Thoughts on Welfare Square

[smac97]

Here:

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'To see it in action is incredible' — community influencers from around the world visit Welfare Square
By Marianne Holman Prescott @marianne_holman
Published: Oct. 28, 2017 10:30 a.m.
Updated: Nov. 2, 2017 5:27 p.m.

While journalists from around the world gathered in downtown Salt Lake City for the 73rd General Assembly of the Inter American Press Association held Oct. 27-30 (see article on page 4), family members and associates of the journalists met at Welfare Square — a modern facility composed of a bakery, cannery, storehouse, dairy plant and thrift store that provides care for the poor — to learn about the LDS Church’s welfare programs.

Meant to be an informative experience for community influencers from Central and South America, the gathering — held on Oct. 27 — provided an opportunity for guests to see the services and welfare facilities of the Church.

“Welfare Square is like an embassy for the Church,” said Sister Sharon Eubank, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. “People from all over the world come here and they learn about the principles that we use.”

Sister Reyna I. Aburto, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, joined Sister Eubank as a guide. The two women shared the purpose and process of the work that takes place at Welfare Square.

“I think it is interesting to think that all of these resources we have come from the faith of people,” Sister Aburto said. “The faith both in sharing their resources and in giving their offerings — paying their tithing, fasting for 24 hours at least once a month and giving their ‘widow’s mite.’ ”

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With a tour of Welfare Square and the Bishop’s Central Storehouse, visitors saw how the Church is able to help so many in need. Learning how processes work in Salt Lake shared a glimpse of what is available in their communities.

For Carolina Canahuati, a visitor from Honduras, seeing the sites in person was a powerful experience.

“You hear about a lot of things and you read a lot, but to see it in action is incredible,” she said. She added that she thought it was powerful to have people work as part of the process. “If you don’t work for it you don’t appreciate it.”

During the tour the group learned about the commodities — among them cheese, salsa, peanut butter and much more. The visit included a sample of cheese and chocolate milk.

“This place is a well-oiled machine,” said Jorge Anibal Navarro, who is originally from Colombia and now lives in Indiana. “It embodies a love of God and a love of self. Not being a Mormon you hear so much about the misunderstandings. Seeing this in action — how you donate, contribute and volunteer — really builds the community.”

Years ago when I was in law school at BYU I volunteered to assist during the school's "Law and Religion" symposium.  It was held in early 2002, just a few months after 9/11.  One of the attendees was a gentleman from Pakistan, educated as a barrister in the UK, and who had spent, as I recall, five whole days in airports getting to the symposium.  The delays were caused by the ad hoc travel restrictions that had sprung up in the weeks and months after 9/11.  We also had several provincial supreme court justices from China, and also a member of the Mongolia Supreme Court.  I helped these folks on their tour of Welfare Square during the symposium.  They were likewise impressed with the system, including the emphasis on self-reliance and on "hav{ing} people work as part of the process."  They were also impressed with how the Church partners with other non-profit groups to get food and humanitarian supplies (the Church's Humanitarian Center is not far away from Welfare Square) out to people who need it.

However, I think the most singular characteristic for these folks of the Church's Welfare Program was the lack of governmental intervention in the process.  That is to say, the government did not mandate or ask the Church to start the Welfare Program, and the government does not pay or give incentives to the Church to administer the Welfare Program.  To be honest, I was surprised at their surprise, and at their apparent expectation that welfare and humanitarian services are pretty much the exclusive province of the government.  I was surprised that they were surprised that religious groups like the LDS Church engaged in such efforts as a principle of faith. 

That is not to say that the government should not play a part in these efforts.  Rather, I am grateful that it is not the sole source of such efforts.  I am also grateful that the LDS Church teaches us to help our fellow man, that such assistance is a core aspect of our faith, and also that the Church provides instruction and opportunities to participate in such assistance.

I am reminded of D&C 58:

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25 Wherefore, let them bring their families to this land, as they shall counsel between themselves and me.

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

Thanks,

-Smac