Overview of LDS Church Welfare and Self-Reliance Programs

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) emphasizes welfare and self-reliance as core principles rooted in scripture, such as bearing one another's burdens (Mosiah 18:8–9) and providing for spiritual and temporal needs through faith in Jesus Christ (Doctrine and Covenants 29:34). Welfare focuses on immediate temporal assistance for those in need, while self-reliance promotes long-term independence, enabling members to care for themselves, their families, and others. These programs integrate spiritual guidance with practical skills, aiming to foster both temporal prosperity and spiritual growth. The Lord's Storehouse represents all Church resources—time, talents, materials, and finances—dedicated to helping those in need (Doctrine and Covenants 82:18–19).

Self-Reliance Resources Page

This page compiles direct links to online self-reliance courses, videos, articles, and related resources from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All links are official and can be copied and pasted directly to your website. I've organized them into sections for easy navigation. These resources emphasize building temporal and spiritual independence through practical skills, faith, and community support.Online Self-Reliance CoursesThese are free, group-based or self-study courses available online, often with manuals, videos, and interactive elements. Many can be accessed via Zoom or the Church's website. Sign up through local leaders or the self-reliance portal.

For manuals and self-study options: https://store.churchofjesuschrist.org/new-category/gospel-study/manuals-and-guides/self-reliance-manuals/5637160365.c

Videos on Self-RelianceThese videos provide instructional content, testimonials, and principles. Many are integrated into courses but can be viewed standalone.

More videos available in course manuals and at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/pef-self-reliance/manuals-and-videos/na?lang=eng

Articles on Self-RelianceThese articles discuss principles, stories, and applications of self-reliance.

Year-Round Growing a GardenResources on sustainable gardening for self-reliance, including tips for all seasons.

Emergency PreparednessGuides and plans for personal, family, and community readiness, tying into self-reliance.

Resources Available for Wards and StakesTools, guides, and committees for local leaders to implement self-reliance programs.

For more, visit the main welfare page: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/self-reliance?lang=eng

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Welfare services provide short-term aid (e.g., food, housing) and long-term support (e.g., education, job training), often funded by fast offerings—generous donations given after fasting, typically on the first Sabbath of the month, equivalent to at least the value of skipped meals (Isaiah 58:6–12).

Self-reliance builds on this by encouraging members to develop skills in areas like finances, employment, education, and emotional health, reducing dependency and promoting service to others.

What Is Offered to LDS MembersMembers can access a range of welfare and self-reliance resources, often coordinated through local leaders like bishops and ward councils. Key offerings include:

  • Immediate Welfare Assistance: Short-term help with essentials like food, clothing, utilities, or housing via bishops' orders from fast offerings or the Lord's Storehouse. This is confidential and aims to meet basic needs while encouraging self-reliance.

  • Humanitarian Aid and Service Opportunities: Global relief efforts, community service projects (e.g., via JustServe.org), and volunteer coordination to help others, which also builds personal self-reliance.

  • Counseling Resources: Referrals to professional counseling for emotional, social, or mental health issues through Family Services, covered by bishops' orders where needed.

  • Government and Community Referrals: Guidance to external resources like job training, health care, or housing assistance to supplement Church aid.

  • Self-Reliance Groups and Courses: Practical, group-based programs (typically 10–12 weeks) that combine skill-building with spiritual principles. These are free, facilitated locally or online, and focus on personal growth to achieve independence.

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  • Perpetual Education Fund (PEF): Loans for education and vocational training to improve employment prospects, integrated with self-reliance efforts.

  • Self-Reliance Plan: A personalized tool (available as a PDF) for members to assess needs and set goals in areas like finances, education, and preparedness.

Members are encouraged to pay tithes and offerings, live within budgets, minimize debt, save for emergencies, and prepare with food storage—all contributing to prosperity (Malachi 3:8–12).

Self-Reliance Online Classes and CoursesThe Church offers several self-reliance courses, many available online via Zoom or self-study manuals, with spiritual benefits like building faith and obedience (e.g., Doctrine and Covenants 130:20–21).

Courses are group-oriented but can be adapted for virtual participation, starting in cycles (e.g., January, May, September) and lasting 10–12 weeks.

Manuals and videos are accessible on the Church website, and some include interactive elements like goal-setting and peer support.

Here's a table summarizing key courses:

Course Name

Focus Area

Key Outcomes

Format/Availability

Personal Finances

Financial management

Eliminate debt, create budgets, protect against hardship, invest wisely.

Group meetings (in-person or online), 12 weeks; manual online.

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Find a Better Job

Employment skills

Resume building, interviewing, networking to secure better work.

Group sessions; resources online.

Education for Better Work

Education and career planning

Research and create education/career plans for improved job opportunities.

10–12 weeks; manual and videos online.

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Starting and Growing My Business

Entrepreneurship

Start or expand a business with planning and skill development.

Group format; online options available.

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Emotional Resilience

Mental and emotional health

Build strength to handle life's challenges; available in multiple languages.

Online and in-person; manual released in 2022.

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EnglishConnect

Language learning

Improve English for education, work, or Church participation.

Face-to-face or online courses; optional Church integration.

These courses emphasize 12 principles of self-reliance, such as exercising faith, managing time, and being obedient.

Members can sign up through local leaders or the Church website, and participation has strengthened individuals in over 100 countries.

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Role of the Ward Self-Reliance Leader and How to Help Members and the BishopricAs a ward self-reliance leader (often called a welfare and self-reliance specialist), your calling supports the bishopric in caring for members' temporal needs and building self-reliance.

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You may be an individual or couple, focusing on areas like employment, education, finances, or emotional health.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Train and assist bishops, ward councils, and stake committees on self-reliance principles and programs.

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  • Identify members' needs through visits, assessments, and coordination with the ward council.

  • Organize and facilitate self-reliance groups, including online sessions, and monitor progress.

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  • Teach principles in meetings, help members create Self-Reliance Plans, and connect them to resources like courses or PEF.

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  • Coordinate with stake self-reliance committees for broader support and track program effectiveness.

How to Help Members and the Bishopric Maximize Program Use for Prosperity:

  • For Members: Encourage participation by sharing success stories (e.g., from Church News articles) and helping them enroll in courses via the website or local groups.

    Assist in goal-setting with the Self-Reliance Plan, provide one-on-one guidance, and emphasize spiritual benefits to motivate long-term commitment. Promote fasting, tithing, and preparedness as foundations for prosperity.

    Use tools like manuals and videos to make online learning accessible, especially for remote members.

  • For the Bishopric: Offer expertise during ward council meetings to assess needs holistically and recommend tailored programs (e.g., referring someone in debt to Personal Finances).

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    Train them on resources, handle confidential assessments, and coordinate service assignments to build unity. Suggest integrating self-reliance into ward plans, like devotionals or activities, to foster a culture of independence.

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    Monitor outcomes to show how programs lead to prosperity, such as improved employment or reduced reliance on aid.

By actively promoting these programs, you can help your ward become more self-reliant, allowing members to "prosper" temporally and spiritually while serving others (Alma 34:32).

For more details, consult the Leader's Guide or Church website resources.

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