Emergency Preparedness = Lack of Genuine Faith
Apr 29th, 2007 by Stephen Erastus Knudsen III
D&C 38:30 “…but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”
As is customary in most LDS wards, on any fifth Sunday of the month there is a combined lesson with the Priesthood and Relief Society. I think this is highly appropriate, as it provides the dear sisters with an example of pure priesthood instruction – not all lessons can be on scrapbooking and recipe books and lace.
But today I was rather dismayed by the topic which was discussed in our joint meeting. Pamphlets were handed out regarding food storage and emergency preparedness. We were told what to do in case of a tornado, or earthquake, or fire. Through all of this I kept asking myself one single question: “brothers and sisters – where is your faith?”
Were Shadrak, Mishak and Abednigo shown the exits in case of a fire as they were thrown into the furnace? No! They were true to the faith that their parents had cherished, and a fourth figure joined them due to their righteousness, and the fire had no power over them.
When the earth shook and the walls of the prison were rent in twain, did Alma and Amulek flee for their safety? No! They were true to the truth for which martyrs had perished, and yet the walls fell around them and slew all who sought them harm.
When the people in third Nephi were carried away in the whirlwind, were they frightened and afraid? Well, yes, probably. But only because they were the unrighteous ones. The righteous ones were not carried away by the whirlwind (3 Nephi 10:13). They stood firm in their faith – soul, heart and hand – and were rewarded with a personal visit from the resurrected savior.
Some may say, “but these are stories are just from the olden days – God no longer works this way among the children of men.” Oh ye of little faith. What have ye to say about all these modern-day stories that come from many reliable sources:
Stories like these are endless. So why are we wasting precious meeting time to plan for disasters that the scriptures tell us not to fear? Where is your faith people?
I suppose the only thing to be said is what Christ himself said as he was hanging from the cross:
“Forgive them Father. They know not what they do.”
You raise an excellent point Mr. Knudsen. I thought of another one: what if the woman visited by Elijah had her food storage — the prophet would not have been able to bless her and her son.
But, what do you make of Joseph’s work in Egypt to prepare the country for famine by creating a storage, or the Nephites storing of food in preparation for an attack from the Gadianton robbers (3 Nephi 4)?
Excellent point about Elijah. I think that Joseph in Egypt was a special case where the Lord needed to raise up a righteous people and used the famine to bring the Israelites into Egypt especially for that reason.
But my original concern was not about food storage so much as being afraid of natural disasters. I think it is clear that if there is ever a natural disaster, the righteous will be protected. We have that promise. Only the wicked need to fear, so it makes me think that ones who fear are in need of repentance.
By the way, any relation to the historical Nathan Steed from early church history?
What about children that are killed in natural disasters?
Nathan Steed is not my real name, merely an historical figure I wish to emulate, unlike that wicked Joshua Steed.
Right, Joshua was a bad one. I applaud you for your choice of role model.
You raise a difficult question regarding children who (not “children that” — they are people, not things, except maybe in some parts of the South and in many Asian countries) are killed in natural disasters. I can not claim to know the mind of the Lord on all things, but I prayed and offered a small fast this afternoon in regards to your question, and I can tell you what the Spirit told me. Although I will type it to you instead of whisper (that’s my little joke).
In the pre-existance, as we know, there were many different degrees of valiance as we fought in the war against the Adversary and His rebellious hosts. The level to which we were valiant there has consequences and rather tangeable ramifications here on the Earth and the station to which each of us are born. Thankfully, some of those valiant spirits were so advanced that they did not need much from this earthly existance towards their eternal progression above recieving a physical body. Thus, it is not surprising that in some cases there are children killed in natural disasters. It should be a source of joy, however, to know that they were so righteous in the pre-existance that they are permitted to go straight to the Celestial kingdom, and in that sense they are still counted among those righteous who are “protected” — they are, in this sense, protected and safeguarded against the possibility of falling into sin later in their lives.
I hope this answers your question to your satisfaction. Thank you Nathan for your faithful inquiries.
By the way, Nathan, in regards to the finincial planning side of emergency preparedness, I should make it clear that I do have a testimony of finance, and that it is important to budget and plan. I have heard from several reliable sources that Utah has highest rate of bankruptcies in the country, so clearly we as a people can do better.
Steve,
I knew your dad in high school. (Everyone called him “Steve,” so it just comes naturally. Sorry.) Anyway, he did not treat me very well. Just thought you would like to know.
LL, Even though I prefer to be called Stephen, (as did my father and my father’s father) I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to excersize patience and forgiveness. I forgive you for calling me Steve.
And while it is difficult for me to know whether or not my father really mistreated you in highschool (or whether you just chose to be offended) please allow me to extend a gracious and deeply sincere apology on his behalf for any suffering he may have caused you, even if, at the judgment bar when we watch the movie of our lives, it becomes clear that his actions were somewhat warrented, as they may very well have been. Thank you for your comment.
This post reminds me of a story:
There was a man whose farm was located on the banks of a flood-swollen river. As the water rose, a neighbor drove up in a Jeep, urging him to leave before the farm was flooded.
“Oh, no,” said the man confidently, “God will save me.”
The water rose higher, and the man was forced to move into the second story of the farmhouse. A police boat soon came, and the officers called for the man to hurry and get into their boat.
“Oh, no, that won’t be necessary,” the man insisted. “God will save me.”
Finally the house was completely engulfed in water, and a Coast Guard helicopter swooped in to rescue the man, now perched on the roof. Again he refused. Just then, a huge wave of water swept over the house, and the man drowned.
When he got to heaven, he stormed at the Lord, asking WHY God had let him die when his faith had been so strong.
“What do you mean?” asked the heavenly Father. “I sent a Jeep, a boat, and a helicopter … and you wouldn’t budge!”
It seems that the lack of faith is in denying the hand of God in our lives in ways that seem less than spectacular. God gives us all things — including the means to prepare for future calamity. Certainly it takes no more faith to prepare for emergencies using the means God has given us than to sit idly by, waiting for God to save us while missing all the opportunities he gives us now.
sorry–should have read the previous posts.