Welfare: Self-reliance isn't selfish (2 of 4)

Welfare: Self-reliance isn't selfish
By Michael De Groote
Mormon Times
Published: 2009-05-25 00:22:03

Second in a four-part series on church welfare.

Being self-reliant isn't just about taking care of yourself. According to Dennis R. Lifferth, managing director of welfare services for the LDS Church, it's the first step to helping others.

"The last thing we want to convey is that this is a self-serving principle," Lifferth said. "It's not. It is an outward serving principle. We become self-reliant so we can take care of ourselves, our family and others. That is the purpose and the reason.

"We want people to have the ability and the willingness to set their own course and solve their own problems. And once they are self-reliant, they are more able, better able, to care for others -- those who are in need. And this is all done under the inspiration of the Lord, helping them, guiding them."

Self-reliance is not exclusively Mormon. Lifferth has seen this principle -- helping people help themselves -- at the center of almost every institution and humanitarian organization.

"Most agencies will have two or three objectives," he said. "And the first will be to relieve suffering for those that simply need support to sustain life. But the more lasting purpose is to help people help themselves."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an organization that makes it easier to become self-reliant, according to Lifferth. It includes families, quorums, bishops and other entities that help not just in the short term, but for the long run.

Being self-reliant means that people set their own course and solve their own problems. Once they do this, they can help others get on their feet.

"The first thing we should remember," Lifferth said, "in addition to following the words of the prophet, is to pay our tithing and our offerings with the faith that Heavenly Father will inspire us and bless us in our efforts to care for our families and to care for others."

To truly be a servant to others, Lifferth said we must have some discretionary time and the ability to serve others. This means we have a responsibility to be educated, have our own food storage, put our financial affairs in order and be employed.

Self-reliance consists of many dimensions, according to Lifferth. They include education, health, spiritual strength, finances and home storage.

"But the one that is the most striking is unemployment -- which is facing a lot of wards throughout the world, especially here in the United States," he said. "And so, of all of our needs, we are placing a great focus on this question of employment."