Self Reliance

1.“It is in the home that we form our attitudes, our deeply held beliefs. It is in the home that hope is fostered or destroyed. Our homes are to be more than sanctuaries; they should also be places where God’s Spirit can dwell, where the storm stops at the door, where love reigns and peace dwells.”

President Thomas S. Monson  

"Becoming Our Best Selves"  Ensign, Nov. 1999

2.“We must not turn aside our hearts or our heads from becoming more self-reliant, caring better for the needy, and rendering compassionate service.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Providing in the Lord’s Way” Oct. 2011 General Conference

3.“The Welfare handbook instructs: “[We must] earnestly teach and urge Church members to be self-sustaining to the full extent of their powers. No true Latter-day Saint will … voluntarily shift from himself the burden of his own support. So long as he can, under the inspiration of the Almighty and with his own labors, he will supply himself with the necessities of life.”

 President Boyd K. Packer  “Solving Emotional Problems in the Lord’s Own Way” Apr. 1978 General Conference

4.“The promise is that every son and daughter of God can find, through the Spirit, answers to the challenges in their lives, including how to become more self-reliant. We must, therefore, ever keep in our minds how precious each child of God is and how important our service is to each one of them.”

 Elder M. Russell Ballard

“Becoming Self-Reliant—Spiritually and Physically” Ensign Mar. 2009

5.“Each of us should do all that we can, in the spirit of gospel self-reliance, to provide for ourselves and our families in a temporal and a spiritual way. Then, if it is necessary to reach out for help, we know we have first done all that we can. This includes helping the members of our immediate and extended families to the maximum extent possible so that the bishop is not faced with burdens that should be handled in the first instance by the individual or by the extended family.”

Elder Dallin H. Oakes

“Bishop, Help!” Ensign May 1997

6.“One of the most important lessons you will ever learn is the security and peace that comes from living within your means. … If you are spending more than you take in, heartache and sorrow are sure to follow unless and until you learn how to live more providently,” he said. “Understand that you will not have all of the things in your home when you first start out. My heart aches when I see a young newlywed couple in a larger-than-they-can-afford home with the latest furnishings that borrowed money can buy. …"(Elder L. Tom Perry, BYU Graduation Commencement Speech, 26 April 2013)

7."We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult—the spiritual.  A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value. We are living in the prophesied time “when peace shall be taken from the earth” (D&C 1:35), when “all things shall be in commotion” and “men’s hearts shall fail them” (D&C 88:91). There are many temporal causes of commotion, including wars and natural disasters, but an even greater cause of current “commotion” is spiritual."Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” Liahona, May 2004, 7–10

8.“In seeking to overcome debt and addictive behaviors, we should remember that addiction is the craving of the natural man, and it can never be satisfied. It is an insatiable appetite. When we are addicted, we seek those worldly possessions or physical pleasures that seem to entice us. But as children of God, our deepest hunger and what we should be seeking is what the Lord alone can provide—His love, His sense of worth, His security, His confidence, His hope in the future, and assurance of His love, which brings us eternal joy.”

"Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually", Elder Hales, April 2009

 

9."Recent surveys of Church members have shown a serious erosion in the number of families who have a year’s supply of life’s necessities. Most members plan to do it. Too few have begun. . . . It is our sacred duty to care for our families, including our extended families"

(Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Sept. 1986, 4).

 

10."Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace."  “It is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most", General Conference, October 2010

Capstone-Position Statement:

I love being self reliant, it is something my husband and I have been striving for for a few years now.  We are out of debt, raise animals, raise some of our own food, have food storage and work hard on knowing how to  make things and do things on our own.

The prophets and apostles have been telling us for many years now the importance of being self reliant, you just need to look around the world to understand why its so important.  We as a family have had to endure hardships that have forced us to be a self reliant as possible by living on our food storage or skills because of lack of money or resources.

My purpose now is to make sure that we continue preparing ourselves and keeping ourselves as self reliant as possible, and most importantly, to teach our children to be self reliant and skilled as well.
I also try to teach others what they can do to become self reliant, both people of our faith and not.I am always amazed at the interest others have when I tell them what our family is doing and why.

We may not understand now the full picture on why being self reliant is so important, but I believe someday it will become clear and we will be glad that we have prepared ourselves in the ways that we have.

Personal Revelation

1.“We prepare to receive personal revelation as the prophets do, by studying the scriptures, fasting and praying, and building faith.  Faith is the key.”

