“Please be assured that you are a child of our Father in Heaven. He loves you and will never forsake you. He knows you and is ready to extend to you the spiritual and temporal blessings of self-reliance.”
—The First Presidency
Recently I came across a new program the church has implemented. The article was titled, "Our Path to Spiritual and Temporal Self Reliance". The beginning lines state:
"There are great needs among us. A recent survey of members in several countries showed that many worry regularly about having enough food to feed their children and themselves. To survive life’s challenges, each of us will need to grow our faith and trust in the Lord.
The Savior invites us all to act, to stand independent, and to become as He is. He will help us. He has promised: “It is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way” (D&C 104:15–16). His way includes learning and living the principles of self-reliance.
Exercise faith that the Lord will help those who trust Him. The Savior has power to help {each of us} become self reliant. As we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, He can do miracles. He can make more out of our efforts than we can do for ourselves."
The article then outlined a new program available to it's members (and anyone else who is interested) for assisting them in becoming more self-reliant. A booklet entitled, "My Foundation: Principles, Skills, Habits" is now available online, with accompanying videos. In addition, the church is setting up over 1100 resource centers in international areas to assist members learn and live skills of self reliance.
Below is the link to learn more:
https://www.lds.org/church/news/our-path-to-spiritual-and-temporal-self-reliance?lang=eng&cid=email_inspiration-and-news_4-2015_CTA2
I have come to know that an essential part of our spiritual progress here on earth is tied directly to our willingness to take responsibility and accountability for our temporal progress. As we become more self-reliant in our own lives, it gives us the ability to better serve the needs of others, increase our own spirituality, and allow us to work more towards a zion society. You cannot feed another out of an empty pantry. As we get our own house in order something amazing happens. Our desire to serve and share increases. How grateful I am to belong to a church who encourages their members to live providently, and be self-reliant.
Ironically, the first step in self-reliance is based on increasing our faith, dependance and obedience to the Lord, Jesus Christ. Faith is always the first principle. And it is only through Christ we can be saved.
