Living Well in Perilous Times

Provident Principles and Practices
© David Edwards, 2008

PRINCIPLES: The Apostle Paul wrote, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." – 2 Timothy 3:1

. . .

In the October 2008 General Conference, a number of General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made allusions to world economic problems and other challenges we are currently facing or may face in the future. Several of them used language similar to that of the Apostle Paul in 2 Tim 3:1. These General Authorities included Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Elder James J. Hamula, and Elder Boyd K. Packer, each referring specifically to the "perilous times" in which we live.

. . .

Some other General Authorities also chose to employ similar terms. Elder L. Tom Perry referred to bad times, periods of sadness, and times of scarcity. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke of times of seemingly unbearable darkness. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin mentioned difficult times, and times of disappointment, suffering and sorrow. Elder Boyd K. Packer employed the expression "troubled times" as well as the term "perilous times." The name of his talk was "The Test."

Notwithstanding their use of this type of language, the individual and collective tenor of their comments was not one of gloom. Rather, it was one of great positiveness and hope.

. . .

Elder L. Tom Perry quoted the poet Robert Browning: "The best is yet to be". Elder Perry encouraged us to remain positive and optimistic, to be persons of faith and hope, with our understanding that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, with the best of times yet to be.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks asked us to consider how, in these perilous times, we can maintain the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives to help us make decisions as we are led along the narrow road to eternal life.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf indicated that we can withstand even times of seemingly unbearable darkness as we hold to the heaven-sent doctrines of the restoration.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin pointed out that happy people tend to learn from their challenges and in the process grow in strength, wisdom and contentment. Responding appropriately to difficulties can enlarge our comprehension, strengthen us morally as individuals, and fill our hearts with empathy for others.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland reminded us in these difficult times not to allow fear to overwhelm us but to exercise faith in the Lord and stay true to those promises we have made to the Lord.

Elder Boyd K. Packer testified that, when times are tough, the Savior will always make a way for us as individuals, families and a Church to move ahead safely. Doing so, however, will require that we keep the Lord's commandments and partake of Gospel ordinances.

. . .

Finally, Elder Quentin L. Cook expressed that the Lord wants us to prepare for difficulties, including "lean years". He quoted the Lord saying, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.

PRACTICES: The Brethren in this last conference unitedly have affirmed that we are currently facing and will continue to face perilous times. What perils we will yet face as individuals and families, perhaps only God knows. In what things can we expect to find safety? The Lord’s servants, as described above, have given their answers at the October 2008 General Conference. We can find safety in faith, hope, testimony, the Spirit of the Lord, a knowledge of divine principles, learning from our experiences, endurance, belief, remembrance of our covenants, obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel, and preparedness. As we partake of the Gospel fully, this will help dispel fear from our lives.

Graphics credits:

Bible: www.senate.gov/artandhistory/art/special/Bassett/events/images_small/bible_outside.jpg

Food line: www.nps.gov/ozar/historyculture/images/Depression-Food-Line.jpg

Weary, Worried Woman: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/learn/community/images/depression.jpg

Robert Browning: http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson_images/lesson630/Robert_Browning_Sml.jpg

Prophet of the Restoration: www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0506-8/images/smith.jpg

Preparedness sign: www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_da_dprep_pic.jpg

Long-Term Storage of Salt

Provident Principles and Practices
© David Edwards, 2008

PRINCIPLES: “You may also want to add other items to your longer-term storage such as sugar, nonfat dry milk, salt, baking soda, and cooking oil.” – www.providentliving.org

PRACTICES: Salt – sodium chloride (NaCl) – is an important long-term storage item. Three to five lbs/person/yr are needed for flavoring food. More salt may be needed for other purposes.

Salt as a Condiment. Salt brings out flavors in food. Processed foods generally contain a great deal of salt, and little additional salt is needed. On the other hand, most long-term storage foods contain almost no salt. Without added salt, most of these foods would taste very bland. Salt may be needed for flavoring stored foods in a long-term disaster in which processed food is of limited supply.

Electrolyte Replacement. Salt is needed to replace sodium chloride lost through bleeding, perspiration and crying. Without processed foods, people need a way to add salt to their diets.

Effects on Health and Lifespan. Some people, such as those who are overweight or who have high blood pressure, need to limit how much salt they add to their food. But, for most people, the amount of salt that they consume, as long as it is greater than that which is minimally needed, seems to have little impact on health or lifespan. In a disaster, salt solutions can provide soothing and therapeutic eye washes, mouth rinses, and throat gargles. Salt can also be used in intravenous solutions.

