it changes me

I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me.

This quote is attributed to C.S. Lewis in the film Shadowlands, but it does not appear in his published writings. It was written by William Nicholson, the screenwriter of Shadowlands. Taken from The Generous Heart and Life of C.S. Lewis by Joel Woodruffon June 7, 2013 C.S. Lewis Institute

your unique place of personal suffering

I wonder, if Jesus were to choose a place where you and He could meet, a private place where you would be able to have a singular focus on Him, might He choose your unique place of personal suffering, the place of your deepest need, where no one else can go? Somewhere you feel so lonely that you must truly be all alone but you aren’t quite, a place to which perhaps only He has travelled but actually has already prepared to meet you there when you arrive? If you are waiting for Him to come, might He already be there and within reach?

Karl D. Hirst

"God’s Favourite", General Conference October 2024

woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience

Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is intended to be used. Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced. The more your character is fortified, the more enabled you are to benefit from exercising the power of faith. You will discover how faith and character interact to strengthen one another. Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience.

“The Transforming Power of Faith and Character,” by Richard G. Scott, General Conference October 2010

family structures in Louisiana

Towns across Louisiana were burgeoning with evacuees. The city of Lafayette, for instance, population 110,000, took in 40,000 of them. Many, if not most, stayed with friends or relatives. It was not unusual for a family of four to take in eleven people. Had the hurricane been only a very bad storm, that might have been akin to a holiday gathering for the hosts and guests alike. But Katrina was a vicious and unending disintegration of society’s fabric. According to academics such as Carl A. Brasseaux, a professor of history at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the family networks that had remained strong in Louisiana were more important than any government aid in helping to ease the impact of the disaster. “If family structures in Louisiana,” he said, “had eroded to the point they have in many parts of the country, many refugees here would face a very long and bleak road ahead.”

The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast by Douglas Brinkley. HarperCollins 2007. p. 434, 435

do good to all

I will give you a piece of counsel. Do good to all. It is better to feed nine unworthy persons than to let one worthy person - the tenth, go hungry. Follow this rule and you will be apt to be found on the right side of doing good.


Brigham Young, Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since 1930 by Glen L. Rudd. 1995. P.364. Originally in Journal of Discourses, 16:44

poor and needy

There is a difference between being poor and being needy. The needy might lack money, employment, or some other temporal thing. It is usually easy to solve their need. The poor may be poor in spirit, manner, habits or lifestyle. If they are given money, food, or clothing, they may remain poor. They have difficulty handling their money or managing their homes. They are usually remiss in their church attendance. Their needs require assistance from compassionate people, and even then, a long healing process is often required. Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. . . . And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them" (Mark 10:14, 16). The poor of the Church are in some ways like little children. They may be unwise in their judgement, easily distracted, and a little self-centered. Even their faith is like a child's - they go to their bishop when thay have a need and expect to get just what they ask for. They are usually unaware of their own responsibilities. The poor of the Church need leaders who are understanding and patient. Charity, the pure love of Christ, must be in the heart of every bishop and Relief Society president. 

Glen L. Rudd

Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since 1930 by Glen L. Rudd. 1995. P.314. See also D&C 44:6

has only just begun

When every mouth has been fed, when every able pair of hands has been set to work - when every member has given what he is able and has received in return whatever he needs - the work of the Program has only just begun. There are larger problems, as complex as society itself, demanding attention. . . . Men must have the comforts as well as the necessities of life: education, amusement, cultural pursuits, and above all, oportunity for spiritual growth and joy.


Gordon B. Hinckley, Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since 1930 by Glen L. Rudd. 1995. P.311. Originally found in 'Helping Others to Help Tempselves: The Story of the Mormon Church Welfare Program,' [pamphlet 1941], p.12

receive to the extent of his need

Some who assist the needy believe that they should put a dollar value on the work a person contributes. In other words, a recipient should work a certain number of hours for a certain amount of commodities. Some bishops have even said, "I'll give you so much per hour for the work you do." In the true spirit of welfare, this is neither accurate nor fair. An individual's needs will usually far outweigh his abilities. He should receive to the extent of his need. The amount of work given does not have to equal the amount of help received.

To illustrate, a brother drove a city bus for many years and at an advanced age was forced to retire since he could no longer handle the job. He dreaded the thought of being idle. He talked to his bishop, who told him that he would be welcome to work at the bishops' storehouse. He and his wife received a small pension and Social Security payments, and they had limited savings. Their only financial problem would be buying coal when winter came. The bishop agreed to furnish them with coal, and the brother agreed to work to the extent of his ability.

During the first two or three years he worked nearly forty hours a week. He loved his work, and his greatest desire was to serve. His contribution far exceed what he received from the welfare program. After a few years his health declined so that he could work only three days a week. His savings were depleted and his needs began to increase. The bishop and Relief Society president provided additional bishop's orders for him. Eventually the brother was able to work only one day a week. It was the most he could do. Although as time went by his contributions decreased and his needs increased, he was still giving to the extent of his ability and receiving what he needed - everything was in perfect balance.

It would never have worked for the bishop to put a cash value on theis brother's contributions or his needs. He was treated in the true spirit of the welfare program.



Glen L. Rudd, Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since 1930 by Glen L. Rudd. 1995.

Personally, I believe that the most practical way to protect one's self and family against economic need is to make liberal contributions for the support of the Lord's poor according to the law of the Gospel. I am not promising you riches, but I am telling you that this is the most practical way to protect yourselves and families from actual need.

I believe that it is consistent with the laws of Heaven that one's right of reliance upon the Lord for protection against want is in direct proportion to his own liberality in sustaining the Lord's poor.


Marion G. Romney, Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since 1930 by Glen L. Rudd. 1995. p.314 Originally in "A Practical Religion," address given to seminary and institute faculty, Brigham Young University, 13 June 1956

that's the only thing I'd really like to be

Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around - nobody big, I mean - except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy.


J.D. Salinger - The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. 1945. p.173