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Church Update on Response to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (Mormon)
LDS Newsroom ^ | March 14, 2011 | Press Release

Posted on 03/15/2011 10:46:10 AM PDT by greyfoxx39

Church Update on Response to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

14 March 2011 — Salt Lake City

News Release

As the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami continues to unfold, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is assessing how it will best provide relief. News reports indicate that the death toll from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan is nearing 3,000 and will likely continue to rise. The majority of casualties in Japan are expected to be from the tsunami rather than the earthquake. Tens of thousands more are homeless and millions are without power. The government of Japan has mobilized thousands of troops, planes and ships for a large-scale emergency response operation.

The Church’s First Presidency made the following statement regarding the disaster:

We express our love and support to the people of Japan as they deal with this terrible tragedy. Our prayers, and the prayers of millions of Latter-day Saints across the world, are with them as they begin to recover from this disaster.

Relief Aid
Communication and transportation is difficult in the most affected areas, but local Church leaders are currently discussing with government and humanitarian organizations ways to provide assistance.

It is likely Church members have been directly impacted by the quake, and local Church leaders are working tirelessly to account for them. Approximately 95% of the Latter-day Saints in the affected areas have been contacted, and initial reports indicate there are no confirmed deaths; however, there is limited information on the status of members from the most devastated areas.

Church Buildings
The Church has received several inquiries regarding the condition of its temple in Tokyo and can confirm that there is no significant damage to the building.  While we know that some buildings have sustained varying degrees of damage, Church leaders in the affected areas are assessing the condition of other Church buildings.



TOPICS: General Discusssion; Ministry/Outreach; Other non-Christian
KEYWORDS: humanitarianaid; lds; mormon; tsunami
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To: Elsie

181 posted on 03/16/2011 5:48:11 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Colofornian

I can hardly believe the nonsense I am seeing here.

The Mormon Church already has services on the ground. They are already feeding people. They will use the undamaged church buildings as homeless shelters just like they did in Haiti and just like they do in disasters everywhere. Likely they will have food, clothing and hygiene supplies on the ground and in peoples possession before any other agency. That is before any other church, or even the government. One thing the Mormons know how to do is take care of distressed people.

Perhaps they don’t fit YOUR idea of what a Christian is but they sure ACT like Christians are supposed to act. Maybe it is just an ACT but if it is they sure put on a good show.


182 posted on 03/16/2011 5:49:42 AM PDT by JAKraig (Surely my religion is at least as good as yours)
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To: Gamecock

You will PAY for breaking an ELSIETHON!


183 posted on 03/16/2011 5:49:45 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

It wasn’t enough to try to highjack Christianity;
NOW they are trying to highjack the MAYANs!


184 posted on 03/16/2011 5:51:15 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: RBranha

I’ve read a lot of your posts, Colofornian, and I’m reminded of Emerson : A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

Many of us on FR would appreciate it if you were to get a blog and use it to obsess over the mormons instead of doing it here.

_________________________________________________________

Amen, and Amen!


185 posted on 03/16/2011 6:12:03 AM PDT by JAKraig (Surely my religion is at least as good as yours)
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To: RBranha

I’ve read a lot of your posts, Colofornian, and I’m reminded of Emerson : A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

Many of us on FR would appreciate it if you were to get a blog and use it to obsess over the mormons instead of doing it here.

_________________________________________________________

Amen, and Amen!


186 posted on 03/16/2011 6:12:11 AM PDT by JAKraig (Surely my religion is at least as good as yours)
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To: JAKraig
Surely my religion is at least as good as yours

My Savior is better.

His blood will atone for any MURDER I commit.

187 posted on 03/16/2011 6:45:38 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Colofornian
ALL: If you live in Utah & a crisis hits, don't count upon Mormons to be "neighborly" with their stocked goods.

If the crap hits the fan and there is a huge disaster, people will start looking for Mormons because they all know that Mormons have food hidden. If word gets out to an angry, hungry mob, that mormons are hold up with lots of food, if won't be pretty.

188 posted on 03/16/2011 8:00:22 AM PDT by dragonblustar (Just saying.......)
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To: dragonblustar

If word gets out to an angry....mob,

Sounds like Mountain Meadows...


189 posted on 03/16/2011 8:28:23 AM PDT by Gamecock (The resurrection of Jesus Christ is both historically credible and existentially satisfying. T.K.)
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To: JAKraig
"One thing the Mormons know how to do is take care of distressed people."

And other charitable organizations don't? There are much more capable organizations out there other than the mormon church and they don't prioritize or discriminate between member and non-member like the LdS.

I'll share some observations/experiences with you. When I was a mormon living in the SE US, I was able to participate in and witness LdS responses to hurricanes and tropical depressions.

Only after their members are taken care of, do they begin to look outside of mormon circles to help people in the local areas. One such event that I witnessed first hand was in Georgia after TS Alberto in '94. I talked with numerous relief agency folks who, although thankful for the use of buildings undamaged by flood waters, noticed that incoming relief supplies and equipment were used first and foremost for LdS folks.

A crew of us who were full-time and part-time general contractors, who had driven from central SC to southern GA on our own dime, were not permitted to sleep, shower or prepare meals in the local ward bldg. "Liability concerns", yet, we were all mormons, there to help. Curious.

The rebuilding efforts/supplies/equipment were almost exclusively focused on LdS folks in order and priority of their "position" or "activity" within the church.

The most active, temple attending got help first, then they worked down the chain to those who were inactive, but still "members".

