The Blast Shelter

[ Reading time: 20 - 34 minutes ]

Subject: LDS Prophets on “Survivalism” Prt 4
From: Oiled Lamp
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 22:06:22 -0500

Victor L. Brown
(Second counselor to Presiding Bishop John H. Vandenberg, 1961;
Presiding Bishop, 1972; Seventy, 1985; Emeritus General Authority, 1989)
October Conference, 1975

We realize that it sounds as though these represent some extremes;
however, they also represent the facts of life. There are few of us who
do not need bolstering in some aspects of personal welfare at some time
in our lives.
…In the Welfare Services session of conference held last April,
Bishop H. Burke Peterson described family preparedness this way: “When
we speak of family preparedness, we should speak of foreseen,
anticipated, almost expected needs which can be met through wise
preparation. Even true emergencies can be modified by good planning.”

(Welfare Services Meeting, April 5, 1975, p. 5.)

Family preparedness is the key to meeting personal welfare needs for
the members of the family. Every other aspect of Welfare Services, such
as ward preparedness, is designed to support family preparedness.
…Home production and storage: The prepared family has sufficient
stores to take care of basic needs for a minimum of one year. Further,
they are, where possible, actively involved in the growing, canning, and
sewing, and production of their year’s supply.

Vaughn J. Featherstone (Second counselor of Presiding Bishop and a
Seventy)
April Conference, 1976

For twenty-six years, since I was fifteen, I was involved in the
grocery industry. I learned much about homan nature during those years.
I remember the effects that strikes, earthquakes, and rumors of war had
on many active Latter-day Saints. Like the five foolish virgins, they
rushed to the store to buy food, caught in the panic of knowing that
direction had been given by the prophet but not having followed that
direction-fearful that maybe they had procrastinated until it was
everlastingly too late.
It was interesting because only in Latter-day Saint communities did
people seem to buy with abandon. It was not a few Latter-day Saints-it
was a significant number. It caused great increases in sales. One such
experience came when a so-called prophecy by someone outside the Church
was greatly publicized.
How foolish we can sometimes be! We having a living prophet; we have
God’s living oracles, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve
Apostles. Let us follow the Brethren and be constant. We need have no
fear if we are prepared.
…Brothers and sisters, what have we done in our stakes and wards to
see that every Latter-day Saints has a year’s reserve of food to sustain
ning.”
life? Let’s not only keep teaching the principle, but let’s also teach
our people how.
…Second, decide what is needed to bring your present reserve levels
to a year’s supply. Then make a list and prepare a plan. Consider first,
what are the basics? – wheat (or grain from your locale), sugar or
honey, dried milk, salt, and water. Most of us can afford such basics.
Buy them from your monthly food budget allowance. The Church discourages
going into debt to buy for storage.
Now that you know where you are and where you need to be, the third
step is to work out a time schedule for when you will rech your goal. I
suggest that one year from today we out to have a year’s supply of food
in all active-and many inactive-members’ homes in the Church. Where fodd
storage violates the law of your land, then abide the law. However, even
in those cases we can plant gardens and fruit trees and raise rabbits or
chickens. Do all you can within the laws of your community, and the Lord
will bless you when the time of need comes.

Now here are some suggestions how:
1. Follow the prophet. He has counseled us to plant a garden and fruit
trees. This year don’t just think about it-do it. Grow all the food you
possibly can. Also remember to buy a year’s supply of garden seeds so
that, in case of a shortage, you will have them for the following
spring. I’m going to tell you where to get the money for all the things
I’m going to suggest.
2. Find someone who sells large bulk grains, depending on your locale.
Make arrangements to buy a ton or so of grain.
3. Find someone who sells honey in large containers and make
arrangements to buy what you can afford on a regular basis or buy a
little additional sugar each time you go to the store.
4. Purchase dry milk from the store or dairy, on a systematic basis.
ts or
o s5. Buy a case of salt the next time you go to the store. In most areas,
24 one-pound packages will cost you less than $5.
6. Store enough water for each member of your family to last for at
least two weeks.
Where the foods I mentioned are not available or are not basic in
your culture or area, make appropriate substitutions.
…Now you ask, “Where do I get the money for these things? I agree we
need them, but I’m having a heard time making ends meet.”

Here is how you do it. use any one or all of these suggestions, some
on which may be applicable in your country.

