It has come to our attention that in at least one case-and the suggestion is made that it has happened in others-one of our Bishops in carrying on a farming project for the Welfare work has taken from the Government money for not raising crops on the Welfare Project, the land belonging to the Ward.

We are not able to approve of this practice. We do not believe the economics behind this practice are sound, nor do we feel that they are consistent with that civic integrity which should be among our people. We have constantly declined, as the First Presidency, to receive gratuities from the Government, and this receiving of money for not raising crops is a pure gratuity or dole. The Church is making every effort to avoid the necessity of later facing a charge that it has accepted governmental gratuities to carry on its work, and it has no desire to accept such gratuities.

We must, therefore, ask all Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards strictly to forego any such practice in the future, and we request that they return to the Government any moneys which they have heretofore received on this account. This should be done at the earliest practicable moment.

Faithfully your brethren,

Heber J. Grant,

J. Reuben Clark, Jr.,

David O. McKay

The First Presidency