Inspirational Stories about Caring for Those in Need

Swords into Plowshares

A bomb shelter built in Belarus during the 1960s and 1970s was used to store humanitarian shipments from the Church—items such as blankets, medical supplies, and wheelchairs—until they could be given to those in need. A bond of friendship and trust developed between the people and the Church.

Angels at the Bishops’ Storehouse

A young man wrote a letter of thanks for the help he and his family received from the storehouse.

A Stranger in Nauvoo

After a hard journey of 800 miles on foot, Jane and her companions reached Nauvoo and met the Prophet Joseph Smith. Her companions found places to stay, but Jane had none until the Prophet and Emma opened their home to her.

Living Water in Africa

Neil and Marjorie Darlington served as humanitarian service missionaries in Ghana, where their work included drilling and refurbishing wells, bringing clean water to 190,000 people.

The Food That Saved a Life

Ruben was 11 years old when he planned to end his life because he could not find food for himself and his siblings. Then a truck pulled up needing directions. It was bound for Ruben's barrio and filled with food. Ruben directed the driver, and the truck delivered food to last for months.

Rare Pearls

Ralph and Molly Taylor volunteered at Welfare Square every week for 65 years—ever since it opened. At age 90, Ralph led the music and Molly played the piano for the weekly devotional.

The Mormons Are Here!

Church volunteers, wearing "Mormon Helping Hands" T-shirts, helped clean up and repair homes following the devastation caused by one hurricane after another hitting the Caribbean and southeastern United States.

Why Do You Do This?

Brother Ingram and a group of Church members traveled from South Carolina to Florida to help hurricane victims. One man they helped asked, "Why do you do this?" Brother Ingram decided he does it to greet people as a representative of the Church and to ask if he might help.

Helping the Homeless in Salt Lake City

Workers at the Transient Services office at Welfare Square assisted the homeless, distressed, and discouraged in Salt Lake City to find answers and often to start a new life.

A Simple Act of Kindness

A leper bandage arrived at the LDS Humanitarian Center. It looked like many hundreds of others, but there was something special about this one. A note pinned to it told about the woman who made it.