Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are being encouraged to provide assistance to refugees around the world. The First Presidency, the Church’s highest governing body, sent a letter dated October 27, 2015, to Church leaders signed by President Thomas S. Monson and his counselors, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
The letter is scheduled to be read during sacrament meetings around the globe, which is the Church’s local Sunday worship service.
“It is with great concern and compassion that we observe the plight of the millions of people around the world who have fled their homes seeking relief from civil conflict and other hardships,” states the letter.
The letter explains the Church is assisting migrants and refugees in several countries “thanks to the generous help of our members.”
Mormons have been providing aid to refugees in the Middle East for more than a decade, providing hundreds of thousands of blankets, clothes, emergency medical supplies, food and other resources to refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Syria.
In response to the recent crisis in Europe, the Church made an additional commitment in September of $5 million to help displaced families.
The letter continues, “Members may contribute to the Church Humanitarian Fund using theTithing and Other Offerings donation slip. We also invite Church units, families, and individuals to participate in local relief projects, where practical.”
“May the Lord bless you as you render Christlike service to those in need,” the letter concludes.