“Do you think Self Reliance is simply putting extra food in a cabinet each time you shop? Perhaps you thought it means to have a job that sustains you and your family or a combination of the two; food storage and making a living? President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, said “The Lord’s way of self-reliance involves, in a balanced way, many facets of life, including education, health, employment, family finances, and spiritual strength”. One of the blessings of work is developing self-reliance. When you are self-reliant, you use the blessings and abilities God has given you to care for yourself and your family and to find solutions for your own problems.” Denise Cottrell “Finding Joy and Happiness in Self-Reliance”
Provident Living
“‘Provident living’ … implies the husbanding of our resources, the wise planning of financial matters, full provision for personal health, and adequate preparation for education and career development, giving appropriate attention to home production and storage as well as the development of emotional resiliency. …
As Elder Robert D. Hales has said, “Provident living means, joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies. When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior’s example to serve and bless others.”
“Let’s do these things because they are right, because they are satisfying, and because we are obedient to the counsels of the Lord. … It is true that difficult times will come—for the Lord has foretold them. … But if we live wisely and providently, we will be as safe as in the palm of His hand”. President Spencer W. Kimball “Welfare Services: The Gospel in Action”
Self-Reliance Begins with Faith in Jesus Christ
We are here to work our way through life, earning our daily bread and giving our excess to help those in need. It is our obligation to progress ourselves by developing the skills we need to provide for our families.
When we have faith in Jesus Christ, we are not weighed down with personal doubt. When we believe in His Atonement, we believe He will quicken our minds through the Holy Ghost so that we can learn the things that are necessary for us to improve ourselves.
With faith in Jesus Christ as our anchor, our plan to become self-reliant becomes a little easier and a little clearer. We learn much more when the Holy Ghost is our constant companion. “Why Self-reliance begins with faith in Jesus Christ “
The purpose of becoming spiritually and temporally self-reliant is to become better able to serve the Lord and care for others (see John 15:8). The Savior invites us all to act, to stand independent, and to become as He is. He will help us. He has promised: “It is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way” (D&C 104:15–16). His way includes learning and living the principles of self-reliance—“the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the necessities of life for self and family”. “Providing in the Lord’s Way”
Becoming Self-Reliant and Serving Others
The prophets have taught us multiple times that although the Lord never forsakes us, usually he does not do for us what we can reasonably do for ourselves. When we do need help, very often the help comes through other persons which means that as we become self-reliant, the more able we are to build up God’s kingdom and to use the things the Lord blesses us with to help and serve others. Self-reliance is vital to our temporal and our spiritual well-being, and its fruits bring us full circle, for “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God”. Keith McMullin “Lay Up in Store”
Work is Good Therapy
Work is honorable. Developing the capacity to work will help you contribute to the world in which you live. It will bring you an increased sense of self-worth. It will bless you and your family, both now and in the future.
Learning to work begins in the home. Help your family by willingly participating in the work necessary to maintain a home. Learn early to handle your money wisely and live within your means. Follow the teachings of the prophets by paying your tithing, avoiding debt, and saving for the future.
Set high goals for yourself, and be willing to work hard to achieve them. Develop self-discipline, and be dependable. Do your best in your Church callings, schoolwork, employment, and other worthwhile pursuits. Young men should be willing to do what is needed to be prepared to serve a full-time mission. Heavenly Father has given you gifts and talents and knows what you are capable of achieving. Seek His help and guidance as you work to achieve your goals. “Work and Self-Reliance“
Education Is a Commandment
Our quest for truth should be as broad as our life’s activities and as deep as our circumstances permit. A learned Latter-day Saint should seek to understand the important religious, physical, social, and political problems of the day. Dallin H. Oaks “Learning and Latter-day Saints”
Wholesome Living
“The condition of the physical body can affect the spirit. That’s why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom. He also said that we should retire to our beds early and arise early (see D&C 88:124), that we should not run faster than we have strength (see D&C 10:4), and that we should use moderation in all good things. … Food can affect the mind, and deficiencies of certain elements in the body can promote mental depression. … Rest and physical exercise are essential, and a walk in the fresh air can refresh the spirit. Wholesome recreation is part of our religion and is a necessary change of pace; even its anticipation can lift the spirit.” President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994),
LDS Intelligent Living 
My neighbor had pears falling off the trees in her yard. She begged the neighbors to come get them. I was the only one interested. She showed up at the door with a wheel barrow full of huge, lovely yellow pears. I canned pears until I didn’t want to see another, but they meant making a slim winter a delicious winter. I looked at the growing heap of pear pealing and thought it was such a shame to waste them. With the apple pealings, I always made apple jelly. Why not do that with the pear peals? The result was pure heaven. The jelly tasted like honey. The color was pretty ugly, so I added green food color to the batches of jelly. The kids begged for the sweet jelly on their pancakes all that winter. The Lord has free food coming from every where. We are all so blessed to know where those miracles come from.
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