President Thomas S. Monson explained that the new Local Unit Budget Allowance Program "is but one of several carefully studied and prayerfully implemented steps taken by the Church to relieve the membership of financial burdens" and to "build strong, gospel-centered homes."
"The primary responsibility for building testimonies and providing faith-building experiences in our members, including youth, resides in the home," he emphasized. "The Church should continue to support the determination of the family to do this. Families vary in size and composition. All are to receive our devoted attention."President Monson outlined steps taken by the Church to relieve financial burdens upon members and allow them to focus on service in and out of the home.
-First was the consolidated meeting schedule, that the time of Church members could be conserved and the cost of attending meetings reduced.
-Second followed the introduction of increased Church participation in the construction of meetinghouses, culminating in the recent announcement that "the total cost of building sites and the construction of buildings would be lifted from the local units altogether and provided in full through the tithes of the Church."
-Third was the elimination of the per capita welfare assessment utilized to provide commodities to be distributed to the needy through the welfare program. Generous fast offerings would supplant the commodity budget.
-And finally, the new local budget program replaces local ward and stake budgets, with many costs previously borne by individual Church members now covered through tithing.
"These steps were preceded by lengthy discussion and fervent prayer on the part of those sustained as prophets, seers and revelators," he emphasized.
President Monson said the announcement that the costs of new meetinghouses and the majority of custodial care of buildings would be covered entirely by the new program was "received with rejoicing. Thus, a heavy burden was lifted from the backs of the members, made possible by increased faithfulness in the payment of tithing. . . . How grateful I am for this giant step forward in funding all such costs through tithing _ even the Lord's way."
But he noted that perhaps less understood and appreciated was the announcement pertaining to local unit budgets and reiterated the principles that govern the budget allowance program:
-The program was created to reduce financial burdens on members.
-Members should not pay fees or be assessed to participate in Church programs.
-Priesthood leaders should reduce and simplify activities wherever it is possible to do so.
-Activities should be planned at little or no cost, should build testimonies and provide meaningful service to others.
An exception was made relating to the Church's affiliation with the Scouting program, which has as a basic tenet that a boy earn his own way.
"Permitted under the budget allowance program is the financing of prescribed Cub, Scout, Varsity and Explorer activities," said President Monson. "This same exception is made for Young Women for camping activities outlined in the Young Women Handbook. It is the desire that restraint be used in programming youth activities, and that consistency between Young Women and Young Men programs be achieved."
He said that the budget allocation provides less than some wards are accustomed to for youth activities, and more for others.
"By and large, it is going to average out rather well. The ingenuity of our people is well known. We can have good activities closer to home. . . . The building of testimonies is not related to financial expenditure. It is not necessary to buy the activity of our youth."
Some Church youth activities in recent years have supplanted the home and family, according to President Monson. "Errantly we have used the term `Super Activity' to encourage the exotic, rather than the practical.
"Many units are now planning major youth conferences on a two-year or three-year cycle rather than each year. Some have discovered that through careful scheduling, there are sites and facilities very close to home available for productive youth activities.
"In every location there are places of historical significance which can provide a focal point for a successful activity," he said, recounting a trip years ago from Salt Lake City to the Clarkston Cemetery near Logan, Utah, which involved all the Aaronic Priesthood in President Monson's stake.
Youths stood with "rapt attention" at the grave of Martin Harris, one of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon, and listened to stories of his life. "The value of the Book of Mormon in the mind of each youth soared." A nearby pioneer child's grave was visited, and sacrifice and dedication to truth discussed.
"Silent pledges were made," recalled President Monson. "Lessons were learned. Hearts were touched. Thoughts turned to the Master. His presence was close. His gentle invitation, `Follow me,' was somehow heard and felt. Such experiences are available to all youth and their leaders. The financial cost is minimal. The eternal dividends they yield are enormous."
President Monson concluded with his testimony and a challenge:
"My brothers and sisters, these are momentous times in the history of the Church. The Lord had indeed opened the windows of heaven and showered us with His benevolent blessings. Let us be faithful in our tithing obligation to the Lord. Let us be generous in our fast offerings, that the poor and needy may be blessed. Let us help in proclaiming His glorious message to all the world."
