Presiding Bishop of the Church

Presiding Bishop of the Church ¶

It is a cause of rejoicing to me, my brethren and sisters, to be privileged to meet with you in this grand conference. The instructions that have been given and the spirit and power that have been manifest have been a source of great joy and satisfaction to me. ¶

I am very grateful for the fellowship of my brethren of the First Presidency and the other General Authorities, and of these brethren who preside in the stakes and wards, and of all the members of this Church. I rejoice in the faith and devotion of the Latter-day Saints, and the spirit of love and kindliness which characterizes their lives and actions. ¶

Vital Statistics Known Abroad

In President Grant's opening discourse he cited some vital statistics of the Latter-day Saints. In listening to them I was reminded of the fact that these statistics, which are collected by the Church, are recognized abroad. For instance, President Grant called attention to the fact that our birth rate is about 30 per thousand, and our death rate about 7.5 per thousand. I think that during the past year it was 7.8 per thousand. For the last three or four years previously the ratio has been about four births per death. ¶

Recently, Dr. Max Haenle of the University of Erlangen, Germany, who had been visiting in the United States for some time, called upon us and told us that a number of the prominent sociologists of Germany were interested in these figures and could hardly believe that among the Latter-day Saints, or among any people, there could be such a high ratio of births to deaths. Because, ordinarily, where people have a high birth rate they also have a high death rate. ¶

Extent of Charity Assistance

President Grant also referred in his discourse to the work that is being done by the Latter-day Saints in the way of charity and the distribution of funds for the welfare of those in need. I should like this morning for a few moments to discuss some phases of this work that is being carried on by the Church. ¶

The Lord Jesus Christ, while he was upon the earth, stressed the importance of helping those who are in need. In these latter days, through the revelations of the Lord, it has been made plain to us that the poor should be looked after; and that we should give of our means to help them. There should be manifest on our part proper consideration and interest in the welfare of others. ¶

Fasting and Fast Donations

In this connection I would like to call your attention to the importance of a principle that I believe we are neglecting. That is the principle of fasting and the giving of fast donations. The reports of the Church as a whole last year indicate that the average per capita fast offering was twenty-two cents per year. This is based on the total membership. Actually about one-eighth of the members paid fast donations, and the average amount for those who donated was $1.70 per capita for the year. I am inclined to think that many of us are failing to observe the principle of fasting. Fasting in moderation is a sound health principle. It is also a principle that promotes faith and spirituality. It is a powerful means, in connection with prayer, for the gaining of desired blessings. The Lord Jesus Christ emphasized this fact. Also, in the revelations given to us in these days, he has declared that fasting and prayer will bring results that otherwise may not be obtained. If every one of us were to fast and were to give the equivalent in value of our fast one day per month it would provide sufficient means in the Church to take care of all those who are in need. I believe that if this same principle were observed throughout the United States there would be ample funds to provide for all the charity requirements of the nation. I am sure that when we fast our hearts are more open to consider those who are in need. I commend, therefore, to the Latter-day Saints and to the presidents of stakes and bishoprics of wards the importance of stressing the observance of the fast day and of directing the thoughts and minds of the people towards those things that are for the mutual welfare and blessing of the Church as a whole. ¶

The Church and Social Welfare

The Latter-day Saints are recognized by the people of the world as being greatly interested in the welfare of those who are in need. We are giving, I believe, in porportion to our membership, more attention and greater service to those who are in need of help than any other community in all the world. ¶

I am reminded of a statement that was made by a rather prominent official who came here some time ago, — a representative of one of the prominent national welfare organizations. He made some investigations in this city and state, and after his return east he wrote a letter of which the following is an extract: "The Church is certainly doing a great deal for its people and I would like to say to you some things that I have said ever since my return to New York— I believe that your Church group as a whole has the most socialized outlook on welfare matters of any group with which I have come in contact." ¶

Responsibility for Those in Need

As the Lord has given this responsibility to the Church of looking after those who are in need, we recognize the importance of it. Yet the primary responsibility for the welfare and care of those in need is not upon the Church. You remember the Apostle Paul said upon one occasion: ¶

"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." ¶

Not only the moral responsibility rests upon those who are related to the family proper, to take care of those who are in need, but in this state at least, the legal responsibility rests upon them to take care of their relations. I can hardly conceive of parents, who have the means, expecting the Church or the state to take care of their children who may be in need. Nor can I see how children who have means can feel that the Church or the state should be responsible for the care of their parents if they are in need. In this connection let me state that statistics show that, generally speaking, those Latter-day Saints who observe the principle of tithing are less dependent in their old age than are those who are not faithful in the observance of this commandment. Next to the relatives, the state law recognizes that the counties are responsible for the care of the poor. ¶

Dangers of Indiscriminate Giving

The Church, while it has no legal responsibility, does undertake to supervise and to help to see that no one suffers. That is the spirit of this work. It is important that in our charity work we should learn how to act in such a way as to promote the greatest welfare of those who are in need, and at the same time to avoid that indiscriminate giving which tends to cause dependence rather than promote independence. The spirit of the Gospel and the policy of the Church have always been to try to help people to help themselves, to endeavor to place them in a position where they can be relieved of dependence and of difficulty and secure conditions which will promote progress and prosperity. ¶

Family the Basic Unit

The family is the basic unit of society and of the Church. We should all strive to maintain happy normal families to the end that there may be perfect unity, happiness and peace, and that the religious influence and the spirit of the Gospel, may prevail in all these homes. ¶

