Insights

A sure spiritual foundation at a time of crisis

Time_of_Crises_01.jpg
For Christians, service is mandated in the scriptures and is an important way by which we show devotion to our Heavenly Father.2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
                           

Personal and public resources are stretched to the limit during this time of challenge and crisis caused by the current pandemic. Individuals and families worry about the health of loved ones and are confronted with significant economic uncertainty. European governments and health systems face severe tests.

No one is immune from difficulties.

But in a world awash with problems, the value of religious life has probably never been more pertinent. C. S. Lewis wrote, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.”

The Light from Jesus Christ illuminates our personal paths, even if we recognise this only after we take the first few steps. That radiance can also lift others’ burdens and helps light up their lives. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that we should strive to follow in the footsteps of the Saviour in our daily lives, joining others in doing good.

“As a Christian faith, service is what we do,” Bishop Paul Corre told a BBC radio host after his Duston congregation in the Northampton area of the UK united in service with the local community during December.

The congregation’s response to the needs of nearby flood victims included setting up a Covid-secure drive-through from where volunteers distributed emergency kits of essential supplies.

           
Duston_drive-through
The Duston congregation’s response to the needs of flood victims included setting up a Covid-secure drive-through to distribute essential supplies.2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
             

“In times like this . . . we’ve got the infrastructure to respond quickly and use our building and networks to benefit the community,” added Bishop Corre. “I think it’s been wonderful that we’ve seen so many people contribute, come together.”

Many good people, of all faiths and none, render service. For Christians, service is a scriptural mandate and is an important way by which we show devotion to our Heavenly Father. The Book of Mormon prophet King Benjamin taught that ‘when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God’ (Mosiah 2:17).

Faith brings real value to the public square. Professor Craig Calhoun, a previous Director of the London School of Economics, noted that religions play an important role in their contribution to society ‘because they motivate their members’ and ‘as communities and networks’ enable them to take action.[1] Additionally, faith groups ‘call the attention of both members and non-members to important themes and questions’ across a wide range of topics including ‘the morality of money and migration, the importance of civility and ethics in the media’ and ‘the nature of community.’

               
Duston_EmergencyKits
Emergency kits of essential supplies were gathered in the Duston congregation’s meetinghouse.2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
 

The practical and spiritual benefits of a faith-filled life are extensive. We grow personally on our spiritual journey and we help others in the process. As Joseph Smith the Prophet taught, “A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”


[1] Craig Calhoun, How Does Religion matter in Britain’s secular public square?, LSE BPP, 17 June 2016, https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/how-does-religion-matter-in-britains-secular-public-sphere/

Time_of_Crises_02.jpg
The Duston congregation’s response to the needs of flood victims included setting up a Covid-secure drive-through to distribute essential supplies.2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
                    

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.