subject: Emergency Preparedness [print this page] As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have been counseled to take necessary measures to protect and prepare ourselves for times of unemployment, financial problems, and natural disasters. Following the inspiration of our leaders and through the guidance of the holy spirit, we are better able to meet our needs and the needs of those around us during times of personal economic distress and natural disaster. The Provident Living section of offers guidelines made by First Presidency to help church members form a personal plan for times of temporal emergency.
In these trying economic times, it seems more vital than ever to for individuals to take care of their finances with wisdom. The church requires that each member pay a full and honest tithe of their income, so that they can reap both the temporal and spiritual blessing provided by participating in that ordinance. It is also recommended that members and nonmembers alike to manage a budget within the means that are available to them, to build a reserve of money to fall on in emergency situations, and to avoid debt except for necessary purchases like buying a house.
When natural disasters occur where we live, we can ill afford to be caught off guard with little or nothing to sustain ourselves, especially when help can at times be slow in coming. To avoid this from happening, members of the LDS faith and nonmembers are asked to have in their possession a three-month supply of regular everyday food used in a normal diet and a long-term supply of basic foods such as wheat, rice, and flour. Along with food, we are to have an adequate supply of water either stored in watertight bottles and have water purification methods to handle any water that might be questionable to drink. Other aspects of the church's plan include having medical and first-aid supplies, financial reserves, clothing and bedding, important documents, and the means to communicate with family.
When natural disasters strike, it can take many days before the city or areas affected can return to normal life. To help meet this need, the wards and stakes of the church each have a set emergency program to facilitate the needs of the community during an emergency. The emergency program is seen over by a ward's bishop and by stake and ward emergency committees. A typical emergency plan usually has the particular actions to be taken for a disaster, a ready network of communications that can be set up, assignments for the members to take care of, and a list outside contacts such as government agencies and the Red Cross. A ward and stake also have the means to set up a network of volunteers to do emergency work and the ability to turn meeting houses into emergency shelters should the need arise. For particulars on their ward and stake's particular plan, members should contact their ward or stake emergency committee leaders or their bishops for more information.
