President Porter Says, ‘Humanitarian Work Is a Joyful Part of Peacemaking’

“Humanitarian work is a joyful part of peacemaking,” said Primary General President Susan H. Porter of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while in Doha, Qatar. This was just one of her messages during her ministry to the Middle East from February 19 to 25, 2025.

Primary is the organization overseeing instruction to over 800,000 children in the Church across the world ages 3–11.

President Porter spoke at significant government conferences and met with government and faith leaders in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.

Qatar: Peacemaking Through Humanitarian Service

“By meeting urgent needs and promoting development, humanitarian work can reduce tensions and create a more stable society,” President Porter said at a conference in Doha, Qatar. The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue and the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network organized the event.

The Second International Conference on Dialogue and Peacemaking, which had the theme “From Religious Freedom to Religious Responsibility: Peacemaking in a Destabilized World,” was held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar.

President Porter explained that the Church is motivated in its humanitarian service by a desire to follow the two great commandments taught by Jesus Christ: to love God and to love our neighbor (see Matthew 22:37-39). She taught, “Humanitarian organizations can contribute to peacemaking and bring hope in two important ways.”

The first component of peacemaking, President Porter said, is to alleviate suffering. The Church participated in over 4,000 humanitarian projects in over 190 countries and territories in 2023. Expanding this effort in 2024, the Church also launched a women and children’s initiative. President Porter explained that the Church is collaborating with eight organizations through this initiative to treat and prevent malnutrition, provide maternal mental health care, and strengthen food systems.

A second component of peacemaking, she said, is to forge friendships by building bridges of understanding. In her address, President Porter used an example of a group of women from various faiths whom she met in Lima, Peru. These women formed an inter-religious network to promote interfaith understanding and to organize joint humanitarian efforts. Through these initiatives they had forged friendships that transcended their differences. “There was a palpable feeling of love and friendship among them. … They had created an oasis of peace in a large, diverse city,” President Porter said.

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United Arab Emirates: Empowering Youth for a Tolerant Future

“Children need parents who help them feel loved and valued,” said President Porter during her keynote speech at the closing session of a conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, attended by government, community, and interfaith leaders. She focused her remarks on creating a secure and safe environment, cultivating positive examples and experiences at home, and creating opportunities to serve others together as a means of empowering youth for a tolerant future.

She praised UAE efforts that focus on promoting the values of respect, dialogue, and mutual understanding. The Second International Dialogue of Civilizations & Tolerance conference was organized by the Emirates Scholar Research Center under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates.

President Porter shared, “Daily and weekly rituals at home, such as fixing meals, playing games, reading together and religious practices, help children feel secure.” She highlighted the importance of examples of tolerance and respect within the family: “When husbands and wives treat one another with respect, dignity, and equality, children grow up in a setting where they learn how to value and respond to differences.”

President Porter also taught about the importance of serving together: “No matter the scale, when we overlook our differences and focus on our common desire to lift and bless those in need, we can bring peace to the world, one friendship and one burden lifted at a time.”

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Jordan: Caring for Children

President Porter concluded her Middle Eastern ministry in Amman, Jordan, where she participated in meetings with government and nongovernment organizations the Church is working with to implement humanitarian projects. For example, the Church supports vulnerable populations, including women and children, by serving with organizations such as the Princess Taghrid Institute for Development and Training.

One of President Porter’s visits during her time in Amman was to the Al Hussain orphanage, one of the oldest in Jordan. This facility, with a professional team, cares for children during their most critical ages from birth up to 11 years old. The orphanage hosts every child who needs immediate care until they are assessed. Then the child either stays there or is assigned to different orphanages across the country.

Over the years, the Church has supported the facility by expanding the capacity of the kitchen through new equipment, installing new furniture, donating air conditioners, and providing other items to create more comfortable living conditions for the children.

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“Visiting this facility has been an eye-opening experience. It’s always sad when a child is in an orphanage. At the same time, it was impressive to observe the care provided there,” President Porter said. “The staff’s love and devoted service were evident as we walked through the building and interacted with the children. You could see the light in their eyes.”