Who has 'enough' storage?

[n8-r]

The scriptures and prophets have stated that at least half of the members of Gods church being tares. The parable of the 10 virgins is about endowed members. The 10 virgins represent the endowed members of the church, not the whole membership. At least 50% of those, will not be prepared. If you further study the scriptures and what prophets have said you will find the number to be even higher. Much less than 50% of active members have made temple covenants, and at least 50% of those who have will be found without oil in their lamps. The percentage of non temple covenant members that will be found as tares will be a lot higher than those who have made temple covenants. So if 50% of temple covenant members will be tares, then we can expect perhaps 75% or more of those who aren't temple covenant members to be tares, because the more valiant members that are likely to be wheat will be making strong efforts to get to the temple, while the less valiant ones more likely to be tares won't. Therefore you will find a higher percentage of tares among the unendowed members than among the endowed ones. If you combine all the numbers you will realize that the majority of members will be tares.

Alrighty then. It just doesn't sound like a very positive place to come from when serving and worshiping with your fellow ward members. But whatever works for you to keep you motivated, I guess!

It's not about being negative, it's about realizing reality.
Mathew 7:13-14

"13 ¶Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Even with this knowledge there is great positiveness to be found in serving the Lord and striving to be His wheat and help others do the same. The book of mormon is full of negativity with the prophets constantly lamenting because the church members are caught up in the world more often than not. Yet there is also great hope and positivity in the book as well centering around faith in Christ. I think the point is not to give up and be overcome with depression because of the worldliness and tares around us, but rather to just be aware of it so that we do not embrace it, and to press forward. It's a fight to not be a tare and walk the straight and narrow. I am not claiming that I have secured my classification as wheat, but I am aware of what it takes. I am not saying I have achieved that yet. I just want to do the best I can only hope to be found as wheat in the end. I have a lot of refining to go through still...........

[n8-r]

Here's the thing about wheat and tares. We are told our primary concern is to make sure that we are not tares. We shouldn't worry about determining who is or is not a tare, other than to avoid evil influence in our lives.

How can you avoid being a tare if you can't recognize what it takes to be one? That has been my message. We need to realize the things people are doing around us that classifies them as tares, ourselves included. It's not about condemning others or ourselves, but rather observing, judging righteously, and going to work to be what we have commanded to be. The tares are not tares because that is what they are. They become tares as a result of their choices that turn them into tares. The wheat become wheat the same way.

[singyourwayhome]

I can't see how we can judge anyone else as to whether they are wheat or tares.

My testimony is that we can see how to judge. 'By their fruits'- the results in people's lives. The way I see it is that it's all about love. Which shows itself as service. Kinda like:

If we do all things yet have not charity, we are nothing. That's how I see it.

Love is what the Savior was talking about when he answered the question about what the greatest commandment was. The way I can become wheat is by really loving and serving God and his children.

But that's a splinter topic on this thread.

As to the first question raised, President Kimball said,

Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden, spectacular program

So no, I didn't stop preparing when I reached a year's supply. And the idea is not to stockpile. It's about having food and ABILITIES that help me become more self-reliant, and then be able to help others. The only reason God can help others is that he is perfectly self-reliant. (See "The Celestial Nature of Self Reliance" by Marion G. Romney. It's been in the Ensign THREE times.)

There's a great article by Ronald Millett, published a couple years ago on Meridian Magaine online. I can't seem to find it anywhere anymore, but I have it in my personal files. Here it is: sorry it takes up so much space...)
No One to Go Away Empty Handed

