Serving has always been an integral part of the aspects of the LDS church mission, but it will be changed to stand on its own accord as a pillar on which the gospel and membership activity rests. Central to the Mormon faith and Latter-Day Saint religion is the tenet that “caring for the widow and the fatherless” and quietly hearing the silent pleas of those in desperate plights or needy circumstances around us, is paramount to an active religion and consistently Christian life according to the LDS website (www.lds.org).
President Thomas S. Monson, of the LDS church, announced an extension to its three-decade mission statement, which has included preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, perfecting and strengthening the members, and redeeming the dead through temple service. The statement, which is incorporated into the Church’s Handbook of Instructions will now include a fourth longstanding Church emphasis: caring for the poor and the needy.
Seminary principal Brother Bryce Dunford said of this new mission statement, “Quite often young people believe that the caring of the poor and needy belongs to their parents. Maybe now they’ll act on opportunities to bless the poor and needy.”
To young men and women, Brother Dunford also mentioned that someone who cannot serve a proselyting mission might serve a humanitarian mission.
“As the need increases, opportunity increases. Missionaries should not only be prepared to preach but how to help and serve people, especially those who are called to third-world countries,” said Dunford.
Because of the status of the newly released mission statement, Brother Mike Day, seminary teacher, was not even aware that the statement had been released.
Upon learning more about it, Day said, “The need to care for the poor and needy will never diminish.”
Taken from the church’s official website is the statement that, “The Lord has always commanded His people to care for the poor and the needy.” This new statement is simply placing a new emphasis upon service to the poor and underprivileged.
As part of the church’s official Welfare program, the site also states that, “Each member of the Church has two basic welfare responsibilities: to become self-reliant and to care for the poor and the needy; the last part having been the inspiration for the LDS church’s new mission statement.”