Recently I have seen panic and fear due to tariffs and deportation and so much more. The media is feeding us information hourly, some true, some partially true, some completely untrue. What do we believe? Why are people panicked about the future and how to protect themselves?

We have just commemorated Holy Week and the resurrection of the Savior. During the week before His crucifixion, the Savior taught in the form of several parables, performed the last supper and told us of the things to come before He returns. This was His final chance to teach the most important things for the disciples to know before they were on their own to continue His work on earth. He taught:

Matthew 24:

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for mu names sake

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Why are we so willing to listen to media but we have not listened to the Savior? We are panicked about preparing because the stock market is falling but have not prepared after being taught by the Savior himself whose only motivation was to protect and save us. We have seen the things the Savior warned about occurring around us but we have neglected preparing.

Was President Benson right? “Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they will somehow be set aside because of the righteousness of the saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion.”

Have we not heard the Savior, or do we not believe Him?

Now is the time to begin or to step up our efforts. Let us move forward letting the Savior motivate us. We can trust Him.

So now what? Remember the question “how do you eat an elephant”? Answer: one bite at a time. The same is true of preparing to become self-reliant. Take it one step at a time.

Begin by asking yourself some basic questions.

  • Do I have a three-month supply of the foods we eat including desserts and snacks?
  • Do I have hygiene products stored, enough for at least three months?
  • Do I have a three-month supply of cleaning and laundry supplies stored?
  • Do I have items stored or do I know how to make items from things around the house to cook off grid?
  • Do I have water stored?
  • Do I have a way to purify water?
  • Does our family know how to turn off the water to the house?
  • Does our family know how to turn off the gas into the house?
  • Does our family know how to turn off the electricity to the house?
  • Does our family know how to open the garage door in a power outage?
  • Do we have emergency phone numbers posted by each phone?
  • Do we have a flashlight or other non-electric light source next to all beds?
  • Do we have car keys next to your bed?
  • Do we have a pair of sturdy shoes under your bed?
  • Do we have a flashlight or other non-electric light source next to all beds?
  • Do we have a whistle next to all beds?
  • Do I have car keys next to your bed?
  • Do we have a pair of sturdy shoes under our beds?
  • Does our family have a meeting place?
  • Does our family have a fire escape plan?
  • Have we rehearsed your escape plan?

Many of these things can be accomplished today and checked off your list. Begin there. Over the next several weeks we will go back to talking about basics to help on your journey.

Take some time to gather a few friends and/or family members who will join you. Everything is easier with a group to support you. A group also enables purchasing items you will need for kits and foods for your in-house General Store at discounted prices.

No one knows your family needs and preferences as well as you do. With a little guidance you can truly become the expert for your family.

Do not let anyone tell you to guess or estimate what you need to store. You can know exactly what you need and together you learn how.

Ignore anyone who tells you how much to store. Again, you can know how much to store based on your own family needs, allergies, food preferences, etc. Too many people waste money storing foods and buying supplies they do not need, can obtain more cheaply, or make at home.

President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “In reviewing the Lord’s counsel to us on the importance of preparedness, I am impressed with the plainness of the message. The Savior made it clear that we cannot place sufficient oil in our preparedness lamps by simply avoiding evil. We must also be anxiously engaged in a positive program of preparation.

The Lord will not translate one’s good hopes and desires and intentions into works. Each of us must do that for himself”

Remember: Mark 9:23 “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”.

Begin now, believe the Savior, and God will make it possible for you to succeed.

To ask a question or get help please contact Carolyn through the comment section or by sending a message through the Totally Ready Facebook page.