By Ronald P. Millett
Recent calamities of nature have emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness and the opportunity we have to minister to those in need. Like Joseph in Egypt , sometimes the Lord preserves life through self-reliance rather than a miracle such as being fed by manna in the Sinai wilderness. Joseph told his brethren:
“I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt . Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
– Genesis 45:4-7
In our day we have been counseled to practice provident living that includes storing a year's supply of basic foods, clothing and where possible fuel. This supply is to minister to both ourselves and to others in times of need. President Hinckley emphasized:
“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). 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.” 1
What Brigham Said
I found a quote by Brigham Young in the Journal of Discourses that described the plight that the saints faced during the first winter in the Salt Lake Valley . It was more interesting because I had studied more about the events of the year when it was given, 1856. Even though we usually remember the cricket plague of 1848 where the crops were saved by the seagulls, the most serious insect plague for the pioneers was “the great grasshopper invasion” of 1855, resulting in the loss of over 70% of the crops throughout the now extensively settled Utah Territory . Here is one description of these numerous and dangerous pests.
“Often the first approach of the grasshoppers was signaled when swarms of them appeared in the air overhead----an awesome sight. Settlers described them as looking like a 'heavy snowstorm' or snowflakes and so numerous as to cover the sky and darken the sun. The Deseret News reported one massive appearance in which 'the grasshoppers filled the sky for three miles deep, or as far as they could be seen without the aid of telescopes, and somewhat resembling a snow storm.” 2
Heber C. Kimball traveled through the Utah territory in 1855 and reported in a letter to his son that “From this place south as far as we went, the grasshoppers have cut down the grain, and there is not fifty acres now standing of any kind of grain in Salt Lake Valley, and what is now standing, they are cutting it down as fast as possible. In Utah County the fields are pretty much desolate; in Juab Valley not a green spear of grain is to be seen, nor in Sanpete, nor in Fillmore.” 3
In 1856, as Brigham Young delivered this address, the saints were praying that their new harvest would be able to keep them from starvation after the previous devastating year of grasshopper attacks. The handcart companies were on their way to the valley starting in this year. If their crops failed or the hated insects returned again in force, the handcart pioneers might have arrived in the valley in the middle of a serious famine.
Here is what Brigham Young said in the tabernacle on June 8, 1856:
The first year that I came into this valley I had not flour enough to last my family until harvest, and that I had brought with me, and persons were coming to my house every day for bread. I had the blues about one day; I went down to the old fort, and by the time I got back to my house I was completely cured. I said to my wife, “Do not let a person come here for food and go away empty handed, for if you do we shall suffer before harvest; but if you give to every individual that comes we shall have enough to last us through.”
I have proven this many a time, and we have again proven it this year. I have plenty on hand, and shall have plenty, if I keep giving away. More than two hundred persons eat from my provisions every day, besides my own family and those who work for me.
I intend to keep doing so, that my bread may hold out, for if I do not I shall come short. Do you believe that principle? I know it is true, because I have proven it so many times.
I have formerly told this community of a circumstance that occurred to brother Heber and myself, when we were on our way to England . We paid our passage to Kirtland, and to my certain knowledge we had only $13.50, but we paid out $87.00; this is but one instance among many which I could name.
You who have flour and meat, deal it out, and do not be afraid that you will be too much straightened, for if you will give, you will have plenty, for it is God who sustains us and we have got to learn this lesson. All I ask of you is to apply your heart to wisdom and to watch the providences of God, until you prove for yourselves that I am telling the truth, even that which I do know and have experienced. 4
Brigham Young had been diligent in doing all that he could before he received these blessings where the Lord literally multiplied his food. His wagons were full of flour and his land planted as best he could. Also, in true pioneer spirit of thrift, industry and hatred of the dole, those in need who were able bodied would expect and be expected to work for what they received.
Sharing Our Food Supply
In April conference of 1976, Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone also talked about sharing our food supply with our neighbors.
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. 5
In two recent conferences, Bishop Keith B. McMullin has given us detailed counsel on self-reliance so that we can “Lay up in Store” so that our “stores may not fail.”
Faith, spirituality, and obedience produce a prepared and self-reliant people. As we obey the covenant of tithing, we are shielded from want and the power of the destroyer. As we obey the fast and give generously to care for others, our prayers are heard and family fidelity increases. Similar blessings come as we obey the counsel of the prophets and live within our means, avoid unnecessary debt, and set aside sufficient of life's necessities to sustain ourselves and our families for at least a year. This may not always be easy, but let us do our very best, and our stores shall not fail—there shall be “enough and to spare.” (D&C 104:17) 6
From President James E. Faust, Second Counselor, we hear: “Every father and mother are the family's storekeepers. They should store whatever their own family would like to have in the case of an emergency … [and] God will sustain us through our trials.” From President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor, we hear: “Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year's supply of food … and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food-free.” From President Gordon B. Hinckley, the Lord's prophet, we hear: ‘The best place to have some food set aside is within our homes. … We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with a one week's food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. … I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. …
Inspired preparation rests on the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ, obedience, and a provident lifestyle. Members should not go to extremes, but they should begin.
We call upon priesthood bearers to store sufficient so that you and your family can weather the vicissitudes of life. Please see to it that those entrusted to your watch care receive these two pamphlets entitled “All Is Safely Gathered In.” Exhort them to prepare now for rainy days ahead. 7
Gladly Ministering
The Book of Mormon also emphasizes the importance of gladly ministering to the needy. “And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.”
Alma 1:30
The prophetic and scriptural message seems to be that after diligent effort to be obedient and self reliant, it is our Christian generosity that then determines that we will have plenty, even extended miraculously, during difficult times. Following these principles, we might imagine that the man with the shotgun protecting his food from his hungry neighbor may go home to find his own food stolen or infested with insects or rodents. We also might imagine a modern day widow, like the widow of old who fed the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:7-16), with her carefully saved buckets of food miraculously being able to feed a hungry multitude.

