Humanitarian Aid and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint

Learn More about Service Efforts in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Both Latter-day Saint missionaries and regular Church members spend much of their time helping others through loving, Christian service.
Both Latter-day Saint missionaries and regular Church members spend much of their time helping others through loving, Christian service.

When a man asked Jesus Christ what the greatest commandment was, Jesus taught: “The first of all the commandments is . . .  thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mark 12:29–31). As Christians, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to follow Jesus Christ’s commandment to show love to our neighbors all around the world. Latter-day Saints believe that one of the best ways to show love to others is through service. Inspired by scriptural admonitions to love and serve others (see James 1:27; Alma 34:27–29), Latter-day Saints help their brothers and sisters in need in many different ways.

How does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serve others?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is involved in a variety of service efforts that reach tens of thousands of people around the globe annually. These efforts are “built on the principles of personal responsibility, community support, self-reliance, and sustainability. Humanitarian initiatives aim to help those in need through:

  • Clean water and sanitation
  • Global emergency response after natural disasters, civil unrest, or famine
  • Immunizations
  • Maternal and newborn care
  • Vision care
  • Providing wheelchairs and mobility aids to disabled individuals

These efforts are supported through collaboration with trusted humanitarian organizations around the world to increase the impact of initiatives and best meet local needs.

Humanitarian supplies are also prepared for use worldwide at the Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center (located in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA). In a normal year, the Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center ships approximately 8 million pounds of shoes and clothing, 300,000 hygiene and school kits, and 12,000 quilts to over 50 countries. When possible, humanitarian supplies are acquired near where they are needed. Additionally, at the Humanitarian Center, up to 18 months of self-reliance training is provided to vulnerable community members, including refugees and immigrants, to help them prepare to enter the workforce. After training is completed, the center helps trainees find employment.

In addition to these global efforts and numerous small service projects sponsored by individual congregations, many members of the Church also volunteer their time and efforts to assist in humanitarian efforts—particularly during emergency response projects. Easily recognizable by their yellow vests, volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provide community service and disaster relief. This voluntary service provides additional help in times of need. The thousands of regular Church members who have spent time volunteering testify that Latter-day Saints are Christians who contribute to the good of their communities.

South Carolina Flooding 2015 The flooding in South Carolina during the end of 2015 caused widespread destruction.

What do missionaries in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do to serve others?

Many members of the Church give loving, Christian service by serving as missionaries. Many missionaries serve regular proselyting missions, during which they spend much of their time preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many other Church members serve Church-service missions. Church-service missions are often an option for young people who are not able to go on proselyting missions because of physical, mental, or emotional challenges (see “Preparing to Serve,” churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/missionary). Many older couples also decide to serve Church-service missions. During Church-service missions, missionaries may spend time assisting with addiction recovery support groups; serving at bishops’ storehouses, where food is available to the needy free of charge; helping with employment resources; helping meet the physical and spiritual needs of people living in inner cities; and helping others through family history research or indexing historical records (see “Explore Opportunities,” churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/missionary).

How can I learn more?

As Christians, Latter-day Saints strive to follow the Savior’s commandment to do unto others as you would have them do unto you (see Matthew 7:12). There are countless ways that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including  missionaries, serve people around the world. To learn more about the Church’s service efforts, visit comeuntochrist.org.