In fact, during the 1930s, one of the Church’s primary concerns, something that was emphasized again and again in conference and elsewhere, was for members to strive for self-sufficiency and not rely on the government for support.

So, there is a big difference between, “I just lost my job, let me go apply for unemployment benefits for a few months” and “hmm, I wonder if I could find a way to live off government benefits for the next few years.” And by saying this, I am cognizant of the fact that there are many people, including some people in the Bloggernacle, who have been unemployed for years. I have no problem with the Church or individual people or the government helping out people who really are trying to find another job but cannot for various reasons. I do have a problem with people trying to game the system.

And while you’re pondering that difference, you may want to consider whether it might be more efficient and just for unemployment benefits to be privatized. Just saying…

The handbook advises priesthood leaders to make sure that members in need are receiving the benefits available to them under governments programs. This is part of the first step of needs assessment. For instance, a bishop would be out of order to provide church assistance to an unemployed member if that member didn’t want to file for unemployment benefits. Same goes for food stamps, medicaid, etc. We can bash govt. programs all we want, but the simple fact is that the church uses them before it uses its own resources.

I guess my concern from my previous comment had to do more with government programs than church programs. It just seems that so many are just looking to the govt for a handout with no thought of ever giving back or striving for self suffiecency. Like I said, I am all for helping those that need it, but there have been times in my life when I have been less than well off, no insurance etc, this was terrific motivation to better my situation. I just don’t see govt programs doing anything but handing out money and not turning toward self sufficency.

As for bashing government programs, this is exactly what I plan on doing. Muhahahahahahaahahahaahahaahahaaha!

Joyce, my personal opinion, (and again this is personal because a lot of these discussions involve some self-righteous loser saying “if you don’t help the poor you’re not a true Christian like I AM!!”), is that the Church does an excellent job, as Brian describes, of both offering Christian charity but also making sure it is not abused. In agreement with Mark Brown I would like to say my personal belief is that Mormons are especially called upon to remember we all are beggars and that sometimes you give just because it is right to give. My personal policy on this is that I always give if it is a reasonable request and not dangerous and is not obviously going to be used for drugs, etc. Yes, I’m sure some of the people I have given to have probably used the money the wrong way, but my responsibility is to give — they are responsible to do what they do with the money. It makes it a lot easier if you give your time rather than your money.

In the many training sessions which I have attended, welfare assistance is to be temporary, specific and as a means to get the member back on their feet.

When I was recently called as ward employment specialist, the stake employment specialist told a story of a brother who was receiving welfare assistance and was not actively seeking a job. The bishop found out about this and gave the brother a date when his assistance would end. His comment to the WES was, “Well, I guess it means I really have to start looking for a job.”

When I served as the ward clerk in a singles ward, I used to look over the finances and see who the bishop was helping. My heart was filled with joy as I thought about how the Church was able to bless the lives of these people and give them much needed help. In cases where that help was abused, the bishop promptly ended the assistance. When it was needed and used properly, the bishop continued to provide the assistance.

I trust that the bishops of the Church will ensure that any assistance given will be used properly, or be withheld from those who abuse it.