Self Reliance

Leadership Business Corner:

Updated list of stake welfare and self-reliance committee members:

Pr. Ted Griffis, Stake Presidency

Br. Steven Sarver, High Councilor, new addition to the committee

Sr. Chiemi Bentley, Stake Relief Society Presidency

Sr. Cynthia Prevatke, Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist

Sr. Debra Goodwin, Co-chair, Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist

Br. Michael Goodwin, Co-chair, Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist

Rockford Stake Self-Reliance Resources

Temporal and Spiritual Self-Reliance Support

Access Church Resources: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/self-reliance/course-materials/my-path-to-self-reliance?lang=eng

For more information, contact: Cynthia Prevatke, clprevatke@gmail.com

Addiction Recovery Program

Church support to help individuals apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ in their lives.

Locate support meetings to overcome compulsive behaviors and their spouses and family.

Access Church Resources: https://addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org

For more information, contact: Michael Goodwin, miklgoodwin@gmail.com

Stake Employment Resources

Access Church Resources: 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/life/employment-services 

For more information, contact: Debra Goodwin, debragoodwin6@gmail.com.

July 2026 Self-Reliance Newsletter – Happy Summer!

Self-Reliance Training: from the Handbook

Section 22 pertains to Self-Reliance issues. You should be able to find something wonderful here. 

The Prophet said to Plant a Garden. 

In 1976, as part of a general conference address on family preparedness, President Spencer W. Kimball said, “We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments … can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden … neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities.” President Kimball actually recommended gardening in several talks he gave that conference weekend, and other Church leaders like Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone and Relief Society General President Barbara B. Smith encouraged gardening in subsequent general conference addresses, too. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1976/10?lang=eng 

Scriptures advocating gardening, etc.: 

Mosiah 6:7 

And king Mosiah did cause his people that they should till the earth. And he also, himself, did till the earth, that thereby he might not become burdensome to his people, that he might do according to that which his father had done in all things. 

Also see: Mosiah 9:9, 10:4 

Use of Slings: Mosiah 9:16 and 10:8 

Hersheys checklist 

Do you have any goals along these topics? 

HERSHEYS was introduced to most units in 5th Sunday lessons over the past couple of year. I will take a few lines to refresh memories or teach new members of the stake. 

H – Health – this is physical health. This is what kills you. Feed yourselves right to be servants to your Heavenly Father as long as possible and be safe. 

E – Education – We are admonished to get as much education as possible. I always encourage young people to get their education while young. It’s difficult to go back to school when older. I had to go to Kishwaukee College 3 days each week for just 1 class; 2 lectures and 1 lab. 

R – Resource Management – manage your finances and possessions to make them last as long as possible. 

S – Social Emotional and Spiritual Health – Maintain good relationships with friends, family and the Lord. 

H – Home Production and Storage – Make what you can at home, do necessary repairs, plant a garden and harvest the produce and store, home storage of other foodstuffs and supplies. 

E – Employment – Secure adequate income to provide for your family. Keep learning and improving to be an asset to your employer. 

Y – Years Supply – Food, clothing and other necessities for 1 year. Make it your family store. 2 weeks water supply with purification equipment and supplies to extend beyond this. 

S – SOON – Start small and build each week. 

These items follow the guidance of the Essentials of Home Production and Storage Booklet. http://rockfordstake.selfrelianceclub.com/Essentials%20of%20Home%20Production%20and%20Stor age%20Booklet.en.pdf 

http://rockfordstake.selfrelianceclub.com/B1_Home_Production_and_Storage.htm 

These principles, and many other topics for members and leaders are available on the Stake Self Reliance Website. The following link is a sub-domain specifically for the Rockford Stake. http://rockfordstake.selfrelianceclub.com/ 

The main domain is selfrelianceclub.com and contains more information regarding personal self-reliance. http://selfrelianceclub.com 

The complete document used for my 5th Sunday Training is available at: http://rockfordstake.selfrelianceclub.com/Universal%202024%20Self%20reliance%20unit%20training %20document%20ver%204.0.pdf 

Next Month – August – topic pending (September is National Preparedness Month!) 

Last full week of June is National Pollinator Week. Remember the birds and bees when planting your gardens. They will reward you greatly. 

News Flash: 

Members in other stakes have been challenged to learn a language. With all the immigrants entering the US, some of them next door, it might be a good idea to learn to communicate with them. After reviewing some herbology training tapes recently, I have learned that the Latin names of plants and medicinal herbs are known world-wide, in any country.

Reminder: 

Food Storage update from the Bishops Storehouse. Food orders will no longer be delivered to the Rockford Stake. All orders will be handled locally through Walmart. See your Bishop for more information. 

The Family Storage Center will close at the end of June. All remaining food is 50% off. 

Update: the 50% off sale is discontinued and the Family Storage Center will remain open until further notice. 

Check with the Kearleys for more information. 

630-742-6285, kjkearley68@gmail.com 

Herb of the Month 

On July 31, 2017, I held a self-reliance class at my house and we discovered over 60 plants with medicinal value, right in my very yard. If we only stop, look and listen to the spirit, we can see Heavenly Fathers work in preparing the earth for man to live on. See Alma 46:40. 

Last month, I mentioned seeing bugs and the antidote, plantain. This plant contains allantoin, a cell proliferant, also found in Comfrey. See my Feb 2024 newsletter for testimonials of Comfrey and Plantain uses in the healing of man. http://rockfordstake.selfrelianceclub.com/Consolidated newsletters - 2024.pdf

Aromatherapy 

A wonderful way to enhance your body and spirit. And it smells good too. Essential oils are the basis of aromatherapy. A room spray of lavender, eucalyptus and pine is a wonderful smelling room deodorizer. Look for more information in the future. 

Gardening Segment: 

Thinking of a fall garden? Now is the time to start seeds for cauliflower and other cool weather plant seeds for a fall crop. Cauliflower crust pizzas are a favorite of ours and you can also make mashed cauliflower to replace potatoes, for those wishing to lower their intake of carbohydrates. 

Gardening opportunity to serve: Repeat from Last Month! 

I have recently met some wonderful people who like to garden. They are the volunteers of the Rockford Interfaith Community Garden Where: Creekwood Baptist Church, 5973 Darlene Drive, Rockford When: Every Saturday 9 AM, other times available too. What: Plant, weed, water, harvest, general cleanup Why: This is God’s work. The food is distributed to several local food pantries and entities. If you might lose your SNAP benefits because of no volunteer work, this may just be the ticket! What a great way to learn how to garden and serve too. I have invested several hours at this project and learn something new every time. Contact Tiffany Clarke or me, if you need more information. 

I hope you all have a great Summer. 

Respectfully submitted,

Michael J Goodwin

779-203-0451