The media appears to have taken a keen interest in the lifestyle of Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) In particular, there seems to be an increased interest in the amount of volunteerism and charitable donations given by Mormons.
Recently, University of Pennsylvania professor Ram Cnaan and fellow researchers Van Evans and Daniel W. Curtis jointly published a study that measures the donations given by members of The LDS Church. The team analyzed data taken from 2,664 church-attending Latter-day Saints in the United States. Based on their research, the team concluded that Latter-day Saints who are active members “volunteer and donate significantly more than the average American and are even more generous in time and money than the upper quintile of religious people in America.” [1]
According to the data, while the average American volunteers some 48 hours per year to charitable causes, an active Latter-day Saint volunteers 427.9 hours annually — a contribution worth an estimated $9,140 annually. [1] This is no small surprise as Mormons, by nature, are a charitable people, and are always willing to “lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Hebrews 12:12) whenever, and wherever needed. Mormons are good citizens and actively participate in their communities – always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, whether they are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ or not.
The thirteenth Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states:
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ taught:
We have no special instructions to give; he is to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever he finds them (Seasons of the Times, Volume 3, 15 March 1842, page 732.)
Therefore, Latter-day Saints believe that:
The charge to seek after virtue, goodness, honor, and all praiseworthy things is an obligation that flows from love for and devotion to God. Jesus declared, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Later in his ministry, Jesus further declared that loving God and loving our fellowmen are the two great commandments upon which “hang all the law and the prophets” (see Matthew 22:37—40). Latter-day Saints take these commandments very seriously, for love is the essence of true religion (see James 1:27). “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,” the apostle Paul wrote, “and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1—2; see Moroni 7:44—48). Latter-day Saints embrace the teachings of both ancient and modern scriptures that one’s love for God must also be manifested in love for one’s fellowmen. [2]
In addition to freely volunteering their service, they always give free-will donations through tithing in the LDS Church, as well as to charitable organizations outside of the LDS Church. The results of the research indicated that 88.8 percent of active members follow the biblical admonition to tithe (donate 10 percent of their annual income to the Church). [1]
Further results of the research indicated that:
Although much of Church volunteerism is religious in nature, members also dedicate 151.9 hours annually to serving in the Church’s social and community initiatives, such as Boy Scouts of America or the Church’s worldwide welfare and humanitarian aid programs.
In addition, active members not only donate, on average, a full 10 percent of their income to the Church, but donate $1,821 to other social and community causes. [1]
Latter-day Saints are taught and have an understanding of the Savior’s teaching when He said, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me” (Matthew 25:45.) “Overall, we found they are the most prosocial members of American society,” the study said. “Regardless of where they live, they are very generous with their time and money.” [1] In the words of President Thomas S. Monson, the current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “As we look heavenward, we inevitably learn of our responsibility to reach outward.”
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