Mormon Dilemma 98

15 November

Food Storage

From www.lds.org;We have been counseled to store food, clothing, fuel, and other necessary items, such as those needed for first aid and sewing, to take care of our families’ needs for a year…The Lord has counseled, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30)…Elder Ezra Taft Benson said: “Thanks be to God for a prophet, for this inspired [welfare] program, and for Saints who so managed … that they could provide for their own and still share with others. What a marvelous way to become a savior on Mount Zion!” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, 93; or Ensign, Jan. 1974, 82).

Update! As of 9.20.2011 the official website of the Church has stated everyone should have a three month supply. http://www.providentliving.org/content/list/0,11664,7445-1,00.html

Matthew 6:31-34; Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Philippians 4:6-7; Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Also see Luke 12:22-29 about the lilies in the field.

While it’s common sense to have emergency supplies on hand for a couple of days if there are power outages or other anomalies in  your town, it’s quite another to stock up on food and supplies like the Church has advised its members to do. 

Oftentimes this leads to waste because of the food not being stored properly, but most importantly it leads to self-sufficiency (not the good kind) by not placing your trust in the Lord.

Also pay close attention to what the prophet of the Church said above; he’s basically saying you can be the savior for yourself and others…can you just imagine saying that to Jesus?  If not, then why say something like that or trust in the man who did? 

Why would your thanks and adoration go towards the words of a mere man when they should be going toward God?  This man just told them to do something that was diametrically opposed to what God said in His word!

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3 Responses to “Mormon Dilemma 98”

  1. shematwater November 15, 2011 at 7:00 pm #

    This is just fun.

    First, the quotes from the New Testament are speaking to those going on missions to preach, not to the members who are staying home.

    Second, the storage of the saints has been very beneficial far beyond just a few days. You think of power outages, but we are thinking of Hurricanes and Tornadoes, floods and earthquakes that can cause severe food shortages for several months.

    Third, when he talks of being saviors on Mount Zion, at least in this sense, he is talking about temporal salvation. Yes, the person who ministers to the needy is a savior to them. It was through the power and grace of Christ that such was made possible, but through their choice that they did it. Christ has no issue with a person being grateful to other men for lending the assistance needed.

  2. CamdenC November 16, 2011 at 3:21 am #

    Mathew 6 was part of the Sermon on the Mount, where He was talking to all people present; men, women, and children included.

    Plus there is no mention in the Matt. reference to sending out missionaries. He talks about giving alms, praying, forgiveness, fasting, treasures in Heaven, and not serving 2 masters. Then He talks about them not worrying about their life and “seeking first the kingdom of God” and don’t worry about tomorrow, it will take care of itself.

    Maybe you were thinking about the section where He sends out the 70 to proclaim the Gospel and He tells them then that they shouldn’t worry about having food and such.

    My dad used to get so mad at us because we would “break into” our food storage to get the “snacks”… Back then, we were required to have a 3 year supply. It took up about 1/4 of our 2-car garage to the ceiling.

  3. shematwater November 16, 2011 at 7:00 pm #

    CAMDEN

    I am sorry, I had the wrong reference. I will amend my statement.

    According to Matthew 6, putting things in context, the argument is still not supported. Christ is not telling the people that it is wrong to be prepared, but that each day we should be worrying about our duties for that day, and not the day to come. God has commanded us to set up a storage, and so our duty today is to set up that storage. In doing so we should not be worrying about when the disaster will hit, or if we will be fully prepared. As long as we have done our duty today, God will make it possible for us to do our duty tomorrow.

    Consider Joseph in Egypt and his mass food storage and rationing that he did through inspiration. He knew that disaster was coming, and he knew that his duty was to prepare the Egyptians for it. So he organized a food storage. Was he going contrary to the teaching of Christ in Matthew chapter six? Of course not, because he was fulfilling his duty.

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