JOEL - These were instruction given specifically for those missionaries at that time. Non-doctrinal things such as this are not eternal in nature and can change depending on the circumstances and what the Lord counsels us to do at a particular time, Back then people were more open and trusting and willing to take people in and feed them compared to the way things are now. If we followed those old instructions now our missionaries would starve to death.

There are only three places in the D&C where purse and scrip are mentioned:

"Therefore, let no man among you, for this commandment is unto all the faithful who are called of God in the church unto the ministry, from this hour take purse or scrip, that goeth forth to proclaim this gospel of the kingdom." (D&C 84:86)

This scripture is better understood if we include the following scripture:

"And thou shalt take no purse nor scrip, neither staves, neither two coats, for the church shall give unto thee in the very hour what thou needest for food and for raiment, and for shoes and for money, and for scrip." (D&C 24:18)

In other words, don't take any of your own money with you, the church will provide for your needs. The Church still does this for those who can not afford the expenses of a mission.

"For I suffered them not to have purse or scrip, neither two coats." (D&C 84:78)

Here Jesus is just talking about what he told His disciples while He was on the earth.

At the time of Jesus, missionaries going out in the world were told to take 'neither brass nor gold nor silver in your purses nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats' (Matt. 10:9-10), but afterwards Jesus said: 'When I sent you out without purse or scrip, did you lack anything?' And they said, Nay, Lord - but then he said, 'He that has no purse let him get one and he that hath no sword let him buy one.' (Luke 22:35-36) Circumstances had changed and so Jesus' instructions changed. So it is in our time, conditions have changed very much from the time of the early days of the restored church.