Spiritual Self-Reliance

Doctrine:

Spiritual self-reliance is essential to our eternal well-being. When we are spiritually self-reliant, our testimonies do not depend on the testimonies of others. We seek our own spiritual experiences through praying daily, studying the scriptures, and exercising faith in Jesus Christ. We turn to our Heavenly Father for His help to resolve our own difficult problems. We are also able to strengthen others in their times of spiritual need. (Come Follow Me; November: Spiritual and Temporal Self-Reliance)

Discussion Topics and Resources:

(Leaders and parents can also utilize Come Follow Me lesson material, Articles of Faith, True to the Faith, For the Strength of Youth, Duty to God, Personal Progress, Preach My Gospel, Seminary and Institute lesson and Doctrinal Mastery materials, and LDS.org and LDS.org/youth websites to facilitate discussions around and actions toward greater spiritual self-reliance.)

• The Godhead and ways to strengthen faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

  • “The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation”, Dallin H. Oaks, April 2017

• Jesus Christ and His role as Savior and Redeemer

  • The Living Christ: THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES

  • “Be an Example and a Light”, Thomas S. Monson, October 2015

  • “That I Might Draw All Men unto Me”, Dale G. Renlund, April 2016

  • “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ”, Dallin H. Oaks, October 2015

• The Holy Ghost, how we can recognize promptings, the importance of following them

  • “The Holy Ghost as Your Companion”, Henry B. Eyring, October 2015

  • “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?”, Gary E. Stevenson, April 2017

• The Plan of Salvation, including the Creation, the Fall, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the laws, ordinances, and doctrines of the gospel. Discuss how we feel joy through these teachings.

  • “The Perfect Path to Happiness”, Thomas S. Monson, October 2016

  • “O How Great the Plan of Our God!”, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2016

• The meaning of the Sabbath day and the sacrament

  • “Gratitude on the Sabbath Day”, Henry B. Eyring, October 2016

  • “The Sabbath Is a Delight”, Russell M. Nelson, April 2015

  • “The Priesthood – Mighty Army of the Lord”, Thomas S. Monson, April 1999

Developmental Activities:

• Invite the younger generation to “increase faith in the Savior and His Atonement by studying the Book of Mormon”. Review the challenges and promises in the talks below:

  • “The Power of the Book of Mormon”, Thomas S. Monson, April 2017

  • “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Without It?”, Russell M. Nelson, October 2017

• Invite the younger generation to “ponderize” The Family, A Proclamation to the World. Take time to discuss the importance of family and how each can contribute to their family, and prepare to have their own family one day.

• Help each member of the younger generation get registered in and actively participate in seminary or institute, depending on their age.

• Invite the patriarch to a meeting with the younger generation. Review the importance of preparing for, receiving, and regularly reading and pondering their patriarchal blessing.

• Use the following materials in planning a Standards Event (Handbook 2, 8.13.3):　　https://www.lds.org/youth/activities/spiritual-strength/share-your-standards/standards-game?lang=eng

Service Opportunities:

• Assign teachers, priests, and prospective elders as home teachers. Encourage their senior companions to be a mentor to these young men.

  • “That He May Become Strong Also”, Henry B. Eyring, October 2016

  • “Emissaries to the Church”, Jeffrey R. Holland, October 2016

• Give the youth, YSA, and prospective elders the names of less-active quorum members and encourage them to visit, befriend, and fellowship them.

• Invite the full-time missionaries to participate in an activity with the younger generation. This could center on how to invite friends to Church activities, share the gospel with friends, prepare for a mission, begin studying Preach My Gospel, teach a principle or share a testimony in a missionary discussion, etc. The following General Conference talks could also be used.

  • “Catch the Wave”, Russell M. Nelson, April 2013

  • “Becoming a Missionary”, David A. Bednar, October 2005

• Invite the youth and YSA to look around the community for opportunities to go and do service. “Helping Hands” vests can be worn even during smaller service projects sponsored by a ward or stake.

• Help each member create an LDS Account, a Family History profile, and “actively seek and find family names and take them to the temple”. The younger generation can also begin adding photos and stories to their ancestors’ pages.

• Plan a temple trip during which the younger generation can receive ordinances for their dead ancestors.