We all labored together to empower the survivors along the Indian Ocean's coastline. Horrified by the scenes of destruction, we shed tears at the Buddhist temple where thousands of bodies still awaited ID, burial, or cremation. It was a deeply meaningful event for many who gained a new understanding of Joseph Smith's enlarged view about families. Instead of the narrow perspective that so many of today's LDS members hold, often limited to focusing on their little nuclear family group, the Prophet's vision was more expansive: "A (person) filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race." We studied and then put into practice his extraordinary principles of consecration and stewardship by serving the poorest of the poor, individuals who had indeed lost everything - family members, homes, and so forth. In genuinely spiritual ways we experienced the very essence of Christian life, and the sheer joy and sense of fulfillment to be had through true discipleship.
Together with other volunteers, we succeeded in constructing 120 new houses, cleaned miles of debris from area beaches, engaged in reforestation efforts, reopened and taught at damaged schools, established income-generating projects, and labored alongside villagers who we taught how to operate power tools and woodworking skills to make replacement furniture for their homes. Many of us came to understand Anne Frank's poignant words from her diary: "How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment to improve the world."
If readers wish to learn more about this project, you can read the full story. Inspired by the impacts of that experience, Empowering Nations expanded in summer 2006 to other nations, most volunteers serving for a month in Ghana, but in Panama, and back to Thailand, as well.
I would enjoy hearing from those who have questions about these efforts, or who might consider joining us at HELP International or Empowering Nations during coming summers if you are interested. As we do every year, we will be planning humanitarian expeditions to combat poverty in a number of Third World locations. Together we can indeed change the world!
This post originally ran at http://bycommonconsent.com in January 2007 and is reprinted with permission.
Warner Woodworth is a social entrepreneur and Professor of Organizational Leadership and Strategy at BYU's Marriott School of Business. He has contributed a kind of New Year's essay on how Mormon individuals can change the world by helping to end poverty.
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