“We are grateful for the many examples of heroic service rendered in times of earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or other disasters. Such cooperative efforts to help neighbors in distress transcend any barriers posed by religion, race or culture. Those good deeds are latter-day love in action!
Humanitarian relief rendered by members of this Church is extensive, multinational, and generally unpublicized. Even so, there are doubtless many who wonder why we don’t do more to assist the innumerable worthy causes to which our hearts respond.
Of course we are concerned with the need for ambulances in the valley below. But at the same time, we cannot ignore the greater need for protective rails on the cliffs above. Limited resources needed for the accomplishment of the higher work cannot be depleted in the rescue efforts that provide only temporary relief.
The biblical prophet Nehemiah must have felt that same commitment in his important calling. When he was asked to divert his attention away from his primary purpose, he replied: “I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3).
Fortunately, we in the Church rarely have to make such a decision. We consider love of our neighbor an integral part of our mission. And while we serve one another, we continue to build a spiritual house of refuge on the cliffs above. Such a sanctuary becomes a blessing for all mankind. We are but the builders: the architect is almighty God.
Latter-day Saints throughout the world work side by side with others—regardless of race, color, or creed—hoping to be good examples worthy of emulation.~Russell M. Nelson (see “‘Teach Us Tolerance and Love,'” Ensign, May 1994)
From “Teachings of Russell M. Nelson” Deseret Book 2018 p. 147
