Liberty Stake’s Self-Reliance Initiative wrapped up another successful semester in December 2025. Eight Self-Reliance groups, made up of 30 adults and 16 youth, received Certificates of Completion from Ensign College (signed by President Dallin H. Oaks) for completing courses relating to emotional resilience, personal finances, finding a better job, or starting and growing a business. Since 2024, over 240 participants (including 74 youth) in Liberty Stake have taken advantage of these courses. And now they are even shorter for more convenience.

Self-Reliance Courses Add Value for Individuals and Families

Self-Reliance facilitators have shared how much they love their participants and how powerful the Spirit is during their group meetings. 

Participants have shared positive experiences with the Holy Ghost, developing lasting friendships with other group members, deepening their relationships with Jesus Christ, and acquiring valuable tools to help them with life challenges. They have found the Self-Reliance courses to be life-changing.

As one participant notes, “My husband and I took the Personal Finance course. It helped us to focus more on our finances and budget, and it also strengthened our testimony of the Savior and His plan for our happiness.” Self-Reliance courses also help participants during times of dire need. Another  participant is grateful that, “while going through traumatic events, being part of a proactive Self-Reliance group helped me realize we do not have to face challenges alone. Most importantly, inviting the Savior to participate in the process made all the difference.”

Similarly, a Relief Society president reports that “being in a Self-Reliance group has given me first-hand experience with financial distress and the emotional and spiritual needs of members. Learning from participants in my group has helped me to develop greater empathy and insight” as a Church leader.

“Self-Reliance courses have allowed me to recognize the Lord’s hand in my everyday life, that He loves each of us, and that, through Him, we can be strengthened in the face of life’s challenges,” observes one bishop. “I was especially encouraged by a statement in the workbook’s introduction: ‘We will learn to practice principles of faith, education, hard work, and trust in the Lord.’ The Lord loves each of us and understands our circumstances, our goals, and what we must ask and do to get there.” 

According to President Randall Cramer, “Self-Reliance courses are a great resource to help members and leaders learn ‘spiritual, temporal, and emotional skills in a more personal and better way than just lecturing on those principles.’ ”  He says that, as a bishop, he “read the Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience workbook multiple times and regularly shared its principles, scriptures, and quotes with individuals. For those who took a course, there was a great impact on their lives, and they always walked away with a greater conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Exciting Self-Reliance Changes Set to Begin in February 2026

All Self-Reliance Courses have been shortened by 30-50 percent. These changes allows more people to fit the classes into their busy schedules.

Adult Self-Reliance courses are shortened to 6-8 weeks, with weekly meetings substantially shortened. Youth courses are shortened to 5 weeks. These changes will enable even more people to become more independent temporally while also strengthening their relationship with Jesus Christ.

We encourage you to sign up soon for a Self-Reliance course. Please invite others to attend as well. Courses launch the week of Sunday, February 22, 2026. Online registration is open now! 

Sign up – Classes for Adults

Sign up – Classes for Youth