Come Listen to Living Prophets

If you're not planning on tuning in to hear what the living prophets have to say, I invite you to. You'll be grateful you did. Your life will be enriched. I promise.

What Will You Give Christ?

I love this new video with President Monson. What will you give to Christ? I hope it changes your heart like it has changed mine.

Herbert Sworn In as Governor

Yesterday was a significant day.

Gary R. Herbert was sworn in as 17th Governor of the Great State of Utah. I was there (and helped with parts of the event) and wanted to post this video. There are actually four videos, including Governor Huntsman's private resignation ceremony, the inauguration, the post-inauguration motorcade and KSL's news clip about the day's events.

Perhaps the coolest part was meeting with all the dignitaries. Seeing former Governors who accomplished great things in office, meeting and speaking with current legislators (such as Orrin Hatch, Bob Bennett, Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz) and other distinguished guests (including President Monson), I couldn't help but soak in the importance of the day.

The ceremony was enveloped in prayer, as a fitting emphasis of the way our new Governor opened and closed his speech--acknowledging the help from on high that must come.

As we prayed for our new Governor last night, I couldn't help but remember we need to pray for our President, as well. Whether or not you like our leaders, the best thing you can do for them is pray for and support them. Attempts to demean our leaders do little to solve the real issues or work for the common good.

At least we know that if we pray, one vote of confidence we can cast is imploring Heaven to be on our side and with those who lead the governments of the world.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

72-Hour Kits

For Family Home Evening the past two weeks, we have talked about and worked on updating our 72-hour kits. Tonight we worked on our 72-hour food kits, taking out old food and replacing it with new "rations."

Over the years we learned that there are other sources of emergency food than dehydrated 72-hour kit meals (space food) in a box.

While there are all sorts of variations, my mom used these recommended "rations" from the food kits we put together a few years ago. This is what we created:


72-Hours Kit for 1 person
A minimum of 4 liters of water per kit is suggested

Day 1
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Hot Chocolate, Raisins
Lunch: Ramen Soup, Crackers, Fruit Snack, Juice Drink
Dinner: Mac & Cheese, Raisins, Drink Mix
Snack: 5 Candy, Gum, Fruit Roll

Day 2
Breakfast: Granola, Apple Cider, Raisins
Lunch: Soup-can, Crackers, Fruit Snack, Apple Juice
Dinner: Ramen Soup, Crackers, Drink Mix
Snack: 5 Candy, Gum, Trail Mix

Day 3
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Hot Chocolate, Raisins
Lunch: Chicken Broth, Jerky / Granola Bar, Fruit Snack, Juice Drink
Dinner: Vienna Sausage, Cheese & Crackers, Drink Mix
Snack: 5 Candy, Gum, Granola Bar

Note: The picture only shows one liter of water, but you should have at least four liters per person.

We used Ziploc bags to hold the bouillon cube, gum, and other small things. Then we put all the juices and foodstuffs in two gallon-size Ziploc bags.

I'm grateful for prophets who have counseled us to prepare for "stormy weather" and parents who have always taught and encouraged those principles we now live by.

A favorite quote by President Monson is:

"Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their . . . supply of food . . . 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.”
(President Thomas S. Monson, “That Noble Gift—Love at Home,” Church News, May 12, 2001, 7. Also quoted in Liahona, March 2009, p.5)

And one on spiritual self-reliance from Elder Christofferson in the April 2009 General Conference:

It is a simple illustration of a profound power that is much needed in our day and that will become increasingly crucial in days ahead. We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship, who can sustain hope through tragedy, who can lift others by their example and their compassion, and who can consistently overcome temptations. We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism.

What is the source of such moral and spiritual power, and how do we obtain it? The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him.

(For the whole talk, click here).

I know that God's prophets know what is best for us and will help us to prepare for those "stormy days" ahead. And I feel great courage in their words, knowing that God will bless me when I obey.