I tell you these things because of your prayers

Do we needlessly carry heavy burdens. Taking responsibility for ridding ourselves of these burdens, our lives will increase in comfort and joy. Latter-day prophets have consistently taught the importance of being self-reliant and helping the needy.

"I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." Doctrine & Covenants 38:30

We can be ignorant of history or our constitution. We can let the news vultures or designing men frighten us. Or we can study, know for ourselves, and prepare for the future. We need physical and spiritual strength and knowledge to resolve problems and strengthen others.

“We have been taught to store a year’s supply of food, clothing, and, if possible, fuel—at home...Can we not see that the same principle applies to inspiration and revelation, the solving of problems, to counsel, and to guidance? We need to have a source of it stored in every home...If we lose our emotional and spiritual independence, our self-reliance, we can be weakened quite as much, perhaps even more, than when we become dependent materially” (Boyd K. Packer in Conference Report, Apr. 1978, 136–37; or Ensign, May 1978, 91–92).

As we become more self-reliant in spiritual things and help our children towards this end, when we spend our time in spiritual pursuits. We've heard it all before--it's nothing new. Consistent meaningful prayer, scripture study, church attendance, and regular temple worship will shore up our spiritual moorings. We won't be so ready to rely on the arm of flesh in spiritual matters, meaning we'll rely on God and not secular counselors for help. The scriptures if read thoughtfully will offer all the answers of child rearing and marital relationships we need--really.

The same is true of physical or temporal self-reliance. Since the Lord has blessed us abundantly, we are to take care of ourselves and our families. There seems to be a new attitude emerging with young people and even some older people today--entitlement. The sooner we realize that we are not entitled to someone else's hard earned money even when veiled as government welfare programs, the better. We should not shift the burden of our own or our family’s care to someone else. We might heed the old adage 'use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without'.

Teaching physical or temporal self-reliance to our children takes years and should include learning to work efficiently, growing, preserving, and storing food and other essentials for the future, managing money, and pursuing a good education. "Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!" Doctrine & Covenants 56:17

“To become self-reliant, a person must work. Work is physical, mental, or spiritual effort. It is a basic source of happiness, self-worth, and prosperity. Through work, people accomplish many good things in their lives” (Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders [1998], 257).

“Work is always a spiritual necessity even if, for some, work is not an economic necessity” (Neal A. Maxwell in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 50; or Ensign, May 1998, 38).

There is a definite mind, body, spirit connection. I am happier when I play in the dirt or organize my home, wash clothes or cook a meal. Another step in the happiness that can be found in self-sufficiency is not submitting to the bondage of debt--it is crushing.

“To become self-reliant in resource management, Church members should pay tithes and offerings, avoid unnecessary debt, save for the future, and satisfy all of their promised obligations. Members also should use their resources, including their time, frugally and avoid wasting them” (The Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 258).

“I urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage...If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wives and children and peace in your hearts” (Gordon B. Hinckley in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 72; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 54).

Finally, we must not forget our needy bretheren. There are people in our towns and throughout the world that are in dire need through no fault of their own. But even if it is there fault, we are under command to help them. To me this does not mean give hand outs but a hand up. The Lord's way of providing for these people is through those He has blessed abundantly.

We might give money. “The Church designates one Sunday each month as a fast day. On this day Church members go without food and drink for two consecutive meals. They … give to the Church a fast offering at least equal to the value of the food they would have eaten. If possible, members should be very generous and give much more than the value of two meals” (Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 256). Of course we need not limit ourselves to giving fast offerings. We can give to the Humanitarian Services of the church or give gifts to organizations that teach self-reliance in personal food production, entrepreneurial pursuits, educational opportunities, and more.

“In 1992 a devastating hurricane … struck the east coast of Florida, leaving a path of ruin behind it, with homes battered, roofs gone, people hungry. Our members were there to help. Home after home was cleaned and repaired without charge. It mattered not the faith or color of the person who occupied the home...Far away in the foothills on the western slopes of Mount Kenya, along the fringe of the colossal Rift Valley, pure water is now coming to the thirsty people. A potable water project has changed the lives of more than 1,100 families. When we originally became aware of the need for pure water, we were able to help fund a project in cooperation with TechnoServe, a private voluntary organization. With villagers providing the labor, drinkable water now flows through 25 miles of pipes to waiting homes in a 15-village area. The simple blessing of safe drinking water recalls the words of the Lord, ‘I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink’ [Matthew 25:35]” (Thamas S. Monson, “Our Brothers’ Keepers,” Ensign, June 1998, 37).

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward." Doctrine & Covenants 58:26-28