Thursday, April 3, 2014

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice


       Happy Spring!  After a long, cold winter we are so happy to welcome Spring.  This year however, I think Mother Nature may be confused.  We go from a beautiful, sunny 65 degree day, to rain, to 6" of wet heavy snow.  Oh well, that truly is Spring in Idaho.
      The month of April brings with it so many new and wonderful things.  We begin to see and hear the beautiful sights and sounds of Spring.  This weekend we will gather as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to listen to counsel given to us by our inspired Prophet and Apostles.  April also brings with it the celebration of Easter.  We are truly blessed as we take time to reflect on the Ressurection of our Savior, Jesus Christ and the great blessings that this brings to our lives.  What an amazing time of the year!  
                                  
       I pray that as we listen to the words that are shared by the Lord's servants, we take this counsel and begin to apply it to our daily lives. We are told in D&C 1:38 "...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."  Prophets and Apostles have counseled us for years to be prepared and to begin a food storage program. In the October 1980 conference, President Ezra Taft Benson gave this great counsel: "Members of the Church are feeling the economic pinch of higher taxes and inflation coupled with conditions of continuing recession. Some have come to their bishops seeking assistance to pay for house payments, car loans, and utilities.  
     "Unfortunately, there has been fostered in the minds of some an expectation that when we experience hard times, when we have been unwise and extravagant with our resources and have lived beyond our means, we should look to either the Church or government to bail us out. Forgotten by some of our members is an underlying principle of the Church welfare plan that “no true Latter-day Saint will, while physically able, voluntarily shift from himself the burden of his own support” (Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, p. 106). We are taught that we are responsible for our own support.  It is not the Lord's way that we depend on others to care for our needs.  
      In wise counsel given to us today, we are taught: "Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to ‘prepare every needful thing’ (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others.
 “We encourage members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.
 “We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.”
    I pray that we may each be doing our part to prepare our families for those difficult times that we are promised will come.  I know that this wise counsel we receive comes through Prophets and Apostles that are called by The Lord.  I pray that we are using our time wisely and are  actively working to "prepare every needful thing."

~Miranda~

                         April

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."
                   D&C 38:30

Spiritual Goal:  attend the temple one or more
sessions than you normally do this month.

Provident Living Goal:  If you do not grow a
garden, plan do learn how.  If you do, try
something new this year.

                    April Week # 4
Ready Dinners:  ravioli, pasta, oriental, boxed
or frozen.  Get what your family will eat.

                    April Week #3
Assemble an emergency sewing kitK thread,
needles, buttons, snaps, zippers, tape measure,
scissors, pins, safety pins, etc.

                    April Week#2
Dry milk: 40 oz. will make 5 gallons of milk.  Make
sure to get real non fat milk & not dairy substitutes.
Work towards 10-10 lb. cans perperson.

                    April Week #1
Pasta: 5 lbs. at least.  Buy a variety.  (Your goal is
100 lbs. of flour and pasta per person."