1. Decide as a family this year that 25 or 50 percent of your Christmas
will be spent on a year’s supply. Many families in the Church spend
considerable sums of money for Christmas. Half or part of these
Christmas monies will go a long way toward purchasing the basics.
Brethren, give your wife a year’s supply of wheat for Christmas, and
she’ll know your heart is in the right place.
2. When you desire new clothes, don’t buy them. Repair and mend and make
your present wardrobe last a few months longer. Use that money for the
food basics. Make all your nonfood necessities that you feasibly can,
such as furniture and clothing.
3. Cut the amount of money you spend on recreation by 50 percent. Do fun
things that do not require outlay but make more lasting impressions on
your children.
4. Decide as a family that there will be no vacation or holiday next
year unless you have your year’s supply. Many Church members could buy a
full year’s supply of the basics from what they would save by not taking
a vacation. Take the vacation time and work on a family garden. Be
together, and it can be just as much fun.
5. If you haven’t a year’s supply yet and you do have boats,
snowmobiles, campers, or other luxury possesions, sell or trade one or
two or more of them and get your year’s supply.
6. Watch advertised specials in grocery stores and pick up extra
supplies of those items that are of exceptional value.
7. Change the mix in your family’s diet. Get your protein from sources
less expensive than meat. The grocery bill is one bill that can be cut.
Every time you enter the store and feel tempted by effective and honest
merchandising to buy cookies, candy, ice cream, non-food items, or
magazines-don’t! Think carefully; buy only the essentials. Then figure
what you have saved and spend it on powdered milk, sugar, honey, salt,
or grain.
…The Lord will make it possible, if we make a firm commitment, for
every Latter-day Saint family to have a year’s supply of food reserves
by April 1977. All we have to do is decide, commit to do it, and then
keep the commitment. Miracles will take place; the way will be opened,
and next April we will have our storage areas filled. We will prove
through our actions our willingness to follow our beloved prophet and
the Brethren, [Brethren = General Authorities - A.S.] which will bring
security to us and our families.
…Now regarding home production: Raise animals where means and local
laws permit. Plant fruit trees, grapevines, berry bushes, and
vegatables. You will provide food for your family, much of which can be
eaten fresh. Other food you grow can be preserved and included and
included as part of your home storage. Wherever possible, produce your
nonfood necessities of life. Sew and mend your own clothing. Make or
build needed items. I might also add, beautify, repair, and maintain all
of your property.
Home production of food and nonfood items is a way to stretch your
income and to increase your skills and talents. It is a way to teach
your family to be self-sufficient. Our children are provided with much
needed opportunities to learn the fundamentals of work, industry, and
thrift. President Romney has said, “We will see the day when we will
live on what we produce.” (Conference Reports, April 1975, p. 165)
…I should like to address a few remarks to those who ask, “Do I share
with my meighbors who have not followed the counsel? And what about the
nonmembers who do not have a year’s supply? Do we have to share with
them?” No, we don’t _have_ to share-we _get_ to share! Let us not be
concerned about silly thoughts of whether we would share or not. Of
course we would share! What would Jesus do? I could not possibly eat
food and see my neighbors starving. And if you starve to death after
sharing, “great love hath no man than this…” (John 15:13.)
Now what about those who would plunder and break in and take that
which we have stored for our families’ needs? Don’t give this one more
idle thought. There is a God in heaven whom we have obeyed. Do you
suppose he would abandon those who have kept his commandments? He said,
“If you are prepared, ye need not fear.” (D&C 38:30.) Prepare, O men of
Zion, and fear not. Let Zion put on her beautiful garments. Let us put
on the full armor of God. Let us be pure in heart, love mercy, be just,
and stand in holy places. Commit to have a year’s supply of food by
April 1977.

…In his October 1973 conference address, President Ezra Taft Benson
gave some excellent instructions about home storage:
“For the righteous the gospel provides a warning before a calamity, a
program for the crisis, a refuge for each disater….
“The Lord has warned us of famines, but the righteous will have
listened to prophets and stored at least a year’s supply of survival
food….

“Brethren and sisters, I know that this welfare program is inspired
of God. I have witnessed with my own eyes the ravages of hunger and
destitution as, under the direction of the president of the Church, I
spent a year in war-torn Europe at the close of World War II, without my
family, distributing food, clothing, and bedding to our needy members. I
have looked into the sunken eyes of Saints, in almost the last stages of
starvation. I have seen faithful mothers carrying their children, three
and four years of age, who were unable to walk because of malnutrition.
I have seen a hungry woman turn down food for a spool of thread. I have
seen grown men weep as they ran their hands through the wheat and beans
sent to them from Zion – America.
“Thanks be to God for a prophet, for this inspired program, and for
Saints who so managed their stewardship that they could provide for
their own and still share with others.” (“Prepare Ye,” Ensign, Jan.
1974, pp.69, 81-82)
…I bear my humble witness to you that the great God of heaven will
open doors and means in a way we never would have supposed to help all
those we truly want to get their year’s supply. I know we will have time
and money if we will commit and keep the commitment.

