This is a General Conference Odyssey post for the Welfare session of April 1980.

When Joseph Smith organized the women into what would become the Relief Society, he laid out the objective:

“That the Society of Sisters might provoke the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor—searching after objects of charity, and in administering to their wants—to assist; by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the female community” (Female Relief Society Minute Book, March 17, 1842, Willard Richards acting as scribe).

The word “wants” is interesting and has been discussed and reasoned many times over. Why isn’t the word “needs” even used in this opening paragraph? When we help the poor, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to address their needs first? Should we even consider their wants?

Some people have suggested that wants means the same as needs, and they are interchangeable. But is that really true? I would like to suggest another explanation.

In the New Testament, Paul talks of Epaphroditus coming “that ministered to my wants” (Philippians 2:25). And later, he reports, “I am full, having received of Epaphroditus” (Philippians 4:18). At this time, Paul knew he was nearing his end, that he would soon be martyred.

The Book of Mormon teaches us, in great detail, what we all covenant to do upon baptism. Seeing the example of those just baptized in the Waters of Mormon, “they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants” (Mosiah 18:29).

I believe needs are temporal and wants are spiritual. This is what Joseph Smith, Paul, and Alma seem to be teaching us. And this is what Marion G. Romney also teaches in his address during this conference. He said,

“The Church has found that the whole problem is essentially a question of spirituality, rather than of finance or economics. Where the spirituality has been high, the [Welfare] Plan has succeeded; where the spirituality is low, the [Welfare] Plan has lagged. The Church has proved there is no substitute for the great commandments: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy … might, mind, and strength, and thy neighbor as thyself’ (Romney, “Church Welfare—Temporal Service in a Spiritual Setting”).

In other words, if we focus on spiritually nourishing one another, inspiration and drive will come to bring about temporal problem-solving. His talk centers on abolishing the dole and reenthroning the principle of work. There really is nothing more satisfying than working your way out of a difficult situation. So, by addressing the wants first, we can spiritually motivate someone to work through their temporal problems, supplying their own needs. Of course, sometimes they will need additional help, advice, and support.

Shirley W. Thomas, a counselor in the General Presidency of the Relief Society, also talked about feeding the “wants” of people. After sharing a story about a special request from a sister in crisis, she asked,

“Was it for commodities or for consideration, for someone to demonstrate that she was worthwhile by giving her special attention now when her problems seemed to overwhelm her?”

Most people find it difficult to flat out say, “I need love, please give it to me.”

Jesus Christ teaches us to love one another. This is a spiritual level of service and what we must focus on if we truly desire to serve and minister to one another’s wants. Sometimes this kind of service only comes through inspiration.

Ministering is administering to the welfare of people but in a spiritual manner. By making sure people feel loved and cared for—and in particular, listened to—destructive feelings will be healed. After that, you can help with temporal issues if they are needed in the home.

So, this is the lesson: Take care of their wants first. This is a spiritual need that heals.

Additional posts:

Self-reliance is Spiritual  G

Lilacs  Marilyn Nielson

More Than Soup and Muffins  Nathaniel Givens

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