Post Japan Crisis, US LDS Members Update Emergency Prep Supplies

I am going to reference an online news article found here.

The recent nuclear, earthquake, and tsunami crisis in Japan have triggered several US LDS members to review their personal storage of food and emergency supplies.

From the article -

"Emergency planning and the long-term storage of food, water and medical supplies are central practices by the 14 million worldwide members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The tradition stems from doctrine - 'If ye are prepared ye shall not fear' - established by Joseph Smith when he founded the church in 1830 in upstate New York. It also stems from the persecution that drove his early followers from the Midwest to the Rocky Mountains in 1847.

Maintaining a one year household supply of food, hygiene, and emergency supplies is an important part of the LDS faith. Some Sunday lessons at worship services are centered on the practice. The practice is not unique and as noted by some in the referenced article's comments is common sense.

More information about LDS provident living practices and food storage tips can be found at the LDS Provident Living website.

An LDS member is quoting the the article for his comment regarding food storage and emergency preparedness -

"It puts you in a position to take care of yourself and provide for your family through hard times - and that puts you in a good position to help others

LDS doctrine holds dear the principle of being self-reliant. Members should be able to provide for the needs of their families, avoid debt, be thrifty, and contribute to society.

We also understand that at times and as humans, we stand in need of the support of others. A one year food supply for one family can also feed three families for three months. We accept the modern revelation that states: -

"And remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.

ESPN Discusses BYU Honor Code and Brandon Davies

Chris Broussard and Skip Bayless from ESPN discuss the BYU Honor Code. Brigham Young University, BYU, is one of the LDS church owned universities. Brandon Davies, on of the star BYU basketball players, was booted from the team for Honor Code violation.

Watch the video here - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6174077

Sunday Worship

Members of the LDS church attend worship services on Sunday.  I know that not all Christian churches worship on Sunday and we respect their differences.

Non-members of the LDS faith are generally most startled when attending LDS worship services when they see that there are no crosses displayed in or on the church building.  Some consider LDS members to not be Christians, but it's simply not true.  The LDS faith celebrates the living Christ and not a dead Christ.  We worship on Sunday as a celebration of the day Jesus Christ was resurrected.  We believe that Christ is alive and is actively directing his church today.

Non-members are also surprised by the length of the LDS worship services.  We attend church on Sunday for generally three hours.  Since multiple congregations use a single chapel, some LDS congregations (wards) attend for only 2.5 hours.  The three hours of worship are split into three parts with breaks in between: Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School, Auxiliary Classes.

Sacrament Meeting is the most important meeting on Sunday.  This meeting is reminiscent of other churches' mass.  We partake of the Sacrament and hear talks or testimonies of Christ by members of the congregation.  Most weeks the talks are assigned.  The first week of every month, the pulpit is open to all members of the congregation to testify of Christ.

Small children attend primary Sunday school lessons for the next two hours, but members of 12-years and up attend Sunday School for an hour.  Each year, the lessons are centered on a book of scripture: Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants.

The third hour is meant for the many auxiliary groups of the church.  Young Women is held for girls 12 to 18.  They are taught the gospel, given opportunities to serve others, taught craft and home making skills, encouraged in education, and taught to be a good citizen.  Young Men is held for boys 12 to 18.  They are taught the gospel, encouraged in education, to respect women, taught to be a good citizen, and taught to respect the Aaronic Priesthood that they hold.  Relief Society is held for women 18+.  The Relief Society is the largest women's humanitarian organization in the world.  Men 18+ attend Priesthood meeting where they are taught the gospel and organize themselves in service efforts.

I am grateful for the Sunday meetings.  They are a great break from the day-to-day and an opportunity to worship Christ.  They are a time when I rededicate myself to the Lord each week.