Behind the Scenes: The “Hitchens File” LDS charity publicity machine

[drumdude]

Someone on Reddit happened to capture the setup and breakdown of a LDS charitable giving photo op. It seems like they have this maximized for efficiency and publicity. In and out sharp; 2 hour window, coordinated with the news like a tactical strike.



I guess the local Catholic food pantry near me that feeds 200 families every single day isn’t as exciting as a Deseret Industries truck pulling up with cameras in tow.

Somewhere along the way, the Jesus that leads the LDS church had a dramatic change of heart:

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.