Welfare

Private Welfare, Mormon Style

During the Great Depression, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints -- the Mormons -- developed their own private welfare plan, which still exists today.

When an individual or family has done all they can to provide for themselves and still come up short, the church's Welfare Plan goes into action.

  • Individuals closely associated with the person or family in need talk with them to determine the most effective route to recovery.

  • The church owns 106 commodities storehouses, 87 canneries, more than 100 farms and 100 employment centers -- staffed by a small crew of professionals assisted by a small staff of volunteers, including those receiving aid.

  • The food -- along with such church-produced items as soap and clothing -- is available without charge.

  • The employment centers assist with job searches, writing of resumes and job-interview preparation.

Temporary assistance may also come in the form of shelter, medical assistance, financial aid and disaster relief. The church has also established 60 social services offices that provide professional counseling and adoption services.

Church officials report that the average length of time a person remains on the "welfare roll" is about four months. Recipients of aid are asked to give back to the system to the extent of their abilities.

Source: Bishop H. David Burton (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), "Help in Hard Times," Wall Street Journal, June 26, 1998.

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