Preparedness

I used to hear quotes like the following and feel guilty:

"The Lord said also, 'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.' (Matt 7:21) And I was thinking that there are as many wards and branches in the Church as there are people in this room, one for one. And what great accomplishment there would be if every bishop and every branch president in all the world, wherever it's possible...had a storage such as has been suggested here this morning..and took to their three or four or five hundred members the same message, quoting scripture and insisting that the people of their wards and branches do the things the Lord has requested, for we know there are many who are failing. 'Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (President Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, May 1976, p 124.)

For years I used to think about how I knew I needed to begin a food storage program ... but then my heart would fail me. I just plain didn't know where to start. I knew I needed to begin, but the task seemed too large. Well, if one thinks an action is too big, those actions follow suit and nothing ever gets done.

Finally, one day, I realized I was spinning in circles -- and I was manifesting no faith. I stopped the spin and sat down, literally. First I began to think about what having a food storage really meant. The biggest realization came when I started to break down what a year's food supply implied in simple terms.

For example, one week of meals implies 21 meals (more or less): 7 breakfast, 7 lunch, and 7 dinner. To make my meal storage easy, why not plan on having the same dinners weekly? Therefore, if I planned on spaghetti for Monday nights, I would need 52 packages of pasta for a year's supply, in addition to 52 jars of spaghetti sauce (i.e. 52 weeks of Mondays in a year).

Of course, this is not a full meal. I might (to make it easy) store 52 cans of corn for a semblance of veggies with the meal. Not a fancy meal, but it would be food nonetheless for my small family. Plan this out for the 21 meals in one week's time ... and you have a charted course to begin building your food storage! (Begin with the first goal of having one week's of food in storage. Once that is completed, double that to two week's worth of food supplies. And so on. Little by little soon becomes a lot -- and much quicker than we might think! Ah, this is the pathway of faith.)

Times are rough that face us currently. Whether it is news of a trucker strike (which could clear the grocery store shelves in less than a week) or news of a bird flu epidemic that would force quarantine large populations, having a planned food storage system will greatly ease the stress of many traumatic situations. Let us therefore, be faithful to what the Lord's servants have counseled us for decades -- to have a food storage and to begin it now!

To learn more how to begin a food storage system, little by little, visit the Provident Living website. To read more of President Kimball's talk, "Family Preparedness, visit "Family Preparedness," Ensign, May 1976.

This quote is daunting and yet so essential as a wake-up call!

Should the Lord decide at this time to cleanse the Church - and the need for that cleansing seems to be increasing - a famine in this land of one year's duration could wipe out a large perecentage of slothful members, including some ward and stake officers. Yet we cannot say we have not been warned" (President Ezra Taft Benson, Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 265).

How are you doing? If you are a Mormon (a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), you most likely have heard (more than a few times) that prophets have urged preparation - both spiritual and temporal. And part of that temporal preparation is to include a food supply. So if you are indeed a Mormon, how are you doing?

If you are not a Mormon, a food storage system might be news to you - although perhaps not completely. Even the government has been urging citizens in the United States to stock up on essentials should a crisis arrive.

Some years ago the government recommended having a 72-hour kit - something that could get you by in the first few days of an emergency. THEN the government changed that and began recommendations that citizens have a 2-week kit - something to see a family through two weeks on their own until government officials could respond. NOW the government is stressing having a three month supply of life-saving necessities - should the bird flu breakout and a forced quarantine lasting weeks be declared.

Isn't it interesting that the Lord's prophets have all along indicated provident plans such as these (and broader)? Ever since ancient times, the Lord has spoken through His prophet. And it continues today. In the early days of the Mormon church - the 1800s - the Lord speaks through His prophets. He has taught through them provident living. Part of that provident living has been a food supply.

In fact, back in the 1800s, Brigham Young (the second prophet for the Mormon church), admonished church members to have a 7 year supply of wheat. Wow. 7 years? But they used wheat like crazy back then.

Here is what the Lord through His prophets recommends today: have three months of food on hand that your family is used to eating every day. But the church doesn't stop there. Through revelation the leaders also counsel strongly several other facets:

• add long-term food items (i.e. wheat, rice) to complete your food supply to one year's worth
• get out of debt
• have money in reserve for difficult times ahead

Even just seven years ago, when the stock market was going like gang-busters and people's equity in their homes made them feel like millionaires, the above counsel through the Lord's prophets might have seemed so odd ... and a bit Noah-esque. "There's no flood coming. Why bother with all that stuff?"

