"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," Linda K. Burton, general Relief Society president, said in the women's session of general conference. And Latter-day Saints have stepped up to accept the challenge!
Check out these heartwarming, creative, and incredible posts we found on Instagram that shows just a snippet of what those around the world are doing to help in this effort.
Our meal tonight with The Barobi family was truly as happy and fun as this photo portrays it to be. After we ate with them, Azida the 14 year old girl showed us some of her favorite African music, and soon after that the whole house was dancing! When the night ended the mother, Anifa walked me to my car and put her arm around me and she said, "how are your babies, are they good? I said, "yes they are good. are you good?" She looked at me in my eyes and said, "I am good. I am so happy with everything, thank you." #refugeeswelcome #iwasastranger A photo posted by Milk & Honey Meals (@milkandhoneymeals) on Apr 13, 2016 at 4:49pm PDT
'We're all just walking each other home.' 💗 #refugeebychancenotchoice #iwasastranger #operationlighthouse A photo posted by Sarah O (@_ohsarah_) on May 21, 2016 at 9:28pm PDT
Melanie is serving refugees in her community by helping them learn English! How have you been able to serve those around you? #IWasAStranger #LDSLiving #LDS #Mormon #refugees #serve #teach #help #hope #love A photo posted by LDS Living (@ldsliving) on Jun 2, 2016 at 12:23pm PDT
#UtahLocals- anyone interested in helping refugees @secretsofatraveler and @serverefugees are collecting summer fun items to distribute to refugee children. Wouldn't it be wonderful if each child had something fun to play with during the summer? We would love to have these items by June 4th but if you are unable to get them to Jamie at Fun For Less- by then please still send anything you can! There is a huge need! There are two drop offs. Or if you don't live nearby you can also mail items or Walmart gift cards to Fun For Less Tours. Go to secretsofatraveler.com for all details. ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃ Hours M-F 9-5 Fun For Less Tours Attn secrets of a traveler 382 E 12300 S Suite D Draper, UT. 84020 Or Hours M-F 1-4:30 Old Granite High School 3305 South 500 East Salt Lake City, west entrance ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃ And- watch #FreshLiving TV today at 3:30 for more info! #iwasastranger A photo posted by Rhonna Designs™ on PERISCOPE (@rhonnafarrer) on May 26, 2016 at 11:42am PDT
Follow the link in the bio to find 4 easy ways to serve refugees in your community! What unique ways have you found to serve those around you? #IWasAStranger #help #hope #refugees #serve #love #pressforward #bofm365 #LDS #Mormon #service A photo posted by 1 Year, 1 Book, 1 Better Life (@bofm365) on Jun 2, 2016 at 12:14pm PDT
BYU grad Hayley Smith founded Lifting Hands International after volunteering at a refugee camp and seeing firsthand what refugees are most in need of. Find out how you can help refugees with these five organizations by clicking the link in the bio. #refugees #iwasastranger #LDSconf #LDS A photo posted by UtahValley360 (@mormonmix) on Apr 26, 2016 at 8:56pm PDT
On the heels of @LDSChurch General Women's Session, see how @BYUnursing students serve refugee families. Read @alynncor 's student reflections at http://ow.ly/100TlH. #IWasaStranger #BYU #Nursing PC: @brack_slack A photo posted by BYU Magazine (@byumagazine) on Mar 28, 2016 at 2:34pm PDT
"I was a stranger and you took me in." Consider what you can do for the refugees in your community. If you need ideas, I will work to add some in my feed and give you resources. #iwasastranger #serverefugees A photo posted by Amy Dott Harmer❤ (@amy_dott) on Mar 26, 2016 at 5:58pm PDT
Three nights ago I got to go to the apartment we set up and welcome the Burmese Refugee family of 8 to their new home fresh off of their plane to America. It was humbling to see the father run his fingers across the walls and marvel at simple things such as doors and lamps. They lived in their refugee camp for 10 years. Four of their six children were born there in the camp. I taught them how to use a trashcan and how to lock the door at night. The next morning we went to the New American Pathways headquarters and fed them and two other refugee families lunch. That was when we really bonded trying to teach them simple words such as body parts and words like brother and sister. It was one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences of my life. I loved seeing them smile and even though we couldn't really speak to each other I know what was communicated was kindness, gratitude, and love. More now than ever I am grateful for this country that we live in and the freedoms and simple luxuries that we have. I am looking forward to staying in contact with this precious family and learning from them. (This image is used with permission from the family.) #iwasastranger A photo posted by R a c h e l M u r p h y💛 🎤 (@tunesandspoons) on May 26, 2016 at 2:19pm PDT
We know that help is needed, but often times we don't know where to go to provide the most help. Read about Missy's story and how refugees have changed her life and how you can find local ways to help! Search "help refugees" on howdoesshe.com #howdoesshe #bloggerlife #blogs #blogging #abmlifeisbeautiful #abmlifeiscolorful #abmlifeissweet #refugees #refugeeswelcome #iwasastranger A photo posted by HowDoesShe - Blog (@howdoesshe) on May 24, 2016 at 10:30am PDT