________________________________________
Notes
1. Gordon B. Hinckley , “If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear,” General Conference, October 1, 2005.
2. Davis Bitton and Linda P Wilcox, “Pestiferous Ironclads: The Grasshopper Problem in Pioneer Utah ,” Utah Historical Quarterly, 46 #4,
“The worst year, by any measurement, was 1855, when grasshoppers invaded the territory from the far north through Iron County , wiping out the third sowing of some crops in Salt Lake County , destroying all or nine-tenths of the grain in some Iron County towns, and denuding whole fields elsewhere. Following a trip throughout the territory in the spring of 1855, Heber C. Kimball wrote to his son William, describing the extent of the devastation:”
‘From this place south as far as we went, the grasshoppers have cut down the grain, and there is not fifty acres now standing of any kind of grain in Salt Lake Valley, and what is now standing, they are cutting it down as fast as possible. In Utah county the fields are pretty much desolate; in Juab Valley not a green spear of grain is to be seen, nor in Sanpete, nor in Fillmore. In Little Salt Lake they are still sowing, also at Cedar City , that county being so much later the grain is not yet up, but the grasshoppers are there, ready to sweep down the grain as soon as it comes up. In the north as far as Box Elder the scenery is the same.... and to look at things at this present time, there is not the least prospect of raising one bushel of grain in the valleys this present season.... I must say there is more green stuff in the gardens in G. S. L. City than there is in all the rest of the counties; still there is a great many of the gardens in the city entirely ruined. Brother Wm. C. Staines told me this morning that he had 500,000 young apple trees come up and they are all cut down to the ground, and many gardens where the peach trees were full of peaches, every leaf and peach are gone.'
“Twenty years later, it was still estimated that 70 percent of the cereals, vegetables, and fruits that year had been destroyed, making 1855 stand out as a year of crippling loss.”
See also: Ronald P. Millett, “A Year's Supply for Times of Liberty and Plenty,” Meridian Magazine, 4/08/2002, http://www.ldsmag.com/sci_rel/020408supply.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
3. Ibid.
4. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol 3, p.332-333, June 8, 1856.
5. Vaughn J. Featherstone, “Food Storage,” Ensign, May 1976, p. 116.
6. Keith B. McMullin, “Be Prepared . . . Be Ye Strong from Henceforth,” Ensign, November, 2005, p. 10
7. Keith B. McMullin, “Lay up in Store,” Ensign, May, 2007, p. 51-53

[Rosabella]

We have been shown again and again in the Scriptures what to do.

I find the Scriptures about the widow and child who had only one meal left and they were about to eat but fed the Prophet Elijah instead to be of great inspiration. This was an act of true faith. She could have said "I am sorry I only have enough for my family and they come first, I and my son are my first stewardship", but because of her great faith and sacrifice they were blessed not only with food but the life of her son. She did not lean on the arm of flesh but did as the Lord told her to do and was blessed. I will follow her great example over that of anyone that does the opposite for I have seen the fruits of her faith. My faith is strengthened by her faith. I can only hope I can do as she did and selflessly give as she has given, even as Christ our Savior has given His life for us.

1 Kings 17:8-23

8 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,

9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

12 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.

15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.

18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.

20 And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?

21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.

