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| My Mother Would Spend Hours Admiring |
In the fall and early winter I remember my mom spending hours in her fruit room admiring the rows and rows
of beautiful bottles filled with the fruit of our labors.
Life was simple. We had all we needed and we never went without. I so appreciate my upbringing and the lessons learned at the feet of my parents and grandparents.
September is National Preparedness month and it seems a little interesting to me that I've been inspired every September to take stock of my home store and supplies for years.
It is amazing to me how much produce we are able to glean from the land for free. You see, my garden is usually bountiful and beautiful, but for some reason it refused to grow to it's full potential this summer. I'm not sure why that is. We had an issue with irrigation water early on and maybe it didn't get sufficient moisture. Our green beans were good and I've put up lots of them. My tomato plants aren't much bigger than they were when we planted them and our root vegetables didn't germinate at all. Even with the shortage of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and the like, I have still been able to maintain a full range of food storage. I usually try to keep two years worth of life sustaining variety. It might get a little boring but I believe we would make it.
My parents didn't maintain a store of equipment as I remember but now that I think about it, we had camping equipment and tools, animals for work and for food, and I really think we were as prepared back then as we could be.
Ever since I can remember we have been counseled to have a reserve. Brigham Young told the saints to have 7 years of grain in reserve. (ref) It was two years as I recall as a youngster. The Church now suggests that we have one year of long term provisions, three months of what we regularly eat and a 72 hour bug out bag for each member of our family. We are told that the Lord does not change. Is it possible that He has made adjustments because we haven't? (ref)
My husband and I serve as missionaries in a Young Womens' Church Camp where we see members come regularly to practice their skills "off grid". It is heart warming to see a family around a cozy fire, cooking a meal, connecting in a way that our digital society often blocks.
Over the last several years we have been counseled to be prepared in many areas including Financial Fitness, Spiritual Preparedness and Physical Abilities. We have been asked to go to the Lord and see what He would have us do to prepare in personal ways. Ask Him to show us "What Lack I Yet?"
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The Lord has counseled us through His messengers that turbulent times are coming. (ref) We are in them now and are to expect difficulty and testimony testing situations. Where do we stand in the preparation meter? Can we feed ourselves? Could we feed our children? What about the traveller/begger that the Lord sends to our door? Do we have sufficient to share? Are we prepared to hear His voice in times of trouble? Do we know how He talks to us?
A recent focus has been on keeping the Sabbath Day holy.(ref) It is interesting to me how the common description of the Sabbath has migrated from "The Sabbath, to Sunday to the Weekend." Just another day to play or work. The commandment to keep it holy was given to Moses on behalf of the Israelites who were so adolescent in knowing and keeping the commandments that He gave them The Ten Commandments and The Law of Moses, a kinder law with rules about everything including how many steps one could take on the Sabbath. Yes, keeping the Sabbath Day Holy is one of the original Ten. The First Ten. Probably the Most Important Ten!
Why is it then, that we in our advanced state are unwilling or unable to see that the Lord has given us this precious day, free from guilt about not working, a day when we can study of and worship Him? Is it really such a great sacrifice to offer up a tithe of our time to the things of the Lord?
A scout group was in our camp a few weeks ago and one of the leaders told me that they live in a very affluent area where boats, RVs, fancy cars and all sorts of worldly trophies are proudly displayed in driveways and yards. This man said that he is often questioned and ridiculed because he has chosen to put his financial resources into his family and preparedness instead of the things that bring peace and that moth and time doth corrupt. He expressed concern that if there were a disaster, or time when emergency preparations would be needed, he would be called upon to take care of those who had danced in the sunshine and neglected to build a shelter against the coming rain. That rain that we were warned about.
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| The Lord Warned Noah |
The last few days my mind has gone to the story of Noah and how he warned the people to repent. They would not, and as he and his family boarded the ark, the angels sealed it up, the rains came and the people tried every measure imaginable to gain entrance, safety and life. I can't even imagine how difficult it was for Noah and his family to listen to their cries as they pounded and hammered. How gut wrenching was it to know that loved ones who wouldn't listen would be destroyed and there was nothing Noah could do?
The scriptures are written for us, not for the people they are about. When Christ taught of the 10 virgins, the 5 who procrastinated and were found without oil were prevented from obtaining it from the 5 prepared virgins. Yes, I will share as the Lord directs. I have no idea who that will be and I hope I am not called to stand by, helpless, as those who have heard but not acted face the consequences of inaction.
Take time to take stock of your situation and act according to the counsel of the brethren, the Prophet and the Lord as we work together to be obedient and prepared.
additional resources:
https://www.lds.org/topics/emergency-preparedness?lang=eng
https://providentliving.lds.org/emergency-preparedness-and-response/stake-ward-emergency-planning-guide?lang=eng
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