AN INTERESTING TAKE ON FOOD STORAGE

From a blog reader:

Can Food Storage Serve As A Protective Shield?

Have you considered the possibility that the very act of having your food storage on hand actually might be serving as a protective shield, causing the Lord to turn away events and situations which might be harmful to you and your family? Consider this observation made by President James E. Faust:

Some have said, "We have followed this counsel in the past and have never had need to use our year's supply, so we have difficulty keeping this in mind as a major priority." Perhaps following this counsel could be the reason why they have not needed to use their reserve (Ensign, May 1986, p. 22).

We must never lose sight of the fact that Heavenly Father rewards obedience in various ways, and do not think that the unraveling of the world we live in -- as pre-millennial events unfold -- will not affect you. I would declare that thought to be pure fantasy. Prophecy from the mouth of the Lord clearly warns each of us that there is coming an end of much that is old and familiar, and birth of a completely new millennial social order which will eventually emerge from this era of tumultuous chaos. At times that change may involve episodes of personal dislocation or even forced migration, family and national mobilization, economic breakdown, communication blackouts and social disintegration, along with times of great hunger and exposure.

History demonstrates that we must never take today's circumstances as an absolute indicator of future activities and events, whether they be good or bad. Contemplate for a moment and picture yourself and your loved ones caught in the midst of nature's unbelievable power, or in the downward twist of the laws of economics or of an unthinkable war churning its way across this nation or the world. Then think about what you would need, where you would turn to find help, and what other resources would be available to you. Then consider, are they really available?

As these pre-millenial storms impact on our lives, there may be unprepared individuals who will become bitter and disillusioned, who will turn against others in very cruel and destructive ways. And yet amont others, we will witness greater manifestations of virtue, character, and sacrifice emerging -- such as trust, reliability, patience, perseverance, thrift, and selflessness. These people will become a source of dependable "currency" in these times of crisis.

Warnings Of Approaching Wars And Tribulations

The prophets, throughout the seasons of the restoration, have specifically discussed various future events for which we should become prepared, especially in the area of wars and national turmoil. 

On November 1, 1831 the Lord clearly stated that "The hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace is taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion" (D&C 1:35).

Elder George A. Smith adds this observation to what the Lord had said:

Peace is taken from the earth, and wrath and indignation among the people is the result; they care not for anything but to quarrel and destroy each other.  The same spirit that dwelt in the breasts of the Nephites during the last battles that were fought by them on this continent, when they continued to fight until they were exterminated, is again on earth and is increasing (Journal History, September 23, 1855).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, in 1979, said the Lord's injunction to watch and be ready seems to indicate that the Saints be forewarned:
It is one of the sad heresies of our time that peace will be gained by weary diplomats as they prepare treaties of compromise, or that the Millenium will be ushered in because men will learn to live in peace and to keep the commandments, or that the predicted plagues, and promised desolations of latter days can in some way be avoided.

We must do all we can to proclaim peace, to avoid war, to heal disease, to prepare for natural disaster -- but with it all, that which is to be shall be.

We do not know when the calamities and troubles of the last days will fall upon any of us as individuals or upon bodies of the Saints.  The Lord deliberately witholds from us the day and hour of his coming and of the tribulations which shall precede it -- all as part of the testing and probationary experiences of mortality.  He simply tells us to watch and be ready (Ensign, May 1979, p. 93).

In 1946, President George Albert Smith told of a vision he had been given of future war and its terrible after-effects:

I have had a troublesome vision of another great and terrible war that made the war that just ended [World War II] look like a training exercise, and people died like flies...
The aftermath was dreadful.  Think of the worst, most difficult times of the depression...that worse time of the depression will seem like a sunday school picnic when compared with how conditions will be after that great war (George Albert Smith, Conference Report, April 1950, p. 169).

{Prophetic Statements On Food Storage For Latter Day Saints, Neil H. Leash p. 134, 136, 137 & 138}