“That They Might Not Suffer”

Presented by Sharon Eubank

In January of 1985, President Spencer W. Kimball sent a letter to all the wards and branches in the Church, encouraging members to fast and contribute to the relief of people suffering from drought and starvation in the Horn of Africa. Church members responded from their hearts. In time, partnerships with the International Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services, CARE, and other experienced agencies helped establish the foundation for LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of LDS Charities, Sharon Eubank will describe the evolution of caring for the poor and needy on a global scale and discuss what members can do to help wherever they live.

Sharon Eubank received a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University and served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Finland Helsinki Mission. Her career has included teaching at the Language Education Institute in Japan, working as a legislative aide in the U.S. Senate for four years, and owning a retail education store in Provo, Utah.

Since 1998, she has been employed by the Church in the Welfare Department. She helped establish 17 international LDS employment offices in Africa and Europe. For five years, she directed the humanitarian wheelchair program. In 2008, Sharon became the regional director of LDS Charities for the Middle East/Africa North Area. She also served on the Relief Society general board during Sister Julie B. Beck’s administration. Sharon is currently the worldwide director of LDS Charities.

This free lecture is part of the 2015 Pioneers in Every Land lecture series sponsored by the Church History Library.