One of the most important reasons for being prepared with supplies of various kinds is to be able to help your neighbors. Mormons, though often ridiculed for having food storage, are often the ones able to help first when disaster strikes, somedays days before the Red Cross arrives. That was the case with Hurricane Andrew back when I lived in Georgia and was one of the thousands who participated in "Mormon Helping Hands" relief service in Homestead, Florida. Mormon experience in organizing through the Priesthood system also provides a remarkably effective way of organizing volunteers. It was a pretty amazing experience.
Be prepared, and ignore the mocking of idiots who don't get it. Speaking of which, I find it distressing that in their zeal to be campaigners rather than journalists, MSNBC would stoop to mocking Mitt Romney for his efforts to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. There is plenty to mock in both political parties (perhaps even my third party of choice has its flaws), but mocking the efforts of a man who already gives millions to charity as "craven" and "lacking compassion"is a sad example of what political zeal does to distort the allegedly evenhanded media.
Those who object to Mormon "stockpiling" and our welfare and relief efforts also include religious opponents, some of whom have told me that it shows a lack of faith in God to prepare as we do. The rapture mentality will be deadly for those who think they will be spared from disaster and hunger in this world because they will be miraculously lifted up before trouble sets in. We've got trouble all over know, Trouble with a great big capital "T," and more is blowing your way. Be prepared and be grateful for your Mormon neighbors. Rather than mock their efforts, join them and be part of the solution next time an emergency hits your neighborhood,
Continue reading at the original source →