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Pure religion in Haiti
In the wake of the earthquake in Haiti that left millions of lives shattered, the world saw, and continues to see, an outpouring of love, compassion and service on a magnificent scale.
It is a scene we have witnessed before: when lives are devastated by disaster, the best of humanity surfaces as many set aside personal conveniences, agendas and interests to selflessly take part in what the Bible describes as pure religion--"to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction..."
Offers of help poured into my own church by the thousands - and we are just one organization among many. "I used to be a missionary there and speak Creole. How can I help?" Or, "I am a doctor and can leave right now if you can get me a seat on a plane."
While other relief agencies and governments marshaled their many responses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mobilized humanitarian resources immediately once word reached its Salt Lake City headquarters. Sometimes we worked with NGOs or other faith groups or charities, sometimes we worked on our own, handling relief efforts through our emergency relief stores in the Dominican Republic, or through Miami or Denver, or in any other way we could make it work. Immediate needs continue to be met with emergency shipments, while long-term needs are being assessed. We all know that it will take years to rebuild.
But there was something else that struck me as the relief effort gathered strength. While the first need was rescue and medical care, followed by food, water and tents, what the Haitians needed in addition was relief from the sense of hopelessness as they weathered the storm.
This statement from my own church leadership captured something for me:
"Money is not the only need in Haiti. People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people."
I was not in Haiti. I was at my comfortable desk in Salt Lake City, dependant on the images on a TV or computer screen to convey the horrors suffered by our Caribbean neighbor. But that statement helped me imagine what it would be like to be a 15-year-old Haitian girl, waking up on a portable bed in a field hospital, her last memory of her collapsing home with her family inside. I thought of the bewilderment of trying to cope in that situation with a severely damaged or even amputated limb. Even the friendly faces and the urgent concern of doctors - strangers speaking in foreign languages - could not compensate. Neither could they remove the pain of the children who will leave this disaster with no surviving parents. After all we can do physically to bring relief, it seemed to be right and proper to ask our Heavenly Father to grant some calm and reassurance that relief efforts alone can not provide.
There are some who ask why God allowed this to happen in the first place. I'm not one of them. Tectonic shifts or seismic forces of some kind or other caused this quake, not God. I believe that mortality inevitably includes unforeseen disasters to whole nations and to individual men, women and children. I believe that in such circumstances, human beings are inclined to help each other, and that the very best in humanity is seen in how we address each other's needs.
The partnerships bringing relief to Haiti are diverse. Some are religious, and some are not. In the past two weeks my Church has worked with the United Nations, CARE, Food for the Poor, International Relief and Development, the American Red Cross, Islamic Relief, Helping Hands for Haiti, and Airline Ambassadors. Despite many differences, everyone at the heart of these operations wants to do what is best for the people in Haiti. There is no other motivation than love and care for their Haitian brothers and sisters. This is pure religion in its simplest and most important form.
By
Michael Otterson
|
February 2, 2010; 11:21 AM ET
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Posted by: volkmare | February 9, 2010 2:26 PM
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Sorry 'Tweedmeister'- No matter how deep you bury it. If you spent 40 years as a leader in the Church, then at some time in your life you will have known the truth. For some reason you have become disaffected, as a result you are not seeing clearly. $100 given to the Humanitarian fund is more effectively used sending "like" in full value "kind" ie. needed medical supplies etc than sending the cash. This is often diverted into the pockets of the greedy with very little getting to those in need. I do not know the situation in the USA, but here in England a sizable percentage goes into the administration of the Charitable organisation. Whereas with the Church, if not all, then certainly virtually all will go direct to those in need.
Posted by: ldskris | February 8, 2010 3:49 PM
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This is rich. Otterson is the PR guy for the LDS church, touting the LDS church. I call BS. I was an active leader in the LDS church for some 40 years, and I know all too well how little the church does compared to all other charitable organizations, and how reluctantly. Don't forget that the church does not separate their "donations" from member donations. For example, I give $100 to the church for Haiti, the church says it gave $100. Most of their donations are also in kind, seldom in cash, because it's cheaper.
Posted by: tweedmeister | February 6, 2010 7:41 PM
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ldskris
Well said.
Mark
Always seek the truth.
Posted by: volkmare | February 6, 2010 11:50 AM
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Ref. Bridgit Jones comments. Ideally the LDS Church does not need a PR Dept., but with people always ready to see the worst in life it is important that a balance is given. If you had not seen reports of the Church activity, you like many others would probably have criticised the Church for apparent lack of activity.
In posting your comment I suspect you have an 'axe to grind' - it would be interested to know why you feel the need to criticise.
Incidentally it is my view that good charitable works are a vivid witness of Christ and far better than the corrupting influence so often seen in day to day news items. Good works need the breath of publicity.
Posted by: ldskris | February 5, 2010 9:42 AM
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Luke 11:33
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
To all those who accuse the LDS church of bragging about its humanitarian efforts should take note that Christ wants his followers to be an example to the world. It also serves to show people that Mormons are not the monsters that critics try to make them out to be.
Mathew 7:16-18
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Posted by: ctrandrm | February 5, 2010 3:17 AM
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Indeed! These religious groups are doing wonderful work in Haiti.
I can't help but wonder why there was no mention of the Scientology ministers that are helping with their "touch healing".
From what I hear, they are truly doing wonderful work.
http://gawker.com/5462117/scientologists-in-haiti-a-firsthand-account?skyline=true&s=i
Posted by: sneeb | February 4, 2010 6:14 PM
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I am so inspired by this article. I love hearing about churches, service organizations, or even individual people doing good around the world. It is so wonderful when we strive to build others up - I am happy to hear that was the mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the people of Haiti.
Posted by: shantelelizabeth | February 4, 2010 2:24 PM
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He referenced it.
He didn't trumpet it.
Get a life...
Mark
Always seek the truth.
Posted by: volkmare | February 4, 2010 2:17 PM
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This is quite entertaining, to see how the Mormon church uses Mr. Otterson and public relations to emphasize how charitable it is. Isn't that the antithesis of charity--professing one's good works publically?
Posted by: bridgetjones747 | February 4, 2010 12:48 PM
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Now that is rich. The head of PR for Mormonism, claiming that his organization's work in Haiti is "true religion."
Au contraire, "true religion" would be demonstrated when PR departments of various churches such as his do not submit press releases or publicize their charitable activities. It would be done silently, quietly, without fanfare.
Food for thought: Why do religions need a PR dept. anyway?
Posted by: bridgetjones747 | February 4, 2010 12:18 PM
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As victim of and as one of the most strident critics of "The Church" for its position and history in dealing with gays, Elder Otterson's column reminded me that, as I accuse others, one can not stereotype a whole group or write them all off as evil by cherry-picking their actions or haters. The work of "The Church" in Haiti is truly God's work and speaks volumes about the goodness and charity that goes along with the legacy of the Mormons everywhere. Thank you all for helping these people.
Posted by: coloradodog | February 4, 2010 6:36 AM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
LDSKRIS
As a LDS finance clerk, I know that you are right.
As there are no paid clergy in the LDS church, all of the humanitarian donations go to restocking the relief supply centers.
On top of that the LDS church is always one of the first on the scene of a disaster. We were at Katrina, the tsunami, and in Haiti we have given more than most countries have.
Mark
Always seek the truth.