About The Self Reliance Services Initiative
Not just another program..
In 2013 the First Presidency (then President Monson as the Prophet) combined the Perpetual Education Fund program with the Employment Services program of the church into a single entity called Self Reliance Services. The initiative ran for 2 years outside the US in some of the most poorest countries to prove out the initiative could help people come out of poverty into a position of self reliance (Spiritually AND Temporally).
In 2015 the First Presidency decided the Self Reliance Initiative was ready for the US. The Kansas City Stake was Stake #22 to implement in the end of 2016. By the end of 2017 EVERY STAKE in the US has implemented the SRS initiative!! KC Stake has done many group classes and the testimonies coming out of Saints in these classes is truly remarkable.
There are self reliance managers around the nation formally hired by the Church to assist in implementation of SRS within stakes in the areas they are assigned, to facilitate communications, information and best practices among Self Reliance Specialists across the nation. This is a very serious initiative by the Church and a blessing to us!
We will be forever grateful for the Lord revealing to President Monson, President Uctdorf, and President Eyering the Self Reliance Initiative and their actions to implement so urgently to bring blessing to multitudes around the world now and well into the future with President Nelson, President Oaks, and President Eyering.
The Doctrine Behind SRS
Being temporally and spiritually self-reliant is central to God’s plan for each of us. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught, "Like two sides of a coin, the temporal and spiritual are inseparable" (“Providing in the Lord's Way,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 53).
As we act with faith in Jesus Christ, we become more temporally and spiritually self-reliant. We experience greater peace and joy. We are also able to use our means to help others become more self-reliant.
To understand why self-reliance is important, and how we can lead self-reliant lives, we must first understand three key teachings:
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Self-reliance is an essential commandment in the plan of salvation.
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God can and will provide a way for His righteous children to become self-reliant.
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All things, including temporal concerns, are spiritual matters to God.
Doctrine & Covenants 104:15 states 'It is my purpose to provide for my saints, then in verse 16 'But it must be done in mine own way'. There are talks in general conferences that date back decades that speak of Self Reliance. The City of Enoch had to be 100% self reliant before they were translated (think about that..).
There are 12 principles that the Lord has revealed that must be done (in His way) in order to receive the blessings of self reliance in our own lives and the lives of our family members. These 12 principles are found in the My Foundation book (it is the first part of any SRS class you take). Click the button below for the official LDS page on the principles of self reliance with links to supporting scripture. You can also click the other link to download the My Foundations (US) pdf manual.
Kansas City Stake Self Reliance Committee
The KC Stake Self Reliance Services Committee is directed by the Stake Presidency (through President Cooper) and chaired by the Stake Self Reliance Directors (Brother & Sister Tanner). The committee is tasked with planning and ensuring the Self Reliance Initiative runs well and is providing the needed focus for the opportunity for the Saints of the KC Stake to become self reliant in every way (Spiritual as well as Temporal). They meet 1/month to ensure this direction and purpose stays on course.
Martin Cooper
Stake Presidency - 2nd Counselor
President Cooper is the 2nd Counselor in the Kansas City Stake Presidency and is the Stake Presidency member that chairs the Self Reliance committee.
Arlen & Patty Tanner
Stake Self Reliance Directors
Brother and Sister Tanner serve as the Kansas City Stake Self Reliance Services Directors and coordinate all Self Reliance efforts within the Kansas City Stake
Tammi Iba
Stake Relief Society President
Sister Iba is the Stake Relief Society President and represents all sisters in the stake in the SRS committee.
Brent Ellibee
HIgh Council Member
Brother Elibee serves on the High council on the Self Reliance Services committee helping to coordinate Self Reliance efforts in the Stake.
Michelle Truman
Just Serve Representative
Sister Truman serves on the committee to bring in the Just Serve efforts of the area and Stake the Self Reliance efforts.
Bishop Ken Glenn
LS1 Bishop
Bishop Glenn is on the SRS committee to represent the Bishop's council and all the bishops in the stake.
Bryant Staples
High Council Member
Brother Staples serves on the High Council on the Self Reliance committee assisting with all things Self Reliance as well as the SRS newsletter.
Stake Emergency Preparedness Director
Lee Lacy
Brother Lacy serves at the Stake Emergency Preparedness Director blending in emergency preparedness principles into Self Reliance.
Karen O'Riley
Self Reliance Specialist
Sister O'Riley serves on the Self Reliance committee and is a Self Reliance Specialist focused on devotionals and all operations of the Self Reliance Initiative across the entire Stake.
Van Celaya
Stake EP Committee Member
Brother Celaya serves on the Stake Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Stake Newsletter creator and editor.
Jason Bowne
Self Reliance Specialist
Jason Bowne is a Self Reliance specialist on the committee focused on Ward level integration with the SRS initiative as well as the Self Reliance website administrator.