Victor L. Brown
April Conference, 1976

A year ago in the in this Welfare Services meeting, President Marion
G. Romney [Apostle & assistant to the President - A.S.] made this
comment: “I do not want to be a calamity howler. I don’t know in detail
what’s going to happen in the future. I know what the prophets have
predicted. But I tell you that the welfare program, organized to enable
us to take care of our own needs, has not yet performed the function
that it was set up to perform. We will see the day when we live on what
and we produce.” (Conference Reports, April 1975, p. 165.)

President Spencer W. Kimball has said:
“We have had many calamities in this past period. It seems that every
day or two there is an earthquake or a flood or a tornado or distress
that brings trouble to many people. I am grateful to see that our people
and our leaders are beginning to catch the vision of their self-help….
“Now I think the time is coming where there will be more distresses,
where there may be more tornadoes, and more floods,…more
earthquakes….I think they will be increasing probably as we come
nearer to the end, and so we must be prepared for this.” (Conference
Reports, April 1974, pp. 183-84.)

Barbara B. Smith (President of the Relief Society from 1974-1984)
April Conference, 1976

Relief Society officers are in a position to materially assist the
women of the Church to respond obediently to the advice of our leaders

regarding home production and storage, that each family may be prepared
to take care of its basic needs for a minimum of one year. Latter-day
Saint women should be busily engaged in growing, producing, and
conserving food, within their capabilities to do so. Relief Society
should help them be provident in the use of the resources available to
them, however great or small these resources may be. By _provident,_ I
mean wise, frugal, prudent, making provision for the future while
attending to immediate needs.
…Each ward or branch Relief Society presidency should make an
assessment of the general circumstances of the sisters living within
their area and prepare a one-year plan for homemaking meeting
instruction to be given on subjects relating to home production and
storage, according to the needs and conditions of the women. These
classes could include the following guidelines to provident living:
1. How to save systematically for emergencies and home storage.
2. How to, what to, and where to store.
3. How to store seeds, prepare soil, acquire proper tools for gardening.
4. How to grow your own vegetables.
5. How to can and dry foods.
6. How to teach and help your family eat foods needed for physical
health.
7. How to do basic machine and hand sewing, mending, and clothing
remodeling.
8. How to plan and prepare nutritious, appetizing meals using the
resources available, and foods from home storage shelves.
The resources of libraries, extension services, and government
agencies should be wisely used. Instruction should be given that will
help each sister understand how to make a good home storage plan in
council with her husband, that he might direct their family.
…The principles of family preparedness and a woman’s part in them
were not given for our time alone. I consider the woman described in the
thirty-first chapter of Proverbs a provident woman. Recall her wisdom,
prudence, frugality, and preparation, as “She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands….
“With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard….
“She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the
distaff….
“She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her
household are clothed with scarlet….
“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the
bread of idleness.” (See Prov. 31:13-31.)

