Counsel

Cherie and I are organizing our efforts, by the counsel we have been given on LDS.org, into these categories (below). To see an overview of the whole program by category, click on the tabs above.  These are the areas of focus we will be working on each month.  We wanted you to see the end from the beginning so you could commit now to which portions you are willing and/or able to work on, and so you could see what's coming up. 

{We include check boxes on the tabs above so you can keep track of what you have done and what still needs work.}  

We are here to help motivate you, give you solutions and answers to your questions!  Most of all, we are trying to break this down so that you don't feel overwhelmed.  We want this to be doable and something you WANT to do!  Let us know how we can help you!!

Detailed information on each month's category will come in updated blog posts throughout the month (on the Home tab).  You can search these posts by their Tags (see the left column).

1. 3-month short-term supply of food 
2. 2-week supply of water for each family member 
3. Family plan for storing a longer-term supply of food, 1 yr. per family member
4. Short Term Family Emergency Plan: Write a plan that addresses personal, short-term emergencies, including: what to do and how you will prepare for the 3 most common emergency situations in Idaho: house fire, house flood, and earthquakes.  
5. Long Term Family Emergency Plan:  Write a plan for your family that addresses widespread, longer-term emergencies, including: methods for purifying water, cooking without gas or electricity, storing emergency fuel, lighting, 72-hour kits, etc.

Michelle and Cherie

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Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to “prepare every needful thing” (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others.

We encourage Church members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.

We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings.

Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.

We realize that some of you may not have financial resources or space for such storage. Some of you may be prohibited by law from storing large amounts of food. We encourage you to store as much as circumstances allow.

May the Lord bless you in your home storage efforts.

The First Presidency

THE BASICS

THREE-MONTH SUPPLY

Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.

DRINKING WATER

Store drinking water for circumstances in which the water supply may be polluted or disrupted. If water comes directly from a good, pretreated source then no additional purification is needed; otherwise, pretreat water before use. Store water in sturdy, leak-proof, breakage-resistant containers. Consider using plastic bottles commonly used for juices and soda. Keep water containers away from heat sources and direct sunlight.

FINANCIAL RESERVE

Establish a financial reserve by saving a little money each week and gradually increasing it to a reasonable amount (see All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances guide).

LONGER-TERM SUPPLY

For longer-term needs, and where permitted, gradually build a supply of food that will last a long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans. These items can last 30 years or more when properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place. A portion of these items may be rotated in your three-month supply.

FAMILY FINANCES

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Latter-day Saints have been counseled for many years to prepare for adversity by having a little money set aside. Doing so adds immeasurably to security and well-being. Every family has a respon- sibility to provide for its own needs to the extent possible.

We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from this bondage. Save a little money regularly to gradually build a financial reserve.

If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts.

May the Lord bless you in your family financial efforts.

The First Presidency

PAY TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Successful family finances begin with the payment of an honest tithe and the giving of a generous fast offering. The Lord has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out great blessings upon those who pay tithes and offerings faithfully (see Malachi 3:10).

AVOID DEBT

Spending less money than you make is essential to your financial security. Avoid debt, with the exception of buying a modest home or paying for education or other vital needs. Save money to purchase what you need. If you are in debt, pay it off as quickly as possible.

USE A BUDGET

Keep a record of your expenditures. Record and review monthly income and expenses. Determine how to reduce what you spend for nonessentials.

Use this information to establish a family budget. Plan what you will give as Church donations, how much you will save, and what you will spend for food, hous- ing, utilities, transportation, clothing, insurance, and so on. Discipline yourself to live within your budget plan.

BUILD A RESERVE

Gradually build a financial reserve, and use it for emergencies only. If you save a little money regularly, you will be surprised how much accumulates over time.

TEACH FAMILY MEMBERS

Teach family members the principles of financial management. Involve them in creating a budget and setting family financial goals. Teach the principles of hard work, frugality, and saving. Stress the importance of obtaining as much education as possible.