Self-Reliance

[AZ Prepper]

Self-Reliance
"Preparing for the ups and downs of life." (Elder Robert D. Hales)
Link: http://www.lds.org/topic/self-reliance/


Self-reliance is a simple concept that encourages each of us to take responsibility for our own needs—physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and economic.
"We become self-reliant," explains Julie Beck, president of the Church's organization for women, "through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being."
Church leader Elder Robert D. Hales outlines ways we can become self-reliant:

• Be ready for rainy-day emergencies
• Avoid excessive debt; be content with what we have
• Use the resources of the earth wisely; don´t be wasteful
• Prepare for the future by making spending and savings plans
• Keep a family or personal budget
• Teach children wise spending habits and help them save for the future
• Obtain an education or vocational training
• Find gainful employment

As we become self-reliant, we will be prepared to face challenges with confidence and peace of mind.



Becoming Self-Reliant

Parents have a sacred responsibility to look after the physical and spiritual welfare of their children. As children grow older, they become more responsible for their own welfare. Parents should teach them basic principles of welfare, helping them prepare to be self-reliant and provide for their own families in the future. Parents can also give children opportunities to help care for the poor and the needy.
All of the following counsel applies directly to adult members of the Church. Much of this counsel also applies to young men or young women, even if they still depend largely on their parents.
The responsibility for our social, emotional, spiritual, physical, and economic well-being rests first on ourselves, second on our family, and third on the Church. Under the inspiration of the Lord and through our own labors, we should supply ourselves and our family with the spiritual and temporal necessities of life.
We are better able to take care of ourselves and our family when we are self-reliant. We are prepared to endure times of adversity without becoming dependent on others.
We can become self-reliant by (1) taking advantage of educational opportunities; (2) practicing sound principles of nutrition and hygiene; (3) preparing for and obtaining suitable employment; (4) storing a supply of food and clothing to the extent the law allows; (5) managing our resources wisely, including paying tithes and offerings and avoiding debt; and (6) developing spiritual, emotional, and social strength.
In order to become self-reliant, we must be willing to work. The Lord has commanded us to work (see Genesis 3:19;D&C 42:42). Honorable work is a basic source of happiness, self-worth, and prosperity.
If we are ever temporarily unable to meet our basic needs through our own efforts or the support of family members, the Church may be able to help us. In these situations, the Church often provides life-sustaining resources to help us and our family become self-reliant again.

Caring for the Poor and the Needy

The Lord has always commanded His people to care for the poor and the needy. He said,
"Ye must visit the poor and the needy and administer to their relief" (D&C 44:6). He also commanded, "Remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple" (D&C 52:40).
We can care for the poor and the needy in many ways. One important way is through fasting and contributing fast offerings, which the bishop or branch president uses to assist ward or branch members who suffer from poverty, illness, or other hardships. We can also give of our time and share our talents. We can serve the homeless, the disabled, widows, and others in our neighborhood and community.
In addition to giving local and individual care for those in need, the Church reaches out worldwide to people, no matter their faith, who suffer the effects of natural disasters, poverty, disease, and other crises. The Church provides life-sustaining resources to help families and individuals recover and work toward self-reliance. Donations to the Church's Perpetual Education Fund provide the means for disadvantaged Latter-day Saints to further their education. Church-service missionaries volunteer their time and resources to improve literacy, promote health, and provide training.