Elder Robert D. Hales- Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Ensign-Conference Report Oct. 2007

2.“Prayer is so essential a part of revelation that without it the veil may remain closed to you. Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees.”

Elder Boyd K. Packer

“Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise”

Oct. 1994 General Conference

3.“This timeless offer to provide personal revelation is extended to all of His children. It almost sounds too good to be true. But it is true! I have received and responded to that heavenly help. And I have learned that I always need to be ready to receive it.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson

“Ask, Seek, Knock” Oct. 2009 General Conference

4.“Personal revelation is personal, indeed. It is not based on gender or position but on worthiness. It comes in response to sincere inquiry. However, revelation for the Church comes only through the Lord’s prophets, seers, and revelators.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard “Equality through Diversity” Oct. 1993 General Conference

5. "Personal revelation is the way we know for ourselves the most important truths of our existence: the living reality of God, our Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ ; the truthfulness of the restored gospel; and God’s purpose and direction for us".
Elder Robert D. Hales-Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"Personal Revelation:  The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets"  Oct. 2007 General Conference

6. "A sure testimony of Jesus Chrsit and of His restored gospel takes more than knowledge—it requires personal revelation, confirmed through honest and dedicated application of gospel principles".
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf  "Your Potential, Your Privilege" Apr 2011 General Conference

7."Revelation can also be given in a dream when there is an almost imperceptible transition from sleep to wakefulness. If you strive to capture the content immediately, you can record great detail, but otherwise it fades rapidly. Inspired communication in the night is generally accompanied by a sacred feeling for the entire experience. The Lord uses individuals for whom we have great respect to teach us truths in a dream because we trust them and will listen to their counsel. It is the Lord doing the teaching through the Holy Ghost. However, He may in a dream make it both easier to understand and more likely to touch our hearts by teaching us through someone we love and respect".
Elder Richard G. Scott "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration For Your Personal Life" Apr 2012 General Conference


8."In the personal line we pray directly to our Heavenly Father, and He answers us by the channels He has established, without any mortal intermediary. We pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and He answers us through His Holy Spirit and in other ways. The mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son, to guide us into truth, and to show us all things we should do. This personal line of communication with our Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit is the source of our testimony of truth, of our knowledge, and of our personal guidance from a loving Heavenly Father. It is an essential feature of His marvelous gospel plan, which allows each one of His children to receive a personal witness of its truth."
~Dallin H. Oaks October 2010 General Conference

9. "Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly. In His plan of happiness, He included a provision for you to receive help with such challenges and decisions during your mortal life. That assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness."
~Richard G. Scott General Conference October 2009

10. "The spirit of revelation is available to every person who receives by proper priesthood authority the saving ordinances of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost—and who is acting in faith to fulfill the priesthood injunction to “receive the Holy Ghost.” This blessing is not restricted to the presiding authorities of the Church; rather, it belongs to and should be operative in the life of every man, woman, and child who reaches the age of accountability and enters into sacred covenants. Sincere desire and worthiness invite the spirit of revelation into our lives."
Elder David A. Bednar "The Spirit of Revelation" April 2011 General Conference

Capstone-Position Statement:

Personal revelation has been an important part of my life and one aspect I have really strive to learn and work on more. I have come to understand the importance of personal revelation and how it has helped me in life and through very difficult situations.

We all have the ability to have personal revelation from our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost, but it is something you have to continue to develop and work on so that you can know and feel when this is taking place.
I know that personal revelation is available to all and is a power given to us to help us through this life.  As I continue to do the things in my life that bring me closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior, then my ability to have this revelation will continue to grow and to help me.

I also want to teach my children to be able to develop this ability and to know that it is there for them and will be a huge help to them as they go through life.

Sabbath Day

1.“Honor your mother and father, keep the Sabbath day holy, do not take the Lord’s name in vain, honor womanhood, be chaste, do not lie or steal, live the Word of Wisdom, and pay an honest tithing and a generous fast offering. If you keep these commandments and others, you will be richly blessed.”
Elder Robert D. Hales “If Thou Wilt Enter into Life, Keep the Commandments” Apr. 1996 General Conference

2.“This we do by our obedience to the commandments of God. Thus, the laws of obedience and sacrifice are indelibly intertwined. Consider the commandments to obey the Word of Wisdom, to keep the Sabbath day holy, to pay an honest tithe. As we comply with these and other commandments, something wonderful happens to us. We become disciplined! We become disciples! We become more sacred and holy—like our Lord!”

