The Church employs people in each area to assist in the self-reliance effort. These include a Self-Reliance Services manager and other staff. These employees, along with full-time senior missionaries, can help train the stake self-reliance committee to organize devotionals and self-reliance groups. They can also assist the committee in identifying and sharing local community and Church resources.
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President Marion G. Romney
“Without self-reliance one cannot exercise these innate desires to serve. How can we give if there is nothing there? Food for the hungry cannot come from empty shelves. Money to assist the needy cannot come from an empty purse. Support and understanding cannot come from the emotionally starved. Teaching cannot come from the unlearned. And most important of all, spiritual guidance cannot come from the spiritually weak.”
Self-reliance manuals are available online in Gospel Library and at srs.lds.org. Printed manuals can be ordered at store.lds.org or at Church distribution centers.
Members typically (although not necessary) start on the path to self-reliance by attending a devotional. The My Path for Self-Reliance booklet can help guide the discussion.
Training Videos and Success Stories
Training materials and success story videos are available online at srs.lds.org/videos.
Self-Reliance Resource Center
A stake may decide to establish a self-reliance resource center to address needs beyond self-reliance groups. For example, a “center” could be a physical space shared with a family history center and could provide computers to help members. A “center” could even be a virtual effort to connect members with local opportunities and online resources. If a center is a physical location, each stake would decide how often the center is open and how it’s staffed.
Questions for Committees to Consider
What self-reliance needs exist with individuals and families in our area?
How can we support bishops, quorums, and the Relief Society in their role to care for the poor and those in need?
How can we better help bishops and ward councils to identify and invite people to participate in our self-reliance efforts?
What can we do during and after self-reliance groups to better support participants?
How can we better help people who can’t attend or finish a self-reliance group?
How can we better utilize the talents, skills, and expertise of members in our area?
What kind of Church or community resources do our members need, and how should we develop and share these resources?
How can we use our self-reliance efforts to support stake and ward priorities? (For example, missionary work, member reactivation, young single adults, or youth.)
If applicable, how can we help Perpetual Education Fund recipients graduate and repay their loans?