How quickly things change. People are in a panic as the stock market tumbles and the mortgage crisis is in a huge mess. The lesson from it all? Listen to the prophets. The Lord speaks to them. Do what they recommend. So the Emergency Tip for today ...

• Take inventory of your pantry today.
• Every week add ten new items (at least) until you have three months of "normal" food stuff in reserve.
• Then begin on obtaining food that stores longer (do a search on the web for "wheat storage", etc.).

You do not know how much time is left until the reason for which the prophets have spoken is here!

Here is an additional link to help you learn more about provident living, provided by the Mormon church.

There are a variety of ways that a person can follow to build up a food storage system. I say "system" because storing food is rarely successful if you are not actually systematically using it. In other words, you need to store what you eat and eat what you store. This implies rotation or a "system."

People sometimes decide to start their food storage by focusing on one food at a time. They store and store and store that food till it equals 12 months worth. This is NOT advisable. Reason being - if an emergency struck prior to completing your food storage program, your family's diet would be lopsided.

Thus, it is far better to store foods in "meals" simultaneously, with smaller initial goals. In other words, make a list of foods your family eats in one week's time. Then work to complete that allotment.

Once you've stored in reserve one week's worth of food, then seek to expand that to two week's worth of food. Once you have accomplished that, pat yourself on the back. You've just accomplished what the United States government now recommends - to be able to be completely self-sustaining for 14 days. Just think of the peace this will bring.

But don't stop there! The Mormon church (known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) at the Provident Living website recommends to first begin with a 3-month supply of foods your family is used to eating.

This is brilliant. Do you know? Because it fits the truism of storing what you eat and eating what you store. The reason the 3-month plan also works well is because you know your kids will eat what you've stored! (Studies have shown that in an emergency people need their comfort foods even more than usual. Additionally, researchers found that very young children and very old individuals preferred to starve during dire scenarios rather than eat new foods. Not too rational, but whenever is an emergency situation rational?)

Just know -- a 3-month plan is only halfway there (OK, well, in truth, one-fourth the way there - we're aiming for a year). The Lord's prophets for years have proclaimed the importance of having a year's supply of commodities: food, toiletries, medicine supplies, etc. Some have assumed this is for cataclysmic events, but speak to individuals who have had to use their food storage ... usually it was for job loss or extended health issues, etc. Because they had a food supply, their children and family members were at least able to eat until a new job was found, etc. The entire family was very grateful for the parents who had stored up food and other items in a provident, wise manner.

There are many different approaches to beginning. Feel free to visit the Mormon church's Provident Living website for some pointers. You could also visit this government emergency 14-day storage checklist to see how to break an emergency plan into small easy steps over time.

How urgent to do this in today's world. Whether needed in an ice storm, a job loss, or a death, food storage brings peace of mind. Remember, start small, store what you like in the beginning, and build from there!

P.S. And don't forget to store water!

One of the things Mormons are known for is their interest in long-term food storage. The reasons for this are many. In fact, the reasons extend back hundreds if not thousands of years.

Most people have heard of Joseph in the Bible. Remember the one sold by his brothers to be a slave (this was after they nearly killed him, but decided against it). Eventually Joseph served under the Pharaoh himself, overseeing a broad food storage program. The food storage program evolved because the Lord had revealed to Pharaoh in dreams (which Joseph interpreted) that a famine was coming.

Eventually the famine came and because of Joseph's righteousness and wise provident advice, the Pharaoh was able to sustain not only his family and household, not only his kingdom, but was also able to sell food to neighboring countries and tribes. This prospered Pharaoh greatly and saved thousands if not millions of lives.

The Lord is a loving God. He does not want His children on this earth to suffer. It is why He gives the commandments He does. Those commandments exist in the scriptures and it would be greatly advisable to study His words. This way you, like Joseph, can wisely live after provident ways, being thereby sustained when difficult times come.

