My Foundation

My Foundation has been prepared to help members of the Church learn and put into practice principles of faith, education, hard work, and trust in the Lord. Accepting and living these principles will better enable you to receive the temporal blessings promised by the Lord.

HOW CAN I HAVE AN ABUNDANT LIFE?

Being self-reliant does not mean that we can do or obtain anything we set our mind to. Rather, it is believing that through the grace, or enabling power, of Jesus Christ and our own effort, we are able to obtain all the spiritual and temporal necessities of life we require for ourselves and our families. Self-reliance is evidence of our trust or faith in God’s power to move mountains in our lives and to give us strength to triumph over trials and afflictions.

WHAT IS A SELF-RELIANCE GROUP?

A self-reliance group is different from most Church classes, lessons, andworkshops. There are no teachers, leaders, or trainers. Members of thegroup learn together and support and encourage one another. We hold each other accountable for our commitments and we counsel together to solve problems.

WHAT DO GROUP MEMBERS DO?

At meetings, group members commit to act. We not only learn but alsodo the things that make us self-reliant. We make commitments, help each other keep the commitments, and report our progress. Because thegroup works as a council, it is important to attend meetings regularly and on time. Always bring this workbook and the booklets My Foundation:Principles, Skills, Habits and My Path to Self-Reliance. Each group meeting should take about two hours. Acting on our commitments will take one to two hours per day.

WHAT DO GROUP FACILITATORS DO?

Facilitators are not experts in business or teaching. They do not lead or teach the group. They simply help the group follow the materials exactly as they are written. A self-reliance specialist typically facilitates group meetings; however, group members may be assigned to facilitate after several weeks, if needed. To learn more, see the Leader Guide and videos atsrs.lds.org.