There Was Bread - Bishop W. Christopher Waddell

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/25waddell?lang=eng

This is a GREAT talk on Self-Reliance    

From the beginning of time, the Lord has provided direction to help His people prepare spiritually and temporally against the calamities and trials that He knows will come as part of this mortal experience. These calamities may be personal or general in nature, but the Lord’s guidance will provide protection and support to the extent that we heed and act upon His counsel.

To all who have been affected, we express understanding and concern for your situation, as well as a firm conviction that better days are ahead. You have been blessed with bishops and branch presidents who seek out members of their congregations with temporal needs and who have access to tools and resources that can help you reestablish your lives and place you on the path to self-reliance as you apply principles of preparedness.

The Lord does not expect us to do more than we can do, but He does expect us to do what we can do, when we can do it. As President Nelson reminded us in our last general conference, “The Lord loves effort.”⁷

Key principles to manage your finances include the payment of tithes and offerings, eliminating and avoiding debt, preparing and living within a budget, and saving for the future.

Key home storage principles include the storage of food, the storage of water, and the storage of other necessities based on individual and family needs, all because “the best storehouse”¹⁶ is the home, which becomes the “most accessible reserve in times of need.”¹⁷

Elder David A. Bednar taught this principle when he said: “Taking action is the exercise of faith. … True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to action.”¹⁸

Personal and Family Welfare Goals - Ensign, 1986

 Personal and Family Welfare Goals

1. Learn principles of individual and family well-being.

□ Am I learning principles of welfare—such as work, self-reliance, provident living, giving, and caring for the poor—through studying the scriptures (see the Topical Guide in the LDS edition of the King James Bible), general conference talks, and Church publications?

□ Am I learning to apply welfare principles through attending Church meetings and classes, fulfilling Church callings, and participating in service activities?

□ Am I teaching these principles to my family in home evening?

□ Are we planning ways to implement welfare principles through discussing them in husband/wife councils and family councils?

□ How well are we applying the things we are learning?

2. Become self-reliant and live providently.

□ Am I praying individually and with my family to seek the Lord’s help in taking care of myself, my family, and others?

□ Am I managing my finances wisely?

□ Am I producing and storing food and other necessities?

□ Am I maintaining good physical health?

□ Am I working to develop social, emotional, and spiritual strength?

□ Do I have a good education? Could I improve it?

□ Have I prepared adequately for a successful career? Should I upgrade it?

□ Am I prepared for emergencies?

□ Do I accept responsibility for my own and my family’s support and well-being?

3. Increase my fast offering donations for the needy.

□ Am I giving a generous amount of fast offerings?

□ Should I give more?

4. Consistently be involved in compassionate service to family, neighbors, Church, and community.

□ Have I prayed to seek direction from the Lord on who and how to serve?

□ How can I better serve my family members?

□ What can I do for my neighbors?

□ Who can I help in my ward or stake?

□ What can I contribute to my community?

The Power of the Word - Ezra Taft Benson

 The Power of the Word - Ezra Taft Benson

This talk is a real GEM and has motivated me to begin my study of the scriptures and take it to a new level.    I want the promises that are attached to Scripture Study.   Everything in here is amazing and true.  

… However talented men may be in administrative matters; however eloquent they may be in expressing their views; however learned they may be in the worldly things—they will be denied the sweet whisperings of the Spirit that might have been theirs unless they pay the price of studying, pondering, and praying about the scriptures.” (In Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 2 Apr. 1982, pp. 1–2.)

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Josh. 1:8; italics added.)

promised, “And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived.” (JS—M 1:37; italics added.)

“the word [has] a great tendency to lead people to do that which [is] just—yea, it [has] more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which [has] happened unto them.” (Alma 31:5.)