7

Become One, Work Together

Ponder:What does it mean to “be one”? What does this have to do with becoming self-reliant?

“In the Lord’s Way” (No video? Read the next page.)

Discuss:What does this message teach about serving and helping each other?

Read:Moses 7:18; Doctrine and Covenants 104:15–17 (on the right)

“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind … and there was no poor among them.”

Moses 7:18

“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.”

Doctrine and Covenants 104:15–17

Practice:Do the following activity:

1. On your own, quietly think about talents, contacts, or other resources you have. How can your gifts help other group members become more self-reliant? Write your ideas:

2. As a group, share with each other the talents, contacts, and other resources you listed. Write contacts or resources others have that could help you.

3. Now list below the resources available at a Church self-reliance center, including mentors, computers, and so on. Why do you need them?

4. What resources do you have that can help you and the others become self-reliant?

5. How will you help others on their path to self-reliance?

6. How can you use help from others on your path?

Read:To practice becoming one, you can do the following:

• Help your family increase in unity and work together.

• Talk to members in your ward who are self-reliant. Ask what people or resources helped them. Ask if they will mentor you!

• Go to three places in your community that have resources to help you become more self-reliant. Write down the services they can provide. Start to use them!

Commit:Commit to doing the following actions during the week. Check the boxes when you complete each task:

• Practice working with others (work with your family, ward members, and community resources as listed above).

• Teach this principle to your family.

• Continue to practice the previous foundation principles.

“When we work together cooperatively, … we can accomplish anything. When we do so, we eliminate the weakness of one person standing alone and substitute the strength of many serving together.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Church Leaders Speak Out on Gospel Values,” Ensign, May 1999, 118

In the Lord’s Way

If you are unable to watch the video, read this script.

President Henry B. Eyring

PRESIDENT EYRING: The principles at the foundation of the Church welfare program are not for only one time or one place. They are for all times and all places. …

The way it is to be done is clear. Those who have accumulated more are to humble themselves to help those in need.

Those in abundance are to voluntarily sacrifice some of their comfort, time, skills, and resources to relieve the suffering of those in need. And the help is to be given in a way that increases the power of the recipients to care for themselves [and then care for others].

Done in this, the Lord’s way, something remarkable can happen. Both the giver and the receiver are blessed.

(Henry B. Eyring, address given at the dedication of the Sugarhouse Utah Welfare Services Center, June 2011, lds.org; words in brackets added by President Eyring in a March 2014 interview)

PRESIDENT UCHTDORF: Brothers and sisters, we each have a covenant responsibility to be sensitive to the needs of others and serve as the Savior did—to reach out, bless, and uplift those around us.

Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us. Selfless acts of service and consecration refine our spirits, remove the scales from our spiritual eyes, and open the windows of heaven. By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Waiting on the Road to Damascus,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 76)