Preparing

We always hear about food storage and being prepared in the church.  But it seems to me that lately we've been hearing more and more about it, including an official statement from the First Presidency read in church recently about saving money for a rainy day.  I received this email the other day and thought it was a good wake up call or reminder to all of us to be continually preparing. 

 

"On April 26, 2008, President Packer unexpetedly attended the Highland Utah Stake Conference.  He spoke on some very sobering topics regarding the events that are about to come upon us.

He first had his secretary, who lives in the stake share her testimony.  She quotes D&C 68:6: "Wherefore be of goof cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come."

Then he spoke frankly on several things and he did not beat around the bush, but also in a way that did not cause fear.

1.  The church is now larger in countries outside of North America

2. North America and Europe are no longer considered Christian regions or nations.

3. South of the equator and other 3rd world countries are more Christian but very destitute.

He said the time has now come that we will see some very hard times.  He talked about how we have basically grown up in luxury, but that he had not.  He lived during the depression.  he talked about things that occured during the depressions such as soup kitchens, vagabonds and hobos that traveled the train system looking for work and food.

He told the youth and their parents that they will need to be thrifty.  Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.  He talked to the youth about obeying their parents, respecting their mother, and learning to eat differently than they had before.

He talked to parents about families.  The church is not, and will not be responsible for raising their children.  The church programs will be different.  He made this seem like this change, and other changes that will occur, will be happening very soon.  He stressed that things will change, but that the church is on the right course, and he stressed this several times. 

He said the saints in the 3rd world countries will need our help and it will be our responsibility (the Church's).

1. Ramp up your food storage in a major way.  The status of the church with regards to food storage is that 27% have short term supply and only 13% have long term supply.

2. Consecrate our efforts by asking for a blessing

3. Stake temple service will help us better weather the fallout of the storms that are ahead.

D&C 38:30 "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear"

For those of you who are living in tiny apartments like Richie and I, all this talk of food storage is sometimes hard to take because really, where in the world are you going to put it?! :)  Well, we have found that under the bed works great! Just buy some of those long skinny plastic bins from Wal-Mart and they fit so nicely under there.  

Also save all your big juice and soda bottles to put water storage in.  (which also fit nicely under or behind the bed.

Another way to feel prepared is to have a 72-hour kit date night! When we first got married we spent a FHE going to the DI and wal-mart to find old backpacks, food, matches, flashlights, warm clothes, can openers, dishes and such things.  Then we put them in those backpacks and put them...you guessed it! Under the bed!

Any other tips from anyone on how to be more prepared??