Food Storage

You know you're a Mormon when . . .

You have food storage underneath your dining-room table!

We are running out of space!

Soon I will be decorating my living room with food storage! ;-)

We have been trying to build-up our food storage supply and soon we will have to be more creative with storage space. I already use my linen-closet for food storage . . . I just don't trust putting food out in the garage. (Too many mice!) We are starting to stock-up on more bulk items like: wheat, rice, beans, etc. We are also working on our water supply.

It is amazing how good it feels to have a food supply -- especially in the strange economic times we are living in! Not to mention the calamities of nature -- which seem to be increasing in intensity, lately. But we have been told:

“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).

Truly, I do not live in daily fear. I love and enjoy my life. The times that we live in can be hard, but they are also full of goodness and HOPE. I am not stock-piling in some sort of weird frenzy. I am just doing my best to increase our supply little by little, as much as we can -- with the resources we have to work with.

For example, just buy an extra flat of water when you do weekly shopping, it adds up!

It is good to BE PREPARED!

----I came across this talk by President Gordon B. Hinckley----

(He passed away in 2008. Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet today)

During the October General Conference 2005 he stated: (This is not the full talk -- just some excerpts.)

How portentous are the words of revelation found in the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants concerning the calamities that should befall after the testimonies of the elders. The Lord says:

“For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.

“And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings,

and the voice of tempests

and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.

“And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people” (D&C 88:89–91).

How interesting are descriptions of the tsunami and the recent hurricanes in terms of the language of this revelation, which says, “The voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.”

Someone has said it was not raining when Noah built the ark. But he built it, and the rains came . . .

We have built grain storage and storehouses and stocked them with the necessities of life in the event of a disaster. But the best storehouse is the family storeroom. In words of revelation the Lord has said, “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing” (D&C 109:8).

(This is not my food storage . . . one day!!!)

Our people for three-quarters of a century have been counseled and encouraged to make such preparation as will assure survival should a calamity come.

We can set aside some water, basic food, medicine, and clothing to keep us warm. We ought to have a little money laid aside in case of a rainy day.

Now what I have said should not occasion a run on the grocery store or anything of that kind. I am saying nothing that has not been said for a very long time.

Let us never lose sight of the dream of Pharaoh concerning the fat cattle and the lean, the full ears of corn, and the blasted ears; the meaning of which was interpreted by Joseph to indicate years of plenty and years of scarcity (see Gen. 41:1–36).

I have faith, that the Lord will bless us, and watch over us, and assist us if we walk in obedience to His light, His gospel, and His commandments. He is our Father and our God, and we are His children, and we must be in every way deserving of His love and concern. That we may do so is my humble prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. - Gordon B. Hinckley

--------

So back to me . . . I am trying to be more diligent in gathering for things that may come. I am not fanatic about it, but rather -- I feel a sense of urgent diligence, regarding preparation. We have all felt the sting of the current economic situation, and there is no telling how long it might last. Though I am very hopeful things will improve!

I believe you will come to know the blessings that come from being obedient to any principle of the gospel. If you want to know the blessings from attending the temple . . . attend the temple. If you want to know the blessings of paying tithing . . . pay tithing. If you want to know the blessings of food storage . . . start gathering food! ;-)

There is no need to have fear about the future . . . if you are prepared for it.

Food storage is obviously not a guaranteed safety-net if some calamity happens -- but I believe if you are doing your best to be obedient, Heavenly Father will look after you. And if you are prepared, you can help others who are in need.

Hooray for Food Storage! ;-)

*I DO need HELP! I have a bunch of wheat and no idea what to do with it . . . any recipes/ideas?? I know I can find it on the internet, but recipes from people I know would be preferred!

THANKS!