Mormon Family Preparedness: How To Create A 3-Month Family Emergency Supply

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called the “Morman Church” by others), I understand Mormon Family preparedness is important. (See Why Mormons Prepare for Emergencies.) Modern prophets have taught us to be prepared for emergencies by creating a 3 month family emergency supply, building a financial reserve, storing water, and gradually building a long-term supply (“All is Safely Gathered in: Family Home Storage” Pamphlet, 2007).

Mormon Family preparedness is not a new concept. In The Bible, Joseph interpreted Pharoah’s dream and warned him of a severe famine that would last for 7 years. He counseled:

And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine (Genesis 41:25-36).

Another important aspect of Mormon Family preparedness is faith in Jesus Christ. He has always spoken to prophets to guide us and still guides us to safety today. As I’ve obeyed the prophet’s counsel, I’ve found peace and happiness instead of becoming overly worried about future earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, fires, and other disasters that may affect my family. Mormon Family preparedness helps communities become more prepared and able to respond during emergencies.

Mormon Family Preparedness: How?

Modern prophets continue to teach Mormon Family preparedness by encouraging families to build a three-month family emergency supply:

Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage…

For longer-term needs, and where permitted, gradually build a supply of food that will last a long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans. These items can last 30 years or more when properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place. A portion of these items may be rotated in your three-month supply (“All is Safely Gathered in: Family Home Storage” Pamphlet, 2007).

Mormon Family preparedness is important for everyone regardless if you’re a student, single person, married, rich or poor. The university I attended for several years, encouraged students to prepare for emergencies:

(1) Purchase groceries for several days or even one week, at one time.  Thus if a disaster occurs they will have  food on hand to sustain themselves and their families for a period of time and not have to rely totally on Dining Services/Central Stores stocks.

(2) Students with small children are encouraged to keep a supply of formula, diapers, and other baby supplies on hand at all times since these will not be items available from Central Stores.

(3) All students will be encouraged to store at least 3 gallons of water per person, preferably in plastic 2 liter soft drink bottles (these bottles are not biodegradable and are readily available). (“BYU General Emergency Management Plan: Annex G- Emergency Feeding Provisions“, General Emergency Preparedness Plan, Brigham Young University)

In my opinion, storing water is the most important part of a family‘s emergency supply because a person can live longer without food than water. My dad purchased big barrels of water that he kept in the backyard for years. I took this for granted until one day the water didn’t turn on and suddenly I was unable to shower and cook food requiring water. Fortunately, the family I was living with had a couple of gallons of water stored in the kitchen that we used for essentials such as bathing ourselves. Another time, my house flooded the basement and the water was turned off for a week when they were fixing the pipes underground. Unfortunately, I did not have stored water available at that time and actually showered at friend’s houses until water was available again.

My parents have taught me Mormon Family preparedness by their examples. When I was a little girl, I remember a room filled with white buckets of dried food that we never ate because it was our emergency supply of food. Unfortunately, most of this food storage expired and we never consumed it. Fortunately, most food storage items (such as wheat, white rice, corn, sugar, pinto beans, rolled oats, pasta, potato flakes, and apple slices can last 30 years or more (Frequently Asked Questions: Family Home Storage). My family decided to start stocking foods we would eat regularly so that we could rotate through our food storage. My mother has always kept the pantry stocked full and has a room in the basement filled with food storage or extra cans of food and bags of basic ingredients (such as flour, beans, and rice). She will put newer cans in the back of the shelf so that we eat sooner the food that is closer to it’s expiration date. When she buys food, she will check the expiration dates and buy those items with the later dates.

The most important step of Mormon Family preparedness is to start. If you don’t have a 72 hour emergency kit or 3-month family emergency supply start now. Don’t overwhelm yourself financially but gradually build a reserve of items you like. It’s better to be prepared than not during a time that could affect your family’s access to basic necessities. Focus first on taking care of yourself and then you may be able to reach out and help those around you in need.

Additional Resources:

Read Mormon Beliefs: Family Home Storage (message from First Presidency)

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

Read the about Home Storage from the LDS website.

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)

Is Your Family Prepared for a Disaster?

In the case of a disaster, would your family know what to do? Where to meet? Who to call? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it’s time for your family to create a disaster plan. Disasters can happen at any time, including earthquakes, floods, terrorist attacks, and much more.

When making your disaster plan, each family member should be involved. Take the opportunity to share these ideas with your spouse and children, and create an individualized family disaster plan. Being prepared can create confidence and calm during times of chaos and confusion, which always comes with situations of disaster. Without a plan, your family could find yourselves in a horrible situation.

Remember to keep your plan simple and easily understood, so every family member knows exactly what to do. Here’s a list of ways to start the conversation in your family:

• Hold a Family Night to talk to your family about getting prepared for disasters.
• Talk about the emergencies that could happen in your area, and share ideas about your family will do in each situation.
• Make a plan on how your family will act in case of a major disaster.
• Talk about working together, and volunteer for various responsibilities. Each family member should know what his or her job will be, and be able to remember it, even in the extreme stress of a disaster. For example, one child could be in charge of getting bottles of water for the family, another child’s job could be to grab blankets…etc.
• Your emergency plan must be simple and easy for every family member to understand.
• If a disaster happens and family members are not all together, they should know what to do. Talk about your ideas as a family.
• Discuss that importance of remaining calm.
• In case of a sudden emergency, plan a meeting spot outside. For example, in a fire emergency, all family members meet at the mailbox or at a neighbor’s house.
• Your family should know of an alternative meeting spot, in the case of a neighborhood emergency. It should be a place within walking distance of your neighborhood, such as a friend’s home, your church, or a store.
• Memorize the address and phone number of your meeting spots, which is especially important for children who may need to give this information to an authority.
• If your family members are separated in a disaster, they should know what action to take to get back together. For example, if a major earthquake occurs, and the parents are at work, children should know where to go and what number to call.
• Ask a friend or relative, not living in your area, to be your family’s contact person. Each member of the family can try to get in touch with your contact to gain instruction, and to tell him/her where they are. Memorize the contact’s phone number and address as a family.
• Sometimes, it is hard to make a phone call during a disaster.
• Authories may ask your family to evacuate during a disaster. Make an evacuation plan.
• Talk to an out-of-town friend or relative about providing your family shelter during an evacuation situation.
• Learn about and plan alternative shelter options for your family, if required to evacuate.
• As a family, study your local maps, to become familiar with escape routes. If main roads are blocked, your family may need to be aware of various alternatives.
• Obey local authorities in case of all evacuation situations. Even if their instructions are slightly different than your family’s plan, you should always follow their direction.
• Does your family have pets? If there is an evacuation, your family pet will need a place to go. Make arrangements with friends or relatives who can care for your pets. If your family is forced to go to an emergency shelter, pets may not be allowed.
• Finally, refresh your family’s knowledge and understanding of disaster preparedness by regularly holding Family Home Evenings that review your disaster plan.

Thanks to Marcia Lind for allowing us to share her knowledge.