Building Self-Reliance: Overview

Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Doctrine and Covenants Lessons
- The Restoration Proclamation
- Doctrine and Covenants 1
- Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65
- Doctrine and Covenants 3–5
- Doctrine and Covenants 6–9
- Doctrine and Covenants 10–11
- Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 18
- Doctrine and Covenants 19
- Doctrine and Covenants 20–22
- Doctrine and Covenants 23–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 27–28
- Doctrine and Covenants 29
- Doctrine and Covenants 30–36
- Doctrine and Covenants 37–40
- Doctrine and Covenants 41–44
- Doctrine and Covenants 45
- Doctrine and Covenants 46–48
- Doctrine and Covenants 49–50
- Doctrine and Covenants 51–57
- Doctrine and Covenants 58–59
- Doctrine and Covenants 60–63
- Doctrine and Covenants 64–66
- Doctrine and Covenants 67–70
- Doctrine and Covenants 71–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 76
- Doctrine and Covenants 77–80
- Doctrine and Covenants 81–83
- Doctrine and Covenants 84
- Doctrine and Covenants 85–87
- Doctrine and Covenants 88
- Doctrine and Covenants 89–92
- Doctrine and Covenants 93
- Doctrine and Covenants 94–97
- Doctrine and Covenants 98–101
- Doctrine and Covenants 102–105
- Doctrine and Covenants 106–108
- Doctrine and Covenants 109–110
- Doctrine and Covenants 111–114
- Doctrine and Covenants 115–120
- Doctrine and Covenants 121–123
- Doctrine and Covenants 124
- Doctrine and Covenants 125–128
- Doctrine and Covenants 129–132
- Doctrine and Covenants 133–134
- Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
- Doctrine and Covenants 137–138
- The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- The Living Christ
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth: Making Choices
- Building Self-Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Succeeding in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

“Building Self-Reliance: Overview,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“Building Self-Reliance,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Building Self-Reliance

Overview

The Savior declared that “it is my purpose to provide for my saints. … But it must needs be done in mine own way” (Doctrine and Covenants 104:15–16). When we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, we invite Him to help us become more self-reliant in all aspects of our lives. Jesus Christ helps His Saints build self-reliance so they can provide for themselves and learn to bless others as He does.

Pacing suggestion: It may be most effective to teach these lessons in the order that they appear in this document. The first two lessons introduce students to principles of self-reliance and will help them better understand the final two lessons. Teaching the first two “Building Self-Reliance” lessons early in the year could also help prepare students to understand principles that they will study in the “Education and Employment” lessons and the “Physical and Emotional Health” lessons.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides you with ideas of what you may need to prepare in advance for each lesson.

Building Self-Reliance in the Lord’s Way

Lesson purpose: To help students understand the need to build self-reliance in the Lord’s way.

Student preparation: Invite students to think of how they might define the term self-reliance and to consider ways the Lord can help them build self-reliance in their life.
Images to display: A meal of fish; some fishing gear; Jesus working in His youth
Handout: “Building Self-Reliance in the Lord’s Way”

Faith in Jesus Christ to Build Self-Reliance

Lesson purpose: To help students exercise faith in Jesus Christ to build self-reliance.

Student preparation: Invite students to offer a personal prayer asking Heavenly Father to help them identify an area of their lives where they could become more self-reliant.
Video: “Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains” (16:22; watch from time code 5:24 to 6:08)
Material to display: Statement by Bishop W. Christopher Waddell

Managing Financial Resources Wisely

Lesson purpose: To help students understand how to exercise faith in God as they build financial self-reliance.

Student preparation: Invite students to write down important things they hope to accomplish in their future that will require financial resources. Invite them to reflect on their plan to be financially prepared for these things or on questions they might have about their financial preparation.
Information for students: Common costs to serve a mission and gain a post–high school education, as well as basic living expenses in your area
Materials: Copies of the graphic showing principles of financial sequencing
Videos: “The Language of the Gospel” (12:27; watch from time code 6:10 to 7:40); “Sedrick’s Journey” (2:32)

Self-Reliance Enables Us to Better Care for Others

Lesson purpose: To help students understand how becoming self-reliant enables them to better follow the Savior’s example of helping others.

Student preparation: Invite students to think of ways the following statement can be true both temporally and spiritually: “You cannot lift another soul until you are standing on higher ground than he is” (Harold B. Lee, “Stand Ye in Holy Places,” Ensign, July 1973, 123).
Materials: Copies of the statement by Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for small groups to discuss
Handout: “Examples of Self-Reliance from Church History”
Videos: “Strengthen Thy Brethren” (3:50); “On the Lord’s Errand: The Life of Thomas S. Monson” (1:00:10; watch from time code 19:54 to 24:18)