Afterwards, whatever was left over after having been picked over by members for their use, was "donated" to the local non-LdS population.

Is this to say that they're doing the same in Japan? I don't know. But to this day, I still question their priorities based on my experiences while I was a mormon.

190 posted on 03/16/2011 8:38:41 AM PDT by SZonian (July 27, 2010. Life begins anew.)
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To: BlueMoose
Is the LDS Church now responsible for the welfare of the whole world?

Well, your Prophet Benson and Apostle McConkie declared that the mormon church is responsible for the spiritual welfare of the "whole earth"....

Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon

The time is long overdue for a massive flooding of the earth with the Book of Mormon for the many reasons which the Lord has given. In this age of the electronic media and the mass distribution of the printed word, God will hold us accountable if we do not now move the Book of Mormon in a monumental way.

We have the Book of Mormon, we have the members, we have the missionaries, we have the resources, and the world has the need. The time is now!

My beloved brothers and sisters, we hardly fathom the power of the Book of Mormon, nor the divine role it must play, nor the extent to which it must be moved.

“Few men on earth,” said Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “either in or out of the Church, have caught the vision of what the Book of Mormon is all about. Few are they among men who know the part it has played and will yet play in preparing the way for the coming of Him of whom it is a new witness. … The Book of Mormon shall so affect men that the whole earth and all its peoples will have been influenced and governed by it. … There is no greater issue ever to confront mankind in modern times than this: Is the Book of Mormon the mind and will and voice of God to all men?” (Millennial Messiah pp. 159, 170, 179.) We testify that it is.

Now, my good Saints, we have a great work to perform in a very short time. We must flood the earth with the Book of Mormon—and get out from under God’s condemnation for having treated it lightly. (See D&C 84:54–58.)

191 posted on 03/16/2011 8:46:01 AM PDT by greyfoxx39 ("Take a look around this country. Outside the Beltway, we are all Jews now." Stuart Schwartz)
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To: Colofornian
Is the LDS Church now responsible for the welfare of the whole world?

Humanitarian Efforts Review (Yellow Shirt Video)

192 posted on 03/16/2011 8:48:08 AM PDT by greyfoxx39 ("Take a look around this country. Outside the Beltway, we are all Jews now." Stuart Schwartz)
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To: dragonblustar

Attention all Stake Presidents:

Be sure to remind your people that NOW who be a GOOD time to turn over their stock.

A semi trailer will be parked on the grounds to receive their last year supply for shipment overseas.

Buy your new stuff now!

http://standeyo.com/News_Files/LTAH_Food_Store6.html


193 posted on 03/16/2011 9:00:50 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Vigilanteman
“So what are you doing to help the people of Japan? Any people? Even members of your own faith whatever it is?”

Every major Christian denomination will be or is there helping.
Some of us wonder why a thread is needed trumpeting what Mormons may or may not do.
It very appears to be self promoting.

194 posted on 03/16/2011 9:05:07 AM PDT by HereInTheHeartland (Yes We Can, have smaller government)
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To: BlueMoose
Is the LDS Church now responsible for the welfare of the whole world?

There is no doubt that the Corporation of the President of the Church of Latter-Day Saints is in "prosperous circumstances."

Alma 1:28-31

28And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.

 29And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly arich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of bsilk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely ccloth.

 30And thus, in their aprosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were bnaked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon criches; therefore they were dliberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no erespect to persons as to those who stood in need.

 31And thus they did aprosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.


195 posted on 03/16/2011 9:05:10 AM PDT by greyfoxx39 ("Take a look around this country. Outside the Beltway, we are all Jews now." Stuart Schwartz)
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To: HereInTheHeartland
It very appears to be self promoting.

See Post #2. The ones doing the promotion and most of the posting is the usually nutty Fred Phelps wanna-be "We hate Mormons" cabal.

FWIW, I work for a Japanese company. All of our vendors with any significant presence there (and a few without) are letting us know what they are doing.

Does this violate what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:1-4? Or does it comply with what he taught in Matthew 5:14-16?

I don't know the answer, because I don't pretend to know the intents of someone's heart, but I will let God be the judge.

196 posted on 03/16/2011 9:24:47 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: Vigilanteman

I just know that we very rarely see threads here on FR describing what Christian denominations are doing during times of crisis.
They are doing the work; but people just don’t see a need to put together a thread describing it.
I could describe the specifics of what my group is doing, but it doesn’t belong here.


197 posted on 03/16/2011 9:29:59 AM PDT by HereInTheHeartland (Yes We Can, have smaller government)
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To: HereInTheHeartland

I agree. I was just pointing out that it wasn’t Mormon Freepers posting the thread. It was the usual Fred Phelps wannabes using it as an opportunity to trash Mormons.


198 posted on 03/16/2011 9:47:46 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: Vigilanteman
"...the usually nutty Fred Phelps wanna-be "We hate Mormons" cabal."

Encore! Encore!

"I don't pretend to know the intents of someone's heart, but I will let God be the judge."

Really? After that opening salvo, I seriously doubt that.

199 posted on 03/16/2011 9:51:19 AM PDT by SZonian (July 27, 2010. Life begins anew.)
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To: SZonian
The "We hate Mormons" cabal doesn't exactly keep it a secret as evidenced by their rantings on this thread and others.

Unless you are a high official in the Obozo Administration, merely taking someone at their word is not being judgmental any more than declaring that Al Qaida is a terrorist group.

200 posted on 03/16/2011 10:03:31 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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