I found a great article by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone from the May 1976 Ensign that talks about food storage. I love this talk and am including it here.
Food Storage
Bishop Vaughn J. Featherstone
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
Food Storage
Brethren of the
priesthood, sisters of the Relief Society, President Henry D. Moyle
suggested that when someone speaks we ought to get three things out of
the message. First and least important (but still very important), we
ought to get what is said. Second, and more important, we ought to have a
spiritual experience. Third, and most important, we should keep the
commitments we make to ourselves. Let’s write them down and follow
through. Don’t ever make a commitment to yourself you don’t intend to
keep—if you do, you weaken your character.
For twenty-six
years, since I was fifteen, I was involved in the grocery industry. I
learned much about human nature during those years. I remember the
effects that strikes, earthquakes, and rumors of war had on many very
active Latter-day Saints. Like the five foolish virgins, they rushed to
the store to buy food, caught in the panic of knowing that direction had
been given by the prophet but not having followed that
direction—fearful that maybe they had procrastinated until it was
everlastingly too late.
It was interesting
because only in Latter-day Saint communities did people seem to buy with
abandon. It was not a few Latter-day Saints—it was a significant
number. It caused great increases in sales. One such experience came
when a so-called prophecy by someone outside the Church was greatly
publicized.
How foolish we can
sometimes be! We have a living prophet; we have God’s living oracles,
the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles. Let us
follow the Brethren and be constant. We need have no fear if we are
prepared.
Brothers and
sisters, what have we done in our stakes and wards to see that every
Latter-day Saint has a year’s reserve of food to sustain life? Let’s not
only keep teaching the principle, but let’s also teach our people how.
This morning I
would like to discuss food storage. Let me suggest three or four things
we can do. Start by taking an inventory—take a physical count of all of
your reserves. This would be a great family
home evening project if you’re prepared. If not, it may be terribly
embarrassing to you in front of your family. Imagine how the powerful
testimony you bear concerning a living prophet must sound to your
children, who know that as a family head you have been counseled for
years to have a year’s reserve of food on hand. We need to know where we
are. Every family should take an inventory—get all the facts.
Second, decide
what is needed to bring your present reserve levels to a year’s supply.
Then make a list and prepare a plan. Consider first, what are the
basics?—wheat (or grain from your locale), sugar or honey, dried milk,
salt, and water. Most of us can afford such basics. Buy them from your
monthly food budget allowance. The Church discourages going into debt to
buy for storage.
Where the foods I mentioned are not available or are not basic in your culture or area, make appropriate substitutions.
Now you ask, “Where do I get the money for these things? I agree we need them, but I’m having a hard time making ends meet.”
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 by April 1977. 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 next April 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.
Now regarding home
production: Raise animals where means and local laws permit. Plant
fruit trees, grapevines, berry bushes, and vegetables. You will provide
food for your family, much of which can be eaten fresh. Other food you
grow can be preserved and included as part of your home storage.
Wherever possible, produce your nonfood necessities of life. Sew and
mend your own clothing. Make or build needed items. I might also add,
beautify, repair, and maintain all of your property.
Home production of
food and nonfood items is a way to stretch your income and to increase
your skills and talents. It is a way to teach your family to be
self-sufficient. Our children are provided with much needed
opportunities to learn the fundamentals of work, industry, and thrift.
President Romney has said, “We will see the day when we will live on
what we produce.” (Conference Reports, April 1975, p. 165.)
I should like to
address a few remarks to those who ask, “Do I share with my neighbors
who have not followed the counsel? And what about the nonmembers who do
not have a year’s supply? Do we have to share with them?” No, we don’t
have to share—we
get
to share! Let us not be concerned about silly thoughts of whether we
would share or not. Of course we would share! What would Jesus do? I
could not possibly eat food and see my neighbors starving. And if you
starve to death after sharing, “greater love hath no man than this …” (
John 15:13.)
Now what about
those who would plunder and break in and take that which we have stored
for our families’ needs? Don’t give this one more idle thought. There is
a God in heaven whom we have obeyed. Do you suppose he would abandon
those who have kept his commandments? He said, “If ye are prepared, ye
need not fear.” (
D&C 38:30.)
Prepare, O men of Zion, and fear not. Let Zion put on her beautiful
garments. Let us put on the full armor of God. Let us be pure in heart,
love mercy, be just, and stand in holy places. Commit to have a year’s
supply of food by April 1977.
Bishops and stake
presidents, let us accept the challenge on behalf of the Saints in our
wards and stakes. It will prove to be a very Christlike deed on your
part. Follow through and check up one year from now and make certain we
achieve results.
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.)
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.
Lightly slash the tops of the loaves with a sharp serrated knife. Bake 450 degrees 25 minutes. Yield 2 baguettes
