Handbook Highlight

22.2 Minister to Those with Temporal and Emotional Needs

The Lord’s disciples are taught to “love … and to serve one another” and to “succor those that stand in need of … succor” (Mosiah 4:15–16). Members strive to see others as the Savior sees them, understanding their unique strengths and needs. By doing this, members will be inspired to know how to minister to those who have temporal and emotional needs. These needs may include food, clothing, housing, education, employment, physical health, and emotional well-being.

22.2.1 The Lord’s Storehouse

The Savior taught, “Impart of your substance unto the poor, … and [it] shall be laid before the bishop … [and] shall be kept in my storehouse, to administer to the poor and the needy” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:31, 34). All the resources available to the Church to help those with temporal needs are called the Lord’s storehouse (see Doctrine and Covenants 82:18–19). These include members’ offerings of time, talents, compassion, materials, and financial resources to help those in need.

The Lord’s storehouse exists in each ward and stake. Leaders can often help individuals and families find solutions to their needs by drawing on the knowledge, skills, and service offered by ward and stake members.

Besides the resources of the Lord’s storehouse, members can often receive needed help through government and community resources (see 22.12).