Salting and Pickling. Salting is one way to preserve certain foods. Most microbes cannot live in a highly salty environment. Meats and fish can be cured by salting. Pickles and sauerkraut are created by soaking cucumbers and cabbage, respectively, in salt solutions under appropriate conditions.

Oral Rehydration Solution. Certain gastrointestinal diseases cause extreme loss of electrolytes from the body due to repeated diarrhea and vomiting. Untreated, this may lead to severe illness or death. An ORS solution, consisting of 4 cups of water, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp baking soda, 8 tsp sugar, and ¼ tsp salt substitute, sipped every few minutes, can restore electrolytes and preserve life. A little mashed banana or orange juice, if available, can be exchanged for ¼ tsp salt substitute to provide potassium.

Iodine. Iodide in iodized salt can help prevent retardation in infants and thyroid problems in others.

Industrial Processes. Salt is essential in many useful industrial and commercial processes. In a time to come when “we will live on what we produce”, salt may have significant value in production.

Other Uses. Salt is needed in MSR MIOX water purifiers to generate microbe-killing compounds. At 15-32 degrees F, salt can deice walkways for safety, as it depresses water’s freezing point.

For more, see http://providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,7531-1-4062-1,00.html; www.springerlink.com/content/1032k6374735085u/fulltext.pdf; www.cmaj.ca/cgi/data/160/9/DC1/5; www.mja.com.au/public/issues/feb15/salt/nicholls.html; www.emedicine.com/MED/topic1187.htm; www.saltinstitute.org/37.html; www.saltinstitute.org/images/salt_uses.jpg; www.pamf.org/patients/ors.html; http://rehydrate.org/ors/index.html

Photo credits

Salt shakers: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/prevent/sodium/images/salt.jpg

Runners perspiring: http://www.americaslibrary.gov/assets/es/co/es_co_rdrace_1_m.jpg

A long life: http://iarchives.nysed.gov/Gallery/galleryDetail.jsp?id=1164&ss=EDU

Future pickles?: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/mar07/d730-30i.jpg

ORS being administered to baby: www.fic.nih.gov/images/ortphoto.jpg

Silly Silly People

Provident Principles and Practices

© David Edwards, 2008

. . .

Silly Silly People

by S. Edwards and R. Rhymer

Noah told the people that the rain was going to fall,
Noah told the people they better get on the ball,
Noah told the people to repent and turn to God,
‘Cause God had had it up to here, and the wicked will be trod.

Those silly, silly people! Why were they all so blind?
We certainly would never be a people of that kind!

Lehi told the people that Jerusalem would fall,
Lehi told the people they better get on the ball,
Lehi told the people to repent and turn to God,
‘Cause God had had it up to here, and the wicked will be trod.

Those silly, silly people! Why were they all so blind?
We certainly would never be a people of that kind!

Samuel told the people as he stood upon the wall,
That Christ would come in five short years and save them from the fall,
Samuel told the people to repent and turn to God,
‘Cause God had had it up to here, and the wicked will be trod.

Those silly, silly people! Why were they all so blind?
We certainly would never be a people of that kind!

Our prophet tells the people that there’s not much time at all,
Our prophet tells the people they better get on the ball,
Our prophet tells the people to repent and turn to God,
‘Cause God has had it up to here, and the wicked will be trod.

So if we look into our pantries and find that they are bare,
And if the scriptures on our shelves show no wear or tear,
Could we be silly people? Are we possibly that kind?
That we refuse to hear our God, could we be, oh, so blind?

Copyright 1995 by Susan Edwards and Roweena Rymer

Used by permission

The Lord, the Prophet, the Twelve and Safety

Provident Principles and Practices
© David Edwards, 2008

PRINCIPLES: Elder Henry B. Eyring, in his talk entitled “Safety in Counsel” (Ensign, June 2008, p. 4-9), states that the Lord greatly desires our safety and will protect those who accept His protection. The Lord speaks to us through prophets, warning us as needed, and providing the path for us to take that will lead us to safety.

Latter-day Saints who heed the counsel of the Quorum of the Twelve will find security and refuge in that counsel. The Lord has chosen them, and Church members who support and stay close to the Twelve will find safety in these actions. Although individual members of the Twelve may make mistakes, the combined voice of the Twelve will never be wrong. Those who oppose the counsel of the Twelve put themselves in grave danger. (See Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, April 1951.)

