Newsroom features stories from its more than 80 international Newsroom websites as well as from those in the United States to share what members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are doing to better serve their communities throughout the world
Japan: Latter-day Saints Help Following Flood Disaster
Devastation followed an October typhoon in Honshu, Japan, where flooding homes and offices with mud. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were called together by their local leaders to help clean up the area and comfort the victims.
Volunteers from the Nagoya Higashi Stake (similar to a diocese) donned boots, gloves, goggles and masks in preparation for the work. What surprised the volunteers was that the assigned workplace was an apple orchard located below the broken bank of the Chikuma River. It was the first place to be damaged by the large amount of water that flowed over the embankment.
Go to the Japan Newsroom website (Japanese) to read more.
Pacific: Church Responds to Measles Outbreak in Samoa
People in the Pacific island nation of Samoa are suffering from a measles outbreak. Latter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is helping Samoa’s Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital accommodate more patients. The worldwide organization donated nine hospital beds, five single beds and four baby cots.
Elder K. Brett Nattress, first counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency, said, “We join with our friends in all faiths and denominations in petitioning the Lord in prayer on behalf of those who are suffering at this time and for the welfare of all Samoans.”
Read more on the Pacific Newsroom website.
Chile: Church Donation Helps Burned Children
The Church has donated necessary medical equipment to help treat children who have been burned. Rolando Saavedra, director of medical management for the COANIQUEM Foundation in Chile, said, “The children will benefit through the treatment of scars ... and improvement in the diagnosis of scars.”
Dr. Jorge Rojas Zegers, foundation president, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the donation.
There’s more information on the Chile Newsroom website (Spanish).
Guatemala: Move Forward Firmly in Christ, Church Apostle CounselsYoung adults in Central America recently received valuable counsel from Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
He spoke to young people at a devotional, which was transmitted from the city of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. “You are not alone,” he said. “Heavenly Father loves you and knows you. Jesus Christ is our Savior and wants you to receive the blessings of the atonement.”
For additional teachings from Elder Bednar, go to the Guatemala Newsroom website (Spanish).
Pacific: Apostle Ministers to Latter-day Saints in the Pacific
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has been in the Pacific, speaking to and encouraging missionaries and members of the Church. His wife, Melanie, accompanied him.
He advised the missionaries to use the scriptures to answer tough questions. “The more you can use the words of the Lord and His apostles, the better your ministry will be.”
Go to the Pacific Newsroom website to read more.
Mongolia: Youth Gather Humanitarian Supplies
Teenage Latter-day Saints in the Church’s Choibalsan congregation assembled humanitarian packages for the elderly.
When delivering the packages, which were filled with donated supplies, the youth also sang songs and interacted with the recipients.
Read about the project on the Mongolia Newsroom website (Mongolian).
Australia: Latter-day Saints Provide Support to Local Communities
Members of the Church in Wonthaggi have been knitting teddy bears for patients staying at the local hospital, as well as helping farmers who are suffering through a drought.
Latter-day Saints have been collecting food to help the Gippsland farmers during the current drought. The Church has been making monthly donations to the farmers, which assists them in feeding their families. The project started last Christmas, when a Latter-day Saint brought the matter to the attention of the Relief Society, the Church’s women’s organization. “Many of the farmers didn’t have enough money to purchase food items for their Christmas meals,” said Latter-day Saint Jennifer Fleming.
Go to the Australia Newsroom website to get further details.
Barbados: Helping Hands Volunteers Participate in Caribbean’s International Day of Service
Helping Hands volunteers served in several areas recently to celebrate the Caribbean’s International Day of Service.
Read more about this on the Barbados Newsroom website.
Pacific: Tongan Faith Communities Come Together in Auckland
In an effort to build relationships with friends of other faiths, the Mt. Roskill Tongan congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently held two cultural activities.
Among those participating in the activities were members of the Catholic, Wesleyan, Methodist and Church of Tonga faiths. As a prelude to the musical devotional, a large feast was held. Guests were greeted with tables laden with a variety of traditional Tongan dishes.
