"In the
vicinity where I once lived and served, the Church operated a poultry
project, staffed primarily by volunteers from the local wards. Most of
the time it was an efficiently operated project, supplying to the
bishops’ storehouse thousands of fresh eggs and hundreds of pounds of
dressed poultry. On a few occasions, however, being volunteer city
farmers meant not only blisters on the hands but also frustration of
heart and mind.
For
instance, I shall ever remember the time we gathered the Aaronic
Priesthood young men to give the project a spring-cleaning. Our
enthusiastic and energetic throng assembled at the project and in a
speedy fashion uprooted, gathered, and burned large quantities of weeds
and debris. By the light of the glowing bonfires, we ate hot dogs and
congratulated ourselves on a job well done.
However,
there was just one disastrous problem. The noise and the fires so
disturbed the fragile population of 5,000 laying hens that most of them
went into a sudden molt and ceased laying. Thereafter we tolerated a few
weeds so that we might produce more eggs.
No
member of the Church who has helped provide for those in need ever
forgets or regrets the experience. Industry, thrift, self-reliance, and
sharing with others are not new to us.
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.
Of
course there may be times when our members are in need of help from the
Church. The Lord’s storehouse includes the time, talents, skills,
compassion, consecrated material, and financial means of faithful Church
members. These resources are available to the bishop in assisting those
in need.
We
urge all Latter-day Saints to be prudent in their planning, to be
conservative in their living, and to avoid excessive or unnecessary
debt. 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.
I repeat what the First Presidency declared a few years ago:
“Latter-day
Saints have been counseled for many years to prepare for adversity by
having a little money set aside. Doing so adds immeasurably to security
and well-being. Every family has a responsibility to provide for its own
needs to the extent possible.
“We
encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for
adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to
be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases
to avoid debt. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves
from this bondage. Save a little money regularly to gradually build a
financial reserve.”1
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."
Listen closely to the talks that will be given in General Conference. Take notes as you are prompted by the Spirit and then act on those promptings.
We will be back with more interesting things next month.
Have fun with your food storage.
Bob and LouAnn
