Lesson 2

How do I become spiritually self-reliant?

The purpose of this lesson is to help you recognize the value of becoming spiritually self-reliant.

Photo from military district meeting with President Russell M. Nelson, Okinawa, Japan

Resources

Following is a list of resources that you can use to study this topic.

• David A. Bednar, “Converted unto the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 106–9

• Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Power of a Personal Testimony,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 37–39

• M. Russell Ballard, “Becoming Self-Reliant—Spiritually and Physically,” Ensign, Mar. 2009, 50–55

• Ephesians 6:10–18; Doctrine and Covenants 27:15–18—The armor of God

• Mormon 9:27—Come unto Christ

• Doctrine and Covenants 58:26–28—Agents unto ourselves

• Doctrine and Covenants 130:18–19—Diligence and obedience

Videos:

• “Dare to Stand Alone,” Mormon Messages, LDS.org

• “Good Things to Come,” Mormon Messages, LDS.org

Learning outline

Each of us has weaknesses and strengths (see Ether 12:27). The Lord can use both to help us learn to rely on Him, but only if we strive to obey His will. President N. Eldon Tanner said the following in the April 1979 general conference:

“It is important that we make up our minds early in life as to what we will do and what we will not do. Long before the moment of temptation comes we should have determined that we will resist that cigarette, that drink of whiskey, that act of immorality, or anything that will keep us from enjoying the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord.

“We all have different weaknesses and temptations, and we should examine our lives to find out what those weaknesses are and where we should put on extra armor so we can do what is right and not submit to temptation” (“Put On the Whole Armor of God,” Ensign, May 1979, 45).

Think of some of your weaknesses and strengths. What can you do to follow President Tanner’s counsel? What have your weaknesses and strengths taught you about relying on God for help?

Principle 1: The armor of God will help you overcome temptation.

Read Ephesians 6:10–18 and Doctrine and Covenants 27:15–18.

Just as soldiers prepare for battle with physical armor, we need to prepare for spiritual battle with spiritual armor. The armor of God is a metaphor for righteous, consistent choices and attitudes that help you overcome temptation and remain spiritually safe. Identify the different parts of the armor of God, and then think about your own armor. What areas could you strengthen? For example, do you rely on the promptings and guidance of the Holy Ghost—the sword of the Spirit—each day?

Read the following quotation from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“[Satan] seeks to find any chink in the armor of each person. He knows our weaknesses and knows how to exploit them if we allow him to do so. We can defend ourselves against his attacks and deceptions only by understanding the commandments and by fortifying ourselves each day through praying, studying the scriptures, and following the counsel of the Lord’s anointed” (“The Priesthood of God,” Ensign, Nov. 1988, 35).

According to Elder Wirthlin, what choices will help you strengthen your armor? How have you seen these choices strengthen you in the past? Record an experience in the space below.

As a member of the military, you will inevitably experience times of separation from family members. You may even be in a situation where you are the only member of the Church in your area.

Watch the video “Dare to Stand Alone.”

Record an experience where you have obeyed the commandments, even when you had to do so alone. Why did you choose to keep the commandments in that situation?

Principle 2: Spiritual self-reliance will help you to endure your challenges.

Putting on the full armor of God is a form of spiritual self-reliance. Consider the difference between spiritual dependence and spiritual self-reliance. In what ways are you currently spiritually dependent? In what ways are you currently self-reliant? List some of the attributes of a person who is spiritually self-reliant.

Attributes of Someone Who Is Spiritually Self-Reliant

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles used the following statement from the Church Handbook of Instructions to teach about self-reliance:

“The Savior has commanded the Church and its members to be self-reliant and independent. …

“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. Through work, people accomplish many good things in their lives.

“… As people become self-reliant, they are better prepared to endure adversities … [and] better able to care for others in need [Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (1998), 257]” (“Becoming Self-Reliant—Spiritually and Physically,” Ensign, Mar. 2009, 50).

Consider how spiritual health, the armor of God, and spiritual self-reliance are connected. Make a list of things you could do differently in your life to increase or develop your spiritual self-reliance.

“One idea to help us be resilient is to change our perspective. I can easily fall into the trap of a ‘woe is me’ attitude and become overwhelmed or stressed with the demands of life and motherhood. When we serve others, we see that we are not the only ones with struggles.”

