It requires too great a sacrifice of self-respect and in political, temporal, and spiritual independence. In some countries it is extremely difficult to separate earned from unearned benefits. Caution to parents and priesthood leaders Governments are not the only guilty parties. Parents who place their children on the dole are just as guilty as a government which places its citizens on the dole. In fact, the actions of parents in this area can be more devastating than any government program.
Some members become financially or emotionally dependent on their bishops.
A dole is a dole whatever its source. All of our Church and family actions should be directed toward making our children and members self-reliant. We can't always control government programs, but we can control our own homes and congregations. If we will teach these principles and live them, we can do much to counter the negative effects which may exist in government programs in any country. We know there are some who for no reason of their own cannot become self-reliant.