Care of Orphans and Dependent Children

Among other things the care of the orphan is upon us as well as upon the state. Of course the responsibility rests primarily upon public institutions. We recognize the fact, however, that it is better that orphan children should be placed in foster homes than in institutions. In general it is found that a home is far better for a child than any institution can be. And so, with the approval of the First Presidency and in a modest way, we are inaugurating the policy of endeavoring to take care of orphan boys. We are also seeking to find foster homes for neglected children who cannot be properly taken care of in their own homes. This is being done in co-operation with the Relief Society. We have the Lund Home for boys and are undertaking now to make that more of a clearing house for boys than an institution where they will be kept continuously for long periods. We are trying to place them in suitable homes with kind and loving foster parents, members of the Church, who will seek to train them in righteousness and have an influence over them in the home that they cannot obtain elsewhere. In like manner we are planning to help orphan girls, or those who are dependent or neglected, to place them in other suitable homes if they cannot be taken care of in their own homes. ¶

Requirements for Normal Family Life

Students of social welfare recognize five essential factors to a normal, happy family life. These factors are, first, health; second, employment; third, education; fourth, recreation; and fifth, spiritual welfare. The causes of poverty may be various unfavorable conditions such as sickness, unemployment, infirmity, improvidence, injury or mental or physical deficiency. Now we are concerned in the Church with seeing to it that so far as possible all those who are in need are aided to gain permanent relief. Not that they should be given financial help only, but have other careful attention. An investigation should be made in kindliness, in sympathy and wisdom, and under the influence of the Spirit of the Lord, as expressed by President Nibley this morning, to determine what their needs may be. If they are suffering from ill health we should provide suitable medical or nursing care and see also that they receive the healing ordinances of the Gospel. If they are lacking employment we should try to obtain suitable employment for them through the co-operative supervision of the Bishopric and the Relief Society. In case of improvidence, if people are spending more than they earn, of course that spells ruin, — it means failure. It is important that they should be taught how to budget their accounts. As President Nibley has sometimes said, they must spend less than they earn. Otherwise they cannot expect to make progress and gain success. If they are lacking in education we should plan ways and means for them to gain education. Also it is very desirable that proper recreation shall be provided the membership that they shall be trained in spiritual things and become established in the truth of the Gospel. ¶

Vocational Training

With regard to the matter of employment, it seems to me that the training of our young people generally in vocational education, — in the learning of trades and professions —is of vital importance. We find that many of those who seek employment are without any specialized training, and yet this is an age of specialization. Increasing specialization is being required in all of the various vocations and professions. It is a wonderful thing for our young people to be trained and developed in those lines of activity whereby they may be able to gain a useful, successful livelihood, and make steady progress in the affairs of life. ¶

Providing of Employment

Responsibility rests upon the various agencies to endeavor to secure and provide employment for those in need. In times of slack private industrial undertakings and enterprises, it is the responsibility of the cities and counties and states, to provide public work for those who are in need in order to avoid having to give help without return. Otherwise, people become dependent and do not develop the responsibility that they should carry. The dole system in England is evidence of the kind of policy that is wrong in principle. On the other hand, if provision can be made for more extensive public work in slack times by the public corporations, a great deal can be done to help men to help themselves and to make them feel that independence which everyone ought to have. ¶

Bishoprics, Relief Society, and Social Service

Now, with regard to the matter of investigation of those in need: We feel that it is very desirable that the bishoprics throughout the Church call upon the Relief Societies to assist them by rendering that service for which they are preparing under the direction of the General Board of Relief Society. Every case of need should be investigated carefully, tactfully and sympathetically. Following the investigation the bishopric and Relief Society can determine what is needed to relieve the conditions, thereupon the form of relief needed should be provided. It should be kept in mind that while the Church agencies are doing all of this work, any financial help should first be sought from those who are responsible therefor. ¶

We are desirous that in all of the wards throughout the Church the officers of the Relief Society who are being trained in the essentials of social welfare work, in common sense and good judgment, shall, in kindliness, endeavor to help those who are in need to solve their problems, in order that they may become more useful and successful members of the Church and of society. I am sure that every one of us realizes the importance of striving to so prepare ourselves, and to so qualify for the labors of life, that we may be able not only to be free of any help from the Church, but that, on the contrary, we may be able to be of service to the Church in a spiritual way, and also to help in a financial way to advance the purposes which the Lord has in view in the formation of this great work. It requires not only labor, it requires also means. If every one of us can qualify and be placed in such position that we can help rather than be helped we shall feel much happier. We shall rejoice, the Lord will bless us, and we will go forward as united, happy families. I desire to suggest therefore, that if the bishoprics of wards will place greater responsibility upon the Relief Society, under their direction, they will be relieved of much detail. At the same time the Relief Society can function in one of the great objectives for which this organization has been formed. ¶

Development of Industries

In order to provide more employment we need more industries. We should all seek in our various communities to develop those industries that shall be for the welfare of the people and for our own progress and prosperity. So far as possible no raw material should be shipped out from our midst. We should take the available raw materials and put them in finished state for consumptive use. If we will do these things we will be prospered and blessed, and greater headway will be made, and greater satisfaction prevail in the various communities of the Church. ¶

Our ideal in all these efforts should be generally to secure happy, prosperous, religious homes. That the Lord may help and bless us to sense our responsibility, that we may endeavor to act wisely in all these things, and partake of the spirit and power of the Gospel, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶

A duet, "An Angel from on high," was sung by Cyril Martin and Ida Hepworth, the choir joining with them in singing the chorus. ¶