Articles:

Church Magazine Articles

• "Principles of Temporal Salvation" Marion G. Romney, Tambuli, Oct. 1981, 1–8; or Ensign, Apr. 1981, 3–7
  Self-reliance, as taught by the prophets, becomes a fundamental truth in the gospel plan.
• "Church Welfare—Temporal Service in a Spiritual Setting" Marion G. Romney, Ensign, May 1980, 82–84
  The crowning aspect of a Christlike life is found in serving one's fellowmen.
• "The Fruit of Our Welfare Services Labors" Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Nov. 1978, 74–77
  Our houses can be in order by planned, consistent, and timely application of basic welfare principles and programs.
• "Inspired Church Welfare" Joseph B. Wirthlin, Liahona, July 1999, 89–92; or Ensign, May 1999, 76–79
  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members strive to emulate the Savior's example as we seek to relieve suffering and foster self-reliance.
• "Becoming Self-Reliant" L. Tom Perry, Ensign, Nov. 1991, 64–66
  The principle of self-reliance is spiritual as well as temporal. It is not a doomsday program; it is something to be practiced each and every day of our lives.
• "Guiding Principles of Personal and Family Welfare" Thomas S. Monson, Tambuli, Feb. 1987, 2–8; or Ensign, Sept. 1986, 2–5
  The guiding principles [of welfare are] work, self-reliance, sound financial management, a year's supply, caring for the extended family, and wise use of Church resources.
• "In the Lord's Own Way" Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 1986, 25–27
  Few, if any, of the Lord's instructions are stated more often, or given greater emphasis, than the commandment to care for the poor and the needy. Our dispensation is no exception.
• "Welfare Principles to Guide Our Lives: An Eternal Plan for the Welfare of Men's Souls" Robert D. Hales, Ensign, May 1986, 28–30
  When we think of welfare, let us think of the plan revealed by our Lord for the eternal welfare of our souls.

Scripture References

• James 1:27
• Jacob 2:17–19
• D&C 42:31
• 104:15–18

Additional Online Materials

• "Welfare" Guide to the Scriptures
• "Self-Reliance" Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood, Part B, Lesson 7
• "Developing Self-Reliance" The Latter-day Saint Woman: Part B, Lesson 18
• Provident Living Web Site

[AZ Prepper]

Becoming Self-Reliant
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.js...004d82620aRCRD
“Becoming Self-Reliant,”
Ensign, Jan 2010, 9


Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

What Is Self-Reliance?

“‘Self-reliance means using all of our blessings from Heavenly Father to care for ourselves and our families and to find solutions for our own problems.’ Each of us has a responsibility to try to avoid problems before they happen and to learn to overcome challenges when they occur. …

“How do we become self-reliant? We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being.”1

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

A Gospel Responsibility

“As we live providently and increase our gifts and talents, we become more self-reliant. Self-reliance is taking responsibility for our own spiritual and temporal welfare and for those whom Heavenly Father has entrusted to our care. Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others.

“It is important to understand that self-reliance is a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ability to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self-reliance.”2

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

“Self-reliance is a product of our work and undergirds all other welfare practices. It is an essential element in our spiritual as well as our temporal well-being. Regarding this principle, President Marion G. Romney [1897–1988] has said: ‘Let us work for what we need. Let us be self-reliant and independent. Salvation can be obtained on no other principle. Salvation is an individual matter, and we must work out our own salvation in temporal as well as in spiritual things.’ …

“President Spencer W. Kimball [1895–1985] further taught concerning self-reliance: ‘The responsibility for each person’s social, emotional, spiritual, physical, or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second upon his family, and third upon the Church if he is a faithful member thereof.’”3

President Thomas S. Monson.

Helps for Visiting Teaching

As a visiting teacher, you can seek personal inspiration to know how to best respond to the needs of those you are assigned to watch over. Then focus your efforts on strengthening each sister’s faith and family.

Personal Preparation

• Genesis 3:19
• Matthew 6:33
• D&C 82:18–19; 109:8

see www.providentliving.org, All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances (item no. 04007), and All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage (item no. 04008).
Right: photo illustration by Matthew Reier

Notes

1. “The Welfare Responsibilities of the Relief Society President,” Basic Principles of Welfare and Self-Reliance (2009), 4–5.

2. “A Gospel Vision of Welfare: Faith in Action,” Basic Principles of Welfare and Self-Reliance (2009), 1–2.

3. “Guiding Principles of Personal and Family Welfare,” Liahona, Feb. 1987, 3; Ensign, Sept. 1986, 3.