Our progress in implementing the various facets of this personal and family preparedness is impressive, but there are still far too many families who have yet to heed the counsel to live providently. The principle of self-reliance stands behind the Church’s emphasis on personal and family preparedness. May we individually and collectively be ever self-reliant. With this agency we can rise to glory or fall to condemnation. “All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, … as all intelligence also otherwise there is no existence.” ( D&C 93:30.) The Lord declares that herein lies “the agency of man” (see D&C 93:31), and with this agency comes the responsibility for self. No amount of philosophizing, excuses, or rationalizing will ever change the fundamental need for self-reliance. Underlying this statement is the recurring theme of self-reliance.
#Pure hearts church free#
In this way, independence, self-respect, dignity, and self-reliance will be fostered, and free agency maintained.” (Statement of the Presiding Bishopric, as quoted in Ensign, March 1978, p. “As guided by the spirit of the Lord and through applying these principles, each member of the Church should make his own decisions as to what assistance he accepts, be it from governmental or other sources. So long as he can, under the inspiration of the Lord and with his own labors, he will work to the extent of his ability to supply himself and his family with the spiritual and temporal necessities of life. “No true Latter-day Saint, while physically or emotionally able, will voluntarily shift the burden of his own or his family’s well-being to someone else. Members of the Church are commanded by the Lord to be self-reliant and independent to the extent of their ability. “The responsibility for each member’s spiritual, social, emotional, physical, or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second, upon his family, and third, upon the Church. As a reminder of Church policy regarding individuals receiving government or other forms of charity, may I emphasize the following declaration of principle: No “ism” should confuse our thinking in these matters. 7:47.) This we must develop if we would obtain eternal life.” ( Conference Report, Oct. Only by voluntarily giving out of an abundant love for our neighbors can we develop that charity characterized by Mormon as ‘the pure love of Christ.’ ( Moro. “In this modern world plagued with counterfeits for the Lord’s plan, we must not be misled into supposing that we can discharge our obligations to the poor and the needy by shifting the responsibility to some governmental or other public agency.
President Romney, our dean of Welfare Services, gave good counsel when several years ago he made this statement: As we hear talk of governmental welfare reforms and its myriads of problems, let us remember the covenants we have made to bear one another’s burdens and to succor each according to his need. May we be on guard against accepting worldly substitutes for the plan to care for his poor in this, the Lord’s own way. Let us follow the order of the Church in this regard and insure that all who receive give of themselves in return. We cannot be too often reminded that Church welfare assistance is spiritual at heart and that these spiritual roots would wither if we ever permitted anything like the philosophy of the dole to enter into our Welfare Services ministrations. Following these reminders, I should like to talk about the building of Zion through sacrifice and consecration.įirst, may I remind bishops of the vital need to provide recipients of welfare assistance with the opportunity for work or service that thereby they may maintain their dignity and independence and continue to enjoy the Holy Spirit as they benefit from Church Welfare Services self-help efforts. With the help of the Lord, I should like to remind us of several truths and obligations that should never be forgotten by us as leaders and as a people.
As we meet together in conference, I hope the spirit of gratitude permeates all we do and say, for truly the Lord delights to bless those who love and serve him.
My dear brothers and sisters, what a beautiful sight you are! The radiance of your faces and the beauties of nature on this Temple Square make my heart swell with thanksgiving for the blessings of the Lord.
0 kommentar(er)