Spencer W. Kimball
April Conference, 1976

There are many people in the Church today who have failed to do, and
continue to argue against doing, the things that are requested and
suggested by this great organization.
The Lord said also, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter unto the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21.) And I was thinking that there
are as many wards and branches in the Church as there are people in this
room, one for one. And what great accomplishment there would be if every
bishop and branch president in all the world, wherever it’s possible (of
course there are a few places where this is not permitted), had a
storage such as has been suggested here this morning-and took to their
three or four or five hundred members the same message, quoting
scripture and insisting that the people of their wards and branches do
the things the Lord has requested, for we know that there are many who
are failing.
And then I hear them argue, “Well, suppose we do put away a lot and
then someone comes and takes it from us, our neighbors who do not
believe.” That’s been answered this morning.
…Think of the number of people represented here this day by the stake
presidents, mission presidents, and others who are directors, who have
many people under them. Our 750 stakes-all of them including hundreds,
could show the power that we have, if we go to work and actually push
this matter until it is done. We talk about it, we listen to it, but
sometimes we do not _do_ the things which the Lord says.
Brethren and sisters, we’ve gathered here this morning to consider
the important program which we must never forget nor put in the
background. As we become more affluent and our bank accounts enlarge,
there comes a feeling of security, and we feel sometimes that we do not
need the supply that has been suggested by the Brethren. It lies there
are deteriorates, we say. And suppose it does? We can reestablish it. We
must remember that conditions could change and a year’s supply of basic
commodities could be very much appreciated by us or others. So we would
do well to listen to what we have been told and to follow it explicitly.
…There are some countries which prohibit savings or surpluses. We do
not understand it, but it is true. And we honor, obey, and sustain the
laws of the country which is ours. (See Twelfth Article of Faith.) Where
it is permitted, though, which is most of the world, we should listen to
the counsel of the Brethren and to the Lord.
Recognizing that the family is the basic unit of both the Church and
society generally, we call upon Latter-day Saints everywhere to
strengthen and beautify the home with renewed effort in these specific
areas: food production, preservation, storage, the production and
storage of nonfood items; fixup and cleanup of homes and surroundings.
We wish to say another word about this in the next meeting.
We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your
down property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees-plant them if your
climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from
your own yards. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can
generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best
methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden as neat and
attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home,
involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities.
…Avoid debt. We used to talk about that a great deal, but today
everything is seemingly geared toward debt. “Get your cards, and buy
everything on tim”; you’re encouraged to do it. But the truth is that we
_don’t_ need to do it to live.
From local sources seek out reliable information on food and nonfood
preservation. If additional information is needed, priesthood and Relief
Society leaders [and now non-members, although I would first ask if
there are any printing charges - A.S.] may write, “Home Production and
Storage” 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, and
get all the information you need. We encourage all Latter-day Saint
families to become self-reliant and indepedent.
…”But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his
own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse [worse!] than an
infidel.” (1 Timothy 5:8.)
…Develop your skills in your home preservation and storage. We
reaffirm the previous counsel the Church has always given, to acquire
and maintain a year’s supply-a year’s supply of the basic commodities
for us. And Brother Featherstone has pretty well outlined these
commodities for us.
Wherever possible, produce your nonfood necessities of life. Improve
your sewing skills; sew and mend clothing for your family. All the girls
want to learn to type, they all want to go to an office. They don’t seem
to want to sew anymore, and to plant and protect and renew the things
they use. Develop handicraft skills as the sisters have told us, and
make or build needed items.
…I’ve always felt to commend the sisters who tat and knit and
crochet, who always have something new and sparkling about the place.
We’ve always been pleased when we’ve found young women who could make
their own clothes and sew well and cook meals and keep the house tidy.
…We encourage families to have on hand this year’s supply; and we say
it over and ober and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the
Lord where he says, “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things
which I say?” How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so-called,
into action and call him by his important names, but fail to do the
things which he says.
…God bless us that we may have the determination to carry forward all
go to an offof these commandments of the Lord which have been conveyed to us.

Marion G. Romney
April Conference, 1976
Quoting Brigham Young

“…If we are to be saved in an ark, as Noah and his family were, it
will be because we build it…
“My faith does not lead me,” President Young continued, “to think the
Lord will provide us with roast pigs, bread already buttered, etc., he
will give us the ability to raise the grain, to obtain the fruits of the
earth, to make habitations, to procure a few boards to make a box, and
when harvest comes, giving us the grain, it is for us to preserve it-to
save the wheat until we have one, two, five, or seven years’ provisions
on hand, until there is enough of the staff of life saved by the people
to bread themselves and those who will come here seeking for
safety….[The fulfillment of that prophecy is yet in the future.]
“Ye Latter-day Saints, learn to sustain yourselves….

“Implied faith and confidence in God is for you and me to do
everything we can to sustain and preserve ourselves….
“You have learned a good deal, it is true; but learn more; learn to
sustain yourselves, lay up grain and flour, and save it against a day of
scarcity….
“Instead of searching after what the Lord is going to do for us, let
us inquire what we can do for ourselves.” (Discourses of Brigham Young,
Deseret Book, 1966 ed., pp.291-93.)

