Fourfold purpose

[skylark1]

Kudos to the LDS Church!

I read the following this morning in my copy of the Salt Lake Tribune:

The LDS Church is adding "to care for the poor and needy" to its longstanding "threefold mission," which is to preach the LDS gospel, purify members' lives and provide saving ordinances such as baptism to those who have died.

This mission first was coined by late LDS President Spencer W. Kimball in the 1980s and since then has been repeated as a mantra by the church's more than 13 million members.

The new group of phrases will be described as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' "purposes," rather than missions, and will be spelled out in the next edition of the LDS Church Handbook of Instructions, due out next year, church spokesman Scott Trotter confirmed this week.

. . .

"This is a dramatic move and very important message," said Jan Shipps, an Indiana-based American religion historian who has spent decades studying the LDS Church. "It's not that Mormons haven't already been caring for the poor and needy with its humanitarian program. It's just that this moves it to the top of their priorities, along with proselytizing and temple work."

"It tells Mormons to be philanthropic in ways that go well beyond helping the faithful, Shipps said.​

For the complete article, please see:

New LDS emphasis: Care for the needy - Salt Lake Tribune

 

[4godslove]

Kudos to the LDS Church!

I read the following this morning in my copy of the Salt Lake Tribune:

The LDS Church is adding "to care for the poor and needy" to its longstanding "threefold mission," which is to preach the LDS gospel, purify members' lives and provide saving ordinances such as baptism to those who have died.

This mission first was coined by late LDS President Spencer W. Kimball in the 1980s and since then has been repeated as a mantra by the church's more than 13 million members.

The new group of phrases will be described as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' "purposes," rather than missions, and will be spelled out in the next edition of the LDS Church Handbook of Instructions, due out next year, church spokesman Scott Trotter confirmed this week.

. . .

"This is a dramatic move and very important message," said Jan Shipps, an Indiana-based American religion historian who has spent decades studying the LDS Church. "It's not that Mormons haven't already been caring for the poor and needy with its humanitarian program. It's just that this moves it to the top of their priorities, along with proselytizing and temple work."

"It tells Mormons to be philanthropic in ways that go well beyond helping the faithful, Shipps said.​

For the complete article, please see:

New LDS emphasis: Care for the needy - Salt Lake Tribune

awesome. its timing seems appropriate.

 

[skylark1]

To anyone interested in discussing this -

Do you think that this is an indication that the LDS Church intends to place a greater emphasis on serving the poor and the needy, or do you think that it is primarily an effort to summarize what is already being done?

 

[angelmom01]

I can't say that I know what it means or what they do already?

Do they already help the poor and the needy? And if so who are the poor and the needy that they help? Those who are in the church already? Or those who are not?

If it is those who are in the church are there strings attached?

If it is those outside of the church is there an agenda other than a desire to help the poor and needy?

I ask because I would not be surprised if someone could list all of the charity work that the church already does and has always done. I also know that the church has it's own internal "welfare" system and food storage pantries, etc, to help those in need. But I also know that members who are not tithe-payers have been refused help by the church.

It's rather sad to hear that a church would refuse to help those who are struggling financially and going without because they don't give up 10% of what they already don't have in order to "qualify" for the help that they need.

 

[4godslove]

To anyone interested in discussing this -

Do you think that this is an indication that the LDS Church intends to place a greater emphasis on serving the poor and the needy, or do you think that it is primarily an effort to summarize what is already being done?

i think that it's coming to the time when world conditions are going to warrant more focus on this aspect.

 

[Zechariah]

Since - As members of the Church, we have been taught “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all (The Prophet Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1842, page 732)., this is certainly not a new concept in the Church, or among its members.

Since efforts to increase the humanitarian work of the Church (which is administered according to need, not religious creed or affiliation) has been ongoing throughout the years as the Church has grown and we have had greater financial means to provide for the needs of our fellowman, I don't see adding this as one of the purposes of the Church to be any kind of new focus. But, as the needs of our fellowman increases around us, we do need to increase our attention and care of him.

Since the humanitarian work of the Church is already widespread and being carried on throughout the world, and continues to grow, I think that this addition is one of great importance and value, and will help to increase within us, the members of the Church, the importance of our stewardship, to be ever mindful, as followers of Christ, that it is our sacred responsibility, not only as a Church, but as individuals, that we are our brother's keeper, and that we need to, not only collectively, but individually, be, "anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."

Certainly, it is righteousness in the eyes of the Lord, that we love, serve, and care for our fellowman, and, as this is already an important and primary stewardship we have as members of His Church, I find it quite appropriate that it be included and emphasized along with the other three, as one of the purposes of His Church.

