Life Skills
Self-Reliance Course
Life Skills is a self-reliance course designed to help older youth and young single adults build practical, spiritual, and temporal abilities that prepare them for work, education, missionary service, and adulthood. The course combines key principles from three self-reliance manuals—Personal Finances, Find a Better Job, and Education for Better Work—to help participants strengthen faith, develop essential life habits, and learn skills that support long-term success.
The Life Skills course invites you to seek the Lord’s help, act in faith, and learn practical tools that will bless your current and future opportunities. The course also integrates teachings from My Foundation for Self-Reliance to help you establish spiritual habits that support progress.
Course Overview
Throughout the 12‑chapter course, you’ll receive guidance and hands-on practice in three core areas:
Education Skills
Covers topics such as:
- Building your confidence as a learner.
- Preparing yourself spiritually and temporally for learning.
- Creating an environment that supports growth.
- Understanding expectations in school or training opportunities.
- Strengthening study and time‑management skills.
Job-Search and Career Skills
Teaches practical steps for finding work and preparing for employment, including:
- Networking and building professional connections.
- Creating “power statements” that communicate your strengths.
- Improving interview skills through mock interviews and faith-based preparation.
Personal Finance Basics
Focuses on foundational financial skills, namely:
- Becoming a wise and faithful steward.
- Creating and following a budget.
- Managing money with discipline.
- Avoiding unnecessary debt.
How the Course Works
The Life Skills course is taught in small groups where members meet together, learn from one another, and act in faith with the Holy Ghost as the teacher. Facilitators support the group by maintaining a supportive environment for sharing experiences and encouraging personal application of the lessons.
Each course group meeting includes:
- Teachings from Church leaders.
- Scripture-based principles.
- Practical assignments.
- Group discussions and goal setting.
Course Participant Stories
Jackson: Learning for a Lifetime
Click on a video below to view it.
Why Life Skills Matter
The Life Skills course helps you build spiritual and temporal confidence as you prepare for major life transitions. Participants develop:
- Faith and trust in the Lord as they pursue education, training, and work opportunities.
- Greater self-reliance—the ability to provide for themselves and support their families through skills, habits, and disciplined choices.
- Hope and peace through learning how the Lord magnifies efforts and opens doors for growth.
Becoming self-reliant not only blesses your temporal progression but also enhances your spiritual growth and ability to serve others.
“We become self-reliant throughout our lives by growing in spiritual strength, improving our physical and emotional health, pursuing our education and employment, and being temporally prepared.”
Find a Group to Join
If you don’t see a group available in your area, you’re not alone; availability varies by location. Reach out to your local leader for help finding a group or starting one.
Even if you aren’t able to join a group right now, you can still benefit from the course by studying the materials on your own or with a friend, family member, or someone in your ward.