The only thing that rivals the Mormon church’s ability to spread the word is its ability to cope with emergencies.Efforts have now turned to relief, not just for members of the Church in Japan but to the region at large as the Church works with the Red Cross and others. Appreciate the positive perspective from Kari Huus.
Within 36 hours of the earthquake striking off the coast of Sendai on March 11, the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that all 638 of its missionaries in the country -- 342 Americans, 216 Japanese and 80 from other nations – were safe.
Within a few days, the church also had accounted for all but about 1,000 of its 125,000 members in Japan....
I was living in Atlanta when Hurricane Andrew wiped out some regions of southern Florida, especially Homestead. I was one of thousands of Latter-day Saints who joined LDS-led relief efforts shortly after the hurricane struck. I was amazed to see how well the Priesthood organization functioned. Men who I suspect weren't all that great at home teaching, giving talks, or organizing a ward social all looked like real professionals when it came to stepping up to the challenge of helping a community reeling from disaster. Order, hard work, compassion, and kindness prevailed thousands poured into the grounds of LDS buildings to camp and work. Just amazing. The image of thousands of yellow T-shirts is still in my mind. They helped us recognize one another for increased order, and let the people know who were and reminded us who we were as well. I think they said "Mormon helping hands" or something like that. It was a tiring couple of days but well worth the sacrifice. So impressive to see how supplies and labor had been so effectively organized by people in the Church.
Keep Japan in your prayers. Donations are good, too.
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