Last Spring, the Laguna Niguel Stake received the new Self-Reliance Initiative with great enthusiasm. We completed our first round in late November 2017, and aw the great impact on the lives of those who participated. Our second round will begin this Thursday, January 11, beginning with a devotional at the Stake Center.

Our leaders have advised us to encourage each adult stake member at some point to participate in one of the four offered courses, Personal Finances, Starting & Growing my Business, Find a Better Job, or Education for Better Work. Each of these courses has incorporated in the curriculum, 12 principles for increasing spiritual self-reliance in addition to the temporal topics. Bishops in the wards of our stake have been extending invitations to stake members over the last few weeks.

We want to make it clear, however, that any stake member who would like to participate in a course is invited to attend the Devotional this Thursday. At the devotional, study groups will be formed for each course, and those groups will meet weekly for a period of 12 weeks starting next week. Please consider the blessing of attending one of these courses this round and seek our Father in Heaven's guidance if this is the time for you.

Regards, Laguna Niguel Stake Presidency