Economic Self-Discipline

"Self-reliance is a product of provident living and exercising economic self-discipline. From the beginning the Church has taught that families—to the extent they can—need to assume responsibility for their own temporal welfare. Each generation is required to learn anew the foundational principles of self-reliance: avoid debt, implement principles of thrift, prepare for times of distress, listen to and follow the words of the living oracles, develop the discipline to distinguish between needs and wants and then live accordingly."

 

-Bishop H. David Burton, "The Sanctifying Work of Welfare," April 2011, General Conference

 

To read this talk go to:

www.lds.org/ensign/2011/05/the-sanctifying-work-of-welfare

Higher Ground

"In addition to ... spiritual self-reliance ..., there is temporal self-reliance, which includes getting a postsecondary education or vocational training, learning to work, and living within our means. By avoiding debt and saving money now, we are prepared for full-time Church service in the years to come. The purpose of both temporal and spiritual self-reliance is to get ourselves on higher ground so that we can lift others in need."

 

- Elder Robert D. Hales, "Coming to Ourselves", April 2012, General Conference

An Agent for Good

The more self-reliant we are--both spiritually and temporally-- the greater our ability to be an agent for good.

 

"Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ablility to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self-reliance." - Elder Robert D. Hales

 

The quotes above are from "Living the Principles of Self-Reliance", Ensign, March 2013, pp. 64-65. To read the article go to:

 

www.lds.org/ensign/2013/03/living-the-principles-of-self-reliance

Self Reliant and Respectful

"As Church members we desire not only economic, emotional, intellectual and social self-reliance
 for our children, but also spiritual self-reliance as well. It is a prerequisite to service. It is a key to spiritual growth and progress. Becoming temporally and spiritually self-reliant works wonders in people's lives — it is living in the Lord's way, she said. An important part of becoming self-reliant is how children are taught in their homes."   -Sis. Daryl Hoole

Here is a great article from the LDS Church News about Sister Daryl Hoole. It is a great article about a talk she gave on Nov. 14, at BYU, about the importance of teaching our children to be self-reliant and respectful. Here is the link:

www.ldschurchnews.com/self-reliant-and-respectful

"In addition to spiritual self-reliance...there is temporal self-reliance,

 which includes getting a post-secondary education or vocational training, 

learning to work, and living within our means.

 By avoiding debt and saving money now, 

we are prepared for full-time Church service in the years to come.  

The purpose of both temporal and spiritual self-reliance 

is to get ourselves on higher ground so that we can lift others in need."

-Elder Robert D. Hales, Ensign, May 2012, pg. 36.

Providing in the Lord's Way

Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave an excellent talk at the Priesthood session of the Oct. 2011 General Conference, entitled, "Providing in the Lord's Way".

 Here are some quotes about the importance of self reliance from his talk:

"While it is important to have our thoughts inclined toward heaven, we miss the essence of our religion if our hands are not also inclined toward our fellowman....our spiritual progress is inseparably bound together with the temporal service we give to others."

"...the Lord's way has always included self-reliance and service to our neighbor in addition to caring for the poor."

"The lesson we learn generation after generation is that rich and poor are all under the same sacred obligation to help their neighbor. It will take all of us working together to successfully apply the principles of welfare and self-reliance."

"Whether we are rich or poor, regardless of where we live on this globe, we all need each other, for it is in sacrificing our time, talents, and resources that our spirits mature and become refined."

To read the entire talk go to:

www.lds.org/ensign/2011/11/providing-in-the-lords-way 

Self-Reliance

"As we increase our own level of self-reliance, 

we increase our ability to help 

and serve others the way the Savior did."

-Sylvia H. Allred, General Conference,