How does a bishop decide what kind of help to give?

Answer:

To enable the bishop to properly discharge his responsibilities, the stake president ensures that the bishop understands welfare principles. Because individual circumstances vary, the bishop, as a common judge, must live worthy to receive guidance from the Lord for each situation.

The bishop should determine the causes of members' need and what the members have done to provide for themselves and their families. He lists the members' needs and the resources that are available to help the members using the Needs and Resources Analysis - Self-reliance Plan form (32290). Working with the needy member, the bishop discerns by the spirit what kind of help will lift the member both spiritually and temporally.

Some guidelines have been given to guide bishops:

•	The bishop should focus on the use of goods and services that sustain life.
•	Church assistance should normally be temporary.
•	Bishops should ask members to work to the extent of their abilities for what they have received.
•	Bishops should give commodities before using cash, where possible.
•	The needs and assistance given should be kept confidential.
•	When deciding what welfare assistance to give, the bishop determines whether members are receiving assistance from the government or other sources. Bishops should be careful not to duplicate welfare assistance.