Dear Gramps,

My husband is serving as a Bishop.  We continue to have disagreements over emergency preparedness.  He says all we need to do is to follow what the church website says and the living Prophet and Apostles.  I have shown him quotes from Pres. Benson and other non living apostles and prophets that gives much more detail and counsel.  He seems to be content with the bare minimum. I feel the need to be more prepared.  Any suggestion on how to solve this difference of opinion?

Worried

Answer

Dear Worried,

While I can’t solve the problem of the difference of opinion in your marriage, nor do I know what your husband considers to be “bare minimum,” I can show and share some resources on the topic of emergency preparedness.

At one point in our church history we were counseled to have a years supply of food.  The counsel on that has changed somewhat. Or perhaps I should say has been added to.

Per lds.org, an article titled Emergency Preparedness and Response gives the following counsel on a simple plan in case of an emergency:

• Three-month supply of food that is part of your normal daily diet.
• Drinking water.
• Financial reserves.
• Longer-term supply of basic food items.
• Medication and first aid supplies.
• Clothing and bedding.
• Important documents.
• Ways to communicate with family following a disaster.

You’ll notice that it states a three month supply and also longer-term supply of basic food items.  The emphasis for so many years was to have a year supply of longer term basic food items.  That hasn’t changed really.  What has been added is to have a three month supply of food that you would eat on a daily basis.  Basic longer term food items would be wheat, rice, potatoes, pasta, oats and beans.

There appears to be at times a complacency in the subject of food storage and preparedness.  There is the attitude among many members that the Church will come to their aid.

President Ezra Taft Benson once said:

“Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion.”  Prepare for the Days of Tribulation

Elder L. Tom Perry has said:

“…..we must remind ourselves that the Church welfare system was never designed or intended to care for the healthy member who, as a result of his poor management or lack of preparation, has found himself in difficulty. It was designed to assist the membership in case of a large, physical disaster, such as an earthquake or a flood. It was designed to assist the ill, the injured, the incapacitated, and to rehabilitate them to a productive life. In far too many cases, members who should be making use of their own preparedness provisions are finding that there is nothing there and that they have to turn to the Church.

 

It is time to ask ourselves, What has created the problem of placing such a heavy burden on the Church to supply our welfare needs? My analysis of this problem would lead me to believe that, as leaders, we have spent far too much time in administering relief and far too little in prevention by having our families prepared to administer to their own needs. It is time to teach the basics—again. It is time to make the number one priority of our welfare efforts personal and family preparedness. We must prepare now so that in time of need more of our members will be able to draw upon their own preparedness and not have to seek assistance from the Church.”   The Need to Teach Personal and Family Preparedness

So what do these quotes have to do with your question?  We live in challenging times.  We live in the last days. We’ve been promised that times will get bad.  Yet we’ve also been promised that if we follow the counsel of our current leaders, we will be blessed.  If we adhere to the counsel given above regarding an emergency plan, we will be blessed. That doesn’t mean that hard times will not come to us.  We all have a responsibility to make sure that we can be self-sufficient during the hard times.  We can’t be complacent in this or think the Church will bail us out.

If “bare minimum” is considered what was described earlier from lds.org, we are following the counsel of our current leaders.  Yet there is much wisdom in following what some of our past leaders have advised as well.  I also follow the thought that “we can’t be too prepared.”  Put together the basics as counseled and add from there.  There are certainly many things that I would add to my emergency items that aren’t on the list provided.

This is something that you and your husband will need to work out.  Prayerfully take it to the Lord for guidance in this matter for your family.

Gramps

Gramps,

Is storing a one year supply of food no longer suggested by the Church? Also, as conditions worsen in the USA and the world, the less is said about the present conditions in the General Conference talks. It is like the 800 pound gorilla in the room that no one mentions. What are your thoughts on why the silence on present conditions in the General Conference talks?

Joseph

Answer

Joseph,

Great questions. Thank you for asking them.

As far as a one-year supply of food, nothing really has changed regarding that. However, we are now advised to first have a three-month supply of food on hand. These would be foods that we use daily as part of our normal, daily diet. At lds.org we can find this statement:

“Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.”

Once we have achieved this, it is then recommended we add to our storage those items that would be appropriate for longer-term storage.

Now as far as why it’s not spoken of more frequently in General Conference I can only speculate. During a past General Conference session, Elder Robert D. Hales gave a wonderful talk entitled “General Conference – Strengthening Faith and Testimony.” In this talk, he made the following statement concerning how subjects and talks are decided upon by those speaking:

“These conferences are always under the direction of the Lord, guided by His Spirit. We are not assigned specific topics. Over weeks and months, often through sleepless nights, we wait upon the Lord. Through fasting, praying, studying, and pondering, we learn the message that He wants us to give.”

You may have noticed many of the topics have been on subjects such as returning to activity, covenants, missionary work, family, marriage, and numerous others. Many of these topics address a declining spirituality and morality affecting many throughout the world. Perhaps Heavenly Father felt these topics were more appropriate given the conditions of the world today.

