In the wake of the recent California wildfires, the LDS Church has made headlines in their own new publications claiming that they have made their meetinghouses available as shelters for those affected. However, evidence suggests that no LDS chapels have actually been used as shelters, raising questions about whether the church is engaging in media spin to enhance its public image.
A Deseret News article states that “the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made buildings available for shelter,” but does not provide any specific locations where evacuees are being housed.
Meetinghouses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also have been made available for community staging and shelter.
Deseret News: Church makes buildings available for shelter, provides aid as California fires destroy member homes
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/01/10/church-makes-buildings-available-for-shelter-provides-aid-as-california-fires-destroy-member-homes/
The church also published a new release via the church newsroom the same day, which adds a little clarification that the meetinghouses are have been offered for “staging areas, shelter and worship services of all faiths as needed.” They mention shelter again, but also include for staging areas, which are for their own “Helping Hands” initiatives, and worship services for other faiths. Is this for them to have their own services in the chapel, or simply inviting them to attend sacrament meeting?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continuing its efforts to assist those affected by the fires still burning in Southern California. The Church’s emergency response team is currently working with multiple local organizations to assess needs, both immediate and long-term, and provide resources. The Church is thankful its meetinghouses survived the fires and has offered them for staging areas, shelter and worship services of all faiths as needed.
At least 48 homes of Church members have been lost and approximately 750 members remain evacuated. Family Services counselors will also be sent to congregations in the affected areas to provide mental and emotional support.
Volunteer opportunities are limited at this time because of safety concerns caused by the fires. Members who wish to help are encouraged to donate to the Church’s humanitarian efforts or other reputable organizations and look for opportunities to help at JustServe.org.
‘Our Hearts Go Out to All Affected’ by Fires in Southern California
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/statement-southern-california-fires
Shelter
What do they mean by shelter? Are those affected by the California fires able to find refuge in the church buildings? There is enough space, and this would be a Christian outreach. Sadly, it seems that by “shelter” the church simply means “visitors welcome.”
Discussions on Reddit meanwhile reveal that no one has been able to verify an instance of an LDS chapel being used as a shelter. These meeting houses are not available or listed on any official shelter lists by government agencies or other news outlets.
One comment concludes that they’re open for people to “rest,” charge devices, etc, but not for extended or even overnight shelter, no one is permitted to sleep at these so-called shelters. In this case, the church defines “shelter” as a “charging station.” Just like when they say “translation,” they mean “dictation via a rock in a hat” concerning Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon translation.
This isn’t the first time the church has been accused of inflating its charitable efforts for publicity. While the church frequently touts its humanitarian aid, financial disclosures, and investigations have shown that its actual humanitarian contributions are a small fraction of its vast wealth. This latest claim about wildfire relief seems to follow the same pattern: a well-placed media announcement with little verifiable follow-through. The only things truly offered are thoughts and prayers.
“Our prayers are with those who have lost their homes and are displaced and for the first responders,” Elder Mark A. Bragg, president of the Church of Jesus Christ’s North America West Area, said in a statement issued Thursday. “We mourn with those who have experienced loss and ask for the Savior’s comforting spirit to be with them. We also express gratitude for the acts of faith and work sustaining those affected by this crisis.”
Deseret News: Church makes buildings available for shelter, provides aid as California fires destroy member homes
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/01/10/church-makes-buildings-available-for-shelter-provides-aid-as-california-fires-destroy-member-homes/
If the church has truly opened its meetinghouses as shelters, where are they? Where are the evacuees being housed? If no chapels are actually serving as shelters, then why make such a statement in the first place?
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:1-4, The New Testament
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/6?lang=eng&id=p1-p4#p1
This is concerning for an organization that emphasizes honesty and integrity. Are these claims of assistance genuine, or is the church once again more concerned with its public image than actual relief efforts? Do you have any information to clear the church from grossly misrepresenting the truth and seeking to “sound a trumpet” and proclaim their “alms before men” and behaving like hypocrites with these gaslighting claims of offering shelter?
Please, provide any evidence that the church’s claims are true.
True Relief
Supporting the Victims of the California Wildfires
Our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastating wildfires in California. Losing a home, community, or sense of security is an unimaginable hardship, and we stand in solidarity with those who are facing these challenges. In times of crisis, real relief comes from compassionate individuals and organizations that step up to provide shelter, food, and assistance to those in need.
If you are looking for ways to help or need assistance yourself, here are some reputable organizations providing direct aid to wildfire victims:
- Red Cross Disaster Relief – The Red Cross sets up emergency shelters, provides meals, and offers financial assistance to displaced families. You can donate or find resources at www.redcross.org.
- World Central Kitchen – This nonprofit, founded by Chef José Andrés, provides fresh, hot meals to those affected by disasters, including wildfire victims. Support their efforts at www.wck.org.
- California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund – This fund helps those impacted by wildfires, including immediate assistance and long-term recovery efforts. Learn more at www.calfund.org/wildfire-relief-fund.
- Direct Relief – A humanitarian aid organization providing medical supplies and emergency response to communities affected by disasters. Support their work at www.directrelief.org.
Now is the time to come together, offer support, and ensure that those in need receive real, tangible help. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, every effort makes a difference. Our thoughts remain with those who are suffering, and we encourage anyone in a position to help to do so through trusted organizations.
More reading:
- https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/01/10/church-makes-buildings-available-for-shelter-provides-aid-as-california-fires-destroy-member-homes/
- https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/statement-southern-california-fires
- https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1i0572i/can_anyone_prove_any_local_lds_chapels_are/
- https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/here-are-open-evacuation-shelters-for-residents-affected-by-southern-california-wildfires/
- https://www.lahsa.org/news?article=1014-resources-to-support-those-during-the-l-a-fires
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-10/heres-a-list-of-free-and-discounted-resources-for-victims-of-los-angeles-area-fires
- LDS Giving Machines: Charitable Fascade GasLighting The World
- Ensign Peak Advisors Withdrawls, Religious Tax-Exemption, And Lack of Charitable Work
- Mormon Church Relatively Meager Humanitarian Efforts
- Development of Mormon Tithing – From Meager Origins to Ensign Peak Billions
- Why the Mormon Church Hid Billions of Dollars of Investments?
- Thoughts and Prayers