Preparedness
President Monson had this counsel for us as members:
“We should remember that the best storehouse system would be for every family in the Church to have a supply of food, clothing, and, where possible, other necessities of life.”
“Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had a supply of food and clothing and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have a supply of debt and are food-free.”
“Are we prepared for the emergencies in our lives? Are our skills perfected? Do we live providently? Do we have our reserve supply on hand? Are we obedient to the commandments of God? Are we responsive to the teachings of prophets? Are we prepared to give of our substance to the poor, the needy? Are we square with the Lord?
We live in turbulent times. Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties. When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past.”
Thomas S. Monson, 1st Presidency Message, September 2014
He gave us a checklist to live by. Go over this in your family council.
1. Are we obedient to the commandments of God? Keeping covenants
2. Are we square with the Lord? Repentance
3. Are we responsive to the teachings of prophets? Sustaining our leaders
4. Are we prepared to give of our substance to the poor, the needy? Service and charity
5. Do we live providently? Self sufficiency
6. Do we have our reserve supply on hand? Food, water, and other items
7. Are our skills perfected? Education and knowledge
8. Are we prepared for the emergencies in our lives? Debt free and storage
Review this with your families and prepare a plan to accomplish these things.
How would you answer the Prophets inquiries?
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I’ve said it before and I’m sure I will say it again. There is too much evidence from scripture and the words of prophets that all will not be well as we await the 2nd coming of Christ. You don’t have to be a Mormon to be able to see that inspired scriptural prophecy is being played out as you read this. I had a conversation with one of my leaders just last night. He believes that the U.S. will be spared and the Church as a whole will be spared these horrible judgments. I do not subscribe to this way of thinking.
“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.” October 1980
“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 percentage of slothful members, including some ward and stake officers. Yet we cannot say we have not been warned.”
Ezra Taft Benson, April 1965
“We do not say that all of the Saints will be spared and saved from the coming day of desolation. But we do say there is no promise of safety and no promise of security except for those who love the Lord and who are seeking to do all that he commands.
It may be, for instance, that nothing except the power of faith and the authority of the priesthood can save individuals and congregations from the atomic holocausts that surely shall be.
And so we raise the warning voice and say: Take heed; prepare; watch and be ready. There is no security in any course except the course of obedience and conformity and righteousness.” Bruce R. McConkie, April 1979
This last quote I remember so well. Bruce R. McConkie is a hero of mine and I hung on every word. I was preparing for a mission in 1979 and this quote struck me.
The quote from President Benson is of particular note. I agree with Apostle Benson. I know, some will say the quote was from 1965 and that things may have changed. Yes they have changed. I was young then and don’t remember the quote. What I do remember is the books that my parents had in the bookcase. Many of them support what President Benson believed and practiced. Now don’t get me wrong, I can disagree with my priesthood leader on this subject and still love, respect, and sustain him. And this I do.
I believe if we just apply 3rd Nephi to what is going on in the world today we’ll see that we are still behind in what is supposed to happen. 3rd Nephi mirrors our day.
“The record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior’s visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Savior’s second coming” (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 3; or Ensign, May 1987, 4). Book of Mormon Teacher Resource Manual, (2004), 302–303 lds.org
Be prepared and follow the words of the prophets.
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