Self Reliance

What is Self-Reliance?

"Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family" {Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 6.1.1).

Accepting and living the following principles of self-reliance will help us receive the spiritual and temporal blessings promised by the Lord.

Exercise Faith in Jesus Christ.  The Lord has all power. He can and will work great tender mercies among those who trust Him in all things. As we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, He can do miracles.
Be Obedient.  Obedience to God’s laws, principles, and promptings leads to spiritual and temporal blessings.
Act.  Individual accountability and action activate blessings.
Serve and be United.  Service and unity build Zion—this is the way of the Lord. Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others” (“A Gospel Vision of Welfare: Faith in Action,” in Basic Principles of Welfare and Self-Reliance[booklet, 2009], 2).

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/self-reliance?lang=eng&old=true

Principles of Self-Reliance

President Thomas S. Monson has counseled, "[Self- reliance] is an essential element in our spiritual as well as our temporal well-being." ("Guiding Principles of Personal and Family Welfare," Ensign, Sept. 1986, 3)

The Lord has declared, "It is my purpose to provide for my saints" (D&C 104:15). This revelation is a promise that theLord will provide temporal blessings and open the door of self-reliance. He has also declared that "it must needs be done in [His] way" (D&C 104:16). To receive the blessings of self-reliance, we must accept and live the principles of self-reliance, which include the following:

Exercise Faith in Jesus Christ (D&C 104:15)
Use Time Wisely (Alma 34:32)
Be Obedient (D&C 130:20-21)
Manage Money (D&C 104:78)
Work: Take Responsibility (D&C 42:42; 2 Nephi2:16, 26)
Solve Problems (Ether 2:18-19, 23; 3:1, 4)
Become One, Work Together (Moses 7:18; D&C 104:15-17)
Communicate: Petition and Listen (D&C 8:2)
Persevere (Hebrews 12:1; D&C 58:4)
Show Integrity (Mosiah 4:28; Job 27:5; Articles of Faith 1:13)
Seek Learning and Education (D&C 88:118-119)
Stay On Task, Receive Ordinances (D&C 84:20; D&C 136:4; 1 Nephi 18:2-3)

How Does It Work?

These principles are taught more fully in the booklet My Foundation: Principles, Skills, Habits. We invite you to diligently study and apply them and teach them to your family. As you do, your life will be blessed. You will learn how to act on your path toward greater self-reliance.

There are great needs among us. Many lack the ability to "provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family" (Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 6.1.1). Our modern-day prophets have counseled: "Self-reliance is a product of our work and undergirds all other welfare practices. ... 'Let us work for what we need. Let us be self-reliant and independent. Salvation can be obtained on no other principle"' (Thomas S. Monson [quoting Marion G. Romney], "Guiding Principles of Personal and Family Welfare/' Ensign, Sept. 1986, 3).

The following steps, offered through Self-Reliance Services, can help you in your path to spiritual and temporal self-reliance:

1. Assess My Needs

2. Choose My Path

3. Join a Group

4. Continue to Act

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/self-reliance/course-overview-benefits?lang=eng