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The following scriptures and quotes establish the doctrinal foundation and purposes of the
Self-Reliance initiative.
The Importance of Becoming Self-Reliant:
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48; 3 Nephi 12:48)
“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” (Moses 7:18)
“. . . consider the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual.” (Mosiah 2:41)
“Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family.” (Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 6.1.1)
“Self-reliance is … an essential element in our spiritual as well as our temporal well-being. … ‘Salvation can be obtained on no other principle.’” (Thomas S. Monson, “Guiding Principles of Personal and Family Welfare,” Ensign, Sept. 1986, 3)
Self-Reliance Through Education:
“Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” (D&C 130:18-19)
“You must get all of the education that you possibly can… Sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of the world.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Words of the Prophet,” New Era, September 2007)
“For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea–it’s a commandment.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Two Principles for Any Economy,” Ensign, November 2009, 58)
“For us as latter-day saints, gaining an education is not just a privilege, it is a religious responsibility.” (Russell M. Nelson, “What Will You Choose?” Ensign, January 2015)
Must be Done in the Lord’s Way:
“And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low. For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.” (D&C 104:15-17)