I recently found an interesting line in a book I’m reading about early Mormon Pioneers who lived in the Southern part of the Salt Lake Valley. Apparently, the counsel to store food (emergency food preparedness) isn’t a new thing by any means. This caught me by surprise at first because I never imagined that early Americans had extra food to store when they barely had enough to eat during some winters.
As recorded in Andrew J. Allen’s journal, 11 October 1863, page 24.
“To day arrangements were made to have the ward visited to see that all the brethren had one years supply of grain on hand.”
When I was a teenager, my friend spoke of a time when his dad was out of work and the family was able to get through a period of tough economic times because they had a year’s supply of food on hand. Another friend recently told me that he has been able to pay his house payment and car payment but food and gas are causing strain on the budget while he goes through some economic hardships. Whatever the case, it has been an amazing lesson to see that “food storage” and “emergency food” have been used in instances outside of hurricanes or earthquakes so that a family could remain self-reliant.
On a side note . . .
Connor Boyack has an interesting article on the subject of being prepared. He has a link at the end of his article that points to a number of prophecies on being prepared. An Analysis of the Ten Virgins
3 comments ↓
Interesting comments. Having a family that was ’saved’ from the San Diego Fires…I can see how the immediate need is so important.
Another lesson to be learned, I found when reading some comments about some very heart-wrenching tragedies online. Some comments made were coming from people who were prepared, including statements, ‘“I found that the mental security of having a year’s food and fuel supply was even more important than the physical security. If our year’s supply had been destroyed, then, having been prepared and having helped others to have their supply of food, I would have felt free to ask for their support, and they would have given it without bitterness. When the Lord promises that if we are prepared we shall not fear, I think he means regardless.”
The words ‘without bitterness’ struck me. When you are in these circumstances, emotions are running high. It seems this notion of preparedness is just one more thing we can do to eliminate tension and ‘bitterness’ that may come due to highly traumatic situations.
This is a great post! There are many different purposes for food storage. Helping others and yourself in time of need or to make your preparation time lower on a daily basis are two large ones.
I hadn’t heard that quote before. It was a good one.
Leave a Comment