Prudence Not Paranoia

When I was called to work in our church congregation (ward) as the “Emergency Preparedness Specialist” I tried to find a way to easily gather and share the information that I was finding.  My hope was to compile the information in a useful way that others could refer to and use.

I also wanted to organize the information in a way that others could understand the need to prepare but not create a state of panic.  Hence I adopted this theme of “Prudence, Not Paranoia.”

Whether someone is preparing for individual situations of “under” or “unemployment” or a natural disaster / civil unrest, my hope was to share topical information related to both the “why’s” and “how-to’s”.

Also I was asked by our Bishop (Ward congregation leader) to look at the individual and family short term as well as long term needs. In addition I was asked to prepare for more than just the common life tragedies and trials but also disasters of various types after the recent world events.  Through my research I was able to break this down into 5 stages of preparation.

Phase One – No Concerns, this is the time of plenty, the time to prepare.
Home Maintenance Checklist Handout (Spring & Fall)

Phase Two – Sort Term setbacks, under or un-employment, sickness

Phase Three – Long Term Un-Employment, Disability, House Fire, Death in the family

Phase Four – Temporary Chaos and/or Destruction
* Weather, Earthquake, Hazardous Material
* 1 – 14 days expected, 30 days possible
* 6 to 12 months

Phase Five – Economic and or Civil Unrest, War

Here is a one page handout that I prepared for our church congregation along with my first draft of a talk that I’ve prepared to give.

Here is the Handout
Here is the talk I gave in church
I would love your feedback and comments. I know it is long but it’s worth it

After speaking to the ward congregation and giving the before mentioned address the Bishop then asked that we meet as a group and have training meetings.  Under his direction we meet, inviting the entire congregation and neighborhood to the following meetings:  (these links are to the meeting agendas and related handouts)

Family Preparedness Workshop
* Preparedness Handouts
Family & Home Preparedness Workshop
Earthquake Preparedness Workshop

The question then becomes a matter of “Are You Prepared“? Becoming Self-Reliant is the challenge that each of us face as individuals and families.

“To become self-reliant, a person must work. Work is physical, mental, or spiritual effort. It is a basic source of happiness, self-worth, and prosperity. Through work, people accomplish many good things in their lives. …

“As people become self-reliant, they are better prepared to endure adversities” and are “better able to care for others in need.”¹(LDS Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (1998), 257.)

A Time to Prepare

An analogy teaches that living prophets warn us of coming dangers. Includes excerpts from talks by President Gordon B. Hinckley and Elder Henry B. Eyring.

In this parable, the Savior taught us how to prepare for His Second Coming. In these last days, the Lord has said, “Be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17). This counsel refers to the parable of the ten virgins, which illustrates how we are to prepare for Christ’s Second Coming (see Matthew 25:1–13).

For many there is a sense of urgency to prepare, It’s About Prudence, Not Paranoia:

The Lord has said, “Be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17). This counsel refers to the parable of the ten virgins, which illustrates how we are to prepare for Christ’s Second Coming (see Matthew 25:1–13).

Life is fragile, peace is fragile, civilization itself is fragile. The economy is particularly vulnerable. We have been counseled again and again concerning self-reliance, concerning debt, concerning thrift. So many of our people are heavily in debt for things that are not entirely necessary. When I was a young man, my father counseled me to build a modest home, sufficient for the needs of my family, and make it beautiful and attractive and pleasant and secure. He counseled me to pay off the mortgage as quickly as I could so that, come what may, there would be a roof over the heads of my wife and children. I was reared on that kind of doctrine. I urge you as members of this Church to get free of debt where possible and to have a little laid aside against a rainy day.

We cannot provide against every contingency. But we can provide against many contingencies. Let the present situation remind us that this we should do.

As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son.

I do not know what the future holds. I do not wish to sound negative, but I wish to remind you of the warnings of scripture and the teachings of the prophets which we have had constantly before us.

I cannot forget the great lesson of Pharaoh’s dream of the fat and lean kine and of the full and withered stalks of corn.

I cannot dismiss from my mind the grim warnings of the Lord as set forth in the 24th chapter of Matthew.

I am familiar, as are you, with the declarations of modern revelation that the time will come when the earth will be cleansed and there will be indescribable distress, with weeping and mourning and lamentation (see D&C 112:24).  (The Times in Which We Live – Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. October 2001 Address)

When we consider what the Prophets Have Warned it is easier to understand why we need to be “prepared” both spiritually, mentally and physically.

“Sometimes we see welfare as simply another gospel topic—one of the many branches on the gospel tree. But I believe that in the Lord’s plan, our commitment to welfare principles should be at the very root of our faith and devotion to Him.” (Providing in the Lords Way by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf – Second Counselor in the First Presidency, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

For many there is the core belief that “if ye are prepared, ye shall not hear.” (D&C 38:30)  For this reason I’ve broken the areas of preparations as follows:

Personal
Physical – Eat Health and remain physically active
Mental – Strive for a higher education and continued learning
Financial – Pay your Tithe and Fast Offerings, Save for the future and live within your means
Spiritual – Pray often, read the scriptures, live the commandments and participate in church

Family
Physical – Participate in outdoor activities together often
Mental – Encourage personal and family study and discussion of religious and temporal topics
Financial – Be honest in with your fellow man living in the day and preparing for tomorrow
Spiritual – Provide a home of peace and safety where the Spirit of the Lord resides

Here are some of the common things to consider:

Preparation
* 72 Hour Kits
* Bug Out Bags
* Financial Preparation
* Fire
* Food
* Medical
* Security
* Shelter
* Water

If Ye Are Prepared

As President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Marion G. Romney said: “Food for the hungry cannot come from empty shelves. Money to assist the needy cannot come from an empty purse. Support and understanding cannot come from the emotionally starved. Teaching cannot come from the unlearned. And most important of all, spiritual guidance cannot come from the spiritually weak” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1982, 135; or Ensign, Nov. 1982, 93).

I have also dedicated this site to the memory of my father, Wayne Knecht, his pursuit of truth and desire to share it.  May his voice continue to be heard.

When I was much younger he wore a belt buckle that said the following:  “God, Guns & Guts Made America Free”.  For me it was more than the words themselves, it was the message that they represented which I identified with.

My formative years were along the Wasatch front in Utah where I recall a good balance between Faith and Patriotism.  Not only do I consider myself a God fearing individual but someone committed to the freedoms and liberties afforded here within the United States of America.  This is not to suggest there is either a religious or secular perfection but rather the pursuit of it.

It is this desire for truth that I find appealing.  It is with those that share similar goals and interests that I find stimulating thought.  For these reasons I have worked to provide the following websites for thoughtful consideration and education.