Becoming one through education, with perpetual fund

SALT LAKE CITY — The Perpetual Education Fund provides the opportunity for Mormons to obey the scriptural mandate to help the poor and needy, Elder John K. Carmack said during a Church News.

President Gordon B. Hinckley announced in April 2001 general conference that a perpetual education fund would be instituted to provide loans for church members suffering in poverty in foreign lands so they could get an education, be lifted out of poverty and be able to have the time and resources to take their places as strong leaders and members of the church.

To date, more than 40,000 individuals have received PEF loans. The loans are provided from an endowment funded by contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations and others. Approved applicants, during and after their education, pay back the loans so others can be blessed.

In his opening remarks of the April 2009 general conference, President Thomas S. Monson said the Perpetual Education Fund continues to move forward and commented on the young men and young women enrolled in the program.

"On average, with the 2.7 years of education they are now receiving, they are increasing their income by three to four times. What a blessing this is in their lives! This is indeed an inspired program."

Elder Carmack, an emeritus general authority, went on an exploratory trip to Mexico shortly after his call from President Hinckley to start the PEF program. He and his assistants, Rex Allen and Chad Evans, a former mission president, sought scriptural guidance during the trip.

"We were reading the scriptures with new thoughts, because we were given a new assignment. And that's a good thing to do with any new assignment," he said.See the full story on ldschurchnews.com.