22 And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

[Rosabella]

Here is what Brigham Young said in the tabernacle on June 8, 1856:

The first year that I came into this valley I had not flour enough to last my family until harvest, and that I had brought with me, and persons were coming to my house every day for bread. I had the blues about one day; I went down to the old fort, and by the time I got back to my house I was completely cured. I said to my wife, “Do not let a person come here for food and go away empty handed, for if you do we shall suffer before harvest; but if you give to every individual that comes we shall have enough to last us through.”

I have proven this many a time, and we have again proven it this year. I have plenty on hand, and shall have plenty, if I keep giving away. More than two hundred persons eat from my provisions every day, besides my own family and those who work for me.
I intend to keep doing so, that my bread may hold out, for if I do not I shall come short. Do you believe that principle? I know it is true, because I have proven it so many times.

Thanks for that quote!

That is a pretty clear answer to what principle we should abide by to be blessed and what the consequence is if you do not follow it.

[Mahonri]

I have all I need right here

[Rosabella]

As for the question "Who has "enough" storage? I say the minimum is a year of all that we are told to store, after that if we have the means and space we should store as much as we can realistically. The Lord always asks the minimum from us, if we want to be far more able to help others and the more we store the better. It is like fasting offerings, the more we can give the more help can be given to those in need. What a blessing it is to be able to help others that are in great need. We are the Lord's hands and what an honor it is to be able to bless the lives of others. This is not limited to money or food storage but also our time, emotional support and missionary work etc. If we have consecrated our lives and all of our belongings truly to God it is a very clear thing to see what we need to do. We are to do as much as we can to build the Kingdom. Consecration is sacrifice and service. Is it always easy or comfortable no, but the rewards are worth it. The joy in knowing you are building the Lord's Kingdom is priceless.

[NoGreaterLove]

Hello RosaBella

[Rosabella]

Hello My Dear Sweet Friend NoGreaterLove

It seems one of the first times I remember reading your posts (when I had just joined) was way back in January 2009 and it was on a thread just like this one called sharing food storage with the unprepared and disobedient It seems like Déjà vu the same arguments again and again LOL

I have only grown to love your comments and insights even more and more since then. :ymhug:

[NoGreaterLove]

Hello My Dear Sweet Friend NoGreaterLove

It seems one of the first times I remember reading your posts (when I had just joined) was way back in January 2009 and it was on a thread just like this one called sharing food storage with the unprepared and disobedient It seems like Déjà vu the same arguments again and again LOL

I have only grown to love your comments and insights even more and more since then. :ymhug:

Ditto. Still riding the same merry-go-round. Although I can say I have not been taken to the barn yet, but I am sure it is coming.

[Original_Intent]

I can't see how we can judge anyone else as to whether they are wheat or tares. I'll leave that up to the Lord to decide. I don't think it's wise to assume that those who don't have food storage are wicked. I see many who simply can't do it right now....they don't have the means to do so, but they would do it if they could. That is how the Lord will judge, I believe. I see us working together in our wards/stakes and cooperating with each other and sharing and bartering. That's the only way we can become a Zion people. Otherwise, only the survivalists would be considered wheat, if the only criteria was how much storage one has. Surely, that is not the case.

If we do all things yet have not charity, we are nothing. That's how I see it.

This is, generally, a completely false argument.

If it was known that in 6 months that no food would be available for a year, but for the next six months things would be normal and food would be available - you would see what people could and could not do. They would find a way.

The truth of the matter is, people either don't REALLY believe they are going to need it, or they thing they will "see it coming" and be able to prepare at the last minute, or that they will be able to survive off of their prepared neighbors. Now, with unemployment as it is, there are probably a good number who cannot prepare...can we examine their lives over the last twenty years, and honestly say they made a "best effort" (as if their lives depended on it) to prepare? I would say not 1 in 10,000 could say that. Certainly, at the very least, we can be sure that the VAST majority have bought jet-skis, or big screen TVs, or a newer car than they needed, or a bigger house, etc.

