LDS Church Encourages Women to Participate in ‘I Was a Stranger’ Relief Effort

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched a website Monday morning to assist women in their effort to help refugees.

The website, iwasastranger.LDS.org, provides resources to help women know how they can get involved, including videos, links to various talks, and letters from the First Presidency and auxiliary leaders.

President Thomas S. Monson and his counselors, Presidents Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, are encouraging Latter-day Saint women to participate in the “I Was A Stranger” relief effort. This effort provides women a way to give Christlike service to refugees in their communities.

Although Linda K. Burton, Bonnie L. Oscarson and Rosemary M. Wixom—general presidents of the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary, respectively—are encouraging women and girls of all ages to help and lift those around them, they say participation is voluntary.

The First Presidency echoes that statement in their letter, saying,

[pull_quote_center]Sisters may participate in this effort when time and circumstances allow, making sure that no one is expected to ‘run faster than [she] has strength’ and that all ‘things are done in wisdom and order’ (Mosiah 4:27).[/pull_quote_center]

The website launch comes just after the Women’s Session of General Conference, which took place on Saturday, March 26. During that session, Burton announced the “I Was A Stranger” relief effort as she encouraged women and girls, both young and old, to minister one-on-one with those in need.

She said,

[pull_quote_center]It is our hope that you will prayerfully determine what you can do according to your own time and circumstances — to serve the refugees living in your neighborhoods and communities.[/pull_quote_center]

Women who choose to participate and offer Christlike service to others in need are encouraged to share their experiences with the relief society, young women and primary presidencies either via email (iwasastranger@churchofjesuschrist.org) or on social media, allowing the presidencies to share those experiences with others. When posting to social media, use the hashtag #IWasAStranger.