Perpetual Emigration Fund
Encyclopedia
The Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company, commonly referred to as the Perpetual Emigration Fund (PEF), was a corporation established by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1849. The purpose of the corporation was to provide economic assistance to more than 30,000 individuals who sought to emigrate to Utah
and surrounding regions.
The PEF used both church assets and private contributions to aid impoverished converts to the LDS faith when they moved west. As funds were limited, converts seeking aid were ranked by their useful skills and by the duration of their membership in the church. Limits on funds led to innovative preparations and travel methods, including the establishment of handcart companies
, to reduce expenses. Once established in their new homes, the converts were expected to repay the funds to the company in cash, commodities, or labor, with minor interest, so others could receive help.
In 1887, during a period of disenfranchisement for the LDS Church, the U.S. Congress, used the Edmunds-Tucker Act
to disincorporate the company.
. This new fund helps Latter-day Saints in mostly third-world
countries gain an education. Again, once established in a new profession, church members are expected to repay the funds, with minor interest, so others can receive help. Unlike the original PEF, the Perpetual Education Fund is not an incorporated company that is separate from the LDS Church.
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
and surrounding regions.
The PEF used both church assets and private contributions to aid impoverished converts to the LDS faith when they moved west. As funds were limited, converts seeking aid were ranked by their useful skills and by the duration of their membership in the church. Limits on funds led to innovative preparations and travel methods, including the establishment of handcart companies
Mormon handcart pioneers
The Mormon handcart pioneers were participants in the migration of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Salt Lake City, Utah, who used handcarts to transport their belongings...
, to reduce expenses. Once established in their new homes, the converts were expected to repay the funds to the company in cash, commodities, or labor, with minor interest, so others could receive help.
In 1887, during a period of disenfranchisement for the LDS Church, the U.S. Congress, used the Edmunds-Tucker Act
Edmunds-Tucker Act
The Edmunds–Tucker Act of 1887 was passed in response to the dispute between the United States Congress and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding polygamy. The act is found in US Code Title 48 & 1461, full text as 24 Stat. 635, with this annotation to be interpreted as Volume...
to disincorporate the company.
Perpetual Education Fund
In 2001, the LDS Church established a modern variant of the PEF, dubbing it the Perpetual Education FundPerpetual Education Fund
The Perpetual Education Fund is a program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley on March 31, 2001...
. This new fund helps Latter-day Saints in mostly third-world
Third World
The term Third World arose during the Cold War to define countries that remained non-aligned with either capitalism and NATO , or communism and the Soviet Union...
countries gain an education. Again, once established in a new profession, church members are expected to repay the funds, with minor interest, so others can receive help. Unlike the original PEF, the Perpetual Education Fund is not an incorporated company that is separate from the LDS Church.