“In considering the social issues and pressures facing individuals in the Church, what does the Church perceive as its role as an institution in alleviating social ills? By not acting as an institution directly, doesn’t the Church put itself in the position of supporting the existence of these social ills in society?”

Answer/Commissioner Neal Maxwell

The first point to be made in responding to this question is that the gospel of Jesus Christ emphasizes, basically, preventive medicine. By having love at home, and by learning great principles and governing ourselves, the compliant member of the Church reduces not only his own frustrations, but also the sum of human misery. Only by concentrating on the basic principles in the teachings of Jesus can society ever solve the ills that beset it. For instance, the only real cure for alcoholism is abstinence.

We will not solve the problem of public welfare unless we reenthrone the principle of work, which is a spiritual necessity, even if it were not an economic necessity, and unless we end the dole with its counter-productive, destructive dependency relationships, which breed two-way resentment. (A Catholic priest’s prayer included the insightful words, “Father, bless the poor that they shall forgive us the bread that we give them.”)

In dozens of ways, therefore, the Church, by encouraging us to keep the commandments, is contributing directly to the alleviation of social ills. (See Mosiah 4:9–16 for specific promises relating to peace, poverty, justice, and love.)

The multiplicity of issues and causes to which members may wish to give individual allegiance are many, but we all need to remember in dealing with man’s causes that Jesus “advocateth the cause of the children of men.”

Nevertheless, in the spirit of section 58 of the Doctrine and Covenants, members “should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.” (D&C 58) Before one gives his support, causes should be carefully selected in accordance with the scrutinizing light of the gospel, and our energy should be expended in such a way that we recognize the ecology of effectiveness, which suggests that the time and effort expended in the home are usually most productive. Members could get caught up in such a multiplicity of causes that they neglect their primary responsibilities, or they could discover their idealism being crassly exploited by a deceitful cause.

So far as specific causes or issues to which the Church may address itself institutionally, these are a matter for the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve to determine. In a worldwide Church there are hundreds of local issues in hundreds of places where members live, and it would be impractical for the Church to become embroiled in each of these. But when the leaders of the Church do speak out officially, our task is to “follow the brethren.”