Preparedness

Okay, it finally happens! When in a crisis or extremely difficult time, it is natural that you will feel anxious and scared. The important thing to do is to try to keep calm. You can reassure your family members with phrases such as, “We are all still together, I won’t leave you alone,” or “You don’t have to worry I will look after you. We will get through this.” Tell them what has happened and let them know what you are doing about it, what you can do about it and also what you can’t do about it. This is the time when practice sessions for your emergency preparedness really pay off.

It is okay to admit that there are some things you cannot control, resolve or bring to an end. You just have to cope as best you can.

I still vividly recall, the conversation I was having with myself, as the floor pitched and rolled under me during the Loma Prieta earthquake, “Calm down Barbara. You have to find your shoes, Barbara. Try to calm down, Barbara. Think! What is it you have to do? CALM DOWN, BARBARA! Don’t scream – yet,” and so on. At that point I was beyond being scared silly, me the one who was supposed to be prepared. Yes, I was a total basket case. My bones had turned to Jell-O.

And so I repeat, you just have to cope as best you can.

Communication is the key in such situations. Let your family members talk about what they are feeling. Listen to their worries and dispel as many as you can, while still allowing them to deal with reality. And it’s OK to tell them “it’s Ok,” to be afraid when you don’t know what is going on. Sometimes the most important thing is to just be able to talk. One of the best things to do is to try to stick to what is “normal” as much as possible. Fixing “meals,” washing hands, saying prayers or reading stories: simple habits emphasized during difficulties create calmness. Decide before the need arises to make normalcy a priority.

Let's consider the well known quote from the Doctrine and Covenants 38:30 “ … If Ye are Prepared, Ye Shall Not Fear …” Following is a bit of personal insight, Barbara doctrine, you might say. Many times this scripture is quoted with emphatic pronouncement (inferred) that if you have your 10,000 pounds of wheat under the bed (literary license taken here!), that you will (or should be) be as calm as the wind in the eye of a tornado when your disaster descends.

There is a great deal of difference between peace, confidence and the ability to move forward, doing the required tasks to get through a chaotic situation and the perceived state of euphoria while singing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” as the other side of that tornado comes at you full force.

At midnight, the night of that Big One, I sat on the floor in the middle of the rubble in our living room. As the floor and I continued to shudder, I wrote in my journal by camping-lantern light, while tears streamed down my face. Prayers are answered and calmness comes … eventually.

Just remember, try to be practical in your preparedness, coping as best you can.

In the last few weeks it only took having news releases become news reports with the mention of one word for consumers to go bananas as they headed for the grocery store.(pun intended). The word? Ration!

There had been rumors and reports for weeks, even months, about food shortages in war torn countries. We read reports of greedy warlords keeping food supplies from reaching starving citizens.

And of course there were all of the political pundits and rhetoric about “the other” candidate’s party being the cause of escalating prices and out-of-site, soaring oil prices causing more shortages, including foods.

Within an extremely short time panic had hit the checkout and suddenly many, many people were intensely interested. Not necessarily in a preparedness program, but above all they wanted to get their share of the rice and flour that was no longer going to be available – because of the threat of rationing. And the rationing was immediately accomplished in the stores by cardboard signs proclaiming “LIMIT” 2 – 20# BAGS PER CUSTOMER.” Bags of rice and flour, stacked on carts, were being brought into the store. My husband and I witnessed 20-pound bags of rice, which the week before had cost $3.69, whisked off the cart as people jostled to make sure they got their two bags at $11.99 each! That weekend, just such a short time ago, the same scene played out in every supermarket that we went into, the shelves were depleted of flour and rice.

Of course my warped sense of humor came into play and I thought about all of these many, many customers who had been convinced to load up on lots of rice and flour at highly inflated prices. I wondered what they were going to be able to do with excessive amounts of just rice and flour, especially if the foods they previously purchased had been mostly prepared or partially prepared convenience foods.

Which brings me to the point! Is it Preparedness or Panic? I would suggest that many of those who bought as much rice and flour as they could, bought with a sincerity of heart, but not too much common sense. I would also suggest that fear, driven by marketing strategies is what caused many of those substantial purchases.

Some of you could be thinking, “Well, Barbara, at least something is better than nothing! After all they were trying!” Yes – sort of.

Let me offer a few insights to help if any of you are caught in the position of wanting to buy; knowing that you need to buy, and in many instances feeling pressured because of the headlines and the resulting, rampant tidal wave of panic.

