January 2004 Emergency Preparation How many times must we be told? "We encourage families to have on hand a year's supply; and we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where He says, 'Why call ye me....Lord, Lord...and do not the things which I say?'  How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so called, into action and call Him by His important names, but fail to do the things which He says?"     Spencer W. Kimball January is a good time to reflect, take stock and organize.  It is a good time to re-evaluate our goals and put priority on activities that will strengthen our families if an emergency situation may arise.  In today's troubled times, our well-being depends on living sound principles and preparing to be as self-reliant as possible in times of personal or widespread emergency.  We should be prepared for the future. Only preparation, both spiritual and temporal, can dispel fear. President Gordon B. Hinckley has suggested "that the time has come to get our houses in order. . . . There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed" (Ensign, Nov. 1998). The primary responsibility to prepare for and respond to emergencies rests with individuals and families. To help, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leaders have counseled families to: Prepare spiritually through fasting, family and personal prayer, family home evening, and honoring their covenants. Prepare financially by staying out of debt, saving for the future, and obtaining insurance if possible.  (Click here for a Family Emergency Financial Planning Guide.) Maintain physical health by practicing wise eating habits, observing the Word of Wisdom and exercising regularly. Acquire a year's supply of food.  Families should start by storing basic foods that would keep them alive if they had nothing else to eat.  They may then choose to store other foods that they are used to eating. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors a web site that provides valuable information to promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of individuals and families.  http://www.providentliving.org This site features: Caring for Others - Reaching out to those in need through Deseret Industries and Humanitarian Services. Food Storage & Emergency Preparedness - Helping families produce, store and prepare basic food storage items. Resource management - Wise counsel on how to manage our temporal resources. Employment - Helping people find jobs, training & self employment. Education & Literacy - The gospels perspective on educating every member of the family. Social & Emotional Strength - find information about fostering social & emotional strength & learn available resources. Physical Health - Information to improve & maintain a healthy lifestyle. Emergency Preparedness Resources through Church Magazines. Great family activity ideas and Family Home Evening Resources through the Church magazines articles. Other emergency web sites that you may be interested in are: United States Department of Homeland Security - Overview of the things that you can do to prepare for an emergency. Creating a Family Emergency Plan with a downloadable Family Communications Planner. Emergency Supplies Checklist 72 hour Food and Water List Download the PDF "Food and Water in an Emergency" from FEMA and the American Red Cross (100K). American Red Cross Web Site Winter Storm Preparedness including items for a Winter Emergency Kit. "Are You Ready?" - An online guide to Citizen Preparedness from FEMA. List of First Aid Kit Supplies - Including a thermometer in case of a biological threat and Potassium Iodide in case of a nuclear blast. Active Disasters and Emergency Information along with Preparedness information from the FEMA web site.   If Ye are Prepared, Ye Shall Not Fear... Lilies Lane Preparedness Binder Basic emergency preparedness information Back to January 2004 Newsletter Front Page