Celebrating World Caring Day in Canberra, Australia

Representatives of the Australian diplomatic community gathered to celebrate World Caring Day in Canberra, Australia on Friday, 8 June.

At a dinner in Australia’s capital city, diplomats representing Tonga, Pakistan, Ghana, Mongolia, and India discussed some of the ways people of faith and goodwill are caring for those in need.

The event was hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Keynote speaker, Professor A. Keith Thompson of the University of Notre Dame Australia, spoke to guests about some of the ways the Church and others are caring for those in need throughout the world, including programs such as JustServe and BYU Pathway Worldwide.

He quoted Bishop Gerald Causse in saying, "Imagine the transformation that would occur in the world if every community of which we are a part were made to feel like a place where our natural environment is preserved, a place where mutual love and service prevail, a place of peace where our differences are overshadowed by our common values."

Referring to a recently published book, titled, The Economic Impact of Religion on Society in Australia, Professor Thompson gave examples of how engaged individuals of faith donate more to charitable causes and volunteer more in their communities than before they became religious.

Elder Robert Gordon, an Area Seventy (regional leader) in the Church, shared closing remarks. He said that Latter-day Saints are committed to following the example of Jesus Christ individually and institutionally by providing relief around the world.

As an example, he spoke about how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is working with aid agencies to support government efforts in Papua New Guinea in response to recent natural disasters in that country.

Elder Gordon said, “We worship God who is the Father of us all. Our existence is not an accident. It behooves us to treat everyone as children of God. In our faith, our example is Jesus Christ.

“To make peace in the world,” he concluded, “we must make peace with our immediate neighbour. We need to be a caring influence and a godly influence.”