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- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Seventh-day Adventists collaborate on humanitarian projects.
- They have completed 330 projects in 85 countries, including Yemen and Ecuador, since 1995.
- Leaders of both organizations discussed shared values during a meeting in Salt Lake City on Jan. 16.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Seventh-day Adventists recently celebrated their collaboration in humanitarian efforts.
According to a press release, the organizations have worked together on 330 separate projects in 85 countries, and representatives from each religion met late last week for a lunch in Salt Lake City.
The collaboration began in 1995 with a project to feed hungry people in Ecuador, and projects from the two religions have helped people in 85 different countries over the last 30 years.
Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave a stained glass depiction of the Tree of Life to President Michael Kruger, head of the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Adventist Development and Relief Agency, or ADRA.
Bishop Caussé said the greatest manifestation of God's love is the gift of his son, Jesus Christ, which is represented in the tree.
"This is the tree we all want to approach and share with others. I feel that today we share this together, the love of God. This is what ADRA does every day. Thank you for that," he said to Kruger and others at the meeting in the Church Office Building, including Caussé's counselors and the Church of Jesus Christ's Relief Society Presidency.
Leaders of ADRA were brought to Welfare Square and the Bishops' Central Storehouse before meeting with Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Kruger said what he saw was "deeply impressive" and speaks to the Latter-day Saint faith and values. He said he would tell others back home they need to visit Salt Lake City.
"We know that we are called to minister to others. For us to find like-minded organizations is exceptionally critical and crucial to us, because we find that you share the same values," President Kruger said.
The presence of ADRA in Yemen has helped The Church of Jesus Christ build clean water systems and provide food relief and medical equipment. The two religions' humanitarian arms have also worked together to help migrants in Mexico and other countries in Central and South America.
