Gospel Basics

Self-Reliance Strengthens Us

Being self-reliant means that we can care for the needs of ourselves and our families. When we are self-reliant, we are also better able to serve the Lord and care for others. But self-reliance doesn’t mean that we need to face our challenges alone. We can ask for help from friends, family, ward or branch members, and professionals when we need it.

Principles of Self-Reliance

Becoming self-reliant requires education, obedience, and hard work. We do our best to take care of ourselves, and we can ask others for help when needed. To become truly self-reliant, however, we must also learn to have faith in Jesus Christ. Then as we work to help ourselves, He will strengthen us.

Spiritual Self-Reliance

We can build our spiritual self-reliance by working to strengthen our testimony of Jesus Christ. We do this as we pray, study the scriptures, attend church, obey the commandments, and do other things that bring us closer to Christ. Knowing that He is willing to help us will give us faith to stay strong even when life is hard.

Temporal Self-Reliance

Temporal self-reliance includes being able to take care of the physical needs of ourselves and our family. This includes food, housing, health, and other needs. We do this by getting a good education, learning or expanding needed skills, working hard, using our time wisely, and managing our money well.

Emotional Self-Reliance

Emotional self-reliance is the ability to adapt to emotional challenges with courage and faith. We all have challenges and setbacks. Thanks to the gospel, we know we can choose how to respond to them. Responding with faith in the Lord increases our ability to face other hardships with more hope.

Education

We should always be learning. God wants us to educate our minds and improve our skills throughout this life and into the next. The more we learn, the more we can be a better influence for good and provide for ourselves, our family, and those in need.

Blessings of Being Self-Reliant

Prophets have taught that as we improve our self-reliance, we will be blessed with greater hope and peace. We will be able to help our families and others in need. And we will be blessed with more opportunities and with the ability to continue to progress.

Church Resources

Your stake may offer self-reliance groups. These can teach you principles of self-reliance and skills like managing your money or finding a better job. You can find related resources in the Gospel Library. Select “Books and Lessons” and then “Self-Reliance.”

From the Scriptures

We should seek learning by study and by faith (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:118).

The Lord will provide for His people, but it must be done in His way (see Doctrine and Covenants 104:15–16).

Self-Reliance Groups

Here are some of the Church resources to help improve spiritual, temporal, and emotional self-reliance. You can ask your bishop or branch president for more information.

Personal Finances for Self-Reliance

Education for Better Work for Self-Reliance

Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience

Find Out More

You can find general conference talks on this topic and other resources in the Gospel Library (at ChurchofJesusChrist.org or in the mobile app). You can also talk to ward or branch members or the missionaries.