The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance
small excerpts:
“It is something to supply clothing to the [poorly] clad, to furnish ample food to those whose table is thinly spread, to give activity to those who are fighting desperately the despair that comes from enforced idleness, but after all is said and done, the greatest blessings that will accrue from the Church [welfare program] are spiritual. Outwardly, every act seems to be directed toward the physical: remaking of dresses and suits of clothes, canning fruits and vegetables, storing foodstuffs, choosing fertile fields for settlement—all seem strictly temporal, but permeating all these acts, inspiring and sanctifying them, is the element of spirituality.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1936, p. 103.)
"....One of the three areas emphasized in the mission of the Church is to perfect the Saints, and this is the purpose of the welfare program. This is not a doomsday program, but a program for our lives here and now, because now is the time for us to perfect our lives. May we continue to hold fast to these truths."
Principles for Perfecting Our Lives Through Self-Reliance and Service to Others
After reading President Romney’s article, families may wish to discuss the following principles in an upcoming family council.
| BARRIERS to Self-Reliance Are— | GATEWAYS to Self-Reliance Are— |
| • Idleness | • Industry and work |
| • Spending freely | • Thrift, saving, budgeting |
| • Breaking the commandments | • Obeying the Word of Wisdom, keeping the commandments, paying an honest tithe |
| • Indifference to home storage | • One year’s supply of food, clothing, and (where possible) fuel |
| • No home food production | • Producing food at home |
| • Debt and interest payments | • Avoiding debt (when possible) and developing financial stability |
| • Apathy about job skills | • Improving job skills |
| • Negative attitudes | • Attaining physical, emotional, and social health |
| BARRIERS to Service to Others Are— | GATEWAYS to Service to Others Are— |
| • Thinking only of self and your immediate family | • Thinking of others |
| • Being afraid to share | • Sharing what you have as you can |
| • Keeping possessions to yourself | • Giving a generous fast offering |
| • “Over-helping” people who could help themselves, causing dependence | • Helping people to help themselves (building self-reliance in others) |
| • Keeping to yourself and your own family | • Giving of your time, talents, and means to family, church, community |
| • Feeling you have no time to serve, no talents to share | • Participation in individual and group service projects |
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