Visiting Teaching messages on Self-Reliance

[AZ Prepper Lady]

Anyone notice that January and February's visiting teaching messages were both on self-reliance? I LOVE January's message. It talks about all of the different ways to be self-reliant and how the only way to truly become like the Savior is through our efforts to become more self-reliant. There are some very powerful statements in here!

Also, February's message is on getting out of debt. Things that stood out to me were skills that we should be learning: how to prevent illness, budgeting and cooking.

I'm wondering if this is going to be a theme for the whole year? I guess we'll find out. Meanwhile I loved the messages.

-Christi-

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.” 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.” 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.’” President Thomas S. Monson.

And...

“Managing Resources Wisely and Staying Out of Debt,” Ensign, Feb 2010, 7

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.


Managing Resources

“‘Provident living’ … implies the [conserving] of our resources, the wise planning of financial matters, full provision for personal health, and adequate preparation for education and career development, giving appropriate attention to home production and storage as well as the development of emotional resiliency. … If we live wisely and providently, we will be as safe as in the palm of His hand.” President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985).


“What skills do we need to help us become self-reliant? … In the early days of the Church, Brigham Young pled with the sisters to learn to prevent illness in families, establish home industries, and learn accounting and bookkeeping and other practical skills. Those principles still apply today. Education continues to be vitally important. …

“I asked several bishops what self-reliance skills the sisters in their wards needed most, and they said budgeting. Women need to understand the implications of buying on credit and not living within a budget. The second skill bishops listed was cooking. Meals prepared and eaten at home generally cost less, are healthier, and contribute to stronger family relationships.” Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.


Avoiding Debt

“May I suggest five key steps to financial freedom. …

“First, pay your tithing. …

“Second, spend less than you earn. …

“Third, learn to save. …

“Fourth, honor your financial obligations. …

“Fifth, teach your children to follow your example.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.


“When we go into debt, we give away some of our precious, priceless agency and place ourselves in self-imposed servitude. We obligate our time, energy, and means to repay what we have borrowed—resources that could have been used to help ourselves, our families, and others. …

“To pay our debts now and to avoid future debt require us to exercise faith in the Savior—not just to do better but to be better. It takes great faith to utter those simple words, ‘We can’t afford it.’ It takes faith to trust that life will be better as we sacrifice our wants in order to meet our own and others’ needs.”4 Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

[Rizzo]

I haven't gotten Feb's done yet, but I loved Jan's. One thing that really struck me was the importance of Spiritual Self Reliance as well. Just as we wouldn't be able to help others if we are physically starving, we are not able to build anyone else up if we can't rely on our own testimony. If we don't have the faith and know HOW to use that faith, then we'll never be able to ensure our children grow testimonies or help others that need our help.