Spiritual Insurance...
Last week I blogged about "Food Insurance" and why it is important, but we also need "Spiritual Insurance" or "Spiritual Protection". On Sunday a member of our Stake High Council gave a talk based on a talk given by President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at the 2013 183rd Semi-Annual General Conference, "The Key to Spiritual Protection".
Why do we need spiritual insurance/protection? How will it help us in a natural disaster or emergency situation? How do we obtain spiritual protection?
1. Read the scriptures daily (individually and as a family)
2) Pay daily (individually and as a family)
3) Trust in the Lord
4) Endurance
During our trails and challenges, whatever they be, "Peace can be settled in the heart of each who turns to the scriptures and unlocks the promises of protection and redemption" (President Boyd K. Packer)
How do to we gain "Spiritual Protection"?
By reading our scriptures daily! As an individual and as a family! Even when their is turmoil all around us, the world is falling apart, there seems to be no hope, the scriptures will bring us the peace and comfort we so seek. They will help us through the trails and challenges of life. "The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection." (Pres. Boyd K. Packer)As I watch and hear natural disasters and other emergency situations unfold on the news I can always spot those that have a knowledge of the scriptures in their lives. Even though there is turmoil about them, they have a special spirit of peace.
Prayer is another way to bring peace and hope into our lives when there is turmoil and the world seems to be falling apart around us. Heavenly Father hears our prayers. "That which thou hast prayed to me . . . I have heard." (2 Kings 19:20) "Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing. . . ." (Doctrine and Covenants 19:38) Heavenly Father may not answer our prayers right away, but he will answer our prayers in his time and the way He knows best for us. 
Next, we need to trust in the Lord. He is aware of us and loves us. "If ye have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me . . . . For it s by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; . . . . " (Moroni 7:33,37) Even when things are tough, there is always "hope"!
A great quote from Orson F. Whitney (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)
“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It
ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as
patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that
we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our
characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more
tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God . . .
and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we
gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us
more like our Father and Mother in heaven.”
May each of us have the strength to endure what ever trails and challenges that come into our lives. "As we temporally endure the challenges we can solve and as we continue to endure the challenges we cannot solve, it is important to remember that the spiritual strength we develop will help us successfully endure all the challenges we face in life." (Elder Richard J. Maynes, Of the Presidency of the Seventy, "The Strength to Endure") "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; An then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high." (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8)Weekly Assignment: Water Storage
I have some great concerns about the water drought and shortage in the United States this year! I keep hearing about towns who are running out of water. Extreme water rationing may be on its way. I would strongly suggest you store water. Either purchase the large 55 gallon water barrels or different size water bottles/containers you can purchase at big box stores like Costco or Sam's Club or your local grocery stores. Do not be caught without water!
This week do the following...
1) Add more drinking water to your water storage. Either purchase and fill up your 55 gallon water barrels or purchase drinking water in bottles/containers from the big box stores like Costco or Sam's Club and your local grocery stores. Or, purchase both types, barrels and small bottles/containers.
Check the postings for May 4th, May 11th and May 18th regarding Water Storage and some great ideas.
May Monthly Assignment: Fire Safety
Last week for this monthly assignment . . .
How many of you have a fire escape plan in your home? Are you aware of the fire escape plan at work and how to get out of your building? Do you know how to put out different types of fires out? Do you know how to put out a car fire? This month we will be discussing all of these questions and the things you need to have in your home to protect your family and home.
Go back to May 4th, May 11th and May 18th to see information on fire safety for your family and home. Also to watch a great video for the whole family on fire safety.
Keep your family safe!!!
Emergency Preparedness Ideas
A Valuable Lesson Learned . . .
While serving in one of our Temples (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) this week the lights went out in one section, which were out for about thirty minutes. Those serving in that part of the Temple were caught in the dark. Each room of the Temple has emergency flashlights for times like this but for some reason they could not find the flashlights in this area.
One member serving there said she keeps a small LED pin light flashlight in her pocket. Me always talking about being prepared, and here this member taught me a valuable lesson! No matter where you are you should always have a small flashlight with you, in your purse, attached to your keys, in your suit jacket or pants pocket. You never know when you might be in a situation where there is no light and you need to find your way out safely.
A few years ago a friend of ours was at work when a good size earthquake hit the area causing things to fall and fly off the shelves and the electricity to go out. She dropped under her desk during the earthquake for safety. After the shaking stopped she realized she needed to find a way out. It was pitch black! She crawled along the floor feeling her way as she went ago, crawling over cut glass and sharp objects. She was finally able to get out to help but had received several cuts and bruises as a result. She said if she had had a flashlight in her purse or desk she could have seen her way out and possibly have avoided her injures.
Lesson learned . . . always keep a small flashlight with you, on your key ring, in your purse or pocket!
Do you have a plan?
Do you and your family know what to do in the event of an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, typhoon, tsunami, flooding, landslide, biological or chemical threat, pandemic, fire, wildfire, evacuation? Every family and individual should have a plan in any of the areas that effect where you live. At work you should know the building emergency exists, escape plan and be aware of the different ways to take cover and get out if necessary. We aware of where you are in stores, their exists and if you needed to take cover where would be the best place. Be aware of your children's school emergency plans, their emergency cards are up to date and those listed on their emergency cards are aware of what to do. Always be aware of your surroundings!
This month we are working on fire safety in our homes and at work. Review the information on the last several blog postings to make sure your family and loved ones are protected. Encourage other families and co-workers to do the same thing. Share this blog with them so they can be safe and protected too.
The best plan is to have a plan(s) in effect before the situation occurs!
Things to do . . .
1) Discuss your different family emergency plans often as a family. Make any adjustments as needed.
2) Practice your different family emergency plans often, especially if you have young children in your home.
3) If you have family members with special needs make sure to allow for their needs and help required.
4) Include your pets in the plans.
5) If there is a natural disaster or other emergency situation, stay informed as what to do by listening to the radio or television news. Know what emergency channels to tune into in your local area when there is an emergency.
6) If you have to evacuation make sure to take each family members 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack.
7) Check out the blog postings on the right under "Postings" for more information on evacuations, earthquakes and other types of disasters.
8) Attend local community emergency preparedness fairs.
Remember to stay calm during an emergency situation.
For our area (Southern California USA) learn more information about disasters and preparedness at www.preapresocal.org
Saturday, May 31st, 9a.m. - 12 Noon
Emergency Preparedness Fair and Workshop
For
Faith Based Organizations & Community Members
CrossRoad Church
2818 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Gardena, California USA
Workshops 9a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Exhibits 9a.m. - 12 Noon
Comments: Please post a comment below. All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome and greatly appreciated. We all learn from each other. Thank you for your comments.
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