First, be knowledgeable about what you or your family can or can’t eat. Just because a food is being promoted or someone says it is good for you does not mean you should buy it. There is a rule of thumb that must be followed – don’t buy just to be buying, especially when it comes to food! Always consider allergies, food triggers or other dietary problems such as diabetes before
stocking–up.

Next, if you are counting on having a small amount of money or a set amount of money to purchase preparedness items, such as a tax return do not spend it all on one or two items. Stretch it as far as it will go. Stretch it until screams. Remember, according to Barbara, the thrill of the hunt and finding the best way to stock your cupboard is sometimes one of the “best parts” of preparedness.

Variety is a key word. You will hear this emphasized over and over in my blogs. Plan on paper how to stretch your buying power. Rather than buying two 20-pound bags of rice, buy one 10-pound bag rice, some flour, some seasonings, some canned tomato sauce, a small bag of lentils and a few cans of cream soups, as well as some oil and sugar. Or after thinking about it, make your own list. A sufficient amount of a variety of foods could be put back so that you could do more than exist on boiled grain should an emergency arise.

Remember, it is not meant to be food–storage! Make sure that you and your family will consider whatever foods you buy now as edible when you need to eat it. If not it is a total waste of money – and food.

Yes, you must store them, as in take care of them properly. But don’t store them - or just keep them - with the attitude that they can be an inheritance for your great grandchildren. You can be in big trouble if you buy foods to store but not to eat.

If you purchase foods to store, of course, you can always stash them under the bed where the dust bunnies roam. Soon the nests of bunnies can be joined by the colonies of weevil and there will be a regular zoo under there. But … you will have stored your supply.

Another most important point is that you want a preparedness program, not just food! What kind of equipment do you need? What other areas will leave you in the dark if you have not prepared adequately.

We have been taught that even in Book of Mormon days that provisions were required, not just food. . In 1 Nephi 18:6 we read, “ … After we had prepared all things, much fruit and meat from the wilderness and honey in abundance, and provisions according to that which the Lord had commanded us, we did go down into the ship …”

Listen to the news, but more importantly listen to the prophet and plan your preparedness.

And almost as important, remember the chocolate!

The Lord speaks through his prophets. Not only did He use prophets anciently, such as Abraham, Moses, Samuel, etc., but He also uses prophets today.

Gordon B. Hinckley just passed away. He was the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon church) and the Lord's prophet. Now that he has passed away, the Lord will call another prophet to lead the children of God on the earth.

Joseph Smith was one such prophet. He restored the Lord's church to the earth in the 1800s. The Lord spoke to Joseph Smith and this is what the Lord said. It is found in a book called the Doctrine & Covenants, a book of revelations given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet.

"I will take vengeance upon the wicked, for they will not repent; for the cup of mine indignation is full; for behold, my blood shall not cleanse them if they hear me not.

"Wherefore, I the Lord God will send forth flies upon the face of the earth, which shall take hold of the inhabitants thereof, and shall eat their flesh, and shall cause maggots to come in upon them;

"And their tongues shall be stayed that they shall not utter against me; and their flesh shall fall from off their bones, and their eyes from their sockets.

"And it shall come to pass that the beasts of the forest and the fowls of the air shall devour them up" (D&C 29:17-20).

Ewwww. This is harsh. And yet the prophetic utterance is very reminiscent of what the Lord declared against ancient Israel when they were participating in disgusting wickedness.

And when I think of the abominable things some people on the earth are doing to innocent children, I can see why the Lord would be angry.

One of the most important parts of being prepared, in these latter days before Christ's coming, is that of spiritual preparedness. The Lord loves all His children. He desires their happiness. But He will only allow wickedness to run rampant for so long; eventually He comes in and cleans out such wickedness.

Thus, one facet of preparedness is understanding the necessity of repentance. In other words, when we anticipate that which the Lord declared in D&C 29:17-20, we hopefully will ensure we repent of anything unpleasing to God.

All of us fall short of perfection. There was only one Perfect Man - Jesus Christ. As we follow His teachings, we will be protected when the judgments of God eventually roll forth amongst mankind on this earth.

I've found one of the best ways to prepare my heart for that which is to come is through scripture study. That's why I love the online scriptures. They are free, easy to use, and even have search options so you could search a specific topic (i.e. joy, peace, Christ). Why not try reading the scriptures today at this scripture link!

Are we living in the "Last Days"? What exactly does the term mean, "Last Days"?

