This was the best message for the whole conference. I had been listening to his talk more than 15 times. It's very touching. I was one! My heart goes to those who were affected.
This talk was both eye opening and moving. It has shown that the Church really cares about anyone in need based on the scripture quoted by Elder Kearon at the beginning - regardless of their background. It cares. It truly cares and I would love for the world to see us in a better light for this. We do not preach religion, we practice it, in the most Christ like way I have ever seen. To help out someone in need who is far worse off than I am makes me happy - I want to help, even if all I can offer is a prayer.
I am a white US woman married to a Nigerian man, born and raised in Nigeria. I have lived there where there are huge overwhelming needs, but nothing to compare with the refugees we see in the world now. I could compare all the issues Nigerians deal with, but is not my point. I was so thrilled to hear anyone speak from the pulpit in such a direct way addressing the needs of those outside our ward boundries or who are not yet members. I love to help others and Bro Kearon's statement about the joy of service is so so true. Refugees and those who are beset with Islamic terrorists on an on going basis do not need a big screen tv, a new SUV, or dance lessons for the children. They need a place to lay their heads, any kind of food for their stomaches and at least some assurance of safety from all the evil around them and love.
This is absolutely the right way to think of this. It is the Christian way to help those in need, to suffer with those who suffer, to mourn with those who mourn. Of course people have different political ideologies and their world views differ greatly depending on those ideological propensities that lead them to trust different news sources and interpretations of world events. But regardless of political opinions, the gospel message is clear and when faced with an absolutely unequivocal commandment from our Lord, it is time to cast away political opinions and go to work and help refugees as much as we are able to. Politically, I myself think the most feasible thing to do is help as many people flee ISIS controlled areas surrounding sectors as possible. This will weaken ISIS in several ways: lessen their tax returns, lessen the number of potential supporters and fighters, seriously undermine their propaganda as muslims are treated well in western liberal democracies and as muslims gladly choose those western liberal democracies over the ISIS regime. But that's politics and it has nothing to do with following Christ.