Relief Society takes the lead in organizing, teaching and inspiring Relief Society sisters to become personally self-reliant, said Sister Julie B. Beck, speaking as part of a Church DVD, "Basic Principles of Welfare and Self-Reliance."
"How do we become self-reliant?" she asked. "We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being."
So, she said, what skills do Latter-day Saint women need to become self-reliant?
"I asked several bishops what self-reliance skills the sisters in their wards needed most, and they said budgeting. Women need to understand the implication of buying on credit and not living within a budget.
"The second skill bishops listed was cooking. Meals prepared and eaten at home generally cost less, are healthier, and contribute to stronger family relationships."
"How self-reliant are the sisters in your ward? How can you discern their needs? And who should help the Relief Society president in this effort? Because this is a divine work and because a Relief Society president has a divine call, she is entitled to divine help. She also has the help of good visiting teachers who understand their responsibility to watch over and care for those sisters."
Sister Beck said Relief Society leaders demonstrate their faith when they use their time, talents, meetings and activities to first take care of the things that are essential for temporal and spiritual welfare and salvation. "As we do this, love, unity, joy, sisterhood and blessings will abound."
