Church Welfare Program

President Marion G. Romney said, “Welfare is not a program of the Church; it is the essence of the Church” (qtd. by Vaughn J. Featherstone, “Now Abideth Faith, Hope, and Charity”, Ensign, July 1973, p.35).

Shortly after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized a commandment was given to take care of the poor:

And now, I give unto the church in these parts a commandment, that certain men among them shall be appointed, and they shall be appointed by the voice of the church; And they shall look to the poor and the needy, and administer to their relief that they shall not suffer; and send them forth to the place which I have commanded them; (D