Part 1

The Bishop Helps Prevent Need

The primary responsibility for preventing need rests with each individual. Your responsibility as bishop is to see that members do all they can to help themselves, their families, and others. In joint efforts with the priesthood quorums and Relief Society, you should teach two key gospel principles related to welfare: self-reliance and generous giving.

Members prevent temporal need in their lives by obeying the commandments and living in harmony with these two principles. Teach self-reliance and generous giving by setting a worthy example and emphasizing these principles in interviews and meetings. Devote a portion of each welfare services committee meeting to training and to measuring progress toward the living of these principles.

Foster Self-reliance

Self-reliant individuals provide for themselves and their families through their own labor (see Genesis 3:19). They live providently, practice industry and thrift, remain free of unnecessary debt, care for their aged parents, and prepare for future emergencies (see D&C 38:30; 78:14).

“Let us work for what we need. Let us be self-reliant and independent. Salvation can be obtained on no other principle. Salvation is an individual matter, and we must work out our own salvation in temporal as well as in spiritual things” (Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Oct. 1976, p. 167; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, p. 124).

“No true Latter-day Saint, while physically or emotionally able will voluntarily shift the burden of his own or his family’s well-being to someone else. So long as he can, under the inspiration of the Lord and with his own labors, he will supply himself and his family with the spiritual and temporal necessities of life” (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Oct. 1977, p. 124; or Ensign, Nov. 1977, pp. 77–78).

The priesthood quorums and Relief Society help members learn self-reliance skills. Such efforts may focus on literacy, education, career development, financial management, home production and storage, and physical, social, and emotional well-being.

A checklist is included on page 3 to help members become self-reliant. You can foster self-reliance and help prevent welfare need in the ward by asking individuals and families to complete the checklist.

Encourage Generous Giving

The Lord has said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Members give generously by imparting of their time, talents, and resources in the spirit of this declaration: “I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath” (Mosiah 4:26). Even those who have little can give (see Mosiah 4:24). Foster generous giving among ward members by encouraging them to give fast offerings and render compassionate service in the family, Church, and community.

Fast offerings, as a minimum, should be the equivalent value of two meals not eaten during the fast. Members should give more if they are able.

“I think that when we are affluent, as many of us are, that we … should be very generous and give, instead of the amount we saved by our two meals of fasting, perhaps much, much more—ten times more where we are in a position to do it” (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Apr. 1974, p. 184).

Compassionate service should be rendered by all members. The Lord commanded, “Remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple” (D&C 52:40). As members do all they can to help themselves, they are blessed with a desire to reach out and help others. This desire manifests itself in acts of sharing, participation in organized service projects, and involvement in community service, particularly in behalf of the needy.

As members and leaders obey these principles, they approach the condition referred to as Zion. “The Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18; see also Moses 7:17).

Instructions: Please view Part 1 of the videocassette Caring for the Needy.

Review Questions

After reading Part 1 of this study guide and viewing Part 1 of the videocassette Caring for the Needy, write answers to the following questions. You may also want to record promptings you have felt while reviewing the material. These notes will help you recall your thoughts after the training is completed.

1. Who has primary responsibility to prevent need?

2. What responsibilities do the priesthood quorums and the Relief Society have in preventing need?

3. What is your responsibility in preventing need?

4. In what ways do members in your ward need to become more self-reliant?

5. What will you do to encourage more generous giving among ward members?

Exercise

Complete the Self-reliance Checklist with your family. Set personal and family goals. By completing this exercise, you will be better able to help the priesthood quorums and the Relief Society use this valuable tool.

Instructions: Please go on to Part 2 of this study guide.

Self-reliance Checklist

Questions

• Do you have employment or other reliable sources of income that provide adequately for personal and family needs?

• Are you managing your finances to avoid unnecessary debt?

• Are you preparing financially for unexpected illness, emergencies, and retirement?

• Do you maintain your possessions and property?

• Can you sustain yourself and your family independent of the Church, the government, and others?

• Are you doing all you can to be physically fit and maintain proper weight?

• Do you follow practices that will prevent accidents and injury?

• Do you eat nutritiously and maintain sanitary conditions to prevent disease?

• Are you able to treat simple illness and injury, and do you seek proper medical care when needed?

• Are you able to cope with social and emotional challenges in your life?

• Can you read, write, and do basic arithmetic well enough to care for yourself and family?

• Are you practicing good work habits?

• Do you have adequate food, clothing, and other reserves to meet emergencies?

Action Plan