Sister Sharon Eubank invited members of the Church to be part of a magnificent ministry and become Christ’s hands in humanitarian aid during the Saturday evening session of General Conference.
Sister Eubank is the first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. Under the direction of President Russell M. Nelson, she reported on the humanitarian aid of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the COVID-19 pandemic, recent hurricanes, earthquakes and refugee displacement.
About 1500 COVID-19 projects were the focus of the Church’s relief efforts since March of 2020, but the Church also responded to 933 natural disasters and refugee crises in 108 countries.
Sister Eubank said the statistics are compelling but the personal experiences of Church members across the globe illustrate the humanitarian aid being done.
She shared four examples about COVID-19 relief, helping Afghan refugees, Haitian earthquake relief and aid in flooding across western Europe.
In July 2021, towns and communities in western Europe were devastated including a riverside town of Ahrweiler, Germany. Once the water receded, a devout Catholic man prayed that someone might come to help him.
The next morning, President Dan Hammon of the Germany Frankfurt Mission arrived with missionaries wearing yellow Helping Hands vests.
The flood left a large layer of mud receding up the walls of the Catholic man's shop. Volunteers shoveled out mud, helped remove drywall and piled everything in the street for removal.
“The overjoyed shopkeeper worked alongside them for hours, amazed that the Lord sent a group of His servants to answer his prayer — and within 24 hours,” Sister Eubank said.
Sister Eubank said the First Presidency has called upon members of the Church to continue humanitarian outreach.
“Brothers and sisters, through your ministry, donations, time, and love, you have been the answer to so many prayers. And yet there is so much more to do,” Sister Eubank said.