One of the most remarkable things about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as Mormons) is how organized and equipped the Welfare Services and humanitarian program is to be able From gigantic events such as the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Mormon church is often the first to arrive with aid, and often the last to leave. The assistance they provide benefits everyone, Mormons and non-Mormons alike.
Before I joined the Church, I had absolutely no idea how extensive the Welfare Services program of the Church was. This welfare program is not to be confused with sharing any similarities to the current U.S. government program. People who benefit from the welfare program of the Church do not continually live off of the assistance they receive. The principle of self reliance is taught often in the Mormon church. When we learn to become more self reliant, we are better prepared to endure adversities, and are in a better position to help others when they are in need. When members of the Church do all they can to provide for themselves but still are not able to meet their basic needs due to reasons often beyond their control, they can turn to their bishop who can then provide the temporary assistance needed until they are able to provide for themselves.My own family experienced how wonderful this assistance can be during our own trials a few years ago. My husband injured his back so severely that he was unable to go to work for an extensive period of time. As the main breadwinner for our family this took a toll on us financially and emotionally. My part-time job was not able to cover a majority of our expenses outside of our mortgage and we were struggling. During the monthly visit by our Home Teacher, he noticed that we were under duress because of our financial situation. He spoke to the Bishop in our ward on our behalf and we were immediately called into the Bishop’s office only a few short days later. He graciously explained to us that we were not alone in our adversity and that the Church provides for all that are in need. We were able to receive the financial assistance we needed, for exactly what we needed. This helped us through a rough patch, and gave us the opportunity to recover more easily from our losses when my husband finally was able to return to work. Our prayers were answered first, from the concern and action that our Home Teacher expressed for us and secondly, from the assistance that our bishop was able to give us through the resources the Church has to offer to everyone.
The assistance the Welfare Services program of the Mormon church provides is made possible from the generous voluntary contributions of members of the Church who fast one day a month and donate the value of the missed meals. Having received assistance from this program allows me to attest to the value of its purpose, and significance in the lives of those who benefit from it. I am especially grateful to my fellow brothers and sisters within the Church whose sacrifices, prayers, and generosity helped my family through our hard times. Being Mormon, I feel so blessed to be able to contribute back to a program that once helped my family, knowing that others will also be able to benefit as we did.
In my humble opinion, how can something as wonderful as this program not have been inspired from a divine source? Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through his selfless service for all of mankind provides us with an example of true charity, and counsels us to follow His way. President Spencer W. Kimball, once said that welfare service,
…is not a program, but the essence of the gospel. It is the gospel in action. It is the crowning principle of a Christian life.
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The measure of our love for our fellowmen and, in a large sense, the measure of our love for the Lord, is what we do for one another and for the poor and the distressed.” (Ensign, Nov. 1977, p. 77.)
Speaking purely from a perspective of a person whose prayers were answered and whose life the Lord’s way was impressed upon during times of adversity, I will truly be forever grateful that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prioritizes Welfare Services and humanitarian projects around the globe. The memory of the expression of compassion for our well-being both spiritually and temporally is what lingers on. It is something that I will never forget, and it has inspired me to do all I can to live in the Lord’s way.
