Thank you for making many LDS people aware of what the Church is doing to help those living on the street. Here in Portland, the Church formed a small branch that administers to the needy as much as possible. Often people stop by for free food, clothes or whatever might make their lives a bit easier. Some realize the importance, and continue to adopt a new lifestyle if LDS membership Unfortunately, many just use our property as a restroom, or they can hide to do their addictive proclivities. I believe most folks living in the suburbs have no idea of what these people are going through....the contrast is so stark. It is still important to realize that we are ALL children of our Father in Heaven and deserve help, even if they are crying from the gutter!!!
ChrisJuly 3, 2025
Love and truth are so important and critical. Thank you for this outstanding article. When integrity and compassion fail in any institution or church, it has lost its way. Moroni knew this when he wrote:
Mormon 8: 36 And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.
37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.
Judy PerryJune 30, 2025
WOW !!!Thank you for this. I weep for those who leave. As a parent of two gay children who did leave, I was blessed to keep them close and learn from them. This article has exposed other judgements, impatience, and prejudices I still have tendencies to. I will share this going forward. Bless you all who work with the Other Side Community/Program. I love you.
JuliannJune 30, 2025
I admit that I didn’t comprehend all presented but I was cheering throughout the read. Having facilitated four Emotional Resiliance groups I can attest to how difficult true vulnerability and honesty can be. It takes me weeks to recover from my own openness and each time I withdraw from ward association more. Right now I’m concerned about one sister who shared her own addiction struggle and hasn’t been to church since. Why do we feel guilty for having and revealing weaknesses when Church should be a hospital for sinners, not a museum for Saints? I get so tired of hearing about our Ward Family when I for one feel like the Ward Leper. Thank you for such an insightful article. I wish the Liahona would publish it also.
Kathy JensenJune 30, 2025
Beautifully written and such an important message for all of us.
Craig FrogleyJune 30, 2025
Brilliant and insightful, my fr
Ones! Thank you…much to think about and then do!
RosieJune 30, 2025
Marvelous! I've been through trauma in my marriage that I've had to hide because those things just aren't talked about at church. This powerful essay gives me hope that someday we can have the kind of wards and branches where we talk about our brokenness and help each other become whole, without condemnation, judgement or rejection.
Charles McClellandJune 30, 2025
Thank you for this wonderfully thought provoking, action inducing, uplifting article!
D. Kirk BittonJune 30, 2025
This is an amazing article! Thanks for your candor and inspired thoughts. As I sense my own inadequacy in these areas, I find hope in knowing I’m not alone. Your article has inspired me to do and be better!
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Dave HansenAugust 13, 2025
Thank you for making many LDS people aware of what the Church is doing to help those living on the street. Here in Portland, the Church formed a small branch that administers to the needy as much as possible. Often people stop by for free food, clothes or whatever might make their lives a bit easier. Some realize the importance, and continue to adopt a new lifestyle if LDS membership Unfortunately, many just use our property as a restroom, or they can hide to do their addictive proclivities. I believe most folks living in the suburbs have no idea of what these people are going through....the contrast is so stark. It is still important to realize that we are ALL children of our Father in Heaven and deserve help, even if they are crying from the gutter!!!
ChrisJuly 3, 2025
Love and truth are so important and critical. Thank you for this outstanding article. When integrity and compassion fail in any institution or church, it has lost its way. Moroni knew this when he wrote: Mormon 8: 36 And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. 37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.
Judy PerryJune 30, 2025
WOW !!!Thank you for this. I weep for those who leave. As a parent of two gay children who did leave, I was blessed to keep them close and learn from them. This article has exposed other judgements, impatience, and prejudices I still have tendencies to. I will share this going forward. Bless you all who work with the Other Side Community/Program. I love you.
JuliannJune 30, 2025
I admit that I didn’t comprehend all presented but I was cheering throughout the read. Having facilitated four Emotional Resiliance groups I can attest to how difficult true vulnerability and honesty can be. It takes me weeks to recover from my own openness and each time I withdraw from ward association more. Right now I’m concerned about one sister who shared her own addiction struggle and hasn’t been to church since. Why do we feel guilty for having and revealing weaknesses when Church should be a hospital for sinners, not a museum for Saints? I get so tired of hearing about our Ward Family when I for one feel like the Ward Leper. Thank you for such an insightful article. I wish the Liahona would publish it also.
Kathy JensenJune 30, 2025
Beautifully written and such an important message for all of us.
Craig FrogleyJune 30, 2025
Brilliant and insightful, my fr Ones! Thank you…much to think about and then do!
RosieJune 30, 2025
Marvelous! I've been through trauma in my marriage that I've had to hide because those things just aren't talked about at church. This powerful essay gives me hope that someday we can have the kind of wards and branches where we talk about our brokenness and help each other become whole, without condemnation, judgement or rejection.
Charles McClellandJune 30, 2025
Thank you for this wonderfully thought provoking, action inducing, uplifting article!
D. Kirk BittonJune 30, 2025
This is an amazing article! Thanks for your candor and inspired thoughts. As I sense my own inadequacy in these areas, I find hope in knowing I’m not alone. Your article has inspired me to do and be better!
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