So while the subject of food storage may not have been spoken of during the last few sessions of General Conference, it does not mean that the subject has lost its importance. We still need to have a supply of food and essential items. It just means that Heavenly Father has other topics He feels a need to address.

Gramps

Bonnie

_______________________________________________________

Bonnie,

This is an example that is instructive for several prescription medicines, since many won’t last a year. Of course insulin cannot be kept for a year, but a discussion with one’s doctor would be the best idea. They can give accurate information about how long it is safe to store insulin as well as the best conditions to store it in.

As for what diabetics should do regarding emergency supplies, I would think that following the doctor’s advice as exactly as possible is the best way to go. Couple that with faith in Heavenly Father that He will watch over us and fill the gaps that we cannot fill ourselves.

-Gramps

Hi Gramps,

I am fairly young and trying to plan for my and my family’s future. Would you think it wise to invest in food rather than in 401ks, investments, etc? I figure that eventually someday money will be worth nothing, and the most valuable things will be essentials to survive on. Is it too soon to start worrying about food as an investment, or should that be an emphasis for me and my young family.  Thank you for all the time you have spent helping so many people like me with your insights!

Jeff

Answer

Dear Jeff,

For as many years as I can remember we have been counseled to have a years supply of food, water and other necessities.  We have also been encouraged to get out of debt and save some money for a “rainy day”.   At almost every General Conference we have been given counsel to prepare for difficult times ahead.  We never know when or where a disaster might occur.  Recently many members have needed to turn to their savings and food storage to get them through difficult times because of the downturn in our economy.  Many people have lost their jobs,  their homes and their ability to support their families.  Hopefully they have listened to a “prophet’s voice” and were prepared for these times by having their food storage and savings available.

One of the problems with storing food is that it deteriorates and spoils.  We need to rotate our food storage to prevent this from happening.  If you were to store more than one year’s supply of food, much of it would probably spoil before it could be used.   My recommendation would be to follow the counsel of the Brethren and have in your storage sufficient to support you and your family for one year. There are several countries where people are not allowed by their government to store food or they might not have room to do so.  Those of us who live where we can store food are fortunate and need to follow the counsel of the Brethren.

We have been counseled to save for the future.  Not only should we have sufficient in our savings account for whatever may come, but it is a great way to make our purchases.  Often you will get a better deal when you pay cash for your purchases and you will have received interest on your savings instead of paying the finance company interest on your purchase.

Their counsel for us to get out and stay out of debt is very important as well.  By doing so we show obedience to the Lord’s prophet and it is very sound financial advice.  Interest is a very heavy taskmaster.  It works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  It doesn’t take vacation or holidays, but is always there.  The Brethren have advised us that we should only go into debt to buy a home and possibly a vehicle.  Even in the purchase of a home, we need to be prudent and not purchase one beyond our means and ability to pay for.  For everything else we should avoid going into debt and wait until we are able to pay cash for it.  Several people who have lost their homes might have been able to save it if it were not for all the other debt they had.

The First Presidency has given us the following counsel:

“Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to “prepare every needful thing” (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we can care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others.  We encourage members world-wide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.  We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.”

Gramps

I have a missionary who is currently serving a mission in France. Is it OK for a missionary to leave a girlfriend at home? While he is gone, what should I focus on when I write to him? Since he is gone and growing a great deal spiritually, what should I do to prepare and grow spiritually while he is gone?

Gennie, from Rialto, California

Dear Gennie,

Those are good, thoughtful questions from someone who has a boyfriend on a mission. If you really love this young man, I’m sure that you would want him to have the most successful mission possible. Your letters would probably help him most if they somehow encouraged him to concentrate on devoting himself exclusively to the work of the Lord. Too frequent letters would be a distraction, causing him to think too much of home and girlfriend. If you let him know that you will be writing rather infrequently because you don’t want to distract him from the work, he would probably understand and admire you for it. Depending on how close your relationship is, I imagine that it would also be a good idea to relieve any of his anxieties about whether or not you plan to be there for him when he returns.

Now concerning your own preparation for his return. You will do your part well if you are faithful to your commitments to the Lord and are actively participating in the growth of the kingdom. Attending Institute would be a good idea. But in an attempt to be on his level spiritually when he would returns I would suggest that you immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon. He will know it well and love it. So if you could also know it well, it could become a great bond between you. I would set up some sort of a schedule to spend a reasonable amount of quality time in the Book of Mormon every day. You may be surprised at your own growth as you ponder and personalize the divine truths that are so aptly revealed therein.

