181st Annual General Conference — Church News coverage
The hearts of Church members and leaders throughout the world are being positively influenced by becoming self-reliant through the welfare system of the Church, Bishop H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop, said during the Sunday morning session of general conference.
"The work of caring for one another and being 'kind to the poor' is a sanctifying work, commanded of the Father, and divinely designed to bless, refine and exalt His children," Bishop Burton said.
Just as committed as when the Welfare Program of the Church officially began 75 years ago, Church leaders today still carry a strong commitment to relieve human suffering — no matter the cost.
"One of the distinguishing characteristics of this gis its emphasis on personal responsibility and self-reliance," Bishop Burton said. "Self-reliance is a product of provident living and exercising economic self-discipline."
As individuals practice the principles of sacrifice and giving of oneself to others they are learning celestial principles, he said.
From the beginning of the establishment of the Church Welfare Program, families — to the extent that they could — were expected to assume responsibility for their own temporal welfare. It is through living principles of self-reliance such as avoiding debt, implementing principles of thrift, preparing for times of distress, listening to and following the words of the living oracles, developing the discipline to distinguish between needs and wants and living accordingly, that individuals are able to live a provident life, he said.
"The purpose, promises and principles that reinforce extend far beyond the bounds of mortality," he said. "This sacred work is not only to benefit and bless those who suffer or are in need. As sons and daughters of God, we cannot inherit the full measure of eternal life without being fully invested in caring for each other while we are here on earth."
It is through sacrifice and giving of oneself to others that an individual learns the celestial principles of sacrifice and consecration, Bishop Burton said.
"No matter how many temples we build, no matter how large our membership grows, no matter how positively we are perceived in the eyes of the world — should we fail in this great core commandment to 'succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees,' or turn our hearts from those who suffer and mourn, we are under condemnation and cannot please the Lord, and the jubilant hope of our hearts will ever be distant. ...
"The work of caring for one another and being 'kind to the poor' is a sanctifying work, commanded of the Father and divinely designed to bless, refine and exalt His children."
