Mormon Family Preparedness: Why Mormons Prepare For Emergencies

As a social worker, I am trained in psychological first aid training, CPR, First Aid, and crisis intervention to help others during times of emergencies. I have worked and volunteered to help low-income families, failing students, troubled youth, abused children, minorities, orphans, illegal immigrants, and the elderly to overcome disasters such as suicide, abuse, domestic violence, psychotic episodes, homelessness, and medical emergencies. I have helped many people access community resources and advocated for others to receive free/discounted housing, food, transportation, and medical services. Fortunately, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called the “Morman Church” by others), I understand the reason behind emergency preparedness. This post addressed why Mormon Family preparedness is important and gives a basic idea of how anyone can start preparing for an emergency.

Mormon Family Preparedness: Why?

Mormon Family preparedness is encouraged by our local leaders, modern prophets, and apostles. However, in order to understand why LDS emergency preparedness is so important, one must first understand what a prophet does. A prophet (such as Moses, Isaiah, or Peter) speaks for God and “when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him (Jeremiah 28:9).”

Like the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times, they may be inspired to prophesy of future events for our benefit. The prophets have taught that Mormon Family preparedness is important and a commandment from God.

We can always trust the living prophets… Our greatest safety lies in strictly following the word of the Lord given through His prophets, particularly the current President of the Church. The Lord warns that those who ignore the words of the living prophets will perish and fall (see revelation to the modern prophet Joseph Smith as recorded in The Doctrine & Covenants 1:14-16). God promises great blessings to those who follow the President of the Church who is currently Prophet Thomas S. Monson (True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference, p. 129-130).

I had an interesting experience while living in Spain, Madrid that taught me the importance of following the prophet. Mormon Family preparedness wasn’t a priority because I was single and likely to move often. I usually shopped for groceries on a weekly basis. One day I received a phone call from a local church leader who counseled me to purchase two weeks worth of food. I went to the store to buy extra food and later was extremely grateful I had obeyed. The local trucking companies had started a strike and hundreds of pounds of produce, meat, and food went to waste inside of semi trucks that just sat on the freeway for days. The following week, I remember the comfort and peace I felt as those around me were panicking and rushing into grocery stores (which were significantly depleted) to buy what food remained. I distinctly remember getting my photos developed and overhearing the owner telling her son on the phone to hurry to the grocery store and buy over 20 pounds of meat. I’m not worried about my future when I follow the prophet and obey God. Faith and fear cannot coexist at the same time.

There are ways several other reasons why “Mormon Family preparedness” is so important. For example, knowledge enables us to prepare our own families and help others. When we are prepared for the future and have faith, we can utilize our resources well and not worry excessively about what may come.

Mormon Family Preparedness: How?

The best way to prepare for an emergency is to follow the prophet, pray to God, and trust He will protect and bless your family when you’re obedient. Reading the scriptures and believing in Jesus Christ can also bring you peace (John 14:27). Every year the prophet and modern twelve apostles address the world to give us counsel and prepare us for the future. (See General Conference).  Local bishops (pastors) work towards having emergency planning for their congregations and sometimes someone volunteers to be the “emergency preparedness coordinator” teaching others what the prophet has advised us to do.

It is also important to discuss the topic with your family and get to know your neighbors. Be aware of the area you live in and prepare an emergency plan for your family. I live in an area unlikely to have tornadoes but more likely to have earthquakes or floods. It makes more sense for me to prepare for an earthquake rather than a tornado. I have an ICE contact (“in case of emergency number”) listed in my cell phone and know my local area’s emergency evacuation plan. Families can store extra water and begin building a 3-month emergency supply. Families can also prepare financially by absolving debts and building their savings.

Additional Resources:

Read about Emergency Preparedness and Response

Visit your local Mormon meetinghouse (sometimes used as a temporary emergency shelter).

Mormon Beliefs: Family Finances (message from First Presidency)

Family Emergency Plan

(espfocus)

TEST YOUR PLAN

Practice Makes Perfect

How will your family react when a flood, fire, earthquake, act of terrorism, or another emergency occurs? How well does your plan identify everyone’s roles and responsibilities?

One way to find out how well your plans and procedures are going to work is to practice them! Plan a drill based on a possible flood, fire, earthquake, or other disaster. Testing your plans this way will help you identify and correct any weaknesses before a real emergency occurs.

Another way to test your plan is to practice living without the normal everyday conveniences—such as electricity and gas. This might include a campout.

This Focus Sheet provides guidance for planning your own drills. Testing your family’s response and correcting weaknesses is the next step in preparing and might save lives in the next flood, fire, earthquake, or other emergency

Planning Drills

A drill allows your family to practice your plan.  The drill should be designed to provide participants with experience in their roles before a real emergency, increase the confidence of family members, and identify weaknesses in your plan.

Tabletop Drill

Start by planning a tabletop drill. The tabletop will be based on a simulated earthquake or another disaster and will include problems that you and your family are likely to face.

To conduct the tabletop:

? Assemble participants around a table or in the same room.

? Distribute printed copies of the scenario.*

? Read the scenario aloud.

? Read each problem, one at a time.

? Encourage everyone to respond as completely as possible to each question.

As solutions and alternatives are discussed and evaluated, remind participants that comments are designed to identify problems and are not meant to criticize an individual person.

Functional Drill

The next step is planning your functional drill. Functional drills provide an opportunity for the members to practice their assignments, including make-believe searches, treatment of victims and the actual completion of applicable checklists.

* A written description of a simulated earthquake or another disaster that is used for tabletop drills is called a scenario.

To Conduct an Effective Drill:

? Add new and more challenging problems to the scenario used in the tabletop.

? Set up separate drills for each function. For example:

Date                                        Function

Jan. 19                                    First Aid and Medical

April 24                                  Damage Assessment

July 27                                    Light Search and Rescue

Oct 5                                       Shelter

? Explain the purpose and ground rules of the drill.

? Read the scenario aloud.

? Distribute packets containing new or additional information to be opened at designated times.

? Instruct participants to follow procedures outlined in their packets.

? Instruct participants to dress in appropriate gear, refer to applicable checklists and carry out their post emergency functions.

? Begin the drill.

? Complete the drill when tasks are complete or after an hour.

? Designate experienced people to observe and evaluate your drill for strengths and weaknesses.

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