Gramps

Dear Johnny,
Here are a couple of quotes that may speak to your concern—

“The harmony of grace and works was an important element of the latter-day restoration of the true doctrine; however, Church members of the new dispensation are naturally inclined to overemphasize works, in contrast to prevalent sectarian doctrines of salvation by grace alone. Our propensity to rely so heavily on works also reflects our present technological, behavioristic society, which places so much emphasis on achievement. We almost worship “all we can do.” In business, we measure success by the bottom line. In education, the behaviorist tradition promotes a technical training model that demands specific, measurable outcomes. Such behaviorism works well for goals that are concrete, visible, and rule driven” (Dawn Hall Anderson and Susette Fletcher Green, eds., Women in the Covenant of Grace: Talks Selected from the 1993 Women’s Conference Sponsored by Brigham Young University and the Relief Society, p.264)

“Alan’s changed life is reflected in his goals for personal growth and Church service. He finds measurable fulfillment of such goals not only in the usual day-to-day activities but also as a student at Brigham Young University, as part of a BYU show touring the Orient, and as a member of “The Free Agency” group which entertains and inspires the youth of the Church” (Hartman Rector, Jr., and Connie Rector, No More Strangers,1:, p.90).

Gramps

I’ve been told the Holy Spirit of Promise mentioned in D&C 88:3-4 is the Holy ghost as mentioned and referred to in John 14:16, while the second comforter is Jesus Christ. However, some of the references that are given under these two verses seem to refer to the second comforter. For example 2 Peter 1:19 talks about the more sure word of prophecy associated with the second comforter and D&C 132:49 which talks about Joseph Smith’s calling and election made sure. Even vs. 4 of D&C 88 seems to refer to exaltation or calling and election made sure. Can you clear this up for me?

Steve, from Utah

Dear Steve,

The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Ghost. The Second Comforter is the promise of eternal life that the Savior makes to those who have proven themselves worthy, having dedicated themselves to the service of the Lord and having proven by their obedience and sacrifice that they will serve him to the end. Perhaps the following words of Joseph Smith will be of interest:

“The other Comforter spoken of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of this generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14th chapter, from the 12th to the 27th verses” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Three 1838-39, p.150).

Gramps

Dear Laura,

You are now entering into the most risky and dangerous part of your life. Also, it will be the most exciting, interesting and rewarding–depending on the kind of choices you make. How you handle the next five years will set the course of your entire life. The problem is that during this period of excitement, fun, adventure and romance, little thought is normally given to the long range effects of your decisions, but they are mostly driven by the anticipated immediate results, without thought for the long-term considerations.

One extreme example: You are out with a group of boys and girls, and one of the boys pulls out a bit of marijuana, crack, methamphetamine, or some other of the latest drugs, and says, “Here, have a bit of this. It’s really cool!” So he passes it around and the various kids each take a bit, and start acting like it’s really great stuff. So what do you do when it’s offered to you? If you give in and take some, with the idea that it will be just this once, and only for the reason of going along with the crowd, the attraction of that stuff is so powerful that in all probability you will become a drug addict, and your entire life will be ruined!
Getting hooked up with some kid as boyfriend/girlfriend at age 13 has some of the same hazards as getting hooked on dope. Here’s what you should do to maximize your happiness through the teen years and at the same time protect yourself from the subtle terrible effects of inappropriate relationships before gaining the maturity of the years necessary to handle them properly.

1) Never be found alone with a boy until you are at least 16 years old.

2) Between now and then, enjoy the company of boys and other girls in groups. Chaperoned group activities are the order of the day. If you are invited to go somewhere alone with a boy, say “No thank you. I never do that.” If you are asked to go to some function where there are some young kids together without adult supervision, ask “Will any grown-ups be going along?” If they say no, reply, “Sorry, but I don’t think that I can make it.”

Now, you will miss out on some “good” times, and undoubtedly will feel left out. OK, but the thing is, you are planning for the most happiness, not just for some immediate happiness that will end up later in more sorrow than you would want to experience. Don‘t ever give up what you want most for what you want now!

3) After age 16 it may be OK to begin dating the boys. But remember to always keep in mind the  plural, BOYS not BOY. Here’s a clue of human nature. Boys are highly motivated to experiment sexually, and they will normally use any ploy they can to get what they want. They will profess that you are the only girl in the world for them, and lay on every other form of flattery that they can come up with, but with only one objective, and that is to satisfy their own desires. If a boy really likes you, he will respect you, and will look out for your welfare and happiness.

So when you begin to date it is terribly important to know what a date is and how it should be carried out. A date is an appointment to go somewhere or do some specific thing together for a specific period of time. A date is not hanging out! When you go on a date with someone you will determine beforehand where you will be going, what you will be doing and when you will be finished. If he cannot supply those three items you don’t go out with him.

4) Never get into an exclusive relationship with any boy before the age 18, and hopefully before the age 20. From somewhere around 18 on, you will begin thinking about getting married. Then is the time for exclusive relationships to begin–never before.

So the point is to enjoy these formative years with wholesome group relationships. When dating time comes, gain experience by going with lots of different boys. They will all want to try to go steady with you, and as long as you don’t let that happen, you will be very popular. But the minute you start going steady with one guy everyone else backs off, and your popularity drops to zero, except for one guy–and you don’t want that to happen until you are ready to think about getting married.
Gramps