—Andrea Helms, wife of Thomas S. Helms, U.S. Army

Elder Ballard said, “From my experience, I believe that a few simple but very important principles can help prepare us to become more self-reliant” (“Becoming Self-Reliant,” 52). The following steps to self-reliance have been adapted from Elder Ballard’s March 2009 Ensign article, “Becoming Self-Reliant—Spiritually and Physically.” Consider your own experiences as you read these steps.

• Find answers through the Spirit first. In this age of information, we can often turn first to the Internet or other sources to find truth. However, we need to keep in mind that the Internet doesn’t have a truth filter. We have access to the source of all light and truth—our Heavenly Father.

  We can increase in our confidence that we will receive inspiration from Heavenly Father when we recognize that we are His children and that He loves us. Regardless of our circumstances, desperate as we may be, we are entitled to the Light of Christ (see Moroni 7:16). Heavenly Father has promised us that we can find, through fervent prayer and study and the companionship of the Spirit, the answers that we most need in life, including what we must do to become more self-reliant.

  Consider those experiences in your life when you have recognized and followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Take time to remember the blessings you received from those choices and think of ways you can continue to invite the Spirit into your life.

• Examine your life and the needs of others. In order to become more self-reliant, you need to honestly examine your life. Do you live according to the eternal truths and doctrines of the restored gospel? What have you done to become spiritually self-reliant?

  You also should examine the needs of others and how you can help to meet those needs. When you learn to step outside yourself, you learn that you are not the only one with challenges. Consider whether you are in a position to help someone else become spiritually self-reliant. If you feel overstretched in your service to others, think of ways to replenish your strength.

• Choose between good and evil. When you choose to do right, your options continue to expand. When you choose to do wrong, your options slowly constrict. Benjamin Franklin said:

  “Since the foundation of all happiness is thinking rightly, and since correct action is dependent on correct opinion, we cannot be too careful in choosing the value system we allow to govern our thoughts and actions.

  “And to know that God governs in the affairs of men, that he hears and answers prayers, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, is indeed, a powerful regulator of human conduct” (Benjamin Franklin’s The Art of Virtue, ed. George L. Rogers [1996], 89–90; quoted in M. Russell Ballard, “Becoming Self-Reliant,” 54).

“[War] was exhausting. It was terribly hard. It really was like the Wild West. It was riots and detainees burning tents and refusing to cooperate and escape attempts. I can’t imagine having to go through that experience without my faith. I can’t imagine leaving a pregnant wife and three small children without my faith in God to pull us through that.”

—Tim Clayson, National Guard (USA)

(From April 2015 general conference special broadcast, “Faith on the Front Lines,” ksl.com/?sid=34085590.)

• Be deliberate in your decisions. Use common sense when you need to make important decisions. Common sense looks different to different people, but it always includes being able to listen to and heed the promptings of the Spirit. Don’t make hasty decisions in the moment that you may regret later, especially when you’re facing pressure from others to break the commandments. Be patient and keep your standards.

• Continually seek the Lord’s guidance. Developing self-reliance is a continuing cycle of progression. As you learn to find answers through the Spirit and continue to seek the Lord’s guidance, Heavenly Father promises that He will enlighten you and make His will known to you, “yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man” (D&C 76:10). “Our Father in Heaven expects us to study it out first and then pray for guidance as we seek answers to questions and concerns in our personal lives. We have our Heavenly Father’s assurance that He will hear and answer our prayers. The answer may come through the voice and wisdom of trusted friends and family, the scriptures, and the words of prophets” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Waiting on the Road to Damascus,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 75).

Record any experiences you have had with these steps to spiritual self-reliance.

How has spiritual self-reliance helped you through everyday challenges?

How can you help others in your family to develop spiritual self-reliance?

How can the Lord speak to you as you read the scriptures and review your patriarchal blessing?

Watch the video “Good Things to Come.”

What did you learn about hope and enduring challenges from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland?

Decide to act

What changes will you make today as a result of what you have learned?

How can you share the benefits of spiritual self-reliance with others you know?

End of the week

What did you learn from this experience?

Summary of Key Points from Lesson 2

1. The armor of God is a metaphor for righteous, consistent choices and attitudes that help you overcome temptation and remain spiritually safe.

2. There are some basic principles that you can follow to develop spiritual self-reliance:

   1. Find answers through the Spirit first.

   2. Examine your life and the needs of others.

   3. Choose between good and evil.

   4. Be deliberate in your decisions.

   5. Continually seek the Lord’s guidance.

Notes