In looking up old ensign issues for welfare articles I found something really interesting. Each of the lead in sentences is in essence a mini lesson. For example:
Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1999, 76–79
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members strive to emulate the Savior's example as we seek to relieve suffering and foster self-reliance.
L. Tom Perry, Ensign, Nov. 1991, 64–66
The principle of self-reliance is spiritual as well as temporal. It is not a doomsday program; it is something to be practiced each and every day of our lives. (this was one of my personal favourites)
Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Sept. 1986, 2–5
The guiding principles [of welfare are] work, self-reliance, sound financial management, a year's supply, caring for the extended family, and wise use of Church resources.
Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 1986, 25–27
Few, if any, of the Lord's instructions are stated more often, or given greater emphasis, than the commandment to care for the poor and the needy. Our dispensation is no exception.
Robert D. Hales, Ensign, May 1986, 28–30
When we think of welfare, let us think of the plan revealed by our Lord for the eternal welfare of our souls.
Marion G. Romney, Ensign, Apr. 1981, 3–7
Self-reliance, as taught by the prophets, becomes a fundamental truth in the gospel plan.
Marion G. Romney, Ensign, May 1980, 82–84
The crowning aspect of a Christlike life is found in serving one's fellowmen.
Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Nov. 1978, 74–77
Our houses can be in order by planned, consistent, and timely application of basic welfare principles and programs.
Aren’t they fantastic, precise to the point lessons, yet lovingly conveyed by the Lord’s anointed.
Latter Day Saints in general are held in high regard by some and as objects of ridicule and scorn by others. Our beliefs and practises make us exactly as Joseph Smith described us “a peculiar people”. And he had the backing of one of the first apostles Peter who said.
But ye are a achosen generation, a broyal cpriesthood, an dholy enation, a fpeculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of gdarkness into his marvellous hlight: (1st Peter 2:9)
And yet despite the scorn of many, our practises of food storage and preparedness are now spreading to the rest of the world and being embraced as a sensible idea rather than a quirk of our religion.
Our own Government has begun to say that each household should have some food stored in case of an emergency. The United States Government has also begun to make noises about the people being prepared by storing food.
An article in the 5th of April New Scientist magazine discussed the issue of what would happen in a pandemic. A pandemic is a virulent disease outbreak or other epidemic, which would affect the current world practises and habits on both a local and a global level, such as devastation by natural forces.
For example if the bird flu or some other deadly virus took hold again and people began to die, panic would set in and people would begin to horde supplies and not venture out for fear of contracting the disease. Hospitals would be inundated with sick and suffering people, work places would shut down due to loss of staff through death or fear and enforce closures to protect the companies from further infection and losses. Which would in a matter of days cripple a nation. The world is so vast and yet technology has made it so small. Supermarkets now carry only enough food for three or four days, why stock more when they can get more trucked in from storehouses? Same with hospitals they carry a three to four days supply of things like oxygen, medication would also run out pretty swiftly as would blood supplies. Government bodies are starting to look at this and take it seriously.
But this is something we have been counselled about for generations.
We know we need to be prepared against the days of trial and hardship, we know we need to be prepared for all things and we know how to do it, we have countless addresses by our Leaders, books and other instructional material for our use to help us to be prepared for all things.
Now is a fantastic time for us to share our knowledge and our gospel foundation for self-reliance and food storage. We as a peculiar people can show those who care to learn how to become self-reliant and in doing so share the gospel with them through living these principals.
Not only do we have our leaders and church materials to teach us, we have the scriptures, which also lead us and guide us and give us specific instruction.
James 1:27 areligion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To bvisit the cfatherless and dwidows in their eaffliction, and to keep himself funspotted from gthe hworld.
Jacob 1:17-19
Think of your abrethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your bsubstance, that cthey may be rich like unto you.
But abefore ye seek for briches, seek ye for the ckingdom of God.
And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to ado good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
D&C 42:31
And inasmuch as ye aimpart of your bsubstance unto the cpoor, ye will do it unto me; and they shall be dlaid before the ebishop of my church and his fcounselors, two of the elders, or high priests, such as he shall appoint or has appointed and gset apart for that purpose.
D&C 104:15-18
And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
But it must needs be done in mine own away; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the bpoor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
For the aearth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be bagents unto themselves.
Therefore, if any man shall take of the aabundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the blaw of my gospel, unto the cpoor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in dhell, being in torment.
At the end of the day it comes back to this. The Lord has spoken directly to us through the scriptures, through His mouthpiece, the Prophet, through His apostles, His church leaders, all those who are called to serve. “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).
I can show you the menu, but I can’t make you eat. The Lord can show you His choice food and help you to eat and digest it. Follow Him in all things. Don’t leave it to a worldly government to tell you what to do, get prepared now to the best of your ability and lean on the Lord.
It is a good to be prophet following, gospel abiding, getting prepared, humble example, faith building, peculiar Latter Day Saint.
Yours in preparedness
Georgia
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