The good that the church does

[_Runtu]

A follow-up to my poll. As I expected the vast majority of poll respondents see at least some good in the church. So, I would like to know what specifically you see as some good the church does for you or for the world at large.

[_Mr. Coffee]

I've seen the local LDS church help out low-income families in the area, helping them to pay bills or buy grocies and such. Even heard of their bishop cosigning on a carnote for a familly who's car had died. They did require they come to church, but it was nice to see that the money people were "tithing" was doing something useful.

I was one of the people that voted middle of the road, by the way.

[_KimberlyAnn]

A follow-up to my poll. As I expected the vast majority of poll respondents see at least some good in the church. So, I would like to know what specifically you see as some good the church does for you or for the world at large.

Hmmmm....no replies yet, Runtu. Guess no one can think of anything, lol!

Our ward mowed the lawn for a local food bank. That's the only good thing I remember doing for anyone who wasn't Mormon. No - one other thing. We made goody bags for kids in the shelter once, full of homemade chalk (ewww) and copied coloring pages. I hope my former ward, so sorely lacking in good works and charity toward the community in general, is an anomoly.

KA

[_Runtu]

A follow-up to my poll. As I expected the vast majority of poll respondents see at least some good in the church. So, I would like to know what specifically you see as some good the church does for you or for the world at large.

Hmmmm....no replies yet, Runtu. Guess no one can think of anything, lol!

Our ward mowed the lawn for a local food bank. That's the only good thing I remember doing for anyone who wasn't Mormon. No - one other thing. We made goody bags for kids in the shelter once, full of homemade chalk (ewww) and copied coloring pages. I hope my former ward, so sorely lacking in good works and charity toward the community in general, is an anomoly.

KA

I think the charitable parts are admirable. For me, I think the emphasis on the family in a real way has helped me be a more involved parent. I also appreciated the church's emphasis on education and self-reliance. And of course, I have no fear of public speaking because of my extensive experience speaking in church and teaching and leading, etc.

[Manetho]

Hmmmm....no replies yet, Runtu. Guess no one can think of anything, lol!

Pssst... Get your eyes checked.

I hope my former ward, so sorely lacking in good works and charity toward the community in general, is an anomoly.

So why did you raise that issue during one of the womens meetings after services?

[_dartagnan]

Charity is always an admirable thing of course. But what I don't like is that charity is often used as a means to "plant seeds" for future prospective converts. When Mormons from all over the south east flocked to the devastation sites after the four hurricanes hit central Florida in the month of Septamber, I was extremely pleased and proud that my Church took part in helping out. What I didn't like was that these groups got together beforehand and had T-shirts printed that they were supposed to wear during the cleanup. T-shirts which said something like "Mormon Helping Hands." I remember they were posing for the news cameras, stretching their shirts out so it could be easily read.

We did the lawn mowing thing a lot too when I was living in Atlanta, but we were never to leave any charity site without dropping off a Book of Mormon, or inviting them to Church. It kinda makes it hard for someone to throw it back in your face after you just mowed their lawn for free.

[_KimberlyAnn]

Hmmmm....no replies yet, Runtu. Guess no one can think of anything, lol!

Pssst... Get your eyes checked.

Sorry, Mr. Coffee. I was composing my reply as you posted yours. I got distracted by a needy four year old for a minute or two. If you'll notice, I think our posts are only a few minutes apart.

KA

[_Mr. Coffee]

I got distracted by a needy four year old for a minute or two. If you'll notice, I think our posts are only a few minutes apart.

KA

Gotcha. I understand the screaming four year old concept quite well, Kimberly. Got two kids of my own.

[_Runtu]

Charity is always an admirable thing of course. But what I don't like is that charity is often used as a means to "plant seeds" for future prospective converts. When Mormons from all over the south east flocked to the devastation sites after the four hurricanes hit central Florida in the month of Septamber, I was extremely pleased and proud that my Church took part in helping out. What I didn't like was that these groups got together beforehand and had T-shirts printed that they were supposed to wear during the cleanup. T-shirts which said something like "Mormon Helping Hands." I remember they were posing for the news cameras, stretching their shirts out so it could be easily read.

Yep, when we went to Louisiana and East Texas after Katrina and Rita, the emphasis was always on its being a missionary opportunity to raise the church's profile. Your memory is right: we had bright yellow t-shirts that said "Mormon Helping Hands" and the church's logo.

We did the lawn mowing thing a lot too when I was living in Atlanta, but we were never to leave any charity site without dropping off a Book of Mormon, or inviting them to Church. It kinda makes it hard for someone to throw it back in your face after you just mowed their lawn for free.

I don't begrudge the church for doing this too much. At least they get out and do the charitable work, even if it's not always for the right reasons.

[_cacheman]

The church has done many good things for many people. I've personally seen people recieve significant financial help in crucial moments. I've seen service projects affecting other LDS as well as non-LDS. I like the strong sense of community found in LDS wards that see to the elderly and widows who might otherwise be ignored. I've also seen church activity bring about major positive changes in people who were leading destructive lives. What I think is very positive about the LDS church is the emphasis on changing ourselves for the better. I think the idea of a daily self evaulation (much like daily repentance) can be a very good thing. I've tried to retain many of the ideas and philosophies that I learned while in the LDS church, due to their positive effects on my life.

cacheman