There may well be some that are, but by and large a resounding no.
Many banks, credit unions and credit card companies are offering low or no interest loans, waving late fees etc.
In Utah, or at least Davis and Weber counties the food banks are giving food, no questions asked, to anyone with a federal ID.
The church remains silent. I am sure they have contingency plans to keep operating until tithing flows again.
I am sure lessons on food storage will increase and faith promoting stories will abound next fast sunday. I hope members learn a lesson from this and build their savi gs instead of church malls.
Thank you for your positive thoughts. I'm no longer a Federal employee, but a Federal retiree. And my pension comes from the Office of Personnel Management, another Federal agency that is, as far as I have heard, also afflicted by the furlough.
I have no idea whether my retirement annuity will arrive on the first of next month. I have enough in savings to get by for a while, but not very long. It is terrifying.
I'm sorry, Catnip. I hope that your check comes through. I saw two stories on the news last night about federal workers. One is rationing her insulin. The other was getting help from family members to buy insulin. No one should have to worry about getting critically needed medicine.
...no, they are helping. They are helping by arranging member finances so that a full tithe can be paid. A COB authorized financial planner is being made available to members to help them thru this crisis.
"Thank God, we have the resources to help our members."
Yes, the federal workers have entered uncharted territory, with the longest furlough in our history. I haven't seen my federally-employed neighbor to check in with her. Local governments and food pantries are doing their best to help.
Assistance to members has always been provided at the discretion of the Bishops at the ward level. The Bishop is not just going to hand over a check, or help a needy member maintain an affluent lifestyle...nor should they. The Bishop probably won't step in until the member has gone through their own resources. Food and clothing will be provided first so that the member can extend the cash they have on hand. Once the cash is gone and an emergency level is reached, Bishops have stepped up and provided cash for rent and other bills.
When my father was a Bishop, I saw him provide for MANY members in need. I also saw him cut off those who abused the system. So, as far as Bishops helping furloughed workers (members)...I doubt they would be turned away if destitute.
For every story of a decent, fair and honest person such as your father, there are many many stories of bishops not helping.
Myself, I was released as a branch president after three weeks when I depleted my fast offering account helping a family that had their home and almost all possesions destroyed in a storm.
Some years later I needed a 5 day loan for a medical treatment for my wife. Not a hand out. A loan. 5 days. Couldn't get help. Sold the furniture and my wedding band.
Some years ago the church said members should not look to the church for help. Very clear statement from the prophet.
Again. I have no doubt your father was the exception.
Shummy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Only a matter of time before tithing revenues > plunge with all the TBM federal workers deprived > of their livelihood.
Plenty of LDS work for the federal government. Some are very high paying jobs. It will cut into the tithing revenue. The federal government is a huge employer.
As far as getting help from the church goes the local bishop can use fast offerings to help. There might be a lecture on not saving for a rainy day but most bishops are pretty good about helping members and even non-members for a few months. The church is more willing to help with food because they are in the food business and have warehouses full of it. A little less willing to pay rent and utilities.
Are fast offerings even still a thing? As the tithes dry up and the membership shrinks, I can't see the fast offerings being a very large pot from which the members have to dip into.
They used to be kept at the ward level where they were collected. For the past 3 decades or so, they go directly to SLC where church leadership has the final say over their disbursement.