Self-Reliance/Provident Living Position Statement

The principle of self-reliance is really a principle that if lived correctly, is a principle of freedom.  The Lord expects us to be self reliant so we can experience the joy of providing for ourselves, of earning our own way.  I have had times in my life where I have had to rely on others for my support and it was miserable.  Although I was grateful for the help, I felt a great deal of worthlessness and despair.  There are circumstances beyond people’s control where help is required.  But we should always strive to first, be self-reliant, and second, help others to be able to help themselves. I plan on doing this by doing better about living within my own means and developing a better self-discipline when it comes to spending on wants instead of needs.  I know that one of the best ways to obtain peace is to be self-reliant.

Self-Reliance/Provident Living #10

"The foundation of self-reliance is hard work. Parents should teach their children that work is the prerequisite to achievement and success in every worthwhile endeavor. Children of legal age should secure productive employment and begin to move away from dependence on parents. None of us should expect others to provide for us that which we can provide for ourselves."
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Fruits of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ," General Conference October 1991

Self-Reliance/Provident Living #9

"Unrestricted by programs and projects, bricks and mortar, the Lord’s real storehouse is indeed in the homes and the hearts of His people. As the members of the Church follow the counsel to become self-reliant, they represent an immense pool of resources, knowledge, skills, and charity available to help one another. This storehouse, the Lord has said, is 'for the poor of my people, … to advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the salvation of man, and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven.' (D&C 78:3–4.)"
Elder Robert D. Hales, "Welfare Principles To Guide Our Lives: An Eternal Plan For The Welfare of Men's Souls," General Conference April 1986 

Self-Reliance/Provident Living #8

"The welfare program requires that we develop self-reliance and live providently. Provident living requires us to develop proper attitudes—a willingness to forego luxuries, to avoid excess, and to fully use what we have—learning to live within our means."
Elder Robert D. Hales, "Welfare Principles To Guide Our Lives: An Eternal Plan For The Welfare of Men's Souls," General Conference April 1986 

Self-Reliance/Provident Living #7

"Too often rich and poor alike shut their hearts to the divine attributes of love and compassion. The rich languish in their abundance and justify turning the poor away as 'welfare cases.' The poor are likewise entrapped, becoming dependent on others in a system destined to trample initiative, undermine family responsibility, foster divisiveness, and erect barriers to equity, opportunity, and fellowship."
Elder Robert D. Hales, "Welfare Principles To Guide Our Lives: An Eternal Plan For The Welfare of Men's Souls," General Conference April 1986

Self-Reliance/Provident Living #6

"The principle of self-reliance or personal independence is fundamental to the happy life. In too many places, in too many ways, we are getting away from it.

The substance of what I want to say is this: The same principle self-reliance—has application to the spiritual and to the emotional."

President Boyd K. Packer, "Solving Emotional Problems In The Lord's Way," General Conference April 1978

Self-Reliance/Provident Living #5

"Today I speak to all whose freedom to choose has been diminished by the effects of ill-advised choices of the past. I speak specifically of choices that have led to excessive debt and addictions to food, drugs, pornography, and other patterns of thought and action that diminish one’s sense of self-worth. All of these excesses affect us individually and undermine our family relationships. Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family. Unfortunately however, additional debt is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses. And for both debt and addiction, the hopeful solution is the same—we must turn to the Lord and follow His commandments. We must want more than anything else to change our lives so that we can break the cycle of debt and our uncontrolled wants."
Elder Robert D. Hales, "Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually," General Conference May 2009

Self-Reliance/Provident Living #4

“Being provident providers, we must keep that most basic commandment, ‘Thou shalt not covet’(Exodus 20:17). Our world is fraught with feelings of entitlement. . . . If our family does not have everything the neighbors have, . . . we go into debt to buy things we can’t afford,and things we do not really need. Whenever we do this, we become poor temporally and spiritually”
Elder Robert D. Hales, "Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually," General Conference May 2009

Self-Reliance/Provident Living #3

"There are many good people and organizations in the world that are trying to meet the pressing needs of the poor and needy everywhere. We are grateful for this, but the Lord’s way of caring for the needy is different from the world’s way. The Lord has said, 'It must needs be done in mine own way.'  He is not only interested in our immediate needs; He is also concerned about our eternal progression. For this reason, the Lord’s way has always included self-reliance and service to our neighbor in addition to caring for the poor."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf,  "Providing In the Lord's Way," General Conference October 2011

Self-Reliance/Provident Living #2

"Independence and self-reliance are critical to our spiritual and temporal growth. Whenever we get into situations which threaten our self-reliance, we will find our freedoms threatened as well. If we increase our dependence on anything or anyone except the Lord, we will find an immediate decrease Relief Society Magazine, Oct. 1937, p. 627.)"

in our freedom to act. As President Heber J. Grant declared, “Nothing destroys the individuality of a man, a woman, or a child as much as the failure to be self-reliant.” (

Elder L. Tom Perry, "Becoming Self-Reliant," General Conference October 1991

Self-Reliance/Provident Living #1

"The prophetic promises and blessings of Church welfare, of providing in the Lord's way, are some of the most magnificent and sublime the Lord has pronounced upon His children. ...Whether we are rich

or poor, regardless where we live on this globe, we all need each other, for it is in sacrificing our time, talents, and resources that our spirits mature and become refined. This work of providing in the Lord's way ... cannot be neglected or set aside. It is central to our doctrine; it is the essence of our religion."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Providing in the Lord's Way," Oct. 2011 General Conference