Lesson Notes

In the midst of the Great Depression of the 1930s the Church started its welfare system based on this gospel principle. President Heber J. Grant explained the principles this way, "Our primary purpose was to set up, insofar as it might be possible, a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift, and self-respect be once more established amongst our people. the aim of the Church is to help the people to help themselves. Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership," (Conference Report, Oct. 1936)

President Thomas S. Monson said, "Basic principles do not change. They will not change. They are revealed truths. Direct counsel has been given regarding the application of these revealed truths." He arranged these guiding principles as: work, self-reliance, caring for the extended family, sound financial management, a year's supply and wise use of Church resources.

Let's look at each principle:

WORK: President Monson said "Work is basic to all we do...Today many have forgotten the value of work. Some falsely believe that the highest goal in life is to achieve a condition in which one no longer needs to work. President Marion G. Romney said "No member should voluntarily shift the responsibility for his own maintenance to another. Rather, each member, through work, should seek to find great satisfaction in personal achievement; and thus, he will be entitled to the fruits of his labors - both temporal and spiritual.

SELF-RELIANCE: Self-reliance implies the individual development of skills and abilities and then their application to provide for one's own needs and wants. It further implies that one will achieve those skills through self-disciplineand then, through self-restraint and charity, use those skills to bless himself and others. (President Romney)

CARING FOR EXTENDED FAMILY: President Romney taught, "The immediate family is obligated to help each other; the extended family has the opportunity to help each other. And when our vision of Christlike love matures, we will joyfully take advantage of the opportunities."

SOUND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: Elder Robert D. Hales said, "We live in an age of entitlement. Many believe they should have all that other have - right now. Unable to delay gratification, they go into debt to buy what they cannot afford...It takes great faith to utter those simple words, 'We can't afford it.' It takes faith to trust that life will be better as we sacrifice our wants in order to meet our own and other's needs. Provident Living means joyfully living within our means and preparing for the ups and downs of life."

A YEAR'S SUPPLY OF LIFE'S NECESSITIES: Most members plan to do it. Too few have begun. President Ezra Taft Benson said, "From the standpoint of food production, storage, handling, and the Lord's counsel, wheat [or other grain], is essential. Other basics could include honey or sugar, legumes, milk products or substitutes, an salt. the revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." (Ensign, Mov. 1980)

WISE USE OF CHURCH RESOURCES: When we need help beyond what we or our extended family can give then the Bishop has resources available to help us. President Monson stressed that "The assistance given by the bishop is temporary and partial. Remember, Church assistance is designed to help people help themselves."

When we can let us build the resources we need to become self-reliant. Work to strengthen ourselves and our families so that we can help others.

NEXT WEEK: Gospel Principles Lesson 4 " Freedom to Choose" p. 17