a man out of work

A man out of work is of special moment to the Church because, deprived of his inheritance, he is on trial as Job was on trial - for his integrity. As days lengthen into weeks and months and even years of adversity, the hurt grows deeper, and he is sorely tempted to 'curse God and die.' Continued economic dependence breaks him; it humiliates him if he is strong, spoils him if he is weak. Sensitive or calloused, despondent or indifferent, rebellious or resigned - either way, he is threatened with spiritual ruin, for the dole is an evil and idleness a curse. He soon becomes the seedbed of discontent, wrong thinking, alien beliefs. The Church cannot hope to save a man on Sunday if during the weeek it is a complacent witness to the crucifixion of his soul. . . . 

Gordon B. Hinckley

Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since 1930 by Glen L. Rudd. 1995. P.310. Originally found in 'Helping Others to Help Themselves: The Story of the Mormon Church Welfare Program,' [pamphlet 1941], p.3