The principles of self-reliance as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

1. PERSONAL
AND
FAMILY
SELF-RELIANCE PLAN

2. What is Self-Reliance?
A process by which we learn to
turn to the Lord and receive His
guidance, strength and
intervention as we get to work to
meet our spiritual and temporal
needs, and challenges of life.

3. Why does the Lord want me to become Self-
Reliant?
• The Savior has commanded the Church and its members
to be Self-Reliant and independent. – Church Handbook of Instruction
• We have been given intelligence and agency, and are held
accountable for how we act for ourselves. - D&C 93:26-38
• For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every
man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings,
which I have made and prepared for my creatures…For
the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I
prepared all things, and have given unto the children of
men to be agents unto themselves. – D&C 104:13,17

4. What is my role in becoming Self-Reliant?
1. Find your answers for you through the Spirit

5. “You are a beloved, precious
child of God, and are entitled
to the Light of Christ
in your life… You can find
answers for direction and
challenges in your life… The
Lord truly does care, and is
the key to help you in every
situation in your life.”
– Elder M. Russell Ballard

6. “The spirit of God is
given to every man.”
- Moroni 7:16

7. Pray and Fast
“Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your
hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him
continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare
of those who are around you.” -Alma 34:27
“…and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his
bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the
flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to
succor his people according to their infirmities.” - Alma 7:12
“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”
- D&C 6:36

8. What is my role in becoming Self-Reliant?
2. As Directed by the Spirit, write down your:
Needs
• Your plans as to how you will satisfy them
• Life’s Goals
• Long Range, Intermediate and Short Term
• Share your goals and plans with trusted mentors
for their wisdom and guidance
• Visualize yourself achieving your goals

9. What is my role in becoming Self-Reliant?
3. Work
“…work is a fundamental
truth in the gospel plan.”
– Church Handbook of Instruction

10. “To become self-reliant, a person
must work. Work is physical,
mental, or spiritual effort. It is a
basic source of happiness, self-
worth, and prosperity….As
people become self-reliant, they
are better prepared to endure
adversities” and are “better able
to care for others in need”.
- Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

11. “Six Days shall thou labour.” - Exodus 20:9
“Thou shalt not be idle…” -D&C 42:42

12. “… under the inspiration of
the Lord and with his own
labors, (members) will
supply himself and his family
with the spiritual and
temporal necessities of life.”
– Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

13. Do what you can
with what you
have, however
limited.

14. What is the Church’s role in helping
me become Self-Reliant?

15. What is the Church’s role in helping
me become Self-Reliant?
“We teach correct
doctrine and principles
to help members help
themselves.”
– President Marion G. Romney

16. What is the Church’s role in helping
me become Self-Reliant?
“…the Church is the
scaffolding with which
we build eternal
families.” – Elder M. Russell Ballard

17. What is the Church’s role in helping
me become Self-Reliant?
“God doesn’t forsake
us, but he doesn’t do
for us what we can do
for ourselves.”
– President Marion G. Romney

18. Requesting Financial Help from the Bishop
Those who request help
from the Bishop, may be
asked to come up with a
Self-Reliance Plan using
the Self-Reliance Packet.

19. Brother of Jared

20. Joseph’s First Vision

21. How did help come for
these two Prophets?
•Both had a NEED
•Both went to the SCRIPTURES
•Both developed a PLAN
•Both took ACTION
•Both PRAYED

22. YOUR Self-Reliance Pattern:
•Determine what your NEEDS are
•Identify what YOU are going to do to
solve your problem(s)

23. •Identify available resources
•Personal resources
•Family Contributions
•Government and Community assistance
and programs
•Contributions from friends
•Church

24. Fast Offerings
•Funds collected from Fast
Offerings are sacred, and are used
to sustain life
•Food
•Clothing
•Shelter

25. Fast Offering funds are NOT to:
• Maintain lifestyles
• Pay off fines
• Satisfy legal obligations
• Pay off debts
• Pay for things you had the ability to pay but
didn’t because your money went to non-
essential or careless spending
• Compensate for your choosing not to seek
and/or obtain work
• Compensate for your lack of effort in becoming
Self-Reliant

26. Whatever limited financial help is
provided, it is only temporary, and only
in rare, emergency situations AFTER all
of your primary resources have been
exhausted AND your honest,
consistent efforts at becoming Self-
Reliance haven’t provided the needed
results yet.

27. Qualification for temporary emergency
assistant from the Church will come in
large part by demonstrating your
honest efforts to become Self-Reliant,
and paying back through service
opportunities and/or future
contributions as determined by the
Bishop.

28. Work with those assigned by the
Bishop to help you if you are
struggling in your efforts to
become Self Reliant

29. Self- Reliance Packet
•Read the instruction
page, and follow the
process.

30. Self- Reliance Packet
•Budgeting
•Review income / expenses
•Prayerfully consider between wants and needs
•Receive counsel from Self- Reliance Mentors
•Be Accountable
-Keep track, and learn about spending patterns

31. Self- Reliance Packet
•Questionnaire
•Most basic survival plan
•Place to start, and expand from there based
on your needs and goals
• Constantly work to accomplish your goals,
and improve on your plan

32. Self- Reliance Packet
• Expectations & Commitment
•Review of Self Reliance Principles, and
concisely summarizes your responsibilities and
the church’s responsibilities

33. Self- Reliance Packet
•Employment
•Write a goal as to the type of job you will have
by a specified date.
Example:
“I will receive at least one job offer, and begin
working full-time as a cashier by August 1
paying $10.00 or more per hour.”

34. If Unemployed :

35. • Plan and research at night for the companies you will
approach
• Daily plan a minimum of 5 face-to-face contacts with hiring
managers
• Continuously improve your approach as to:
• Why I would be a great employee for this employer?, and
• How my employment will help the employer be better off with
me?
• (Consider your past successes, and translate those into how
you will help your future employer)
• Look for work full-time – 8 hours a day until employed
• Take whatever job is offered, and improve from there
• Make work a top priority – adjust your personal life around
work

36. “The Bishop may send Home &
Visiting teachers to you, but the
solutions will come from the
Lord & YOU acting on the
promptings of the Holy Ghost.”
– Bishop David Heslington