Mormon Helping Hands :: Hurricane Sandy :: Rockaways, NY from Joshua Brown.
Film Description:
“Thousands of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continue to volunteer to assist in the recovery efforts within these communities. On Sunday, November 11th, thousands of Mormons cancelled their church services and arrived by air, bus and train from all across the country to help.

Please share this video with any friends and family that might be able to help the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. Not only at the Rockaways, but Staten Island, Long Island, and New Jersey. The church is coordinating the efforts, but anyone (both Mormon and non Mormon) is welcome to come and help.”

“Pure religion… is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…” (James 1:27). In the wake of tragedy we sometimes see people at their worst, and sometimes we get a glimpse of greatness, a coming together to help those that are truly in need. We set aside our differences, we set aside our beliefs, and we work as one. It is a beautiful, inspiring thing. The question in my mind is why can’t this be done all the time? Why are we so obsessed with the rest of the world calling us Christians and why are Christians so obsessed with not calling us Christians? Are we missing the boat? Why are we so caught up in who is right and who is wrong? Who has the patent on God’s church? Who has the patent on God’s truths? Who has a patent on inspiration? No one. If we were obsessed with helping others instead of trying to “save each other” from hell fire, this world would be a much better place. “Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)… There are just some kind of men who – who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one…(Miss Maudie)” (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird)

*SIDE NOTE*
I have heard criticism that the volunteers shouldn’t wear the yellow so they don’t stand out – as if they are saying, “look how good we are because we are helping.”  “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). Sure, there will be those critics, and to them I say: “People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for” (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird). For me, I see people who truly understand that there are people in need, and before anything else, they want to help others. They are coming together and that is inspiring. It is a beautiful thing. This is what religion should be – lifting up your neighbor in the name of love.

**SIDE SIDE NOTE**
Shout out to my boy Casey that is in this film. (around 7:02) I love you brother and it was good seeing you getting your hands dirty.

Pablo

Born and raised in Northern California, Pablo received his education at Ricks College and BYU with a BA in Spanish, minor in PE Coaching. Pablo served his LDS mission during the years 94-96 in Rosario, Argentina. He now runs a skate shop and batting cages in Orem, UT. He's married and has 4 boys.

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