President Thomas S. Monson returned to his boyhood surroundings Dec. 7 to dedicate a renovated visitors center at Welfare Square and to pay tribute to Jesse M. Drury, the keeper of the first bishops' storehouse.

Brother Drury, with other Church leaders in the Salt Lake area, was instrumental in the establishment of the Church welfare program during the difficult days of the Great Depression. (See Church News, May 26, 1990.) Many of his family members were present at the dedication.The visitors center, in the same building as the storehouse, provides a place where dignitaries and other visitors can go and learn the history, principles and programs of Church welfare.

Before offering the dedicatory prayer on the visitors center, President Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency and chairman of the General Welfare Services Executive Committee of the Church, unveiled a plaque honoring Brother Drury and the other early welfare pioneers. The plaque will hang in the visitors center as a tribute to the vision and dedication of those early leaders.

The memorial noted that the first storehouse opened in 1932 on Pierpont Avenue in Salt Lake City to serve the many poor and needy who suffered from the economic crisis in the country. Under Brother Drury's direction, the original storehouse was staffed by those out of work and in need, providing opportunities to help themselves and others. That storehouse functioned until 1939, when the bishops' storehouse at Welfare Square was completed.

Brother Drury served at the storehouse from the early 1930s until his retirement from Welfare Square in 1964. He died in December 1971.

"I would like to suggest that every one of us could learn from the example of Jesse Drury," said President Monson. "He was a pioneer. He organized the first welfare farm next to the Fifth Ward chapel. He was a pioneer in showing what could be done through a mighty will and determined effort.

"Webster defines a pioneer as one who goes before, showing others the way to follow. Jesse Moroni Drury has gone before, showing all of us and many others the way to follow."

President Monson recalled the enthusiasm and energy of Brother Drury, who served as bishop of the Fifth Ward and as second counselor in the Pioneer Stake, and the fact that he accomplished what he did without the use of a motor vehicle. "I always marveled that Jesse Drury walked everywhere he went," he recalled. "He was never late. We are often late in our modern cars and our ability to get where we want to be in short order. But Jesse had to rely upon the Lord and the creation of his own feet, and off he went to fill his assignments."

President Monson also recalled many of his own early welfare experiences as a young bishop in the nearby neighborhood. (See story on page 7.) "I have a personal testimony that the Lord is mindful of every person who is in want - spiritually and temporally," he emphasized, "and that He has arranged for such persons to receive the help they may need."

In his dedicatory prayer, President Monson expressed gratitude for the generosity of the saints worldwide who have contributed their time, means and fast offerings, that those who are less fortunate can be blessed.

Prior to President Monson's remarks and prayer, a videotape detailing the history of Welfare Square was shown. Elder James E. Faust of the Council of the Twelve and a member of the Welfare Services Executive Committee also spoke. Presiding Bishop Robert D. Hales conducted the proceedings. Prayers were offered by Bishop Glenn L. Pace, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, and Elder Glen L. Rudd of the Seventy, former coordinator at Welfare Square for 25 years. Also attending were members of the Utah Central Area presidency: Elder John K. Carmack, president, and Elder Loren C. Dunn and Elder H. Verlan Andersen, counselors.

"There is a special spirit at Welfare Square, and there is a special spirit in welfare work," said Elder Faust. "I want to express appreciation to the Presiding Bishopric and other members of the Welfare Auxiliary Committee for their ongoing work. And we are thrilled to have the Drury family here today. We honor Brother Drury and we honor the members of his family, and have learned to appreciate their strength, devotion, commitment and love of the Lord."

In introducing the program, Bishop Hales shared the teachings of President J. Reuben Clark concerning welfare: "The real long-term objective of the Welfare Plan is the building of character in the members of the Church, givers and receivers, rescuing all that is finest down deep inside of them, and bringing to flower and fruitage the latent richness of the spirit, which after all is the mission and purpose and reason for being of this Church."

Following the dedication ceremony, President Monson and others walked through the adjacent storehouse, stopping to shake hands and visit with several of the workers and their families.