Self-Reliance in All Things - Social-Emotional and Spiritual

Social-Emotional and Spiritual

"Most of us have thought about how to prepare for storms. We have seen and felt the suffering of women, men, and children, and of the aged and the weak, caught in hurricanes, tsunamis, wars, and droughts. One reaction is to ask, “How can I be prepared?” And there is a rush to buy and put away whatever people think they might need for the day they might face such calamities.

But there is another even more important preparation we must make for tests that are certain to come to each of us. That preparation must be started far in advance because it takes time. What we will need then can’t be bought. It can’t be borrowed. It doesn’t store well. And it has to have been used regularly and recently.

What we will need in our day of testing is a spiritual preparation. It is to have developed faith in Jesus Christ so powerful that we can pass the test of life upon which everything for us in eternity depends. That test is part of the purpose God had for us in the Creation."

(Henry B. Eyring, "Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady," Ensign, Nov. 2005)

Thanks to Stephanie for this post!

Introduction post here.

Self-Reliance in All Things - Physical Health

Physical Health

"Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof;
all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly. All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life... And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint."

Doctrine & Covenants 89:11-12, 14, 18

One of the best ways that we can make ourselves more self-reliant is by increasing our level of physical health. If we are maintaining a healthier lifestyle and learning how to better care for others' physical ailments, by way of first aid and home safety skills, we can be more likely to avoid physical ailments ourselves as well as care for our families and neighbors in an emergency.

There are a number of ways that we can increase our own level of physical health. Primarily, we can be obeying the Word of Wisdom. We can also practice "sound principles of nutrition, physical fitness, weight control, immunization, environment quality and sanitation, mother and child health, accident prevention, dental health, and medical care." Learning basic first aid and home safety skills are also important elements.

Something as simple as getting regular doctor's screenings can make a great difference in tracking our health. Your physician will also be able to assist you in setting other goals for better nutrition, physical fitness, and weight control. You have the power within yourself to make a positive change today. You will feel better and so will your family. As you strive to make your physical health a priority, you will also find that you have more energy. Not only will you be taking better care of the temple you have been given, but you will then be able to better use it to bless others and do the Lord's work.

Thanks to Stephanie for this post!

Introduction post here.

Self-Reliance in All Things - Home Production & Storage

Home Production and Storage

"Each person or family should produce as much as possible through gardening, sewing, and making household items. (Since you're reading this, you're well on your way to learning how!) Each person and family should learn techniques of home canning, freezing and drying foods, and where legally permitted, should store and save a one-year supply of food, clothing, and, if possible, fuel."

("A Little Bit of Planning, a Lot of Success." Ensign, Jun 1977)

Like everything in the gospel, we cannot achieve self reliance in a day. Not in a month, maybe not in a year. It is a process. Step by step. Line upon line and precept upon precept. Resolve today to take up the monthly challenges in the area of food storage and begin chipping away even if it's just an extra can or two of food every time you go to the grocery store or one can from the cannery each month. It all adds up.

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." D&C 38:30

Thanks to Stephanie for this post!

Introduction post here.

Self Reliance in All Things - Financial & Resource Management

Financial and Resource Management

Just like the visiting teaching message this month, the third way in which we've been counseled to be self-reliant is in the area of financial and resource management. "The prepared person should establish financial goals, pay tithes and offerings, avoid debt, wisely use and preserve economic resources, and save during times of production for times of nonproduction."

("A Little Bit of Planning, a Lot of Success," Ensign, Jun 1977)

In St. Luke, Christ taught a very simple principle concerning this,

"Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

We know, rather, that we ought to lay up treasures of heaven and live within our means. Elder Robert D Hales also stated, "It takes great faith to utter those simple words, 'We can't afford it.' "This month, let's strive to make and stick with a budget, that we will be more consciences of our in-comings and out-goings.

(for more information, see All is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances)

Thanks to Stephanie for this post!

Introduction post here.

Self Reliance in All Things - Career Development

Career Development

Each of us should hone our skills and ourselves. Even if we are not currently or do not plan to be in the work force anytime soon, we should have a "back-up plan" and develop marketable skills and virtues that will help us should economic needs change. Any opportunity you may have within your time and means to attend a workshop, seminar, online course, etc. jump at the opportunity to train yourself in a field that interests you or even find a way to volunteer in that area.

President Boyd K. Packer has said, "We ourselves are responsible to seek out and take advantage of every opportunity to improve ourselves. There are ordinary virtues which influence our careers even more than technical training among them are these: Integrity, Dependability, Courtesy, Respect for Others, and Respect for Property. Family responsibilities and tight budgets sometimes prevent us from obtaining all the schooling we desire. We can, however, improve ourselves. The only tuition required is the time it takes, the work required and the desire to build into our lives the ordinary virtues so much in demand and so short in supply."

-The Gospel - The Foundation of Our Career," Ensign, May 1982, 84

Is there a field that you have always been curious about or been interested in? Challenge yourself to find out more about it. That's the first step.

Thanks to Stephanie for this post!

Introduction post here.

Self Reliance in All Things - Literacy & Education

Literacy & Education

"The prepared person reads, writes, and does basic mathematics; regularly studies the scriptures and other good books; and uses local resources to teach these skills and habits to all family members. Parents and children should take advantage of public and other educational opportunities."

-A Little Bit of Planning, a Lot of Success," Ensign, Jun 1977

We are blessed to live in a country where most of us are literate, however the scriptures have reminded us to "seek y diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." Our education is never done. We must strive to be life-long learners and encourage our families to do the same. The more we know, our quality of life is improved and we are more prepared for the future. Resources like the public library are invaluable.

Challenge yourself to try to learn one new thing everyday - whether it is a new word, a geography fact, or a scripture.

Thanks to Stephanie for this post!

Introduction post here.

Self Reliance in All Things

The church has a new section on LDS.org called "Self-Reliance" and I was very excited to see our Visiting Teaching Message this month is "Becoming Self-Reliant". The following is an excerpt from a talk by Lane Johnson which explains the 6 different areas of self reliance. Each month Stefanie will be highlighting a different aspect of becoming "Self Reliant in All Things".

"President Marion G. Romney has said that welfare is the essence of the Church. Personal and Family Preparedness is an essential part of welfare. Its purpose is to encourage the economic, intellectual, physical, and spiritual preparedness of family and members.

What is this Personal and Family Preparedness that is so central to the purposes of the Church?

Personal and Family Preparedness encourages families and individuals to become self-reliant in six different areas: 1) literacy and education, 2) career development, 3) financial and resource management, 4) home production and storage, 5) physical health, and 6) social-emotional and spiritual strength. (see the model attached)

Welfare in the family is by no means food storage alone. Home storage is an important part of family welfare, but it is only a half of a sixth of the whole program.

Personal and Family Preparedness isn't just preparation for some kind of disaster; it's preparation for life - the foreseen, anticipated, almost expected needs which can be met through wise preparation.

You can scarcely think of a problem that could arise in the life of any family member-or the family as a whole-that could not be taken care of if preparation were solid enough and early enough in one or more of these six areas. Through this kind of 'provident living', families in most cases really can live happier lives because economic, physical, and emotional problems are held to a minimum and the things that make life worth living are encouraged to a maximum."

(Lane Johnson, "A Little Bit of Planning, a Lot of Success," Ensign, Jun. 1977, 6)

Thanks to Stephanie for this post!