As Mormons, we believe in the literal coming of Jesus Christ. We also believe that we are living in the "last days" prior to that coming. We read in the scriptures that the specific day is not known for that great event, but we can see all around us many signs of the pending arrival of Jesus Christ.

An early leader for the Mormon church (officially called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), Elder Orson F. Whitney declared long ago:

"Earth's long week is now drawing to a close, and we stand at the present moment in the Saturday Evening of Time, at or near the end of the sixth day of human history. Is it not a time for thought, a season for solemn meditation? Morning will break upon the Millennium, the thousand years of peace, the Sabbath of the World!" (as quoted in Prophetic Statements on Food Storage for Latter-day Saints, p. 27).

What are some of the signs of the times? Here is Luke's witness, declared two millennia ago:

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:25-26).

But we need not fear the signs of the times, we who live during these last days. This is what the Lord declared:

"Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:

"Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;..." (for the full verse, visit D&C 1:11-17).

What a blessing to live now, during the last days. This is indeed the time which ancient prophets looked forward to. This is the time which we can be doing the greatest amount of good for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We can be teaching others of Him and pointing the way toward eternal joy in Him.

Indeed, the "last days" may be here in full, but what joy can accompany that thought in knowing that the Christ will return soon!

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland serves as an Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed the Mormon church).

As an Apostle for the Lord Jesus Christ (just like the ancient Apostle Peter, Paul, etc.) Elder Holland has the responsibility to teach of Christ and to prepare earth's inhabitants for the Savior's Second Coming.

All Apostles have the responsibility to teach truth as given from God. Sometimes truth is given to chasten us. Sometimes truth is given to heal us. Sometimes truth is simply given for us to rejoice in.

I'm not sure in what category Elder Holland's following statement would fit, but it is profound nonetheless.

"There is a lesson in the Prophet Joseph Smith's account of the First Vision which virtually every Latter-day Saint has had occasion to experience, or one day soon will. It is the plain and very sobering truth that before great moments, certainly before great spiritual moments, there can come adversity, opposition, and darkness. Life has some of those moments for us, and occasionally they come just as we are approaching an important decision or a significant step in our lives" (Elder Holland," Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence," Ensign, Mar 2000, 7).

The reality of life is that there is opposition in all things. We can read of this truth in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. An ancient American prophet named Lehi taught the same truth:

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility" (2 Nephi 2:11).

We can read in the New Testament that the Lord uses multiple witnesses to teach of His truths (see 2 Corinthians 13:1). The ancient prophet Lehi taught of the need for opposition. Other prophets and apostles taught on the same lines. So does Elder Holland. He continues:

"I wish to encourage every one of us regarding the opposition that so often comes after enlightened decisions have been made, after moments of revelation and conviction have given us a peace and an assurance we thought we would never lose. In his letter to the Hebrews, the Apostle Paul was trying to encourage new members who had just joined the Church, who undoubtedly had had spiritual experiences and received the pure light of testimony, only to discover that their troubles had not ended but that some of them had just begun.

"Paul pleaded with those new members in much the same way President Gordon B. Hinckley is pleading with new members today. The reminder is that we cannot sign on for a battle of such eternal significance and everlasting consequence without knowing it will be a fight—a good fight and a winning fight, but a fight nevertheless.

"Paul says to those who thought a new testimony, a personal conversion, a spiritual baptismal experience would put them beyond trouble—to these he says, 'Call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions.' Then this tremendous counsel, which is at the heart of my counsel to you: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward" (Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence," Ensign, Mar 2000, 7).

What can we take from all of this?

First, we need to understand that God is more powerful than any other force in life (including our own discouragement).

Second, there is a purpose for our being here on earth. God created this world so that we can be tested away from His presence. Will we prove we love Him more than anything else? Well, of course there will be opposition to this plan. How else could we be tested? So when things get difficult, we can know that all is going according to our Heavenly Father's intentions. And we will prove ourselves faithful to Him! To do anything less brings Him sorrow and us grief.

Third, there is a way out of all challenges, temptations, trials, and even sorrows. The way is through the Son of God, even Jesus Christ Himself. He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane in a way that acquainted Him with our griefs, our shortcomings, our sins. He knows us. He paid for our sins; He died on the cross so that we might live again - both spiritually and physically. He will help us if we but ask and then are patient enough to wait for His response. The sweet spirit of peace that comes when we read such witnesses comes from God telling us of this truth - Jesus Christ died so that we might live.

Fourth, the way we find Christ during all forms of struggles is by reading His words. Those words are found in the scriptures. You can read the online scriptures or from your own personal set of scriptures. But read them and find out that as you read them, your burdens will be made light and you will find yourself "back on your feet" - casting away discouragement, NOT confidence!

