Teaching the Principle of Work for Welfare Assistance

Bishopric Training, January 26, 2016

“The real long-term objective of the welfare plan is the building of character in the members of the Church, givers and receivers, rescuing all that is finest down deep inside of them, and bringing to flower and fruitage the latent richness of the spirit, which after all is the mission and purpose and reason for being of this Church.”

— President J. Reuben Clark

DOCTRINE: Why welfare recipients are expected to work for assistance

·                   ·       “…how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served?” (Mosiah 5:13)

·       “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17)

·        “Forget yourself and find someone who needs your service and you will discover the secret to a happy, fulfilled life.” - President Benson, April 1979 General Conference

INSTRUCTIONS: Work-for-assistance guidelines from Handbook 1, Section 5.2.3

·   “The bishop has a divine mandate to seek out and care for the poor (see D&C 84:112). It is not enough to assist only when asked. He should be aware of the temporal circumstances of needy ward members and ensure that those in need receive proper care. He encourages priesthood and Relief Society leaders, home teachers, and visiting teachers to help identify members who need assistance.”

·   “The bishop asks those who receive assistance to work to the extent of their ability for what they receive. He teaches the importance of work and gives meaningful work assignments. If members are reluctant to work, the bishop helps them understand that work assignments are given to bless them. When they work for assistance, they remain industrious, maintain self-respect, and increase their ability to be self-reliant."

·   "In some situations, providing welfare assistance may be contingent on members fulfilling simple assignments from the bishop, such as doing assigned work, looking for a job, and eliminating unnecessary expenses. However, some members who are widowed, orphaned, elderly, or disabled may be unable to fulfill assignments. The bishop provides compassionate care to these members based on their situations and capabilities."

ADMINISTRATION: Implementing the work-for-assistance guidelines

The bishop teaches that work for assistance helps the recipient: (1) to maintain self-respect and dignity; (2) to be industrious; and (3) to potentially improve the recipient’s ability to become self-reliant.

The bishop determines the level of work to be performed by those who receive assistance.

The ward council compiles and maintains a list of meaningful work opportunities.

• Receiving welfare assistance is not based on worthiness or level of church activity.
• Recipients can be expected to improve their spiritual development via church attendance, prayers, etc.
• The bishop may also require personal improvement, such as looking for a job or sound budgeting.

STAKE GUIDELINES: Additional counsel on implementing work-for-assistance guidelines

·     Welfare recipients should be taught that the bishop is unable to personally administer all of the welfare needs of the ward. Therefore, he may involve other ward leaders in: (1) administering welfare assistance; (2) monitoring the effective use of the assistance; and (3) providing mentors to work side-by-side with those receiving assistance to help them become self-reliant.

·     Bishops should first turn to members of the ward council, who have stewardship responsibility for the person to receive welfare assistance, for counsel and administrative oversight. Ward council members should be taught that they may further delegate this assignment to others in their respective organization, but still retain oversight and accountability to the bishop.

·     Bishops may want to consider identifying and using past bishops or senior couples as mentors to those receiving assistance with the objective of helping them become self-reliant over time.

Work-for-Assistance Opportunities

Able-Bodied Recipients

·      Bishops’ Storehouse

·      Deseret Industries

·      Temple grounds maintenance volunteer

·      Volunteer for civic and community organizations

·      Assist the elderly to start and maintain a garden

·      Assist other needy and elderly with landscaping, such as mowing, pruning, raking, etc.

·      Serve at the Oregon Food Bank, SnowCap, Zarephath Kitchen, Salvation Army, etc.

·      Deep clean the meetinghouse, such as the kitchen, restrooms, nursery toys, etc.

·      Regularly pick-up litter around the ward meetinghouse

·      Shovel snow or ice when needed

·      Regularly participate with other members fulfill weekly custodial assignments

·      Rearrange donations in the Deseret Industries pod

·      Help pick-up and deliver Bishops Storehouse food or give other assistance

Limited to Indoor Projects

·      Prepare stake and ward mailings

·      Perform Family History Indexing

·      Help clean the meetinghouse

Confined to Home, due to small children, caring for others, disabled, limited transportation, etc.

·      Make quilts to donate to the needy

·      Perform Family History Indexing

·      Make phone calls on behalf of ward leaders

·      Prepare stake and ward mailings

·      Crochet or knit hats, slippers and scarves (ward provides the yarn)

Elderly with Limited Capability

·      Regular phone calls to other shut-ins or those who need encouragement

·      Make visits with ward leaders to the elderly and/or those who are ill

·      Perform Family History Indexing

·      Help clean the meetinghouse

·      Help pick-up and deliver Bishops Storehouse food or give other assistance