The fourfold purposes of the LDS Church!

[wuapinmon]

When I was in New Orleans, I often wished that the Church would take on a salary-paying organizational outreach the way that the Salvation Army has done. They could open Deseret Industries everywhere, soup kitchens, and most-importantly for me, after school programs with tutoring. If they opened some in some of the worst neighborhoods in America, and made them world-class operations, that'd be far more effective in "raising the Church out of obscurity" (that's the line I was given with my new calling) and could actually make more of a difference in those neighborhoods than two young white guys in suits knocking doors (which I'm not saying we should stop doing--though I do think a two-year mission of straight public service would be more effective in the USA).

[SoCalCoug]

When I was in New Orleans, I often wished that the Church would take on a salary-paying organizational outreach the way that the Salvation Army has done. They could open Deseret Industries everywhere, soup kitchens, and most-importantly for me, after school programs with tutoring. If they opened some in some of the worst neighborhoods in America, and made them world-class operations, that'd be far more effective in "raising the Church out of obscurity" (that's the line I was given with my new calling) and could actually make more of a difference in those neighborhoods than two young white guys in suits knocking doors (which I'm not saying we should stop doing--though I do think a two-year mission of straight public service would be more effective in the USA).

I've kind of thought along the same lines. I've thought that sending out service missionaries would be a lot more effective than just proselytizing missionaries. But I always assumed the church knew what they're doing.

[creekster]

SO does the shelter in Utah County now get funded? will Adam return to the bopard?

[Goatnapper'96]

SO does the shelter in Utah County now get funded? will Adam return to the bopard?

That was my first thought.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

[The_Tick]

Sound familiar, garrapatas (Tick)?


Also, I'm all for this as long as I don't have to start doing Poor Teaching once a month.

You lost me her Waup...I have been sick with a head cold for 2 weeks now and I am not picking up on this one. Can you help me out?

[TripletDaddy]

SO does the shelter in Utah County now get funded? will Adam return to the bopard?

This is why I am interested. How does the Church initially roll out this new offering? I am not expecting a play-by-play roadmap, but I would assume that there will be some interesting discussion points given for teachers and students to ponder.

I think most can agree that regardless of politics and implementation, a new concerted focus on helping the poor is going to be a good thing for the Church and its members. And the poor. Everyone wins.

[LiveCoug]

I shall now rejoin the church.

[Moliere]

This is why I am interested. How does the Church initially roll out this new offering? I am not expecting a play-by-play roadmap, but I would assume that there will be some interesting discussion points given for teachers and students to ponder.

I think most can agree that regardless of politics and implementation, a new concerted focus on helping the poor is going to be a good thing for the Church and its members. And the poor. Everyone wins.

My speculation is that you will end up with a Poor and Needy based calling at the stake and ward level. Their responsibilities would be to find service projects or other needs and then sit in correlation and have the bishop dole out assignments to the YM/YW/EQ/RS/HP to take on an assignment.

The article only said it was placing more emphasis on heling the poor and needy. This is something the church has always strived to do but tends to fall short at the ward level. With more emphasis there, you might see more ward or mutual activities featured around service for poor and needy folks.

[Jarid in Cedar]

I shall now rejoin the church.

You are on a roll . Solid work today!

[Indy Coug]

Seeing how 50% of my branch is at or below the poverty line, it will be interesting to see what more we are supposed to do.

[Moliere]

I was being serious, btw. I think there will be a faction of the Church that has a really hard time with this new emphasis. We have people on this very board that complain about having their "taxes" go to fund programs and the like. This latest edict would obviously require some sort of reconciliation with the need for temporal administration to the poor and the need for someone to fund it.

I like helping the poor and needy. I also like having a social safety net but I am always weary of federal government intervention in anything. Not because I feel like they are taking my money, but because of the inherent corruption that accompanies government. I don't like the politicizing of the social programs. It just turns me off.

I like to be active in my community helping the poor. I volunteer and fund some programs in and around my neighborhood. I like to do this directly without the help of the government mainly because when you actually go do the work you get more out of it and so does the person being helped.

The church has a very strong social network and if it is directed more towards helping the poor and needy (which this new emphasis should do) we could do wonders in some places.

[SteelBlue]

I don't understand your wording here. Please clarify.

I was being serious, btw. I think there will be a faction of the Church that has a really hard time with this new emphasis. We have people on this very board that complain about having their "taxes" go to fund programs and the like. This latest edict would obviously require some sort of reconciliation with the need for temporal administration to the poor and the need for someone to fund it.

It is very easy to say, "great, our new emphasis is to care for the poor." Well, what does that mean in implementation? Do we volunteer more at soup kitchens? Do we donate more money to shelters? I don't know these answers. but I am pretty confident that whatever the implementation may be, it will require more than we are currently doing...at least a greater focus.

It would be naive to think that personal politics would not come into play on this one, as this is the first of the 3- or 4-fold "missions" that has direct and tangible political ties.

I don't want to speak for Coach but I think what he was saying was that many of those who complain about government funding for social programs believe that the needed help should be funded voluntarily and not through taxation. So, a church increasing their monetary commitment to the poor would be an acceptable and preferred method (read non-socialist) of delivering needed services.

[TheBYUGuy]

I am a fan of the change, and I agree with those who say it will be interesting to see the implementation of it.

Previously, everyone belonged in exactly one of the 3 areas covered by the mission of the Church. You were either a member, not a member, or you were dead. So the Church knew what it's mission was for you. Now with the 4th category, there is not an easy way to tell which side of the fence you are. Does the emphasis for the poor and needy include both members and non-members? And how do I tell if I should be on the giving or receiving side of the welfare?

It has previously been that the bishop would decide who would receive the benefits of fast offerings, bishop's storehouse, and service. I wonder if this will be delegated out to someone else to some extent.

[Coach McGuirk]

I don't want to speak for Coach but I think what he was saying was that many of those who complain about government funding for social programs believe that the needed help should be funded voluntarily and not through taxation. So, a church increasing their monetary commitment to the poor would be an acceptable and preferred method (read non-socialist) of delivering needed services.

Thanks steel. That is a good start.

[wuapinmon]

You lost me her Waup...I have been sick with a head cold for 2 weeks now and I am not picking up on this one. Can you help me out?

1. I hope you feel better. I was sick all last week; you have my empathy.

2. From Solon's post:

LDS/Mormons are less likely than the average American to believe that "hard work and determination are no guarantee of success for most people."

That quote describes you perfectly.