2/9/2018 - Section 83:1-6

February 9, 2018

Section 83:1-6

Ward Family, Widow Care, Children Care,

Joseph and the brethren are still in Missouri. Joseph wrote about some of the challenges the saints faced being there in Missouri on the edge of civilization: “On the 27^th [of April 1832] we transacted considerable business for the salvation of the Saints, who were settling among a ferocious set of mobbers, like lambs among wolves. It was my endeavor to so organize the Church, that the brethren might eventually be independent of every encumbrance beneath the celestial kingdom, by bonds and covenants of mutual friendship, and mutual love.” Joseph went on to record how joyous it was to meet with one another again, and “rejoice with the people of God.” Basically this section ensures that no one is neglected: women and children who have lost their husband and/or fathers are not only to be cared for temporally from the storehouse of the church, but they shall also have ‘fellowship in the church’. They will be part of the family of saints—in love, in acceptance, in feeling, in truth. That is our goal in the church: to welcome, to love, and to care for.

7/15/2021 – D&C 83

This revelation was given to Joseph Smith on April 30, 1832—at this time Joseph had traveled to the Kaw Township, 12 miles west of Independence, where many of the saints were gathered. Many of these saints were trying to live up to the principles of consecration, but evidently had some questions regarding the care of widows and orphans. During this time the state of Missouri gave widows limited rights to their deceased husbands’ property. The Lord addressed these questions by teaching them more: 1) Women have claim on their husbands for their maintenance. 2) In the event of a husband’s death, his wife continues to have the house and land. 3) Children are to rely on their parents until they become adults. And after they become adults, if the parents are unable to continue to help them, then those adult children may take advantage of the church’s storehouse. 4) All widows and orphans are to be provided for from the storehouse. 

These practices have remained unchanged in the Church. In the Oct 1996 General Conference, President Gordon B Hinkley made these same things clear as he spoke of the temporal welfare of women and children: “Included among the women of the Church are those who have lost their husbands through abandonment, divorce, and death. Great is our obligation to you. … I hope that every woman who finds herself in [these kinds] of circumstances … is … blessed with an understanding and helpful bishop, with a Relief Society president who knows how to assist her, with home teachers who know where their duty lies and how to fulfill it, and with a host of ward members who are helpful without being intrusive.”

I believe the Lord is trying to help us all understand the true meaning of charity—whether we are giving charity or receiving charity. There are great blessing both ways.