A new Church Web site, officially opened Jan. 25, will take several elements of the Church's welfare efforts into the homes of members worldwide — helping individuals access resources that can promote self-reliance and then service.
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The new site, www.providentliving.org, features eight sections that highlight several established welfare principles — physical health, social and emotional strength, education and literacy, resource management, food storage and emergency preparedness, caring for others, employment, and helps for Church leaders.
Presiding Bishop H. David Burton said, "The site was designed as a resource to families. It is filled with practical and specific information that will assist families to wisely manage their finances, improve health, better employment, provide service to others and prepare for times of emergency."
Quoting President Gordon B. Hinckley, he said, "We teach emphatically the importance of self- reliance, the importance of education, of equipping our people so they can earn a living; the importance of saving and being prudent in the managing of their affairs; the importance of setting something aside, a reserve, to take care of their needs if there should come a rainy day in their lives." (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 585.)
The new welfare website is designed to give families practical tools to help them as they strive towards these goals, said Bishop Burton.
A. Terry Oakes, director of Church welfare administrative services, echoed that sentiment. "Members of the Church can now go to the Provident Living website and have instant access to sound counsel from modern day prophets as well as advice from noted experts regarding basic principles that lead to happiness and security."
For example, the interactive and instructional site will allow members to:
Use a food storage calculator to determine how much food is needed for their family.
List and find jobs on-line.
Find information on emotional challenges such as depression, eating disorders, suicide and stress management.
Find helps for birth mothers who are considering adoption.
Research Church doctrines of compassion and self-reliance.
Read articles and talks by General Authorities and others regarding welfare principles.
Access information and tips on personal and family budgeting.
"The site, which can also be accessed from www.lds.org, will be enhanced over time," said Brother Oakes. "Eventually," he said, "portions of the site will be and translated into Spanish and Portuguese. Other refinements will be made as well."
Brother Oakes said Church leaders want members living outside the United States to have access to the information posted on the site. Information relating to education and employment may be particularly helpful.
The site, which is geographically smart, can provide information on available jobs based on a person's location and training. It links information from the more than 225 LDS employment centers worldwide, provides information to train employment specialists and offers an interactive worksheet that will help those looking for jobs set goals.
"Hopefully, this site will strengthen ward and stake employment efforts and give employment specialists the tools that they need," said Brother Oakes.
Fred Riley, commissioner of LDS Family Services, said the site will help his organization "do their job better."
Through the site, he said, birth mothers will have the opportunity to seek information about adoptive servcies.
Brother Riley said he also hopes members will access the organization's mental health library that is now online.
"Members of the Church who are dealing with different social/emotional type problems can come to the site and get good information that is consistent with gospel principles and standards."
Other sections of Provident Living are designed to provide training for Welfare Department employees and volunteers.
Jeffrey Newey, product manager for the Web site, said he hopes members will take advantage of the site, using the practical information found there for Church talks and lessons and family home evenings.
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