The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages its members to follow the first and second great commandments, which are “first, to love God and, second, to love our neighbor” (President Russell M. Nelson, October 2019). Humanitarian and service projects are an essential part of that effort to love and care for all God’s children around the world, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. In areas of focus, we collaborate with organizations of all sizes to create a greater global impact.
The Impact of Collaborations
The Church fulfills its humanitarian mission by collaborating with other organizations. Collaborations with nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations include donations of resources or Church member volunteers for humanitarian projects. By working together, we can make a greater impact in providing immediate help and building self-reliance for all of God’s children.
– President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency
Our Global Priority: Women and Children
One of the ways we can make the biggest impact is by prioritizing the health and well-being of women and children. We seek to work with organizations that also prioritize this effort. This global priority includes projects in maternal and newborn care, immunizations, education, and child nutrition.
How the Church Selects Collaborations
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follows humanitarian principles that are shared across humanitarian organizations. These principles include humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. The Church seeks to work with organizations whose values align with ours. The Church also looks for organizations whose humanitarian projects:
- Seek to help those who are most vulnerable, without regard to race, religion, or nationality.
- Attend to immediate needs while strengthening beneficiaries to better care for their future needs.
- Increase sustainability by using local resources to address local needs.
How Does the Church Support Community Volunteerism?
“Latter-day Saints, as with other followers of Jesus Christ, are always looking for ways to help, to lift, and to love others” (President Russell M. Nelson, October 2019). If you are looking for volunteers for your organization or service project, consider posting your project to JustServe.org. Many members of the Church and others in the community use this platform to find volunteer opportunities and would love to help.
What Other Organizations Say about Our Work
—Barron Segar, President and CEO of World Food Programme USA
—Kerri Murray, President of ShelterBox USA
—Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE USA