News Release

Lifting and Serving in East Malaysia

In East Malaysia, the Miri and Bintulu congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrated the 174th birthday of the world wide Relief Society organization by lifting and serving others through donations to a local hospital.

The doctor who is in charge of the Palliative Care Unit at Miri Hospital is friends with the local humanitarian senior missionary couple serving in Miri.  Needs were identified. Help was offered. Projects were undertaken.  LDS Charities funded purchases of mattresses, oxygen units and suction units to help alleviate suffering of terminal patients there. 

During this service project, other needs became known.  There were new mothers leaving the hospital with very few baby care items for their newborns.  As part of the Relief Society birthday celebration, the Miri Relief Society sisters participated in assembling newborn baby kits for these new mothers to take home with them when they left the hospital with their infants.  LDS Charities provided the items for the kits.  Along with love, the lovely blue bags were filled with baby clothing, blankets, towels, booties and mittens, along with baby shampoo, wash, lotion and powder.  

The theme for the birthday celebration was a quote by President Thomas S. Monson, prophet of the world wide church, who said, "We are the Lord's hands upon the earth with the mandate to lift and serve His children."  That quote was printed in each sister's native language and given her to take away from the event.  For many of these sisters, this kind of service was a new experience.  They cherished the opportunities of both assembling the kits and then delivering them to the new mothers at the hospital.  It was a wonderful connection for everyone involved, and they felt joy as they served. Additional newborn baby care kits were left at the hospital for future mothers to receive.  Many local Church members participated in the donation ceremony at the hospital.

The hospital was thrilled with the donations for their palliative care unit, and the patients there are more comfortable in their final days. The new mothers especially appreciated receiving necessities for their newborns that they were unable to provide.  They were warmed by the generous gift of the baby kits given by loving Relief Society sisters, who live up to their motto that "Charity Never Faileth."

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.