we feel we are entitled to that Help. Self Reliance gives us freedom and preserves our Agency! Teach a Man to fish (garden, get out of debt, new skill, budget, etc.) and feed him for a lifetime.

I think this emphasis on caring for the poor and needy is appropriate. I have been reading some objections to the emphasis on commercial enterprise in the church. Many feel that the Mormon church is more a corporation than a place where people's needs are met. I hope that homelessness and hunger will be addressed with more of the funds members contribute. Jesus so emphasized looking out for the sick and needy. In my wildest dreams I can't imagine him using the contributions of the church to build malls, hotels, condos, office buildings, etc. Thanks for this refocus.

Isn't preserving traditional, God-ordained marriage between one man and one woman enough?

Wishing you continued progress with your healing from your surgery. Glad to hear that your ward gave 3 MONTHS of help, in whatever form that was - whether with meals, assistance, rides, or with your expenses, or all of the above. Why your Bishop is now trying to 'wean' you off this assistance is unknown, as we are not in the know as to all your circumstances. Other than monetary help or help with groceries etc. from the Church Welfare, all the help provided from within a ward is given by INDIVIDUAL members, and in some wards the need is great and those helping start to be spread thin when faced with long-term needs. Help is supposed to be temporary - not permanent.

Under your circumstances, the day of hospitalization qualified you for disability payments which can last as long as your doctor keeps signing off on your disability.

Helping the poor and needy has always been, and will continue to be, a priority.

From the tone of your response it would seem you feel entitled to continue to receive help from your ward members, and are less than grateful for what you have already received.

How little it returns? Have you ever been to Welfare Square? And that's just the central location. The church runs farms, canneries, etc. all over the place - with very few full time employees and mostly volunteers. Some are currently receiving aid, others are simply there to help out. I've been in both positions. Ever seen what happens when there's a hurricane in the south? The trucks were on the way filled with stuff before Katrina ever hit land, and Mormon Helping Hands were there right after it was over, with chain saws, emergency cleaning kits and volunteers to help anybody who needed it. Same with the tsunami, and every other disaster. When they run low on school kits, cleaning kits, newborn kits, etc. the call goes out and that's what the next local service activities are - putting together new kits to stock the warehouse to be available.

To Nate - Jesus stated it, we're repeating it. Because people need to hear it, to be taught it, to understand where their responsibilities lie. If you have kids, you'd know you can't just tell them something once - well, grownups aren't that much different...

RE: Ralph

Your statement strikes me as very ignorant. I suggest you visit some of the homeless shelters in Utah and ask the management what kind of support they receive from the LDS church. The LDS church may not have it's name on the front of any homeless shelter, but that doesn't mean the church doesn't provide support necessary to keep the shelters functioning.

I find it hard to believe the Mormons are there for the needy and poor outside there members.
I live here in Salt Lake City Utah and in the City and valley are crawling with Homeless People and are fed and clothed and sheltered by the "Catholics" and other faiths..Yet the Mormons also deny there own ( Shunned Member) Yet the Mormons flood our over crowded State and Country with People from all over the world and they house them, feed them, cloth them, buy new cars for them, Green Cards, Toys and the list goes on ( There is a family of 10 from Nigeria Next door)... While there are people right here in Salt Lake ( Americans ) and in the valley with no homes, no food, and are freezing and living in Pioneer Park and there cars..I think we need to take care of those right here at home here in utah and America! Not dragging people here from other countries! There should be NO HOMELESS IN UTAH! Shame on you the Mormons...

@Jimbo, I always want to ask people with an attitude like yours have they read Mosiah 4:16-18. If a tithe paying member is unable to work and has medical advise against working, what is the issue with them getting needed help? Would it be better if LDS members went to other churches for food assistance or to Catholic Family Services for rental assistance??? Where is the charity?
I do think there needs to be a more equitable way of determining who needs help, as said above it varies greatly between Wards and even Stakes.