Elder Russell M. Nelson “Lessons from Eve” Oct. 1987 General Conference

3.{No matter where we live or in what position we serve, all of us need to determine which way we face. God’s commandments serve as a standard against which priorities can be measured. Our respect for the first commandment fashions our feelings for all the others. Consider the commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy, for example. We live in a time when many people throughout the world have transferred their allegiance on the Sabbath from places of worship to places of amusement. Again I ask, “Which way do you face?” }

Elder Russell M. Nelson "Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods"  Apr. 1996 General Conference

4.“This Sabbath day has been designated as a day of thanksgiving, a day of gratitude—even a day of prayer. We pause, we ponder, we reflect on the blessings an all-wise Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us, His children, by bringing peace to the battlefield of war and comfort to the hearts of so many in this wonderful world where we live and which we call home.”

President Thomas S. Monson

“Never Alone” Apr. 1991 General Conference

5. { Teachers who are commanded to teach “the principles of [the] gospel” and “the doctrine of the kingdom” (D&C 88:77) should generally forgo teaching specific rules or applications. For example, they would not teach any rules for determining what is a full tithing, and they would not provide a list of dos and don’ts for keeping the Sabbath day holy. Once a teacher has taught the doctrine and the associated principles from the scriptures and the living prophets, such specific applications or rules are generally the responsibility of individuals and families.}
Elder Dallin H. Oaks  "Gospel Teaching"  Oct. 1999 General Conference

6.{ As bearers of the Aaronic Priesthood, you must learn to obey the Lord’s commandments. Honor your mother and father, keep the Sabbath day holy, do not take the Lord’s name in vain, honor womanhood, be chaste, do not lie or steal, live the Word of Wisdom, and pay an honest tithing and a generous fast offering. If you keep these commandments and others, you will be richly blessed.}

Elder Robert D. Hales  "If Thou Wilt Enter into Life, Keep the Commandments"
Apr. 1996 General Conference

7.{Being worthy of temple ordinances means that you will choose to do what many in the world are not willing to do. You will keep the Sabbath day holy, exercise faith through the payment of  tithing and fast offerings, consistently participate in Church worship, give service, and show love and appreciation for your family by helping each member of it. After you have received all of the temple ordinances, you will continue to grow by keeping the covenants made and faithfully “endur[ing] to the end.”}

Elder Richard G. Scott  "Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer"  April 1997 General Conference 

8."This we do by our obedience to the commandments of God. Thus, the laws of obedience and sacrifice are indelibly intertwined. Consider the commandments to obey the Word of Wisdom, to keep the Sabbath day holy, to pay an honest tithe. As we comply with these and other commandments, something wonderful happens to us. We become disciplined! We become disciples! We become more sacred and holy—like our Lord!"

Elder Russell M. Nelson  "Lessons from Eve"  Oct. 1987 General Conference

9."The need to keep our personal temple clean in order to have the companionship and guidance of the Holy Ghost explains the importance of the commandment to partake of the sacrament on the Sabbath."

Elder Dallin H. Oakes “Always Have His Spirit” Oct. 1996 General Conference

10. "We also invite the ongoing companionship of the Holy Ghost as we worthily partake of the sacrament each Sabbath day: “And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day” (D&C 59:9.}

Elder David A. Bednar  "That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be With Us"  Apr. 2006 General Conference


Capstone Position Statement:

As a young child I knew the Sabbath Day was a special day, but it wasn't until I was older that I really realized the importance of the Sabbath and why we need to honor it and keep it holy. As a young adult, I was not very good at observing the Sabbath, as I have grown older, this has become an important principle to me, and one that my family and I have made sure we keep.

Many people consider Sunday just another day; they don't understand the importance of having a day of rest and to focus our attention on our Heavenly Father and Savior, as well as to partake of the sacrament ordinance. Keeping the Sabbath Day as a holy day is also a commandment.

We as a family work very hard to keep the Sabbath Day a special day.  Sometimes family who are not members ask us to go and do things with them on Sunday, but we kindly tell them that we are keeping the Sabbath Day holy and that maybe another day will work.  It’s hard for them to understand, but we know if we do this simple thing of keeping the Sabbath Day, that we will be blessed for it.