Within the family, Church members are taught a love of God and of their neighbour. The dignity of work, service and sacrifice, and personal responsibility are key lessons which parents should teach by precept and by example. Families are encouraged to live within their means, and to put something aside for the proverbial 'rainy day'. The aim is to build up a one-year supply of food, clothes and other essentials to help cushion the family against unforeseen difficulties. Through their regular Relief Society meetings, the women in the Church are taught home-making skills, including menu planning and food storage.
Great emphasis is placed on education for all family members.
All are encouraged to develop vocational and non-vocational skills, both for personal development, and as a means of enhancing career opportunities. A family may contribute to the Welfare Programme by donating funds or labour. The Local Church With the exeception of those areas where members are few, and widely scattered, the Church is divided into ecclesiastical units called wards. A ward will usually be comprised of about 500 members. Presiding over each ward is a bishop, a local lay member who serves without pay, as is customary amongst Latter-day Saints.