“Self-Reliance: Becoming Adaptable and Independent in an Uncertain World,” Liahona, Aug. 2025.
Self-Reliance:
Becoming Adaptable and Independent in an Uncertain World
The Church’s self-reliance groups can make a difference for everyone, regardless of age or circumstances.
Jeff Rebutar of the Pasig Philippines Stake thought he was prepared for retirement. After working into his late 60s, he had enough rental income to support him and his wife without governmental help.
Then his wife had a stroke. Medical bills piled up, and inflation ate into their income. Strapped for money, Brother Rebutar took the Church’s course “Starting and Growing My Business for Self-Reliance.” After some trial and error, he created a cleaning mixture that could be used in homes and workplaces.
“The training course and monthly meetings were helpful in getting started,” Brother Rebutar said. “I had to do something to provide for my family, so I kept at it. After some early business success, I became the informal group leader for others. There’s nothing like actually getting some experience with a new business. We learn by doing, not simply by attending a meeting.”
The Church’s self-reliance courses are intended to be used in a practical way. They enable participants to put into practice principles of education, hard work, and faith and trust in the Lord.
“Was I Sharing Enough?”
In the Plano Texas Stake, more than 900 members have participated in self-reliance groups in recent years. Some come as learners to find resources or new ideas. Others come as “lifters” to provide guidance, suggestions, or support to others.
Jerry Martin, a member of the Plano stake presidency, joined a self-reliance group for personal finances so he could become familiar with the process and the course material. As a retired chief financial officer of a major corporation, he didn’t think he had much to learn about finances.
“I saw opportunities to help several participants get out of debt or develop personal savings and investment plans that fit their unique circumstances,” he said. “It was very satisfying.” And he enjoyed the camaraderie from the group. Then he made a personal discovery.
“I had always paid my tithes and a generous fast offering, but as I participated in this group, I had a nagging feeling that I wasn’t doing enough,” Brother Martin said. “Was I sharing enough? Was I sufficiently consecrated?”
Despite his personal service and Church contributions, these questions persisted. While visiting India, he met many individuals and organizations involved in generously supporting various humanitarian efforts. As President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, has said, “The Church of Jesus Christ is committed to serving those in need, and it is also committed to cooperating with others in that effort.” With that in mind, Brother Martin began looking for other opportunities to serve and cooperate with like-minded individuals. He wasn’t prepared for what came next.
“I had a valuable penny collection,” Brother Martin said. “As I prayed in India about how and where I might contribute to the work being done by others, a prompting came to me that I also needed to consider the source of potential contributions—not from my investment account but from my penny collection. I realized at that point: this was my moment of consecration. How much did that penny collection really mean to me?”
Eventually, Brother Martin sold his penny collection and used the proceeds to fund humanitarian projects overseas and college scholarships locally. “If I had not participated in the self-reliance group, I would never have even considered how I could lift others through my time as well as my means,” he explained. “I’m a better person for it.”
“Your Role Is to Love and Minister”
In the St. George Utah Green Valley Stake, Troy and Sue Olsen began attending a self-reliance group on emotional resilience, anticipating they were going to help others. Their bishop asked ward council members to participate in a group so they could share what they learned with others.
The Olsens were dealing with some challenging blended-family dynamics with adult children. “We have a family member who was going through some difficult times,” Sister Olsen explains. “I was frustrated that I was not able to help more.” The discussions about “myths” and “realities” from the workbook helped the Olsens see their family situation differently.
Then another group member shared how guilty and hopeless she felt when her brother had taken his own life. Sister Olsen realized that others also had emotional burdens that she was completely unaware of and needed ministering to in a unique way.
She might not be able to lift the burden, but the Savior could. The workbook stressed, “Your role is to love and minister to people, and the Savior will do the healing.” Sister Olsen says, “By casting our burdens on Him, we saw with new eyes, heard old messages in new ways, and had a renewed understanding of the gospel and His healing power.”
Group discussions, workbook examples, and personal empathy all helped greatly improve their situation as well. Sister Olsen still has some anxious moments and many heartfelt prayers. Importantly, she now sees her role differently—to love and minister—not to fix or solve others’ issues.
Self-reliance groups combine practical skills with spiritual principles to help members help themselves. They provide a framework to understand personal and family issues. They promote a sense of belonging, facilitate mutual support and empowerment, and provide a safe place for members to share experiences and learn from each other, relying on Christ’s infinite Atonement. And when we rely on the Savior, we have this promise from President Russell M. Nelson: “As you truly repent and seek His help, you can rise above this present precarious world.”
The author lives in Utah, USA.