Community

• “Once the appropriate council are in place and energized, leaders can begin to look beyond maintenance and meeting the needs of individuals and can find ways to make the world a better place in which to live.  There’s no reason why ward council agendas could not include such subjects as gang violence, urban blight, unemployment, or abuse of any kind.  Bishops could ask ward councils, “How can we make a difference in our community and in our families in these important areas?”  Such broad thinking and involvement in our communities would not only be exciting and fulfilling, it would also have the benefit of being the right thing for us to do as Latter-day Saints and as Christians.  In other words, one of the great strengths of the council system is the flexibility it provides to develop and implement local solutions to local problems.  And as the needs and circumstances of individuals, families, and communities change over time, ward and stake councils- operating under priesthood direction and established Church guidelines- can focus their collective wisdom and the inspiration of heaven on such needs, thus blessing and lifting all who come within their influence.”  Counseling with Our Councils  M. Russell Ballard, Page 15
• “Participation in the grantmaking process offers families the distinct privilege of learning about needs and issues from those most impassioned and most involved – the community leaders they fund. They build nonprofit skills and experiences they likely would not have otherwise; among them, experience with volunteers, board and staff relationships, financial management, development, and evaluation. And, it has given them the chance to return those gifts to society – as more enlightened, engaged nonprofit volunteers.”  NCFP, “The Value of Family in Philanthropy
• “There is something meaningful to the recipient communities that this is family philanthropy – something very resonant with the people who receive the benefits of the philanthropy. It is like a family’s loving arms embracing a larger group of people. You can’t underestimate the love part of family philanthropy. It’s the best part.”NCFP, “The Value of Family in Philanthropy
• “Philanthropy is about getting results for others, and about care and concern, but it is also an expression of identity in community with others, and our identity is formed and expresses itself over time – we live many lives from infancy to death.”   IDENTITY AND THE ADULT LIFECYCLE IN LEGACY PLANNING.Assignment 7 of the CAP Designation.Phil Cubeta, CLU®, ChFC®, MSFS, CAP®Sallie B. and William B. Wallace Chair in PhilanthropyThe American College for Financial Services
• “The primary test for both the poetry and the practice of philanthropy is integrity – was our purpose noble, were we true to it, and did we in all instances, deeply listen to the community of interest we presume to serve.”Founder ofThePhilanthropicInitiative
• “Don’t just live, but live for a purpose bigger than yourself. Be an asset to your family, community, and country.”  No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden (Owen, Mark Maurer, Kevin) Page 299
•  Jacob 7:23…  And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was restored again among the people; and they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man.
•  Alma 50:23...But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges.
• “Elder Jeffrey R. Holland told of a young man who was the brunt of his peers teasing during his school years. Some years later he moved away, joined the military, received an education, and became active in the Church. This period of his life was marked with wonderfully successful experiences. After several years he returned to his hometown. However, the people refused to acknowledge his growth and improvement. To them, he was still just old ;so-and-so; and they treated him that way. Eventually, this good man faded away to a shadow of his former successful self without being able to use his marvelously developed talents to bless those who derided and rejected him once again. What a loss, both for him and the community!” Ensign, 2016, General Women’s Session, I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel Into My Home
• February 13, 1996 – Tuesday – Quito Ecuador… “About the comment that Elder Ponciano will push Satan out – Satan testified of it today.  We were eating some bread & chocolate milk, sitting on a curb.  There was a drunk across the street yelling at us, & trying to start something.  We just ignored him because it always happens.  Well, the drunk grabbed a blade out of his sock and came after us!  We both grabbed our books, bread, etc & I went one way and Elder Ponciano the other.  He followed Ponciano trying to stab him, but some guy grabbed him so he couldn’t.  We left like nothing happened.  When we started meditating over the situation we both recalled feelings we had to not be where we were.  We didn’t follow the Spirit & we were almost sliced.  We need to learn to act on 1st promptings of the Spirit.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
• “Let us not forget that we believe in being benevolent and in doing good to all men. I am convinced that we can teach our children effectively enough that we need not fear that they will lose their faith while being friendly and considerate with those who do not subscribe to the doctrine of this Church. Let us be involved in good community causes. There may be situations where, with serious moral issues involved, we cannot bend on matters of principle. But in such instances we can politely disagree without being disagreeable. We can acknowledge the sincerity of those whose positions we cannot accept. We can speak of principles rather than personalities.” Manual, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B Hinkley, Chapter 20, Fellowship with Those who are Not of our Faith