My Challenge To All Non-Lds Readers

[Storm Rider]

Some may be offended just because of the perceived ignorance or arrogance of your challenge. I don't think there is another church or denomination outside of the Latter Day Saint movement that has a similar program; however, there are many groups that do have programs that allow them to assist the poor. More importantly, these programs are quite effective.

I do think your intentions were good; this is a program with multiple levels of benefits that could easily be adapted by many other groups. However, emulating the LDS is not something that would be palatable for others. I wonder if LDS would emulate a Lutheran program, or an Anglican Church program?

Many LDS simply do not occupy their time learning about other churches and the way they function or learning about the Early Church Fathers or other theologians. If we don't find it in the scriptures, the Ensign, or Church materials LDS generally are not going to pursue it.

There are two sides to this coin.

[Bernard Gui]

However, emulating the LDS is not something that would be palatable for others. I wonder if LDS would emulate a Lutheran program, or an Anglican Church program?

Sunday School

Church music practices

We sing a lot of their hymns

[Saints Alive]

However, emulating the LDS is not something that would be palatable for others. I wonder if LDS would emulate a Lutheran program, or an Anglican Church program?

The church uses catholic charities when they are better suited to meet the needs of the needy

[KevinG]

I wonder if LDS would emulate a Lutheran program, or an Anglican Church program?

If there is anything ^hvirtuous, ⁱlovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

(I think the insular nature of the LDS has to do with the overwhelming number of worthwhile things we are involved with in our own culture. I wish we did "get out" more but there are bright spots. Locally we participated in Gospel choir showcases, gave support to Protestant sponsored charity drives, work in soup kitchens and women's shelter in the last few years. Internationally we do work side by side with Catholic Charities and other aid groups not of our faith.)

[KevinG]

The church uses catholic charities when they are better suited to meet the needs of the needy

Oops... yeah what he said.

[Calm]

I wonder if LDS would emulate a Lutheran program, or an Anglican Church program? .

LDS humanitarian efforts' general approach is to supplement and fill areas not being addressed rather than duplicate efforts, thus lds wanting to help feed the homeless for example are more likely to volunteer at an established charity than create their own soup kitchen or other facility (and unfortunately some charities see help from lds as tainted and refuse it, as did a local homeless shelter up in Calgary while I lived there....however when this rejection was published in the local news, several other charities begged for us to consider them as a partner.) so I see it as less likely lds would emulate another church's charitable activity by making one of their own, more likely would just volunteer to join it if they were accepting outside volunteers. Something along the lines of communal fasting and donations could of course be imitated easily enough. I known of some lds who have started home schooling programs and ladies' clubs based on another local church's program.