The Lord has spoken throughout the ages through his prophets of the difficult times that will come prior to the coming of Jesus Christ. This Second Coming (as it is called) will occur after many acts of wickedness have been perpetrated by the wicked against the innocent. Additionally, acts of nature will convene, resulting in great famines and turbulent weather patterns. Society, we read, will be most unstable - not because of God, but because mankind will have turned a deaf ear to Christ's teachings.

It is not difficult to imagine such a day, for in many ways it might seem that these times are already upon us. So if we want to be well-taken care of during difficult times like those experienced in Pharaoh's time, it seems we should be storing up grains and other long-term food storage, medicinal, toiletry, and other items. Both early prophets and modern day prophets have proclaimed such things as wise and prudent courses to follow.

Our modern-day prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley has stated:

"...life is fragile, peace is fragile, civilization itself is fragile. The economy is particularly vulnerable. We have been counseled again and again concerning self-reliance, concerning debt, concerning thrift. So many of our people are heavily in debt for things that are not entirely necessary.

"When I was a young man, my father counseled me to build a modest home, sufficient for the needs of my family, and make it beautiful and attractive and pleasant and secure. He counseled me to pay off the mortgage as quickly as I could so that, come what may, there would be a roof over the heads of my wife and children. I was reared on that kind of doctrine. I urge you as members of this Church to get free of debt where possible and to have a little laid aside against a rainy day....

"I cannot forget the great lesson of Pharaoh’s dream of the fat and lean kine and of the full and withered stalks of corn.

"I cannot dismiss from my mind the grim warnings of the Lord as set forth in the 24th chapter of Matthew...." ("The Times in Which We Live," President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov 2001, 72).

Just what is contained in Matthew 24? Click on Matthew 24 and read of the great calamities that Christ foretold that would happen before His Second Coming. Read and then determine through prayer and pondering what you can do to get your family safely ready for what is to come. Long-term food storage is an important part of that readiness.

For more information that is free and useful, visit the Provident Living website.

Are you familiar with the story of Chicken Little? Yes, that one, where the weird little chicken runs around flapping his wings and squawking about the sky falling in?

Sometimes those who speak of weird pending events are viewed as "Chicken Littles". I feel a little bit like a Chicken Little as I write this blog.

The news reports are coming in fast and furiously about the world food supply shrinking in alarming manners. I'd reported in a previous blog about a report in the Houston Chronicle on December 17, 2007. The Chronicle had described the dire situation of the world's wheat supply.

Then in comes another newspaper reporting very similar findings - this time the paper is none other than the New York Times, in the World Business section. The headline reads, "World Food Supply Is Shrinking, U.N. Agency Warns."

So as I blog about this, I feel a little like Chicken Little himself. Some don't want to hear Jacques Diouf's words, as reported by the New York Times: "a very serious risk that fewer people will be able to get food."

What about your family? Will your family be one of those who can't get food? If the grocery stores can't get food in, what then? Does your family have a food supply? Could you go more than one week without the grocery store?

I remember as a small child feeling frightened when the stores closed for just 24 hours at Christmas time. Even though we had food in our kitchen, I always worried, "What if we need SOMETHING and there is no store to get it from?"

Back then, I probably didn't need to worry. Today, I do. According to the New York Times, the U.N. has called this food crisis "unforeseen and unprecedented." According to the Times report, there are only 8 weeks of corn reserved throughout the world! 8 Weeks!

But this is where, for Mormons (or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) differ. Prophets have foretold for a very long time that times would become difficult before Christ's return.

Both the scriptures and also the leaders from the Mormon church have implored people not only to repent (repent simply means to turn away from harmful activities) and turn to Christ, but also to be provident and prepared for that which is to come.

Perhaps all of this is new to you. If so, please feel free to visit the Mormon church's Provident Living website. There you will find much wisdom to help prepare your family, thus helping them during these turbulent times.

And in the meantime, just know that the Lord knew before all these food shortages hit, that they would hit. That is why he calls on prophets to warn mankind of pending events. This is why listening to the prophets is so important.

So here are three things to do:

1. Visit the Provident Living website and take one step each day to increase your family's preparedness.
2. Read the prophets' words in your own language often so that you can know what the Lord is guiding them to tell all of us.
3. Read your scriptures daily so that the Lord can guide you in your life toward wise choices.

