by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist
Two events that would seem dichotomous are under way this weekend for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Antonio. It is the Church’s worldwide semi-annual General Conference where members get to sit and listen to Church leaders. However, for many San Antonio members they are doing anything but sitting! They are participating in clean up efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ida in Louisiana.
They are literally putting into action the teachings that were given today. In this morning’s session, Elder Ulisses S. Soares, a member of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve apostles said: “The compassionate attitude of Jesus is rooted in charity, namely in His pure and perfect love, which is the essence of His atoning sacrifice. Compassion is a fundamental characteristic of those who strive for sanctification, and this divine quality intertwines with other Christian traits, such as mourning with those who mourn and having empathy, mercy and kindness.”
Members from the area left yesterday to head to the clean up sites in Louisiana. They will work all day today, camp and then continue their cleanup efforts again tomorrow. The accommodations are pretty primitive for the workers, who had to bring all of their own food, clothing and shelter. It is truly a compassionate and wholly Christian effort they are undertaking.
President Dallin H. Oaks, of the Church’s First Presidency cited the need for churches and gathering during his address this morning. As members in San Antonio are clearing debris, he said: “Most humanitarian and charitable efforts need to be accomplished by pooling and managing individual resources on a large scale”. He then cited the Church’s “Helping Hands” efforts in connection with disaster relief.
