Photo courtesy lds.org
A relief worker stacks supplies that will go to assist hurricane victims. Several Church leaders expressed sympathies and thoughts about the recent natural disasters that have hit the Gulf States.

Church leaders speak about recent hurricanes

Amanda Jordan JOR02007@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

Recent natural disasters were discussed by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 175th Semiannual General Conference last weekend.

During the Saturday afternoon session, both Elder Henry B. Eyring and Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke of recent natural disasters. President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke about them in the priesthood session, and Elder Richard G. Scott mentioned them in the Sunday morning session.

Elder Eyring compared the preparation for hurricanes to spiritual preparation. “Most of us have thought about how to prepare for storms. We have seen and felt the suffering of women, men and children, and of the aged and the weak, caught in the hurricanes … There is a rush to buy and put away whatever people think they might need for the day they might face such calamities,” he said.

Spiritual preparation must start early and be steady. “It is not to endure storms, but to choose the right while they rage,” Elder Eyring said.

Elder Ballard, and other Church leaders, recently visited refugee centers in the South. He noticed that, among all the other needs, “what they wanted and needed most was their families.”

“In times of danger and need and change there is no question that what we care about most is our families!” Elder Ballard said.

President Hinckley spoke to the priesthood holders of the Church about the need for food storage and 72-hour kits, and reminded the members that this counsel has been given in the past, and it is not just for times of tragedy.

On Sunday morning, Elder Scott spoke of the recent hurricanes and how they lead people to Christ.

“All around us we see a heightening desire for spiritual direction the world over as a result of increasing natural and human-caused disasters,” he said. “Our Heavenly Father knew that deteriorating world conditions would lead His children to seek His spiritual nourishment.”

The Church is working with other relief agencies and the government to assist the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to www.lds.org. The Church is also providing shelter, food and counseling to the victims.

More links to the Church’s involvement in the disasters can be found at www.lds.org.