In summary, some might view news reports as found in the New York Times (and those of us who read/report on them) as Chicken Littles, running around crying about the "sky" falling in. Yet when the "sky" does fall, suddenly the words of the Littles will make much more sense.

But more importantly, and more so than newspaper reporters (who perhaps cannot get to the whole story), the Lord's prophets DO have the whole story. And the prophets have proclaimed for years to get ready and be prepared in all things before Christ's coming. So let's get busy!

In a book entitled Emergency Preparedness and Survival Guide, author Gary F. Arnet mentions the problem of complacency in our society. He referenced as an example people lining up in California after an earthquake for Band-Aids. Band-Aids!

As Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe the scriptures to be the word of God. We believe the Bible contains the word of God inasmuch as it is translated correctly, and we believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. We read the scriptures and we value them.

This is why preparedness is such an important issue to us. The scriptures are replete with information about the final days before Christ comes. Of course, no one knows the exact hour of His coming (the scriptures teach us this). But we have been instructed through the word of God that prior to His coming things will become severe, causing "men's hearts failing them." Thus, we do not want to be complacent.

The prophets have taught throughout the ages, though, that those who are prepared will not fear. That is why we as Mormons seek to be prepared. We desire to be prepared spiritually and we desired to be prepared temporally. Are we perfect in these applications? Of course not! Only the Lord is perfect. But because we love Him, we seek to follow His words.

And so we seek preparedness, because He has advised all those who love Him to watch and to be ready (see the parable of the ten virgins).

What are some of those ways to be ready? Below are a few suggestions. But first, a few questions ... because I'd really love to hear from you. How are you doing? What would you like to see change in your life? What suggestions would you make for others? Is there something you've done that has helped you a great deal? Feel free to comment and strengthen us all!

Here are some suggestions of preparedness. Remember, it is difficult to get prepared overnight. That is why preparedness is a spiritual lifestyle ... not a one time event. Let's get busy, so we can please our Lord by heeding His words to be prepared!

Preparedness Areas (can you think of others?):

• Spiritual Preparedness
• Medical Preparedness (having sufficient medicines and/or equipment on hand)
• Food Preparedness (this means both 72-hour kit and year's supply)
• Emotional Preparedness (studies have shown we can increase our emotional hardiness - I'd love to hear how you have experienced this)
• Skill Preparedness (do you have skills to live off the land if grocery stores were unable to function for a time?)
• Social Preparedness (this could also be called Community Preparedness - how have you helped your community or neighborhood be prepared for emergencies?)
• Physical Preparedness (this is linked to Medical Prep in some ways, but are you exercising daily to ready your heart and other body systems for unseen challenges?)
• Home Preparedness (this is something those in hurricane areas understand all too well - are trees trimmed, etc?)
• Job Preparedness (is your resume up-to-date or if a business owner, is your business insured?)
• Important Papers (is your life insurance up-to-date for all family members, do you have your important papers all in one place, etc)

As you can see, if one were to attempt all these categories in one day, we'd fall over in a dead faint! That is why it is advisable to set weekly goals and work to achieve them - little by little soon becomes a lot! That way, when the end of the year rolls around, your preparedness will be at an even healthier state than the year prior!

Author Gary F. Arnet had bemoaned the complacency of society in his book, Emergency Preparedness and Survival Guide. Well, hopefully as Mormons and those who seek to be wise, we're not complacent. Hopefully, we get up each morning and sometime during the day move one tiny step closer toward a truly prepared lifestyle and way of living.

For indeed the Lord has advised us against complacency through the parable of the ten virgins (and in other teachings).

Let's do this together! Let's get prepared. Then we need not fear if a sudden tragedy struck. For more information, feel free to visit the Provident Living website.

I find in my own personal preparedness activites that it is important to remember that preparedness is a lifestyle ... not a one-time event.

For some people, to hear the term "preparedness" causes them to think of Hurricane Katrina and the immense suffering of those caught in the hurricane's path.

For others, preparedness means being ready in extreme ways, such as living off the land if something big and bad happened.

Still for others, preparedness is simply being wise and prudent in daily lifestyle choices.

All of the above are accurate interpretations. And all of the above require the understanding that, again, preparedness is not a one-time event ... it is a lifestyle.

This means that we are continually looking for ways to be prepared. It's kind of like the scouting motto, isn't it. And this kind of mentality is soothing. It can calm even the most troubled of hearts when a person lives after such a manner.

Whether in the category of community awareness (i.e. what kinds of emergencies can hit your area), to education awareness (i.e. is your resume up-to-date or do you need an additional certification class), to physical preparedness (i.e. are your health exams up-to-date), all of these activities create a sound and calm lifestyle.

And it need not be overwhelming. In fact, each day if you become habitually aware of the current "preparedness factor" in your life, you can make little changes over time to get your family ready for most possible eventualities.

For example, the economy is struggling currently in many areas. What can you do to help your family for possible impacts? Perhaps by cutting back 10% on small miscellaneous expenses, you can add to a savings account little by little. Then if your employer (avoiding laying off people) decides to cut salaries by a percentage to stay in business, you'd be prepared with an additional cushion in the bank.

It's these kinds of small, incremental actions that can help you prepare in many ways - yet with relatively little impact.

Another example - let's say you're at a large warehouse grocery store and decide to pick up a couple of 25-pound bags of inexpensive rice and beans. Not a problem at less than $10 for each. It's an easy way to increase your food storage. But do you know how to cook them?

The answer is easy and is a perfect example of a preparedness lifestyle. You simply get on the internet, download three different beans and rice dishes and have a taste-testing night for the family. They can vote and award the best tasting dish with a homemade ribbon. This puts them in charge and helps them in a zany way to learn to eat more wholesome foods (which, by the way, store far better in a "prepared" household than lots of frozen TV dinners!).

There are many ways you can help your family live after a prepared way. The scriptures teach us that in the last days before Christ's coming that things will become difficult and challenging for those who are not ready (the book of Zephaniah found towards the end of the Old Testament is just one example). But hopefully not for you, for your loved ones, nor for your friends. Why? Because you've learned that preparedness is not a one-time event ... it's a lifestyle!

I just read in a news report that a billionaire investor spoke out, saying that the economic slowdown in the United States is going to hit harder and be far worse than what most people expect at this point.

Whew. Not only did I write one long sentence, but the bad news may stay with us even longer! Yet as Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, this kind of news should not alarm us.

Why? Because our prophets have spoken for years that at some point life will be difficult.

One church leader, Elder Bruce R. McConkie, taught the same message. While he was serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder McConkie shared this message:

"Be it remembered that tribulations lie ahead ... There will be earthquakes and floods and famines. The waves of the sea shall heave themselves beyond their bounds, the clouds shall withhold their rain, and the crops of the earth shall wither and die.

"There shall be plagues and pestilence and disease and death. An overflowering scourge shall cover the earth and a desolating sickness shall sweep the land ...

"Bands of Gadianton robbers will infest every nation, immorality and murder and crime will increase, and it will seem as though every man's hand is against his brother" (Ensign, May 1979, p 93).

This kind of knowledge used to frighten me. Until I realized the reason the Lord gave us this foreknowledge (through his servant) is to help us prepare for the very times of which even Bible prophets spoke.

In fact, the Lord told his disciples while He was still on the earth that those who trusted in Him in the last days would recognize the signs of the times prior to His coming. He also said those same faithful followers would be prepared (think of the fig tree and the wise virgins analogies).

Thus, when we see tribulation we can at least find comfort knowing the Lord knew of tribulation eons ago. When we witness earthquakes or floods or famines, we can know the Lord indeed warned of these centuries ago. And when we prepare for such times, not only will we better survive them, but we can feel greater calm during them.

In fact, as Mormons we believe the following truth found in the Book of Mormon:

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).

Our Heavenly Father loves us. He does not create war. He does not create the ugly choices of mankind. But He does allow us to learn from being here on the earth. And as the time draws near for His Son to return, the Lord is aware of the events that will transpire and has made those situations known.

Therefore, in the interest of receiving joy in this life, it would be best if we hearkened to His servants and prepare for the times not just ahead, but currently about us. This blog contains many tips on how to do just that. Check back often.

So even if economies fail, even if famines destroy the crops of the earth, know this - when we hearken to the Lord by heeding the counsel of His servants, we will be prepared and we need not fear.

