In Theory:

I personally find it disturbing when claims are made that such a natural disaster is God’s punishment. What Haiti needs right now is help and support from the world. Let’s leave judgment and punishment to God in his infinite wisdom, and let us focus on the task at hand — helping the Haitian people.

Having said that, does God punish communities for sinful behavior? The Old Testament describes times when this has been the case, including the flood in Noah’s time, Sodom and Gomorrah in Abraham’s time and Jericho in Joshua’s time.

In the New Testament, Jesus warned the inhabitants of Capernaum of the consequences of their wickedness, and he also spoke of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

In Matthew 24:7, Jesus described the signs preceding his Second Coming, including “earthquakes in diverse places.”

Some biblical scholars suggest that such events are figurative or did not occur, while others view them as literally true. My personal belief is that such events did occur, but perhaps not in the way some may think.

In these troubling times, we must remember that Jesus’ message was not one of destruction or despair, but it was one of hope and salvation. We all have sinned, but through Jesus’ atonement and grace, we may be saved. This is the good news to the world. Jesus counseled his disciples that the second great commandment is to “Love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mark 12:31).

The LDS Church has asked its worldwide membership to donate generously to Haitian relief efforts and to pray on behalf of the Haitian people. Through its Humanitarian Services, the church has sent, and will continue to send, needed relief supplies to Haiti. Its chapels are being used as relief centers, and it has sent several teams of doctors to Haiti.

In the aftermath of such a devastating natural disaster, it takes a worldwide effort to provide the needed aid. That effort starts with a commitment from each of us to love thy neighbor.

RICK CALLISTER

La Cañada II Ward of the La Crescenta Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints