Becoming Self-Reliant

This week’s reading summary is all about us becoming self-reliant which has been defined by the church as “the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family”. President Thomas S. Monson has counseled, “Self-reliance is an essential element in our spiritual as well as our temporal well-being”.

D&C 104:15. “And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine” It is an approach to life that can help us become more independent in life and not dependent on others. Developing a strong sense of self-reliance is crucial to our survival. 

In a response to a specific reading, video, or activity from the week’s content, what did spark my interest is Elder M. Russell Ballard’s talk on becoming Self-Reliant—spiritually and physically, he emphasis on work “To become self-reliant, a person must work. Work is physical, mental, or spiritual effort. It is a basic source of happiness, self-worth, and prosperity. Through work, people accomplish many good things in their lives. …“As people become self-reliant, they are better prepared to endure adversities” and are “better able to care for others in need”. As we work towards becoming self-reliant we are better prepared to endure adversities and are better able to care for others in need.

In reflecting on my own goals as I have studied social innovation and the gospel, I rely on Professor Yunus admonition “All human beings are creative beings, each human being has great potential buried in him or her”. This has become an eye opener in me to bring out this potential and be creative as I have started in my own small way a social business that will be caring for the abandoned aged living in my community and in future extend it to other communities.