On November 2, 2007 several news stations reported that Orme, Tennessee had run out of water. This, in spite of restricting water in the evening for months and as of August, severely restricting use to three hours a day.

Tennessee is not the only area to feel the dry squeeze of drought. Atlanta, Georgia is one of the large cities in the United States. That metropolis is facing a serious water shortage (which we'll read more about below), as are other communities in the dry southeast (how odd - it used to be just the dry southwest).

Creeks are drying up; as a result, even firefighters are bearing the brunt of the water shortage.

This is not just a United States problem, but something impacting many, many places and has been going on for some time. In fact, other communities in the world are facing or have faced the same scenario. Water had to be transported into Wallabaddah in Wales because that community had run out of water. Then there is the tiny community of Builyan in Queensland. The natives in that town have shared that a simple toilet which doesn't shut off can cause a panic. Why? Because it dribbles away the daily ration for two people. They expect the problem to spread. In fact, in some areas near Builyan, estimates are only five months of water remain.

Just weeks ago, the Ramona Water Municipal District declared their area had run out of water. This was due to the fires in California, but still a problem nonetheless. Glendale, Oregon ran out of water. Other towns have experienced this also - Beulah, Colorado, for example.

The river banks in Florida are crumbling they are so dry. The Lanier is shrinking at an bizarre pace in Georgia, now putting it at a 20-year low. In fact, authorities expect the Lanier to run dry by July 31, 2008. The overall drought in Georgia is so severe that the University of Georgia asked the homecoming game-goers this week not to flush toilets at the stadium - attendants would do that for the 93,000 people in attendance when the toilets got full.

Leaders across the southeast in the United States are quickly talking to see what can be done regarding the severe drought that clutches the southeast's neck with a visor grip.

What does all this mean to us? Well, do you have a water supply stored? If not, I suggest you do it ... like, soon! As can be seen by communities experiencing water shortage all through the world, drought can have severe impacts. And you never know when the trickle from your tap might be your last!

My husband was reading in a catalog that we just received - it was a baking catalog. At the bottom of one of the pages was some fine print. He felt impressed to read it.

Now mind you, he is busy and usually does not spend his time reading the fine print in catalogs. But yesterday he felt impressed to do so. What he discovered I think is far more global in scope than what might appear initially.

The company stated in that fine print why the prices for their baking mixes had risen so tremendously. They listed three reasons:

• alarming fungus has now attacked European wheat
• drought has greatly impacted the wheat harvest in the U.S.
• farmers were choosing to grow corn instead of wheat, because the price return was far better

As my husband shared these with me, we both had the same thought. The scriptures contain many prophecies about the droughts and famines which are coming. Can you envision a day when a man would rather have a wheelbarrow of wheat rather than a wheelbarrow of gold? Yet when food is scarce, this scenario does not seem too far-fetched.

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

"Acquire and store a reserve of food and supplies that will sustain life. . . . As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year's supply of necessities. I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel. I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness" ("If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 36).

What if tomorrow there were no more wheat? What then? What if there were nothing on the store shelves in the way of other foodstuffs? What then?

Just a few months back I took a trip across my state to my church's cannery - a place where you can put up food to last for a while. I was surprised that the price of powdered milk had just doubled! When I asked why, I found out it was because the price of feed for milk cows had skyrocketed.

Do you know that less than 1 % of Americans are actually farmers? What if something disrupted our current food chain? Are you ready? Do you have food stored for a "rainy day" (or when no rain comes at all - much as now has happened for two towns that I know of which have run dry of water).

If you don't yet have a system started, begin today! Go to the store and purchase in double at least one item. Every time you shop, purchase at least one additional item in double. You don't have to go into debt to have a food storage system, but if the day comes when wheat is no longer available, will you be ready? Think how many foods rely on grains. The time is now to get serious about storing food ... and water.

This blog will help you learn how. So check back often!

As Mormons, we believe the scripture contained in the Bible found in Amos 3:7:

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7).

We believe that God calls literal prophets, duly ordained by Him, to lead and guide us today - just as the Lord called Moses and other prophets anciently.

Makes sense. We live in topsy-turvy times. Remember back in late 90's in the United States? Oh, times for many were good (not all, but that's a story on charity for another day). Yes, indeedy, the internet investors were at a peak, as were stock market investors. Home prices continued to rise, building what felt like a tidy little nest egg of comfort for many. Things felt solid and cozy.

