Mormon student is awarded scholarship at ecumenical dinner supporting the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center
Last night I attended a charity dinner for the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center. This ecumenical organization is the result of the support of 120 churches, temples, and other organizations, religious or otherwise. The mission statement of the JCOC is “to empower homeless families and individuals to recover from crisis situations and return to being self-supporting, productive and independent members of our community”. Their programs are transformational for those who enter them and follow the guidelines provided by the organization, and I was honored to attend.
As you may know, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participates minimally in ecumenical activities and organizations. I wasn’t surprised to not see them listed along with the supporting organizations, but I was very surprised when a scholarship was given to a young woman who is an active member of the LDS Church. Now, I’m not saying that this young woman was undeserving because she is a Mormon, or for any reason otherwise, but it does cause me to think about how this young woman is associated with the JCOC and how the organization may be providing the kind of qualified support that the LDS Church is not able to provide most of its members.
Let’s face it, the local leadership of the LDS Church are really ill prepared for the real challenges which face them, such as poverty and addiction. We know the church has welfare programs in place, and that the church does much good for people around the world, but often locally these programs are ill run and can place additional burdens upon people.
Further, I wonder how local Mormon leaders feel about her accepting a scholarship primarily by churches’ who do no see the LDS Church as a valid Christian church, in addition to wanting to know if they feel their programs are lacking in not being able to provide the same kind of scholarship that this organization has.
3 responses so far
Dear Mr. Joel Mcdonald Jr.,
I was suprised to see that you had wrote an article about me recieving the Judeo Christian Outreach center’s 3,000 scholarship despite my Mormon practices. As you should be well informed that the scholarship was awarded due to ‘circumstances that you have overcome that were not that of a normal high school and were able to graduate,’ I would think that you would concure that this blessing of a 3,000 dollar scholarship was awarded on me overcoming a big obstacle in my life, and has nothing to do with my religious views. My religion is a big part of my life and I believe that it was a blessing from Heavenly Father to recieve such a scholarship. As you know, the church does have an annual ten percent tithing on all income given to you, and that does go to church organizations-such as the missionary fun, the bishop store house, ect. It questions the church’s motives when you claim that we do not help out with the community, when the bishop of each state is also a local leader in his area-meeting with people who are in need of food, shelter, and spiritual guidance. As a former Mormon, I would think you would be aware of this, and if you have any questions I would be more than oblidged for you to speak with a leader of the Virginia Beach stake or a ward of that nature. Thank you for taking the time to recognize me, and God bless!
-Tori Jean
Tori,
I absolutely have no issue with you being awarded the scholarship. I am totally impressed with you and your accomplishments in the face of tremendous obstacles. I congratulate you and wish you only the best in your future endeavours, and couldn’t be happier that someone like yourself was recognized and awarded a scholarship to aid in excelling even further. I fully understand that your religious views would not have impacted your being awarded the scholarship.
I am very aware of church practices and procedures, having worked with local leadership as a missionary, serving in the church’s employment office, and assisting in the bishop’s storehouse.
Without a doubt, the church does much good for many people who are struggling financially. It should be noted that these programs are funded by Fast Offerings, and not the general tithing monies given. The welfare programs of the church are, on the large scale, very well run. I have seen issues on the local level, which sometimes adds additional burdens on people who turn to the church for help. Typically these issues were connected to part-member families, recent converts, etc. Of course, the LDS Church is not alone in their struggle to balance charity with church loyalty/attendance and self dependence.
What struck me was how the LDS Church was not involved in the JCOC. Even before the dinner on Saturday, I was mulling over the fact that, at the local level, the church doesn’t do much in the way of partnering with other faith groups. Your receiving the scholarship only marked the contrast even further in my mind, and prompted me to comment.
Congratulations on your scholarship, and best wishes to you in the future. I am honored to have had you comment on my blog.
- Joel
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