The Welfare System
in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Reading Assignments for the course
REL 480 - Church Organization and Leadership
Prof.  Marcus H. Martins, Ph.D.

Readings:

Pres. Heber J. Grant
Purpose of the Church Welfare System
Conference Report, October 1936

Our primary purpose was to set up, in so far as it might be possible, a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift and self-respect be once more established amongst our people.

The aim of the Church is to help the people to help themselves. Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership.

Pres. Marion G. Romney
How Bishops Should Minister to the Poor
Edited from "The Role of a Bishop in the Church Welfare Program"

1. Learn the general condition of ward members—by observation, from visiting-teacher and home-teacher reports, from interviews, and from the whisperings of the Spirit.
2. Evaluate intelligently the circumstances of the individual or family needing assistance—use the Needs and Resources Analysis Form.
3. Counsel with the individual or family involved. Assess the situation in a sensitive and kind manner.
4. Teach the fundamentals of Church welfare assistance, including self-help, family assistance, and Church responsibility.
5. Determine if those directly involved (individual and family members and relatives) have done all they can reasonably be expected to do.
6. The bishop should render the needed assistance as led by the Spirit. Explain the nature and extent of Church resources as temporary assistance. Never let the Lord’s program of self-help become a dole.
7. Determine the work or services to be performed by the recipients. This provides the privilege of maintaining their dignity and self-respect, while sharing in the process of generating the resources they and others will use.
8. Working with the ward welfare committee, foster and then implement a plan of rehabilitation. Deal with the root cause of the problem so the individual or family can again become self-sustaining and able to provide for themselves.

Analyzing Welfare Cases:

Step 1:

• List all relevant issues (conditions, obstacles, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities) raised by the person
• List any questions that need further clarification
• Analyze the issues according to each area of personal and family preparedness
• Considering the underlying philosophy of Church welfare, what can the individual or his/her family do to remedy the situation independent of anyone else?

 

 

 

 

Step 2:

• List the types of additional help the individual (or family) may need
• What kinds of assistance can the Church Welfare System provide to this case (see the chart)?
• List the recommendations you would make to the Bishop

Questions for Review:

1. What is one outcome of the United Order in the lives of the poor? (Pres. Romney, “The Purpose of Church Welfare Services”)

2. How can material blessings be a part of the gospel? (Pres. Tanner, “Constancy amid Change”)

3. How can we control our material circumstances? (Pres. Tanner, “Constancy amid Change”)

4. What is the bishop’s duty in caring for the poor? (Bishop Brown, “Rendering Assistance in the Lord’s Way”)

5. How does a bishop obtain information about the material conditions of the people? (Bishop Brown, “Rendering Assistance in the Lord’s Way”)

6. What are some of the elements of the Church’s welfare services organization? (Bishop Brown, “Rendering Assistance in the Lord’s Way”)

7. Where can we find the real power or strength of the Church?  (Elder Larsen, “The Strength of the Kingdom is Within”)