“Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family. As members become self-reliant, they are also better able to serve and care for others.” (General Handbook 22.0)
If we are self-reliant, we believe that through the power of Christ and through our own effort we can work for the spiritual and practical needs of life. Self-reliance leads to personal growth.
12 Principles of Self Reliance
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Exercise Faith in Jesus Christ (D&C 104:15)
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Use Time Wisely (Alma 34:32)
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Be Obedient (D&C 130:20–21)
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Manage Money (D&C 104:78)
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Work: Take Responsibility (D&C 42:42; 2 Nephi 2:16, 26)
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Solve Problems (Ether 2:18–19, 23; 3:1, 4)
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Become One, Work Together (Moses 7:18; D&C 104:15–17)
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Communicate: Petition and Listen (D&C 8:2)
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Persevere (Hebrews 12:1; D&C 58:4)
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Seek Learning and Education (D&C 88:118–119)
Self Reliance Quotes & Thoughts
“Self-reliance . . . is an essential element in our spiritual as well as our temporal well-being. . . . President Marion G. Romney has said: ‘Let us work for what we need. Let us be self-reliant and independent. We must work out our own salvation in temporal as well as in spiritual things.’”
President Thomas S. Monson
“Guiding Principles of Personal and Family Welfare”, Ensign, September 1986, 3.
“Where there is widespread poverty among our people, we must do all we can to help them to lift themselves, to establish their lives upon a foundation of self-reliance that can come of training. Education is the key to opportunity.”
President Gordon B. Hinkley
“Perpetual Education Fund”, April 2001 General Conference
“It is God’s will that we be free men and women enabled to rise to our full potential both temporally and spiritually, that we be free from the humiliating limitations of poverty and the bondage of sin, that we enjoy self-respect and independence, that we be prepared in all things to join Him in His celestial kingdom.”
Elder D. Todd Christofferson “Free Forever, To Act for Themselves”, October 2014 General Conference
Elder D. Todd Christofferson “Free Forever, To Act for Themselves”, October 2014 General Conference
“Man cannot be an agent unto himself if he is not self-reliant. . . Whenever we get into a situation which threatens our self-reliance, we will find our freedom threatened as well. If we increase our dependence, we will find an immediate decrease in our freedom to act.
“Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made.
“Can we see how critical self-reliance becomes when looked upon as the prerequisite to service, when we also know service is what godhood is all about?”
Elder Marion G. Romney “The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance,” Ensign, Mar. 2009, 64–65)
“Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made.
“Can we see how critical self-reliance becomes when looked upon as the prerequisite to service, when we also know service is what godhood is all about?”
Elder Marion G. Romney “The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance,” Ensign, Mar. 2009, 64–65)
How Can I Become More Self Reliant?
The Scriptures Can Help You Become Self Reliant
The Lord helps us in many ways as we exercise faith in Him. One of the tools He has given us is the scriptures. The prophet Nephi taught, “Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:3).
Take Local Self Reliance Courses
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a Self Reliance Initiative, where community members can register for free courses teaching life skills related to Self Reliance.
In these courses, much of the work takes place in small groups that combine spiritual principles with practical skills.
