Welfare and Humanitarian Assistance

"And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need--I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith." The Book of Mormon, Alma 34:28

Inspired Church Welfare
At April 1999 General Conference, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin talks about how Latter-day Saints offer temporal assistance to both those in and out of the Church.
Be Thou an Example
At October 1996 General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson discusses the importance of rendering humanitarian service to others.
Reach With a Rescuing Hand
At October 1996 General Conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley talks about the need to help those who are in need.
"Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel"
At April 1998 General Conference, Elder Neal A. Maxwell discusses the importance of work in building character.
Compassionate Service
"The term "compassionate service" is used in the Church to refer to love-inspired assistance willingly given to meet physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. It requires a sensitivity that perceives human distress beyond spoken words (Luke 10:30-37; cf. 8:43-48), an eye that recognizes the good in people (Mosiah 4:16-18), and an understanding heart attuned to the Holy Spirit to discern what is appropriate to say and do (3 Ne. 17:5-8; John 19:25-27)." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Attitudes Toward Poverty
"For Latter-day Saints, as for all Christians, attending to the needs of the poor is service to God (Matt. 25:31-40; Mosiah 2:17; D&C 42:38) and an expression of the greatest spiritual gift, the attitude of charity (1 Cor. 13:13)." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Welfare Services
"The basic philosophy underlying the Welfare Services system of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was succinctly stated by the Church's sixth President, Joseph F. Smith: "It has always been a cardinal teaching with the Latter-day Saints, that a religion which has not the power to save the people temporally and make them prosperous and happy here cannot be depended upon to save them spiritually, and exalt them in the life to come"  Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Bishop's Storehouse
"The bishop's storehouse system is a network of Church-owned and -operated commodity resource centers that function much like retail stores, with the major difference that goods cannot be purchased but are given to needy individuals whom local LDS bishops judge to be worthy and deserving of Church assistance." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Fast Offerings
"The first Sunday of each month is designated as a Fast Sunday, and Latter-day Saints are asked to fast for twenty-four hours and donate at least the value of the meals not eaten as fast offerings. Fast offerings are cash or in-kind donations given to the bishop to help the needy following a short period of fasting." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Humanitarian Service
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a continuing commitment to relieve human suffering, to help eliminate life-threatening conditions, and to promote self-reliance among all people. Assistance is to be provided as Christian service, without regard to race, nationality, or religion." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Economic Aid
"Economic aid offered by the Church to needy people in various countries is intended to promote the well-being of individuals and families. In addition to temporary Welfare assistance given by the Church to its members and to a variety of emergency and humanitarian services, the Church has rendered longer-term economic aid to many groups in a variety of nations." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Self-Sufficiency
"Self-sufficiency is the ability to maintain one's self and relates to women and men being agents for themselves. Independence and self-sufficiency are critical keys to spiritual and temporal growth." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Emergency Preparedness
Latter-day Saints are taught to prepare for potential problems. Since the gospel is concerned with mankind's temporal as well as spiritual welfare, the Church considers any potential emergency that would adversely affect the quality of life or produce suffering to be a cause for advance preparation." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Calamities and Disasters
"From its beginnings, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has sought to be prepared against natural disasters following admonitions such as "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30)." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
LDS Family Services (formerly LDS Social Services)
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints calls upon LDS Family Services, a separate corporation, to help meet the social and emotional needs of Church members and others." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Deseret Industries
"Toward the end of the Great Depression, in August 1938, Deseret Industries was established "to help Church members help themselves" through a program of donated household items, volunteer labor, and vocational training." Encyclopedia of Mormonism
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