How is it coming?

We are only about 5 weeks away from our goal date of having at least a one year supply of food storage on hand.  How are you doing?

Two weeks ago, I was called to be a Stake High Councilor.  It just so happens that one area of my responsibilities is Temporal Welfare.  The Stake has not released us as the Stake Welfare Specialists yet but will when they receive inspiration on who should be called to that position.  In the mean time, we are pushing ahead with that calling also. 

During the last year, we have been feeling a greater need to encourage everyone to become more prepared and listen to the Prophet.

 In his October 1973 conference address, President Ezra Taft Benson gave some excellent instructions about home storage:

“For the righteous the gospel provides a warning before a calamity, a program for the crises, a refuge for each disaster. …

“The Lord has warned us of famines, but the righteous will have listened to prophets and stored at least a year’s supply of survival food. …

“Brethren and sisters, I know that this welfare program is inspired of God. I have witnessed with my own eyes the ravages of hunger and destitution as, under the direction of the president of the Church, I spent a year in war-torn Europe at the close of World War II, without my family, distributing food, clothing, and bedding to our needy members. I have looked into the sunken eyes of Saints, in almost the last stages of starvation. I have seen faithful mothers carrying their children, three and four years of age, who were unable to walk because of malnutrition. I have seen a hungry woman turn down food for a spool of thread. I have seen grown men weep as they ran their hands through the wheat and beans sent to them from Zion—America.

“Thanks be to God for a prophet, for this inspired program, and for Saints who so managed their stewardship that they could provide for their own and still share with others.” (“Prepare Ye,” Ensign, Jan. 1974, pp. 69, 81–82.)

In General Conference of April 1976, Vaughn J. Featherstone gave a talk on becoming prepared. 

"The Lord will make it possible, if we make a firm commitment, for every Latter-day Saint family to have a year’s supply of food reserves.... All we have to do is to decide, commit to do it, and then keep the commitment. Miracles will take place; the way will be opened, and.... we will have our storage areas filled. We will prove through our actions our willingness to follow our beloved prophet and the Brethren, which will bring security to us and our families."

"I bear my humble witness to you that the great God of heaven will open doors and means in a way we never would have supposed to help all those who truly want to get their year’s supply. I know we will have time and money if we will commit and keep the commitment. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

Since we were inspired to start the Stake Food Storage goal a year ago, miracles have happened in our Stake.  One person donated over 300 cases of canned and bottled food that was distributed to the Bishops and Branch Presidents to be divided up to the members who they were inspired to give it to.  Pantry's have been filled and more families are working on their food storage and being prepared.   "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."  (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:7)
 
 If you have not started or have but have quit, decide to do it, commit to do it and then keep that commitment.  The Lord will bless you in your efforts.  If ye are prepared, ye need not fear. 

Bob and LouAnn Singer.