Develop spiritual, temporal self-reliance
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The principle of self-reliance has application to the spiritual and to the emotional, Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve said during the April 1987 general conference. "We have been taught to store a year's supply of food, clothing, and, if possible, fuel — at home. There has been no attempt to set up storerooms in every chapel. We know that in the crunch our members may not be able to get to the chapel for supplies.
"Can we not see that the same principle applies to inspiration and revelation, the solving of problems, to counsel, and to guidance?" Elder Packer, now acting-president of the Quorum of the Twelve, continued. "We need to have a source of it stored in every home, not just in the bishop's office. If we do not do that, we are quite as threatened spiritually as we should be were we to assume that the Church should supply all material needs.
"We seem to be developing an epidemic of 'counselitis' which drains spiritual strength from the Church, much like the common cold drains more strength out of humanity than any other disease. That, some may assume, is not serious. It is very serious!
"On one hand, we counsel bishops to avoid abuses in welfare help. On the other hand, some bishops dole out counsel and advice without considering that the member should solve the problem himself.
"There are many chronic cases — individuals who endlessly seek counsel but do not follow the counsel that is given. I have, on occasions, included in an interview this question: 'You have come to me for advice. After we have carefully considered your problem, is it your intention to follow the counsel that I will give you?'
"This comes as a considerable surprise to them. They had never thought of that. Usually they then commit themselves to follow counsel. It is easier then to show them how to help themselves, and more than that, how to help others. That is the greatest therapy.
"We have become very anxious over the amount of counseling that we seem to need in the Church. Our members are becoming dependent.
"We must not set up a network of counseling services without at the same time emphasizing the principle of emotional self-reliance and individual independence."