So I think the argument that they would do it but simply can't right now - yes there may be a few that this is a legit argument, but largely this is just emotional blackmail, removing responsibility from the individual, and saying that those who have sacrificed having a lot of those nice toys in favor of doing what the prophets have counselled NOW need to "share and share alike" - sorry, no, it has never been so, and while I will help as I can, providing for my family is my duty, and providing for everyone else, the grasshoppers if you will - is not.

edit: oh yes, as I have stated on previous threads - those of you in the share and share alike camp - by all means, there are plenty of people out there right now in need. Go on down to the food bank and let all the people there know that you have food, and are willing and eager to share. We are in hard times now, for all we know THIS is the time we were told to have food storage to get thru, and some people AREN'T. So please, walk the walk, otherwise you are all talk. (and I realize that some of you have indeed already shared your food sotrage with those in need.) Anyone who hasn't, but is talking about how we need to take care of the poor and have quoted plenty of scripture to support that - go set that example for the rest of us.

[Original_Intent]

[quote="Original_Intentwithout undo concern about my physical security as long as I am doing what I am supposed to.

Fine but do consider the welfare of your spouse and / or kids. Didn't you see what the mobs of shoppers did last Thanksgiving at WalMart? There were near riots, shootings and injurys sutained while fighting over cheap crap from China. What do you think these same people will do when they've been w/o food for a week or two?

I applaud your level of Christlike charity but think about it. Plan on giving it to the bishop to distribute. In the meantime, don't let anyone else know you have this much food. Don't put your family at risk.[/quote]

I appreciate your concern for my safety. Suffice it to say, I will be long gone from my current location if things go bad. If things go so bad that travel is not allowed or not doable, we will already be living in a Mad Max world. But your advice to not overshare your preps online is good. And I don;t have that wheat yet - that is the next GOAL.

[kathyn]

Original Intent, I am with Rosabella on this one. If you want to trust in the "arm of flesh", go right ahead. I know I will be asked to share and I will do it. Do you believe in repentance? I do, and the coming calamities are another way the Lord will be preaching his sermons. The purpose is to get people to repent. Yeah, it stinks that people haven't caught the vision of storage. Yet, I'm not ready to write them off. The deal is, they'll have to subsist on wheat and whatever. I'll have more variety in my food. So I'll be much better off, still.

And this is a rehash of an old thread...to share our food storage or not. Let's just agree to disagree and follow our consciences.

[Original_Intent]

Original Intent, I am with Rosabella on this one. If you want to trust in the "arm of flesh", go right ahead. I know I will be asked to share and I will do it. Do you believe in repentance? I do, and the coming calamities are another way the Lord will be preaching his sermons. The purpose is to get people to repent. Yeah, it stinks that people haven't caught the vision of storage. Yet, I'm not ready to write them off. The deal is, they'll have to subsist on wheat and whatever. I'll have more variety in my food. So I'll be much better off, still.

And this is a rehash of an old thread...to share our food storage or not. Let's just agree to disagree and follow our consciences.

Please read my above posts - we are not in disagreement, except that to say that any significant number CAN'T prepare - sorry no that is bull-pucky, again if people KNEW that in six months there would be no more food you would see vastly different behavior. So my only real difference with you, and what I intended to convey, is this idea that the vast majority are preparing "as best they can" and if they are not prepared it was because they were in a situation that they couldn't. That's completely false.

[sbsion]

I'll still share

[ktg]

Didn't you see what the mobs of shoppers did last Thanksgiving at WalMart? There were near riots, shootings and injurys sutained while fighting over cheap crap from China. What do you think these same people will do when they've been w/o food for a week or two?

I'm not saying this WILL happen, but from the scriptures, this is what has happened.

2 Kings 6
25 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an @#$’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver.

26 And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.

27 And he said, If the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?

28 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.

29 So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

BTW, I don't know anyone, except maybe a few very elderly people, who CAN'T accumulate storage. Only a very few who I know have ANY long term storage. They simply chose to ignore the council given and spend their money on bigger houses, new cars, 4 wheelers, boats, new landscaping, vacations, etc.

[Original_Intent]

By the way, I never said that. ^^^^^^^^^^^

And I agree, most are more worried about getting their slice of Gadianton pie than preparing. (that goes for old and young alike.)

[Rosabella]

What people seem to forget here is we think everything is in the future. That all of the sudden things will be so hard that we will be all trapped in our homes and have to eat into our food storage. We do not know how it will all transpire. I know personally many families that already are having to use their food storage to survive NOW through this crisis. So are they going to count as tares by those of you that judge people without food storage as tares, therefore not worthy of assistance and deserve to die a punishment? How can one judge who is an idler or who has just suffered longer.

