An often quoted scripture from The Book of Mormon says, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” Serving others is woven into the fabric of followers of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Loving and serving your neighbor is second only to loving and serving God. In serving others, we serve God and show Him our love.
A selfless act seen every day around the world is a parent caring for a child. Later in life, you see a child caring for the parent. As we are all children of God, this pleases Him. We serve Him as we care for His children.
Recently on the front page of the Peninsula Daily News was an article about a massive donation to the local food banks. “A total of 24 pallets of food and personal items weighing about 20 tons were divided up by local church members for later distribution to food banks in Forks, Sequim and Port Townsend, as well as Port Angeles.”
I was there and watched as youth from the Port Angeles congregations sorted boxes and stacked them on pallets. They were excited to help. Printed on the boxes were words such as, “Soup,” “Rolled Oats,” “Flour,” “Beans,” and even “Chocolate Cake Mix.” I tried to imagine how many families this would help and how happy they would be to see the good, high-quality food that they had been given to stock their empty pantries.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided that food, most of which will not go to members of our church, but to the community and surrounding areas. This is a small example of the enormous humanitarian efforts performed by the Church.
In 2022 alone, the Church gave in humanitarian aid more than $1 billion in expenditures, 6.3 million volunteer hours and 3,692 humanitarian projects in 190 countries. The First Presidency of the Church, its presiding council, said, “We are simply doing what the Savior of the world would do.”
You might wonder, “How does the Church get funds for donations like this?”
The answer, through fast offerings. On the first Sunday of the month, members fast for two meals. They then donate the money that would have been spent on food as a fast offering to the Church. This money is first used locally where needed. If there is leftover money, it is sent to headquarters where the money can be used worldwide, often in tandem with organizations like UNICEF’s global nutrition program, the World Food Programme (WFP) or the American Red Cross. Last year, $5 million was given to Rotary International for polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus vaccinations. In addition, 16,285 new service projects were facilitated by JustServe.org, the Church’s free online volunteer portal. The tool connects people to service opportunities that match their interests and location.
As a bishop of a local congregation, I see those fast offering dollars being put to good use. Faithful members give generously. Those members of the Church who find themselves in need receive help with food and clothing. Once they are back on their feet, they help contribute so others can get a helping hand when they need it. It’s a beautiful thing.
It warms my heart when I see young and old lifting each other’s burdens and helping each other through this mortal journey.
Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
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Issues of Faith is a rotating column by religious leaders on the North Olympic Peninsula. Bishop Jason Bringhurst is the leader of the Mount Pleasant Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Port Angeles. His email is jasonbring@gmail.com.
