On July 2, 2002, MESJ joined with the Coalition of Religious Communities (CORC) in lobbying U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch to support welfare reauthorization legislation. James Tobler and Craig Condie personally delivered this letter from MESJ to Senator Hatch at his Utah office.

Dear Senator Hatch:

We write to you as an organization of Latter-day Saint individuals responding to the First Presidency's call to become more involved in political processes that address problems in our communities. At this time, we are particularly concerned about welfare reauthorization.

The scriptures enjoin us to "look to the poor and the needy, and administer to their relief" (D&C 38:35). At Mormons for Equality and Social Justice (MESJ), we strive to apply this principle in society by doing what we can as citizens to promote a welfare system that effectively helps people overcome barriers to what President Howard W. Hunter called "honorable employment"--employment that "provides enough income so that we may be self-sufficient and able to support our families" (Ensign, Nov. 1975).

Clearly, a welfare system that fosters dependency or "freeloading" is in no one's interest. An effective welfare system, we believe, encourages self-sufficiency while maintaining an adequate safety net for those who, for various reasons, are unable for a time to achieve self-sufficiency through employment. Mindful of the charge, "Let all your things be done with charity" (1 Cor. 16:14), we submit that a welfare system which applies rigid policies across the board without considering individual circumstances is uncharitable and therefore unchristian.

As fellow Saints, we urge you to help create a welfare system that is both effective and charitable. Specifically, we urge you to promote welfare reauthorization legislation that

1. defines "work activities" as broadly as possible, to include not only employment, but also activities that move people towards employment, including education, substance abuse counseling, and job searching;
   
   
2. allows states the flexibility to grant benefits extensions on a case-by-case basis, recognizing that individual circumstances call for individual solutions.

In addition, we urge you to support the ICHIA. Giving states the option to restore prenatal care coverage for legal immigrants can only be in this country's interest.

As you work to move welfare reauthorization legislation successfully through the Senate, may you "lift up [your] voice long and loud...to plead the cause of the poor and the needy" (D&C 124:75).

Best wishes,
Mormons for Equality and Social Justice