List of Doctrines on "Welfare Program: Rehabilitation"
870. We are to be willing and eager to work for whatever welfare service we receive—to the extent of our abilities.
871. The Lord's way of providing welfare assistance prompts the individual to hasten his or her efforts to become independent again.
870. We are to be willing and eager to work for whatever welfare service we receive—to the extent of our abilities.
Marion G. Romney
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Elder Ezra Taft Benson
Related Witnesses
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Moses
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Marion G. Romney
The obligation of the receiver to labor, to the extent of his ability, to sustain himself and dependents, is just as great, in God's economy, as is the obligation to contribute to the care of the needy. . . .
As positive, however, as is this commandment against idleness, a disregard of it by the receiver does not justify Church members in failing to impart of their substance "according to the law of [the] gospel, unto the poor and the needy." (D&C 104:18) CR1972Oct:116
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
At the time it [the welfare program] was put into operation, we called attention to the fact that while its immediate purpose was the caring for the poor, and only temporarily caring for them so far as the individuals were concerned, yet that back of and behind that service there were other considerations, among them being that we should rehabilitate temporally and spiritually those who received the assistance. It was also determined that the principle of help should be the actual need of the individual or family; there was not to be a fixed, uniform amount for each person. Also, in so far as it was practicable, everyone should work for what he received, if he were well. CR1943Oct:12
Elder Ezra Taft Benson
Priesthood and Relief Society leaders should urge members to accept the Church welfare program and earn through the program that which they need, even though they may receive less food and money. By doing so, members will be spiritually strengthened, and they will maintain their dignity and self-respect. ("Ministering to Needs through the Lord's Storehouse System," EN1977May:84) TLDP:728
Related Witnesses:
Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord
receiving the Word of the Lord
Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer. (Revelation "embracing the law of the Church," Feb. 9, 1831) D&C 42:42
Joseph Smith
Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite . . . who will not labor with your own hands (Revelation received at Kirtland, June 1831) D&C 56:17
Moses
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Adam and Eve are cast out of the Garden of Eden to experience mortal life) Genesis 3:19
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
We must purge our hearts of the love of ease; we must put from our lives the curse of idleness. . . . CR1973Oct:97
Author's Note: "Every priesthood bearer should be willing and anxious to work for whatever he receives to the extent of his ability." (MPSG1988:101)
Henry D. Taylor, quoting from Christian Economics, says "That which one man receives without working for it, another man must work for without receiving it." (MPSG1988:101)
871. The Lord's way of providing welfare assistance prompts the individual to hasten his or her efforts to become independent again.
President Spencer W. Kimball
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Russell M. Nelson
President Spencer W. Kimball
The Lord's way builds individual self-esteem and develops and heals the dignity of the individual, whereas the world's way depresses the individual's view of himself and causes deep resentment.
The Lord's way causes the individual to hasten his efforts to become economically independent again, even though he may have temporary need, because of special conditions, for help and assistance. The world's way deepens the individual's dependency on welfare programs and tends to make him demand more rather than encouraging him to return to economic independence.
The Lord's way helps our members get a testimony for themselves about the gospel of work. For work is important to human happiness as well as productivity. The world's way, however, places greater and greater emphasis on leisure and upon the avoidance of work. . . .
Do what you can to make our projects economically viable, so that we don't rationalize that the welfare project is good simply because it gets men together. Even though it is good for the priesthood to labor side by side, we can have the brotherhood of labor and the economic efficiency too. (General conference, welfare session, April 1976) (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 369) TLDP:722
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
At the time it [the welfare program] was put into operation, we called attention to the fact that while its immediate purpose was the caring for the poor, and only temporarily caring for them so far as the individuals were concerned, yet that back of and behind that service there were other considerations, among them being that we should rehabilitate temporally and spiritually those who received the assistance. CR1943Oct:12
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.,
quoted by Gordon B. Hinckley
quoted by Gordon B. Hinckley
"The priesthood quorums in their extending of relief have not the obligation prescribed to the bishop. But the relationship of the priesthood, [and] the spirit of lofty unselfish brotherhood which it carries with it, do require that they individually and as quorums exert their utmost means of power to rehabilitate, spiritually and temporally, their erring and unfortunate brethren. In his temporal administrations, the bishop looks at every needy person as a temporary problem, caring for them until they can help themselves; the priesthood must look at their needy brethren as a continuing problem until not only his temporal needs are met, but his spiritual ones also. As a concrete example—a bishop extends help while the artisan or craftsman is out of work and in want; a priesthood quorum sets him up to work and tries to see that he goes along until fully self-supporting and active in his priesthood duties. (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., "Bishops and Relief Society," July 9, 1941, pp. 17-18). . . .
"[Such] assistance may take the form of helping the needy brother in his actual need and problem, to build a home, or to start in a small business, or, if he be an artisan, to get him a kit of tools, or, if he be a farmer, to get him seeds, or to help him plant or harvest a crop, or to meet some urgent credit need he has, or to supply him with clothing, or shelter, or food, or medical assistance, or schooling for the children, or to give aid in any number of other ways." (From Estes Park address, June 20, 1939; the address at Estes Park, Colorado, was given pursuant to an invitation to speak on "Federal Relief—Emergency Measure or Permanent Program;" published in pamphlet distributed by the General Church Welfare Committee; entire address MOFP6:63-88) ("Welfare Responsibilities of the Priesthood Quorums," EN1977Nov:85) TLDP:727
Russell M. Nelson
Members of priesthood quorums and groups have a duty to rehabilitate, spiritually and temporally, their erring or unfortunate brethren. While a bishop extends aid to one temporarily out of work, the quorum arranges for his employment until fully self-supporting again. CR1986Apr:33