Incidentally, we have yet to live in a ward (which has been many) where it was required to be active in the Church, or be a tithe payer, or even be a member of the Church, in order to receive assistance, whether it be assistance with food, or the payment of rent, utilities, or medical expenses, in times of need. However, since Church funds are not limitless, we are presently able to be only one assistance resource for a community. Not its sole resource.

 

[Zechariah]

i think that it's coming to the time when world conditions are going to warrant more focus on this aspect.

Absolutely!

 

[angelmom01]

Incidentally, we have yet to live in a ward (which has been many) where it was required to be active in the Church, or be a tithe payer, or even be a member of the Church, in order to receive assistance, whether it be assistance with food, or the payment of rent, utilities, or medical expenses, in times of need. However, since Church funds are not limitless, we are presently able to be only one assistance resource for a community. Not its sole resource.

You not being aware of something doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

 

[Rescued One]

Incidentally, we have yet to live in a ward (which has been many) where it was required to be active in the Church, or be a tithe payer, or even be a member of the Church, in order to receive assistance, whether it be assistance with food, or the payment of rent, utilities, or medical expenses, in times of need. However, since Church funds are not limitless, we are presently able to be only one assistance resource for a community.

I lived in such a ward and was under the impression that it was a church-wide policy. Why would the church's policy on such a matter differ from ward to ward?

 

[Zechariah]

You not being aware of something doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

Of course it doesn't, which is precisely why I felt it important to point out something you seem to be unaware of.

 

[Zechariah]

I lived in such a ward and was under the impression that it was a church-wide policy. Why would the church's policy on such a matter differ from ward to ward?

I have not seen it differ from ward to ward, but you might consider that your idea about something being policy is in error, as a bishop's stewardship is not exclusive to the LDS Church members of his ward, but encompasses all who live within the ward boundaries, LDS or not.

 

[angelmom01]

Of course it doesn't, which is precisely why I felt it important to point out something you seem to be unaware of.

Read my post again. I acknowledged that a list could be compiled of the many good and charitable things that the church does and has always done. I simply pointed out that I am also aware of instances in which those in need (even from among the church's own membership) have been turned away by the church in their time of need because they were not tithing members. That is a fact and, just as Phoebe pointed out in her post, some seem to think that it is not only an acceptable practice, but church policy (whether is it or isn't, whether it is universally applied or not).

So why is it that every time a non-member or ex-member here voices any concern over the church or its practices the members here question the motives, the memories, and even the honesty of any claim that doesn't make the church "sparkle"? Why must it always be something that we are either "lying" about, "made up" or just "misunderstood" all on our own, just because 'you' have never witnessed what other people have?

 

[angelmom01]

I have not seen it differ from ward to ward, but you might consider that your idea about something being policy is in error, as a bishop's stewardship is not exclusive to the LDS Church members of his ward, but encompasses all who live within the ward boundaries, LDS or not.

In my situation, I was told that that was the reason; would you like to call me a liar or claim that the misunderstanding was all mine, something created in my own mind?

Members do not seem to hold non-members to same standards that they hold other members to. Neither do they seem to esteem EX-members with the same level of sympathy or compassion as they do other members and even non-members.

 

[Ran77]

i think that it's coming to the time when world conditions are going to warrant more focus on this aspect.

That sounds right. I find it interesting that in the novel I'm writing, I had something similar come out of Church HQ. Kinda spooky that I nailed that one.


:o

 

[Zechariah]

Read my post again. I acknowledged that a list could be compiled of the many good and charitable things that the church does and has always done. I simply pointed out that I am also aware of instances in which those in need (even from among the church's own membership) have been turned away by the church in their time of need because they were not tithing members. That is a fact and, just as Phoebe pointed out in her post, some seem to think that it is not only an acceptable practice, but church policy (whether is it or isn't, whether it is universally applied or not).

So why is it that every time a non-member or ex-member here voices any concern over the church or its practices the members here question the motives, the memories, and even the honesty of any claim that doesn't make the church "sparkle"? Why must it always be something that we are either "lying" about, "made up" or just "misunderstood" all on our own, just because 'you' have never witnessed what other people have?

In my situation, I was told that that was the reason; would you like to call me a liar or claim that the misunderstanding was all mine, something created in my own mind?

Members do not seem to hold non-members to same standards that they hold other members to. Neither do they seem to esteem EX-members with the same level of sympathy or compassion as they do other members and even non-members.