Fifth, remember prayer. Those who are well-versed in true, humble prayer proclaim the peace that comes when they are on their knees talking or even crying out to their Heavenly Father. He loves them and hears them. He loves you. He will hear you as you call on His name through His Son Jesus Christ.

In summary, yes, there is opposition in this life. An Apostle of the Lord, Elder Holland, has proclaimed this (as have ancient prophets such as Lehi mentioned above). But within that opposition, we truly can find God when we remember:

1. God is more powerful than any other force.

2. There is a purpose for our being here on earth.

3. There is a way out of all challenges - through Jesus Christ.

4. We find Christ by reading scriptures.

5. We find Him through praying to His Father in His name.

Just as Elder Holland's talk said, we need not cast away our confidence. Instead, let us trust in Him who is mighty. Discouragement then becomes fleeting as we join Him during this journey through life.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton served in the Mormon church (officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. His service was much loved, as his soul was most gentle and his comments inspired. His teachings blessed the lives of many.

During one of his discourses, he shared some very profound thoughts regarding financial preparedness. I'd like to share those with you. And you can visit this link to read Elder Ashton's full discourse.

These are his twelve points:

1. Pay an honest tithing.

2. Learn to manage money before it manages you.

3. Learn self-discipline and self-restraint in money matters.

4. Use a budget.

5. Teach family members early the importance of working and earning.

6. Teach children to make money decisions in keeping with their capacities to comprehend.

7. Teach each family member to contribute to the total family welfare.

8. Make education a continuing process.

9. Work toward home ownership.

10. Appropriately involve yourself in an insurance program.

11. Understand the influence of external forces on family finances and investments.

12. Appropriately involve yourself in a food storage and emergency preparedness program.

Each of these steps can do much to help a family become financially solvent. And in today's world, that is really something. With the housing implosion, with shaky economies, etc., a family really needs to have a solid financial bedrock to be able to survive.

Tithing is one of the first steps Elder Ashton mentioned. Tithing has been a "principle of gratitude" in existence since Old Testament times. In fact, in Malachi 3 we read:

"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me."

What a frightening statement, to hear the Lord accuse you of robbery? Wow. The Lord explains, though.

"But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings" (Malachi 3:8)

Ahhh. So when we do not pay tithing to the Lord, He views it as robbery. Later in that same chapter, He proclaims the mighty blessings that attend full tithe payers:

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE ROOM ENOUGH TO RECEIVE IT.

"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 3:10-11)

Wow. These are some blessings! Many will quote the prospered part of the blessings, but my favorite part is how the Lord rebukes the devourer for us. All things become blessed when we manifest the law of tithing in our lives. But we also need to make sure we pay tithing to the properly authorized sources. To learn more about this, feel free to visit the Mormon.org website.

I suggest that you take one of these twelve steps and work on one each month during the year 2008. Allow the Lord to bless you by following His financial plan laid out by His servants. The blessings will be many and mighty!

We call upon priesthood bearers to store sufficient so that you and your family can weather the vicissitudes of life. (Bishop Keith B. McMullin, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, General Conference, April 2007.

This quote came from one of the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise or sometimes called the Mormon church.

As Mormons, we believe in living prophets. Why? Well, because we believe in the scriptures and the scriptures teach that the Lord uses prophets to lead the children of God on earth (for example, see Amos 3:7 as found in the Old Testament).

Twice a year, the church gathers to hear from the current church leaders. We as Mormons call this gathering (it takes place over two days, with five general meetings) "General Conference."

Oh, it is a stupendous time, with all kinds of counsel from leaders whose gentle voices admonish the general membership to live kind lives, full of Christ-like integrity and goodness.

We also hear wisdom from these individuals, such as the wisdom expressed by ">Bishop McMullin shared above. To read his talk in its entirety, feel free to click the link above. But here are just a few snippets of thoughts summarized from his teachings.

As Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, we are to take care of not just our own households, but we are to be ready to serve our brothers and sisters all throughout the world. If we do not take care of our own families, by providing in wise ways, how on earth can we then have the means to help serve others? It is this kind of wisdom you will hear if you choose to attend or listen online to the next General Conference.

We as Mormons believe in the literal coming of Christ. He who once came as a babe and in humble ways will one day return in full glory. As Bishop McMullin expresses, there will be consequences of penalties for those who refuse to repent from evil deeds and there will be rewards of joy for those who follow Christ's ways. Thus, for those who seek to be kind and take on Christ's name, there will be joyous moments ahead in the future. If we are prepared, we shall not fear during the times preceding His coming (see D&C 38:30).

