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The Welfare Plan
As the Great Depression of the 1930s spread economic suffering throughout the world, Latter-day Saint leaders were not left without guidance as to how they should respond to the crisis. From the beginning the Lord had commanded, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," a principle which the Apostle James designated "the royal law" (see Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:36-40; James 2:8). When the Lord gave this commandment to the children of Israel he also instructed them to provide for the poor (see Lev. 19:10). During his earthly ministry the Savior linked helping the poor with becoming perfect (see Matt. 19:21). In the present dispensation the Lord again commanded his Saints to remember, visit, and administer to those in need (see D&C 44:6; 52:40). He has vigorously condemned those who are able to but refuse to help their less fortunate brethren (see, for example, Mosiah 4:16-18; D&C 56:16; 104:18).
In 1834 the Lord declared that it was his purpose to care for his Saints, but cautioned, "it must needs be done in mine own way" (D&C 104:15-16). Three years earlier he had revealed his "own way." The Saints had been commanded to consecrate their property to the bishop (the Lord's earthly representative in temporal matters) for the care of the poor. Each individual then received a stewardship based not only on his or her family's needs but also on their circumstances (such as abilities or talents) and on their "just" wants (see D&C 42:30; 51:3; 82:17). Each person was then expected to work to the extent of his ability for what he would receive (see D&C 42:42; 68:30; 75:29). The individual then felt not only the usual economic pressures but also a religious or spiritual obligation to develop or magnify his stewardship for the benefit of others. Any surplus beyond his family's wants and needs was transferred to the bishop's storehouse for the good of the whole group. Latter-day Saints often refer to living this law of consecration as the united order.