Charitable Responses to Displacement
In light of growing global concerns surrounding displacement and the plight of innocent refugees, it is imperative for us, as members of the LDS community, to seriously consider adoption as a meaningful response to these challenges. Allow us to share how our faith supports this perspective and how adoption aligns with our core doctrines.
The Doctrine of Charity and Compassion:
At the heart of our faith lies the doctrine of charity, which calls upon us to love and serve our fellow beings as ourselves. In Matthew 25:35-40, the Savior teaches us that when we minister to the needs of the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned, we are ministering unto Him. This includes extending love and compassion to innocent refugees and displaced individuals who are in need of refuge and support. Adoption provides a tangible way for us to fulfill this divine mandate by opening our hearts and homes to children who are in need of a loving family.
Stewardship of Resources:
As Latter-day Saints, we are taught to be wise stewards of our resources and to use them to bless the lives of others. In Doctrine and Covenants 104:14-18, we are counseled to use our means to care for the poor, the needy, and the afflicted. Adoption offers us an opportunity to invest our resources in a manner that has a lasting and profound impact on the lives of children who may have been displaced or orphaned due to circumstances beyond their control. By providing a stable and loving home through adoption, we fulfill our stewardship responsibilities and contribute to the welfare of God’s children.
Building Eternal Families:
Our faith teaches us that families are central to God’s plan for our happiness and progression. Through temple ordinances, we have the opportunity to unite our families for eternity. In Doctrine and Covenants 138:48, we learn that the hearts of the children turn to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers turn to their children. Adoption allows us to extend the blessings of eternal family relationships to children who may not have had the opportunity to experience the love and security of a stable family environment. By embracing adoption, we participate in the divine work of building and strengthening eternal families, both here on earth and in the eternities.
In conclusion, adoption serves as a powerful expression of our faith and commitment to following the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. By opening our hearts and homes to children in need, we fulfill our divine mandate to love and serve our fellow beings, contribute to the welfare of innocent refugees and displaced individuals, and build and strengthen eternal families according to God’s plan.
As members of the LDS community, let us prayerfully consider how we can actively support and advocate for adoption as a meaningful response to the global challenges of displacement and refugee crises.
If you have any further questions or would like to discuss this matter in more detail, please feel free to reach out. Together, let us continue to strive to emulate the love and compassion of our Savior in all that we do.
