The Celestial Nature of Self-Reliance

This is the title of an article in the March issue of the Ensign. The newest issue is not available on line, but it is reprinted from a previous issue here. It is the text from a talk Marion G Romney gave in General Conference in October of 1982. Seeing that he spoke 30 years ago on this subject; it is truly amazing the insight he had into our day.

Consider these passages from the talk:

"Since the beginning of time man has been counseled to earn his own way, thereby becoming self-reliant. It is easy to understand the reason the Lord places so much emphasis on this principle when we come to understand that it is tied very closely to freedom itself."

"Many programs have been set up by well-meaning individuals to aid those who are in need. However, many of these programs are designed with the shortsighted objective of “helping people,” as opposed to “helping people help themselves.” Our efforts must always be directed toward making able-bodied people self-reliant."

"The practice of coveting and receiving unearned benefits has now become so fixed in our society that even men of wealth, possessing the means to produce more wealth, are expecting the government to guarantee them a profit. Elections often turn on what the candidates promise to do for voters from government funds. This practice, if universally accepted and implemented in any society, will make slaves of its citizens."

"We cannot afford to become wards of the government, even if we have a legal right to do so. It requires too great a sacrifice of self-respect and political, temporal, and spiritual independence."

He that hath an ear, let him hear... (Rev 3:6)