A picture is worth a thousand words, but for me the real story is in the eyes. Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph young #refugees for #mystorymatters . Most of them had been in the United States for less than two weeks and had never seen a camera or had their picture taken. While this posed several unique challenges as a photographer, it was almost a spiritual experience witnessing the moment these kids saw a picture of themselves for the very first time. Some eyes couldn't hide the anxiety and trauma that preceded their safe arrival in the United States. Others were filled with hope and excitement for what the future would bring. How I hope that this country is as good to them as it has been to me. #iwasastranger #maceyeskelsen #maceyeskelsenoriginals A photo posted by Macey Eskelsen Originals (@m.e.originals) on May 12, 2016 at 2:52pm PDT
We had the refugee children trace their hands on hot pads (decorative side on the back) and sign their name to give to their moms today. They sang "Mo mo yah enna" (Mother I Love You) and another song for all the moms. #serverefugees #iwasastranger #sharegoodness A photo posted by Victoria S. (@victoria_obseussed) on May 8, 2016 at 7:43pm PDT
A great way to help the refugees in Utah. You can make cleaning kits and donate to the Utah Refugee Center (repost from @serverefugees ) If you have extra time let them know you'd be willing to go into refugee homes to help teach them about cleaning tips and how often to change and wash bedding etc. It is helpful to know how to use our cleaning supplies that we take for granted assuming everyone knows what to do with it. We've taught lessons in Relief Society about cleaning and handed each woman a bucket of cleaning supplies. Service missionaries go into the homes and help teach cleaning as well. These kits are helpful! A photo posted by Victoria S. (@victoria_obseussed) on Apr 3, 2016 at 7:37pm PDT
General Relief Society President, Linda K. Burton dropped by our #WomensConference booth today and chatted with people passing by. I couldn't help sneak this photo of her hugging a former refugee who's made Utah her new home. Sister Reeves, 2nd Councilor in the presidency was also at our booth for 3-hours talking with sisters, listening to their problems, leaving them with hugs and helping them feel loved. #AmazingPresidency #ShareGoodness #GiveBack #LDSCharities #IWasAStranger A photo posted by Matt Heaps (@mattheaps) on Apr 28, 2016 at 6:23pm PDT
We met two amazing families today! These two families are from the Congo. After a long conversation with both of them we found out some of their needs. This coming week we will be sharing a meal with them in their home! The greatest need that we focus on here at milk and honey is friendship. We are excited to learn more about these great people #refugeeswelcome #iwasastranger A photo posted by Milk & Honey Meals (@milkandhoneymeals) on Apr 13, 2016 at 4:50pm PDT
What do #refugees really need? Click on the link in bio to find out. We talked to filmmaker @tysonsadler about his work with refugees in Greece and asked what we can do to welcome them into our communities. A photo posted by Mormon Channel (@mormonchannel) on Apr 7, 2016 at 2:44pm PDT
During the years we lived outside of Utah, my girls had many friends that were recent immigrants and/or refugees. They were so lucky to be friends with so many brave kids- very young kids, that often times had to help their parents navigate the cultural and language barriers that life in a new country demands. We love these people. As we listened to Women's Conference last weekend Scarlett doodled this quote from Sister Burton's talk. It's astounding to think about the millions of people displaced around the world. Sobering to think that half of them are children. Somewhere out there is probably another goofy, smart, spunky 10-year-old girl just like Scarlett, but unlike Scarlett she was forced to leave behind everything she had ever known. With that in perspective Scarlett (with the help of her 12-year-old sister Ruby) has decided to do what she can to help. Most refugee centers require volunteers to be older than 10-years-old. But all refugee centers are in need of monetary donations. So Scarlett and Ruby have spent the weekend copying and coloring these little doodle prints. Each one is unique 😉 and full of the kind of "special touches" you'd expect from a 10-year-old, but all of them are made with love for all the other 10-year-old kids out there that just want a chance to grow-up in a place where they feel like they belong. #ldsconf #iwasastranger **********************$2 Each, $2.50 if we need to mail them. ALL PROCEEDS will go to a reputable refugee center that helps refugee children. You can send the money after you get your picture ☺️. Text/DM me with any questions. Amandaarussell@gmail.com A photo posted by Amanda Russell (@amandaarussell) on Apr 3, 2016 at 9:43pm PDT
"We have found refuge. Let us come out from our safe places and share with them, from our abundance, hope for a brighter future, faith in God and in our fellow man, and love that sees beyond cultural and ideological differences to the glorious truth that we are all children of our Father in Heaven." -Elder Patrick Kearon #ldsconf #welcomerefugees #allchildrenofgod #rescue #refugeesarehumans #iwasastranger A photo posted by Stephanie Mortensen (@wanderlustinmorts) on Apr 3, 2016 at 5:17pm PDT
What have you done since #ldsconf to reach out to #refugees in your community? Here's some motivation to take some time to ponder about it: https://speeches.byu.edu/if-only-we-knew-who-they-were/ #iwasastranger #sisburton #lds #refugeecrisis #refugee @ldschurch A photo posted by BYU Speeches (@byuspeeches) on May 11, 2016 at 2:04pm PDT