Latter-day Saints will never be led astray by the President of the Church, the First Presidency, or the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve as a whole. These brethren will not speak in opposition to the will of the Lord. (See Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, Apr. 1972.)

Sometimes the counsel given by general authorities may not seem to square with our personal, political or social perspectives. However, our safety depends on following that counsel. The President of the Church is someone to whom we need to pay particular attention. (See Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, October 1970.

“Wherefore . . . thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory.” D&C 21:4-5

PRACTICES: In these, the last days, perilous times will come. There is safety only in following the Lord Jesus Christ. He will protect us as we heed the voice of His servants, the First Presidency of His Church, and the Quorum of the Twelve. These, as a group, the Lord will never permit to lead us astray. As we follow their counsel, the Savior will protect us against the powers of darkness.

Photo Credits: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/05/images/20080529-2_utah-515h.jpg (modified in Paint to focus on one person at a time)

Long-Term Storage of Honey and/or Sugar

Provident Principles and Practices
© David Edwards, 2008

PRINCIPLES: The First Presidency, in a letter to the membership of the Church dated June 24th, 1988, provided a list of suggested foods to store. These included honey and/or sugar.

PRACTICES: Honey and sugar can be stored for many years without freezing, refrigeration, or canning. These products store best in air-tight HDPE buckets or glass jars with minimal or no exposure to moisture, light, bugs or contaminants. If honey crystallizes, it can be liquefied again by heating a jar for hours in water at 130oF, about as hot as hands can tolerate. At storage temperatures well above room temperature, honey tends to darken and lose flavor over time. Exposure to high humidity can cause honey to ferment and sugar to clump. Clumped sugar can be used if crushed.

Stored honey or sugar can be used as a sweetener for cereals, baked goods, spreads, yogurts and beverages. Honey comes in various colors and flavors depending on plant blossoms visited by bees.

Stored honey can be used as a substitute for sugar in baking recipes. For every cup of sugar in a recipe, substitute ¾ cup of honey. Decrease added liquids by ¼ cup, or add 4 Tbsp flour plus ¼ tsp baking soda. Measure honey in a measuring cup or spoon coated with fat or oil. To bake foods with honey, use an oven temperature 25 F lower than called for in the recipe. You can make no-yeast bread with honey using ½ to 1 tsp of baking soda per cup of honey. Low-pH honey reacts with high-pH baking soda to make CO2 bubbles. You need to bake the bread very soon after mixing it.

Honey and/or sugar can also be stored for future canning needs. Water-bath systems can be used for pickling cucumbers, beets and beans, or for canning high-acid fruits, preserves, jams, jellies and tomatoes. Pressure canners must be used for canning fish, meat and all vegetables except tomatoes. If honey is used in canning syrup, most practitioners recommend using a mix of sugar and up to 50% honey. It takes some tricks to can food well with just honey. Consider storing sufficient honey, sugar, equipment and supplies to meet your canning needs during a lengthy crisis, e.g., a pandemic.

Honey or food canned in honey should not be given to children one year old or less because natural, heat-resistant spores in honey can cause botulism in newly developed digestive tracts. Over 2,400 cases have been reported. For children older than one year, and for adults, honey is safe to eat.

Stored honey can also be used as a wound dressing for many types of wounds. Honey is reported to have excellent antimicrobial properties. Also, its use does not lead to growth of resistant strains of bacteria as use of antibiotics sometimes does. Honey dressings are said to also reduce inflammation, provide a moist healing environment, minimize adherence of bandages to newly forming skin, and promote rapid, effective healing. (Some journal articles with links below discuss relevant evidence.) . . .

Graphics credits:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/k7240-6.htm/ =
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/aug01/k9566-1i.jpg/
http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_web/fnic/content_images/canner.jpg

For more info, see http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/botulism.html; http://ijl.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/5/1/40; www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1297205&blobtype=pdf; http://live.psu.edu/story/27584; http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/harvesttohealth/honey.htm; http://books.google.com/books?id=8vqp_XLfNKYC&pg=PA806&lpg=PA806&dq=canning+with+honey+carla&source=web&ots=OYa4ZbYz3K&sig=stJj2o8SDSMWhvHEiBnxq29FQD0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result.