Thus, Bishop McMullin shares several important points to prepare for Christ's coming. We are to 1) Be faithful; 2) Unencumber our lives; 3) Lay up in store.

I know of the wisdom of these ways, for as a Mormon I have tried to live after Christ's teachings. It is true - like Bishop McMullin stated, as we seek to be faithful to Jesus Christ, and to unencumber our lives from fruitless and even harmful things, and as we lay up in store providently for our families and others, there is a peace that enters in.

May we seek to love God with all our hearts and to serve our neighbors (and our own families) well. This is the path of the prepared soul - prepared so that when Christ comes, we will be found doing as He would if He had been here all along!

Is there any need to fear when events in the world appear at times to be so horrific?

In today's world, one only need pick up a local newspaper to read frightening news. Whether it is about a wheat virus threatening the world's food supplies or whether the news report is about yet another war in another devastated area of the world, it could be enough to cause a heart to faint.

In fact, the Lord prophesied that during the last days there would be:

"...signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:26-27).

Jesus' message though was (and still is) one of peace. Somehow He kept a true perspective of life's events. These were His words He spoke just after prophesying that Peter would deny Him. In John 14:1 Jesus reassuringly stated:

"Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1-3).

What was it about the Savior's perspective that even in the midst of speaking about trials, He still spoke these words: "Let not your heart be troubled"?

Perhaps His vision was and is greater than ours? In fact, I'm sure it was (and is). He came to redeem us and to bring us back with Him to His Father's kingdom from whence we've all come. This is the purpose for which we are here - to return having proven our love for Him and our willing obedience in all things.

We read in the Book of Mormon more of this purpose. For after all, it was the Savior's purpose - to do the will of His Father. Perhaps if we kept this closer to heart and more surely snugged within our minds, our hearts might tremble less at the fearsome events surrounding some during these days. In Moroni 8:25-26 we read of our purpose:

"And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins;

"And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God" (Moroni 8:25-26).

Thus, when we read the newspapers and see that the news reports parallel so many scriptural prophecies of "last day" events, we can find comfort by following Christ's ways. He was obedient to the Father; so too can we be obedient - even during these kinds of events:

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:26-28).

The Lord has taught us that "heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away" (Luke 21:33). We can trust that even though the world may appear to be falling apart, if we abide in Him and in His ways, our "redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28) and all will be well.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie stated:

"We do not know when the calamities and troubles of the last days will fall upon any of us individuals or upon bodies of the Saints. The Lord deliberately withholds from us the day and hour of his coming and of the tribulations which shall precede it -- all as part of the testing and probationary experiences of mortality. He simply tells us to watch and be ready" Ensign, May 1979, p. 93).

Elder McConkie spoke this nearly thirty years. But the message is every bit as urgent as when this General Authority for our church spoke it back then.

The definition of the word of "calamity" essentially means severe affliction or dire distress. "Trouble" means worry, distress or agitation. These words well describe many conditions in our day.

In fact, read this scripture. It also accurately describes our day:

"And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth" (D&C 45:26).

Here is another:

"And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people" (D&C 88:91).

An early prophet also saw our day. We read in the Pearl of Great Price that Enoch,

" ... saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years;

"But before that day he saw great tribulations among the wicked; and he also the sea, that it was troubled, and men's hearts failing them, looking forth with fear for the judgments of the Almighty God, which should come upon the wicked" (Moses 7:66).

What does this mean to you? To me? For me, it means that our Heavenly Father is aware of what must occur and will occur before the Second Coming of Christ. It is unavoidable that there will be calamities and troubles in the last days, just as Elder McConkie stated. There will be "wars and rumors of wars." The earth will "be in commotion." These events are undeniable - both because multiple prophets have described them; also because mankind refuses to hearken to the teaching of Jesus Christ.

But just as those events surround us now, we also have a way out. It comes through following the Savior and His teachings. Even though there are wars and rumors of wars, and all other kinds of commotion in the world today, it is because of the gospel of Jesus Christ that I can find peace in the middle of it all. You can, too. I invite you to learn more.

The world seems to be tilting ever more out of control. From violent video games to ever-increasing porn sites, we live in a world of burgeoning filth. From fragile economies to drought-ridden areas, indeed the world can be a tempestuous place.