Why do we as a church send aid to other countries in times of need. If we really believe 100% in self-reliance at all times then we should just say "they should have known calamities would befall them and been better prepared. It is the Lord's calamity therefore he wants them to suffer."

Telestrial, Terrestrial and Celestial mindsets really show when food storage is discussed.

Those of you that want to keep your food do not have to share, but do know that Brigham Young said it pretty clear that if you do not share your stock pile will cease and you will not have enough for yourself and your family but if you do share it will be replenished.

If for some reason the food runs out an you die so what. Do you not believe you are going onto a better place? Do you not also believe in the hand of God in all things that he can spare your life or even take it if it is His will? We are not in control as much as man wants to think he is. God is in control. Yes we should follow what we have been commanded to do which is two part. 1) have a food storage 2) feed the needy. Let God be the one that judges who is punished not you or you will end up the one that is punished most likely more than the unprepared. Which law is higher? Food storage or feeding the needy, clothing the naked and loving thy brother as thyself? We are to show forgiveness and mercy, it is God that judges. Judging righteously has no part what so ever in feeding he needy for the Lord has never said that. He never said only feed those that YOU think are good enough to help.

I fear those that premeditated not sharing and justified it by whatever means will find their cupboards empty and the Lord will not sustain them for they did not love their brother as their self as commanded. Ironically when you put yourself before another you actually put yourself in a worse position then if you put the other first. It is a principle the Lord has taught again and again, but for some reason people reject it even though it is a true principle and it is doctrine. I think it is lack of faith in God that causes people to not understand this fundamental principle of the Gospel. They want to lean on the arm of flesh because they trust it more then do a the they have not seen that has told us to do.

What “Loving Your Neighbor” Really Means by Robert J Matthews Ensign October 1975

In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29–37) the Lord taught that one’s neighbor is anyone who is in need; he also showed that neighborliness consists of ministering to that need. In another instance, after speaking about clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, attending the sick, and such things, Jesus explained that “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me,” and conversely, that “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me.” (Matt. 25:40, 45.)

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Galatians 5:14

Matthew 22: 37-39

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt alove the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.


My food storage is not mine it is God's to do with as He pleases.

[kathyn]

OI, I do concede that if people knew they had only six months to get their food storage, they would somehow get it. But most of them would be "panic buyers" and that's not the best way to do things, either. I still maintain that there are many who are doing the best they can....not all....probably not half, but still a good number. We have many in our area who are upside-down with their mortgages. They just happened to buy at the wrong time. Life just happens. I am willing to give many people the benefit of a doubt.

[ktg]

By the way, I never said that. ^^^^^^^^^^^

I know.

[davedan]

After acquiring a year supply of food. That food needs to be rotated.

do not forget, water, fuel, and clothing.

Get out of debt. Have some emergency money set aside.

Also, remember Pres. Benson talked about the principle of home production.

You will need to adapt to the new economy

[singyourwayhome]

The Church's Home Storage Centers are changing prices in a big way, effective April 4. (So you have until Saturday night-- Thank goodness my stake's day was yesterday!) Wheat is going from $7.65/25# to $11.45. Sugar will be over $21/25#, and quick oats go from $9.35/25# to $15.95. All the foods increase in price this time, except for the prepackaged starter kit. (Do I sense a message here?) The price list is at http://www.providentliving.org/pfw/mult ... NG_pdf.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Aren't you glad for what you have already? (What was the name of this thread, again?)
For you Utahns, Macey's, Fresh Market, and Smith's have their case lot sales this week, and the Bosch Kitchen Centers have their 'Conference Sale' (50# hard wheat for $16.50-$18, depending on how much you buy.)

I don't know how to attach a file on here, so if any of you want the prices that were current until yesterday, PM me and I'll send the pdf as an attachment.

And hopefully I don't start the panic some people have referred to... )

[ndjili]

I share my food storage now so pretty sure I will continue to do that. On a side note, yes the church's prices are set every year and depend on how much they buy things for...but they're still not as bad as when I was getting things in 2008...could get there fast though.

[Rosabella]

My son thought this video was hysterical and wanted me to post it.

To share or not to share that is the question. =))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj00ii1BLV8 =)) ) ( =))

[Jason]

I'll still share

I'll be tickled pink to share with everyone that's left after the plague!