Spencer W. Kimball
April Conference, 1976

We are most grateful for the excellent response by the people of the
Church to our urging that gardens be planted and that fruit trees be
cultivated and our places cleaned up and made more livable. We fully
endorse the program of Governor Calvin Rampton in Salt Lake City calling
for the planting of a million trees for a million people.
From Parowan, Utah, we read this:
“In laying out the town a century ago, each family had room for a
garden and some fruit trees in back of their houses. Some very fine
orchards and gardens were in the public square, even down to the late
Nineties. I well remember the fine watermelons they used to produce.”
President Tanner and I visited a Canadian community, and on a
certain street as far as we could see were homes with beautiful gardens.
It was wonderful, and they were varied, and the products of those
gardens were most delicious.
Everywhere we go we see backyards with beautiful gardens, a few rows
of corn, some carrots, potatoes, onions, squash. In some places flower
gardens have been turned into vegetable gardens, or they have shared the
space.
Another commendable thing about gardening is the exchange of
products by neighbors and the fostering of fellowship and
neighborliness.
Another family wrote, “Our old rickety barn is down and a beautiful
garden is in its place. Had we realized how proud it would make us to
have a beautiful garden where the old, fallen barn stood, we should have
made the change long ago.”
From another member in a rural area comes this: “The old, leaning,
half-fallen barn is attractive now. It is repaired, newly painted. We
are very proud of it and hope you will drive by to see the improvement.”
Another party writes, “We live in a large forest area. I got my boss
to go in the me, and we rented a large vacant lot not far away that had
no trees. We had it plowed, disked, fertilized, and did we ever have a
garden!”
In the “National Geographic” magazine last month, we clipped a
picture of a woman bringing bottled and canned fruit to her storage
room, which was full of the products of her labors and was neat and
tidy. That’s the way the Lord planned that we should prepare and eat our
vegetables.
On the whole, we are very proud of the success. We learned that 51
percent of the households in the United States plan a garden for this
year, 1976; and there will be plenty of lids and canning jars this
season. The garden fever has attacked many people.
Tomatoes appear to be the most popular vegetable, followed by leaf
lettuce and squash.
The garden is not only for the saving of funds but for the
satisfying of a hobby desire.
It is estimated that some 35 million home vegetable gardens in 1976
will be an increase of 2.5 million over last year, and that about 41
percent of all American households will do some home canning this year.
That is more than other years. We commend to you the garden fever.
If every family had a garden and rural families had a cow and
chickens, some fruit trees, and a garden, it is amazing how mearly the
family could be fed from their own lot.

Spencer W. Kimball
“Ensign,” June 1976

_Warlike peoples pervert patriotism._ We are a warlike people,
easily distracted from our assignment of preparing for the coming of the
Lord. When enemies rise up, we commit vast resources to the fabrication
of gods of stone and steel-ships, planes, missiles, fortifications-and
depend on them for protection and deliverance. When threatened, we
become antienemy instead of pro-kingdom of God; we train a man in the
art of war and call him a patriot, thus, in the manner of Satan’s
counterfeit of true patriotism, perverting the Savior’s teaching:
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that
hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute
you;
“That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.”

(Matthew 5:44-45.)
We forget that if we are righteous the Lord will either not suffer
our enemies to come upon us-and this is the special promise to the
inhabitants of the land of the Americas-or he will fight our battles for
us….
What are we to fear when the Lord is with us? Can we not take the
Lord at his word and exercise a particle of faith in him?

Spencer W. Kimball
Rotary Club, Salt Lake City, June 8, 1976

_Preservation of freedom requires effort._ Now that Independence Day
is here, let us glory in its blessings. It is a strange thing when you
stop to think about it. The road to this land of the United States is
pretty nearly a one-way street. Everyone wants to come here. Nobody
wants to leave. You probably never knew anyone who wanted to give up his
American citizenship.
Why is this so? Is it because we have more to eat? Better homes?
Better living conditions? That cannot be, because people wanted to come
here when this was a country of hardship.
No, it is not just dollars. The early pioneers could have told you
what it was. It is freedom. It is personal liberty. It is all of the
human rights that millions of Americans have died for.
The sad part of it is that a lot of us take our civil rights for
granted. We were born ina free country. We think freedom could never
end. But it could. It is ending today in many countries. We could lose
it, too.

Spencer W. Kimball
Special Conference, Rexburg, Idaho
June 13, 1976

_Help nonmembers in disaster._ Amid all the confusion and disorder
[after the Teton Dam disaster], let us be orderly and courteous. Make no
distinction between member and nonmember. We have heard inspiring
reports of the Christian brotherhood in action. Preserve these good
feelings in the challenging weeks ahead. Do not let jealousy or rivalry
creep in. Act as the Savior himself would act in the weeks and months of
future rebuilding.

Spencer W. Kimball
Dortmund, West Germany Area Conference
August 8, 1976

Do all of you people have a year’s supply of the basic commodities?
Be sure that you consider it very seriously. We realize that there may
be some situations where it may be difficult, but we want you to keep it
in mind. When distress or disaster comes to any of our people, we must
be ready to help each other. The Church has storagee in many places, and
as a Church it can do a great deal to help many people.

(cont.)