Yet look what our prophet had to say in late 1998:

"Now, brethren, I want to make it clear that I am not prophesying . . . But I am suggesting that the time has come to get our houses in order . . . That's all I have to say about it, but I wish to say it with all the emphasis of which I am capable" (Ensign, Nov 1998, p 53).

He went on to speak of a portent of stormy weather ahead. At the time some may have questioned his wisdom, because after all, the economy in the United States looked so rosy.

Oh, how hindsight speaks loudly. Now here we are nearly a decade later. The housing market is imploding. Banks are imploding. Droughts are occurring. Trouble is spoken of economically in nearly every paper in the nation practically every day. This could not be a more stark contrast than that of nine years ago when President Hinckley shared these words!

Just imagine the joy of those who hearkened to the Lord's mouthpiece! Just imagine the comfort they must have now, for they would have begun immediately getting their houses in order. Those who listened would have begun getting out of debt systematically and wisely. They would have started accruing savings a little at a time, if they'd not done so already.

They also would have begun a systematic food storage program, full of wise rotation and planning. Health considerations would have been taken into account, as would spiritual preparations for potentially stormy weather ahead.

Flash forward. We're now here. Things are rocky. What do we do about it?

We start today, just as the wise did yesterday. We forego big screen TV purchases and cool iPods just as the wise did "yesterday" so that we too can be working to get out of debt and placing money and food items into storage. It isn't too late. It is later, but not too late. We too can be found among the wise, but we'd better start hurrying.

If you don't have the money to prepare in big ways, the Lord understands that. It's just important that you start ... now. Today!

Part of a preparedness lifestyle includes learning to be self-sufficient. There are many forms of self-sufficiency. Providing for one's family is one of the finest forms of self-sufficiency. How you provide in such a manner can be as varied as there are people on this earth.

I remember when my husband got laid off from his work. He'd previously been in a very stable position at a leading software company. Just prior to the pending layoffs, he'd been offered a job in a completely different department. He verified over and over again with department heads and even with a Senior V.P. that if my husband took the job, he would be immune to the pending layoffs.

Over and over again, my husband received promises that if he took the job, he would be immune to the layoffs. My husband took the job because it was a dream of a job and one that would move him in a better career path (or so we thought).

Now mind you, this also came during a difficult time in our lives. Our second child had just passed away. We already were reeling from the shock of that situation. So having a new and apparently better job was a blessing during an otherwise somber time.

Not five weeks after my husband began his new job, he indeed received notice that he was being laid off. If he'd stayed in his old position he would not have received this news (since layoffs at this company were according to seniority in position). But there we were - with my husband laid off and I was expecting our next child. Sigh. Things were about to get really interesting.

My family and I are now more than a decade from those events. We made it through them. I'm grateful for that. What have I learned from them? That things can happen more suddenly than we expect. And that if we're prepared, unpleasantries can be softened.

Now often as I'm out and about town, I'm thinking on preparedness issues. I can't help it. When I'm in the checkout lane and notice 4 lip balm in a pack, I'm thinking, "Oh, that would be a perfect addition to our emergency evac/72-hr kits!" And no longer do I purchase just one pack of anything. I always buy double when my budget allows it, because I know little by little soon becomes a lot. I've foregone replacing my Lane rocker with a big tear in the front so that I can continue to build a storage of goods that would sustain my family should grocery stores no longer become accessible for a while.

And that is why I'm now learning to garden. I'm doing it the easy way - with Earthboxes. They are the most incredible thing. Whereas one tomato plant normally might yield maybe 10-20 pounds of tomatoes, a tomato plant gardened in an Earthbox will yield on average 70 pounds of tomatoes per year! Here is a picture of my planting efforts just today....

I may not be able to grow enough food to live off of, but I can at least begin in small ways to increase my family's self-sufficient ways. I selected some baby lettuce plants, in addition to other plants, and planted them in my Earthboxes. I'm so excited for the outcome; I'll keep you posted on their progress. In the meantime, what great things have you been doing to live after a wise preparedness lifestyle? I'd love to hear from you. We'd love to learn from your successes, even your failures, and what you've learned from them.