President Trump Meets with LDS Leaders

He took photos with Mormon church volunteers

U.S. President Donald Trump was greeted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency and President Russell M. Nelson of the Twelve Apostles on December 4 at Welfare Square. The other attendees included Gerald Causse, the Presiding Bishop and also Sister Jean B. Bingham. The latter is the General President of the church Relief Society. The subsequent meeting was a private one. The list of attendees other than President Trump and church officials included Senator Orrin Hatch, a Republican elected from Utah. Welfare programs adopted by the church and religious liberty came under discussion. President Trump had fulsome praise for the humanitarian efforts done by the church. He also recognized the heart surgery skills of President Nelson.

Trump Meets with LDS Leaders[/tweetthis]

Member donations sustain Welfare Square resources. A majority of people who are tasked with processing the goods have volunteered. The Mormon church owns orchards, lands, farms, and ranches. Raw materials are supplied from these resources. The crops are harvested along with the help of volunteers.

The U.S. President was taken by church leaders on a tour of Deseret Bakery[/tweetit] and the bishops' storehouse. He was provided information about the welfare facilities established by the church. He also received information about the numerous self-reliance programs done by the Mormon church. The programs are done to provide succor to people living around the world independent of their faith. President Eyring told Trump that all materials and food produced and found in Welfare Square will assist those who need it. He said that this is simply one instance of Mormon activities around the world. The idea behind such efforts, the church head said, is that the Mormons have the obligation to God for helping people who had suffered untold tragedies, which may include hunger or poverty.

The last few months saw the LDS church dispatch 50 semi-trailers volume of food to Houston. They were sent to augment hurricane relief efforts. These include two million pounds of non-food items and commodities.

Pres. Trump said he met some "amazing" and "special" people from the LDS Church. "They really help people."

— Josh Furlong (@JFurKSL) December 4, 2017

During his visit to the bakery, President Trump invited the followers to come by at his side. He then took pictures with them. The people there shook hands with him. The president referred to the church and admitted that this visit was exciting for him. He praised the LDS members saying that they have done an excellent job, going beyond their ambit. He expressed admiration for those who take care of people and the worldwide respect the institution has garnered for itself.

Resources

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Deseret News

Follow the Conversation on Twitter