This is why I'm grateful for men such as President James E. Faust, a member of the First Presidency for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He just recently passed away, but he was a strong man, strong in the gospel of Jesus Christ. His valor for that which is right was known by many. His mild ways were balanced with a vigor for truth.

Read this quote of his from nearly nine years ago and ponder on its still-urgent meaning:

"It is my testimony that we are facing difficult times. We must be courageously obedient. My witness is that we will be called upon to prove our spiritual stamina, for the days ahead will be filled with affliction and difficulty. But with the assuring comfort of a personal relationship with God, we will be given a calming courage ... we will receive the quiet assurance ... " (Ensign, Jan 1999, p 5).

President Faust referenced several key terms: courage, obedience, stamina, relationship, calm, assurance. Let's look at each one a bit closer. For after all, if we are to face the future in faith, it would be good to know how we can do it successfully!

COURAGE = the state of mind that helps you face danger or pain

OBEDIENCE = the act of conforming to an expressed standard

STAMINA = power to endure privation or fatigue

RELATIONSHIP = an emotional connection

CALM = free from agitation

ASSURANCE = freedom from timidity

Thus, as we ponder President Faust's thoughtful statement, he seems to express great desires that we as God's children will have the state of mind to face difficulty and still be obedient. To do this will require a stamina (that in my mind) will only be sufficient if it is based upon God's ways.

As we incorporate this spiritual stamina (that the Lord stands ever ready to bestow), we in the process will grow in an emotional connection to our God. We will find calm amidst the storms of life and an assurance that He indeed can be trusted.

I'm grateful for President Faust's statement. One need only be tapped into the economic alerts that come ever more shrill, or be privy to the pending crisis in the housing market, to understand that we live in difficult days. There also is much filth available in the media, from ever more violent and pornographic video games to even more seamy movies and internet sites. Our world seems on a fast pace to self-ruin.

But in it all, the Lord gives us His prophets and leaders to guide us safely home. So one of the best forms of spiritual preparedness we can incorporate into our lives is simply to heed their words and live the teachings of Christ they share.

There is a great deal of anguish and suffering right now for the California people. It is difficult to imagine the emotions carried in their hearts and minds. As I think especially about the young children, I can only imagine their confusion and fear.

For those who have been around fire, the smell is overwhelming. For individuals with breathing problems, the situation can become deadly. Altogether, it is a deeply disturbing scenario. And the most intimidating part? No-one is immune from natural disaster.

I repeat, no-one is immune from a similar scenario. Unless one lives in the middle of the Sahara desert, fire is a real possibility (perhaps even in the Sahara desert, a fire could grow until it is out of control in the encampment.) Natural disasters strike any where, any time - and usually without warning. So are you prepared?

One of the most important tools of preparedness is a spiritual reservoir that waits, ready and brimming with the perspective of God. Fatigue comes with emergencies, shock comes with emergencies. And when one has a deeper perspective of suffering, that perspective can help mitigate the potent plunge into the icy pool of reality that life sometimes knocks us into.

For example, just last night on the news I heard one couple say, after surveying the embers that were once their home: "Better us than our neighbor." What? Did I hear that right? That kind of perspective, it seems to me, can only come to one who has a larger grasp of life and its possibilities.

Just as some seeds in the forest can only sprout when exposed to the roaring temperatures of a fierce forest fire, some people seem to possess an understanding that with great suffering can come rebirth.

I would be the first to say that I feel allergic to suffering. I don't like it. After all is said and done, I've tasted somewhat of it and would prefer to be absent from personal suffering. So when I read paragraphs like this one, I am in awe of those who share a transcendent perspective of tragedy:

"Instead of asking, 'Why me?' when something terrible happens in our lives, we need the courage and bravery to ask such questions as "What can I learn from this?' or 'How can I use this experience to help others?' All difficult things give us experience and will be for our good if we do not weaken. No suffering, pain, or heartache is ever wasted if we believe that we are to be happy.

"Suffering intensifies our education; it enhances the development of qualities such as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All that we suffer and endure - especially when we endure it patiently - not only gives us experience but builds our characters and makes us more tender and charitable toward others. It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation that we gain the education we have come to class for in the school of human experience" (Jack R. Christianson, What's So Bad About Being Good?, p 68.)

As I watch the suffering of the California people, I am reminded to make sure my own home is prepared in both physical ways and in spiritual ways. Those 72-hour kits aren't just for hobbyists, folks, and neither are spiritual reservoirs of strength. May we not only help the Californians during this difficult time, but may we also make sure we are ready ourselves!