Mormons Show Up to Help during Canada Floods

Recent flooding caused a state of emergency to be declared in Radisson, Maidstone, and Borden, Saskatchewan. City officials concerned about the remaining snow levels still to melt, felt even more flooding was inevitable. [1]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often inadvertently called the “Mormon Church,” provided volunteer support from its local congregations.

Don Tanner, Radisson’s mayor and a member of the Church, said that the missionaries have made a significant contribution to the flood-control effort. “The missionaries worked in wet running shoes or boots in snow, rain and high winds for 12 hours. What is more, the missionaries’ cheerful attitude and willingness [to help] lifted the mood and helped everyone work just a little bit better.”

Local Church leader Douglas W. Robertson says that while the pressing need is to ensure the damage from water is minimized, the Church is also committed to help with cleanup once floodwaters have receded. “It is often easy to mobilize people when they see the water rising, but [people] are sometimes less aware of the need to help return homes, yards and businesses to their pre-flood condition. … We are committed to help with this effort.” [2]

Mormon Helping Hands

The purpose of Mormon Helping Hands, one aspect of The Church of Jesus Christ’s humanitarian service program, is to “help the needy and improve communities. Service to others is an important characteristic of the followers of Jesus Christ. Mormon Helping Hands provides organized opportunities for Church members to give their time and talents to bless those in need.” [3]   Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”) throughout the world volunteer to serve their local communities. At least one day of service is planned annually and Mormons participate to complete a community project.  Working together often enables Latter-day Saints to mobilize efforts and supplies quickly when disasters strike.

Service to Others Demonstrates Christ-like Love to Community and God

King Benjamin, a prophet and king of a nation in the Book of Mormon, taught his people: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).

In the 25th chapter of Matthew, the Savior Jesus Christ described those people who would be welcomed into the Kingdom of God,

Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:34-40).

Service to Others Is a Duty and a Blessing

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansions above
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

“Have I Done Any Good?” Hymns, no. 223.

A modern prophet, Thomas S. Monson, exhorts Latter-day Saints and the world in general to serve others.

The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone. …[W]e are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.

[U]nless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives. [4]

Serving those affected by natural disasters lets them know they are not alone during a stressful and tumultuous time.  But, we don’t have to wait for a natural disaster to strike to make a difference to the people around us. I invite you to serve someone in your community today!

 

Additional Resources:

Get Involved in Your Community

Mormon Humanitarian Service