We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We hope those who braved the crowds survived Black Friday. And yesterday, of course, was Cyber Monday. Well, today is Giving Tuesday-- a day set aside to focus on helping others through charitable causes. What a wonderful idea, not that I'm biased whatsoever! It is a great day to make a philanthropic contribution to your favorite causes.
As you all know, I've spent my whole career with LDS Philanthropies, a department of the Office of the Presiding Bishopric. I could not ask for a better place to work. I truly love what I do. To be a front-row witness of philanthropy in action is a dream come true. Philanthropy literally means, "the love of mankind." It's a chance to share of one's abundance to bless the lives of others. It is a divine principle that I love.
LDS Philanthropies exists to encourage and facilitate charitable contributions outside of tithing and fast offerings. This includes:
- Brigham Young University
- Brigham Young University-Idaho
- Brigham Young University-Hawaii
- LDS Business College
- LDS Charities (such as Humanitarian Aid, Wheelchairs, Clean Water, Food Initiatives, Vision Care, Neonatal Resuscitation Training, Immunization)
- Missionary Fund
- Perpetual Education Fund
- LDS Temple Donations
- Gift Planning (for those who have named one of the aforementioned areas in their estate plans. If you've included one of the schools, let me know...we'd love to involve you in our legacy societies)
There are so many amazing people out there supporting these causes. These are donors of the LDS faith and those great people of other faiths. Some may feel that giving is mostly for the affluent. The truth is that giving is for everyone. One of my favorite passages in the scriptures is that of the Widow's Mite. We're all familiar with it. But think about the example of this consecrated humble disciple. How powerful is what she did, and how powerful was it that the Savior recognized her sacrifice.
I was in a meeting many years ago where we were remind that. when people give, (1) it helps remind them that they have enough, and to spare, and (2) it allows them to be agents in building up the Kingdom. There was also a BYU forum where Arthur Brooks, a social scientist and musician, talked about Why Giving Matters. As he states, we become happier, healthier, and more prosperous when we give. Giving not only helps the beneficiaries, but it also blesses the benefactors or the givers themselves.
If you wish to support any of these causes, feel free to visit our website. Or if you have any specific questions, feel free to contact me. Or if you have other causes you support, that is terrific! There are so many worthy efforts that help others.
Have a great #GivingTuesday!
