Montana Flooding

   For those living in Montana, this time of year has been infamous for the dreaded flooding going on around the state. From the Fort Peck Reservation in Eastern Montana, to Helena in central Montana, to Missoula on the Eastern part of the state, the flooding has been devastating. Homes have been ruined, evacuation has been more than necessary for victims, crops have been destroyed, and, unfortunately, even a few deaths have occurred. It was said in the Billings Gazette, "It takes a lot to get a Montana farmer to curse the rain, but some are beginning to. Hundreds of thousands of acres have gone unplanted due to unprecedented rains and the number of growing days needed to produce a crop is quickly dwindling." Obviously, much help has been needed.

   I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had as a missionary to help out with all the flooding. Missionaries across the Montana Billings Mission have spent hundreds of hours helping out with the natural disasters. We have been doing anything from filling up and hauling sandbags, to hauling furniture and miscellaneous items out of houses to prevent further damage.

   Of course, LDS Missionaries are not the only ones helping out. It has been very neat to see the various groups and organizations helping out in the different areas. I've noticed a greater sense of unity and love for each other since the flooding has been happening. And that is exactly what is expected of us as disciples of Jesus Christ.
   When we are baptized, we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father that we will "mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:9). King Benjamin teaches us in the Book of Mormon that "when you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). I'm grateful for the support and unity that has been brought about due to the flooding. I'm also grateful for the opportunity that I have to live up to the commitment that I have made to my Heavenly Father.

"When our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, was asked on his birthday this past August what would be the ideal gift that members worldwide could give him, he said without a moment’s hesitation, “Find someone who is having a hard time, … and do something for them.” - Elder Quentin L. Cook

   May God bless the flood victims in Montana. . .