Many members might think of welfare as a program to help members in temporarily difficult circumstances. But the intent of the Church's welfare plan is much more vast; it also involves promoting self-reliance as a way of life. President Thomas S. Monson has taught that self-reliance—"the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the necessities of life for self and family"1 —is an essential element of our temporal and spiritual well-being.2
A mere desire to become self-reliant is not enough. We must make a conscious, active effort to provide for our own needs and those of our families. Bishop H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop, reminds us that when we have done all we can to be self-reliant, "we can turn to the Lord in confidence to ask for what we might yet lack."3 Being self-reliant allows us to bless others. Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says, "Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others."4
Self-reliance involves several facets of a balanced life, including (1) education, (2) health, (3) employment, (4) family home production and storage, (5) family finances, and (6) spiritual strength.