Quotes from Church Leaders about Food Storage
Prepare for Times of Need
“Be prepared in all things against the day when tribulations and desolations are sent forth upon the wicked” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:8).
“We encourage you to follow this counsel with the assurance that a people prepared through obedience to the commandments of God need not fear” (First Presidency letter, 24 June 1988).
Store Basics to Sustain Life for One Year
“Perhaps if we think . . . of what it would take to keep us alive in case we didn’t have anything else to eat, that . . . would be very easy to put in storage for a year . . . just enough to keep us alive if we didn’t have anything else to eat” (Harold B. Lee, quoted in Ezra Taft Benson, “Prepare Ye,” Ensign, Jan. 1974, 81).
“We suggest that members concentrate on essential foods that sustain life” (First Presidency letter, 24 June 1988).
Learn to Use What You Store
“Every father and mother are the family’s storekeepers. They should store whatever their own family would like to have in the case of an emergency. . . . Some have said, “We have followed this counsel in the past and have never had need to use our year’s supply, so we have difficulty keeping this in mind as a major priority.” Perhaps following this counsel could be the reason why they have not needed to use their reserve. By continued rotation of the supply it can be kept usable with no waste” (James E. Faust, in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 26; or Ensign, May 1986, 22).
“A year’s supply of food storage is beneficial in several ways:
1. It provides peace of mind as we obey the counsel to store.
2. It helps ensure survival in case of personal or natural disaster.
3. It strengthens skills in preparing and using basic foods” (“Home Storage: Build on the Basics,” Ensign, June 1989, 40).
Keep a Year’s Supply and Stay out of Debt
“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” (Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Oct. 2001, 89; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 73).
“Recent surveys of Church members have shown a serious erosion in the number of families who have a year’s supply of life’s necessities. Most members plan to do it. Too few have begun. . . . It is our sacred duty to care for our families, including our extended families” (Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Sept. 1986, 4; emphasis in original).
“Let us be in a position so we are able to not only feed ourselves through home production and storage, but others as well” (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 48; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, 34).
“Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year’s supply of food and clothing and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year’s supply of debt and are food-free” (Thomas S. Monson, “That Noble Gift—Love at Home,” Church News, 12 May 2001, 7).
Grow Food When Possible
“We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasiblly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard” (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 171; or Ensign, May 1976, 124).
“Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own” (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 47; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, 33).
Those Who Faithfully Follow the Counsel Will Be Blessed
“The Lord has warned us of famines, but the righteous will have listened to prophets and stored at least a year’s supply of survival food” (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, 90; or Ensign; Jan. 1974, 80).
“Consider the important (food storage) program which we must never forget nor put in the background. As we become more affluent and our bank accounts enlarge, there comes a feeling of security, and we feel sometimes that we do not need the supply that has been suggested by the Brethren. . . . We must remember that conditions could change and a year’s supply of basic commodities could be very much appreciated by us or others. So we would do well to listen to what we have been told and to follow it explicitly” (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 170; or Ensign, May 1976, 124).
“We want you to be ready with your personal storehouses filled with at least a year’s supply. You don’t argue why it cannot be done; you just plan to organize and get it done” (Spencer W. Kimball, August 1976).
The Time to Disregard This Counsel Is Over
“As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year’s supply of necessities. . . . I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With the events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness. . . . Create a plan if you don’t already have one, or update your present plan . . . We are not in a situation that requires panic buying, but we do need to be careful in purchasing and rotating the storage that we’re putting away.” (L. Tom Perry, in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 47; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 36).