Directing your criticisms and accusations at me is unnecessary, unwarranted, and inappropriate. I did not question anyone's motives, memories, or honesty, nor did I say that anyone was lying, making anything up, or creating something in their own mind. That any of those may or may not be the case, I couldn't, nor did I, say, so you can just spew your whining and complaining in another direction.

Now, as for paying tithing, which is a different issue, that's something each individual must gain a testimony of for himself, though I know of no real way for that testimony to come, except by the paying of it.

I can personally bear witness, and have, of the blessings that can come from paying an honest tithe, particularly when there is not enough money. For us, it was just as if the cruse of oil truly failed not.

In the not too distant past we spent 3 1/2 years living on worker's compensation after a serious work related accident. With worker's compensation only paying 2/3 of our former income, as well as loosing our home (which had been provided for us by my employer) and having to rent a place and move, we had nowhere near enough income to meet our expenses, yet, we paid our tithing faithfully. In addition, and on top of everything else, we had several other unexpected expenses arise during that time, and we should have been put completely under before the first year was out.

But, though the figures could never be reconciled, and no matter how serious things looked on paper each and every month, the Lord carried us through it all, and we never ran out of money, but were able to pay all our bills and expenses, in spite of the impossibility of the numbers, without using credit cards or receiving outside assistance. Who would ever wish to deny to others the multitude of blessings that can come to them for being obedient to a commandment of God?

 

[Ran77]

Directing your criticisms and accusations at me is unnecessary, unwarranted, and inappropriate. I did not question anyone's motives, memories, or honesty, nor did I say that anyone was lying, making anything up, or creating something in their own mind. That any of those may or may not be the case, I couldn't, nor did I, say, so you can just spew your whining and complaining in another direction.

Now, as for paying tithing, which is a different issue, that's something each individual must gain a testimony of for himself, though I know of no real way for that testimony to come, except by the paying of it.

I can personally bear witness, and have, of the blessings that can come from paying an honest tithe, particularly when there is not enough money. For us, it was just as if the cruse of oil truly failed not.

It is amazing to hear about the many blessings that are received through diligent payment of tithing. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[angelmom01]

Directing your criticisms and accusations at me is unnecessary, unwarranted, and inappropriate. I did not question anyone's motives, memories, or honesty, nor did I say that anyone was lying, making anything up, or creating something in their own mind. That any of those may or may not be the case, I couldn't, nor did I, say, so you can just spew your whining and complaining in another direction.

Defending my position is not whining and my comments were not unwarranted or inappropriate, as it sure seemed to me as if you were questioning my honesty concerning needy members being turned away when you claimed that it was something that you have never seen in the "many" wards that you have been a part of. And your comments were clearly directed at me personally (as you said so in post #10)

And when Phoebe said she has seen the same thing happen in her ward and was under the impression that it was a church-wide policy you suggest that she might want to consider the "her idea" of something being policy "was in error", without even asking her what gave her that impression (and all she ever said was that it was "the impression" that she was given; not that she was told that is was a church-wide policy).

And what difference does it make anyway? Even if it isn't a church-wide policy it sure seems to be a policy that exists in some areas of the church. And your questioning that and claiming that you've 'never seen it' even though you have been to 'many wards' seems to infer (at least to me) that you don't believe the stories are true. Or, at the very least, that you wish to cast a shadow of doubt onto them.

Now, as for paying tithing, which is a different issue, that's something each individual must gain a testimony of for himself, though I know of no real way for that testimony to come, except by the paying of it.

I can personally bear witness, and have, of the blessings that can come from paying an honest tithe, particularly when there is not enough money. For us, it was just as if the cruse of oil truly failed not.

God may indeed reward your giving with blessings but tithing is not a commandment of the Lord under the New Covenant; neither was anyone's money/income EVER a titheable commodity. It was only the increase OF THE LAND that was to be tithed, but that's not relevant to this thread. I only brought up tithing as it relates to whether or not it is relevant to whether or not it "qualifies" or "disqualifies" someone from receiving help from the church (when it comes to members, not non-members).

 

[Wrigley]

I have not seen it differ from ward to ward, but you might consider that your idea about something being policy is in error, as a bishop's stewardship is not exclusive to the LDS Church members of his ward, but encompasses all who live within the ward boundaries, LDS or not.

No mormon bishop holds any authority over me or my family.

 

[4godslove]

No mormon bishop holds any authority over me or my family.

interesting how you twisted stewardship into authority.

 

[Ran77]

interesting how you twisted stewardship into authority.

Hmmm, that is an interesting point. Maybe a comparison between stewardship and authority is in order.