"I believe that when we face our Maker, we will not be asked, 'How many positions did you hold?' but rather, 'How many people did you help?' " said President Thomas S. Monson Oct. 25.

Speaking to a crowd of more than 500 at a Coalition for Utah's Future luncheon, President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, encouraged Utahns to serve together.

"When we have eyes that see and ears that hear and hearts that know and feel, we will recognize current trends and current needs of our fellow beings among us who cry out for help. How do they eat — without food? How do they keep warm — without clothing, without shelter? How do they live — without means? How do they get well — without doctors, medicines and hospitals?"

President Monson offered the keynote address at the event, held at Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. During the annual luncheon the coalition presents its Common Good Awards, created in 1996 to honor organizations that represent values and actions that benefit the community.

During his address, President Monson spoke on the importance of maintaining and enhancing Utah's sense of community. He listed 10 examples of cooperative community efforts in the state.

• The Neighborhood House: President Monson said that by caring for children of single mothers who could not otherwise afford day care, The Neighborhood House allows these mothers to work, knowing their children are in good hands. "These young children are given a healthy breakfast and worthwhile activities through the day. . . . The women who give leadership are from a variety of religious faiths, but they serve others as one."

• St. Vincent de Paul Center: "Another example of collaborative effort following the destruction by fire of the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen involved several religious organizations donating funds for its restoration," said President Monson. "In its expanded footprint, the building serves many hundreds of hungry and down-and-out persons daily."

  President Monson continued that "on Saturday at the St. Vincent de Paul Center, the LDS Church not only provides the food but also the cooks and servers on a rotating basis, involving members of many stakes around the valley. The young men and young women who have served here — to a person — express the inner joy which enters each heart as a food-filled tray is handed to an appreciative recipient."

• Sorenson Multi-Cultural Center: President Monson urged those in attendance to visit the Sorenson Multi-Cultural Center, a recreation building located at 855 West California Avenue in the Glendale Park area of Salt Lake City. "There you will see a facility which provides a host of recreational activities for youth — youth who would otherwise have none."

  President Monson explained that two years ago the IHC Neighborhood Clinic was attached to the center, bringing medical attention to some who cannot afford it, including 3,000 students on the west side, their families and others where medical providers were not previously available.

• Salt Lake Community Shelter: "Each night, homeless men and women and families with children of all ages find refuge in this modern, attractive facility that testifies to the love and compassion of the entire community," said President Monson.

  When it came time for the facility to be furnished, he added, it was noted that vast quantities of furniture would be available for a price, due to the closure of the Hotel Utah. "What followed was a modern miracle in which many participated," President Monson said. "A decision was made to give — without charge — any furniture needed at the homeless shelter. . . .

  "I particularly enjoyed observing the men and women from the shelter selecting the merchandise and carefully arranging for its removal from what was once a rather upscale hotel to the rooms of those who never before had been privileged to have such."

• The Salt Lake Inner City Project: "To seek out the poor and the needy and to provide help, the LDS Church has called 440 missionaries, mostly couples, to serve," explained President Monson. "Thirteen hundred families are being helped currently, with 5,200 having been assisted since 1997. Annually, 700 children and adults are assisted in learning to read.

  "The volunteers — mostly retired or semi-retired men and women — help husbands and wives solve family problems, assist families to resolve alcohol and drug abuse issues and help arrange medical assistance, even getting people to medical appointments."

• Charitable dental care: President Monson said that in Salt Lake City, Dr. Ralph Montgomery, a dentist, has been instrumental in marshaling the efforts of private donors and dental practitioners in providing vital dental care to the needy. "These wonderful dentists in our valley generously contribute their time and talents in this little-publicized effort. . . . Their labors not only relieve discomfort and pain but also brighten the smiles, lift the spirits, and gladden the hearts of their indigent patients."

• Welfare Square and LDS Humanitarian Center: "More than ever before," said President Monson, "Welfare Square rises to the challenges of our day. In addition to providing food and clothing, employment and social service assistance, this oasis for the poor provides work opportunities for those who are able. Personalized help is extended to those who are transient."

  He continued that the Humanitarian Center processes literally millions of pounds of clothing contributed by residents of the valley for sorting and subsequent shipment to all parts of the United States and multiple locations abroad.

• Utah Food Bank: President Monson then recalled the Thanksgiving season several years ago. He and his wife, Frances, were watching the television news when they learned of the desperate need of the Utah Food Bank to feed those who were without food.

  "The television screen displayed shelf after shelf empty of food, with no new supplies in the offing," said President Monson. "The pictures of the empty shelves penetrated my mind and reached my heart. I reflected on the filled shelves at Welfare Square, with every product of food imaginable."

  President Monson said he turned to his wife and said, " 'Frances, our shelves at Welfare Square need an immediate inventory turn — tomorrow!' " Approval followed; soon, empty shelves at the Utah Food Bank "were filled to overflowing."

• Quilts for Kosovo: President Monson said that in June 1999 the Presiding Bishopric invited members to make quilts to warm returning refugees in Kosovo. "Winter was coming, and many of the refugees had lost everything they had owned, except the clothes on their backs. The women of the Relief Society of the LDS Church went to work.

  "Families sacrificed, and quilts began pouring in. Originally, the hope was that members of the Church supply as many as 30,000 quilts for this purpose. It was soon apparent that many more would arrive. Mothers, fathers, children and Relief Societies approached the work with relish."

  President Monson recalled the April 26 service project during BYU's Women's Conference, during which 900 quilts were completed. To date 140,000 quilts have been donated.

• Salvation Army: President Monson concluded by sharing a memory of a Christmas season of his youth. His mother took him to the toy land of each downtown Salt Lake City department store. "At the entrance to each store, there was situated a man or woman bundled up against the frigid air of winter. Each held in hand a bell, the sound of which directed attention to the kettle suspended in the air by a triangle frame.

  "On one occasion, my mother opened her purse and placed in that kettle, I believe, a silver dollar. She then turned to me and said, 'Tommy, do you have any money you would like to put in the kettle? It goes to take care of the poor at Christmas time.'

  "These were Depression times. I reached in my pocket and produced two nickels, which represented all I had, and dropped them into the kettle — first one and then the other. I have remembered ever since how warm and happy I felt after doing so."

  President Monson said this experience remained in his mind as he, in late 1987, presented for consideration by the Appropriations Committee the sale of Church property and an unused chapel to the Salvation Army. President Monson knew the organization would not be able to meet the appraised value of the building and lot.

  "It was my privilege to make the motion that we be magnanimous and show our appreciation for the good accomplished by the Salvation Army in Salt Lake City and contribute the lot and the building as a gift," said President Monson. "The motion was seconded and unanimously approved."

  Before turning the building over to the Salvation Army, the Church put on the building a new roof and did some painting in the interior so that the gift would be in tiptop condition. "As I handed the officers of the Salvation Army the key to the building, along with the deed of conveyance, my eyes were moist, for I was remembering that cold winter day . . . when, hand in hand with my dear mother, we made a contribution to help others as she parted with her silver dollar and I with an even more precious two nickels."

Concluding, President Monson said, "God bless all who endeavor to be their brother's keeper, who give to ameliorate suffering, who strive with all that is good within them to make a better world."

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