What if a large calamity hit your country? What would you do? Are you ready? Do you have survival skills that would see your family through till help arrived? And more importantly, how are you doing spiritually?
Being prepared for emergencies is not only prudent, it is obedience in action. For some time the Lord has spoken through his prophets to be prepared. In fact, preparedness has been a scriptural theme for some time.
For example, in the Doctrine and Covenants we read:
“And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire” (D&C 63:54).
The “righteous” mentioned in the verse are not “perfect people.” Only one perfect person has walked this earth, and that was Jesus Christ. The Lord views those who are righteous as those who are seeking to do His will. And apparently, those who seek God’s will, wisdom, and ways will avoid unquenchable fire!
The five wise virgins mentioned above references the verses in the New Testament regarding another group of wise vs foolish individuals. We read in the New Testament record:
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom…” (Matt 25:1).
The New Testament accout goes on to describe that those who were wise were invited into the wedding feast. The “oil” mentioned in the story apparently refers to internal preparedness, since it could not be shared.
So how are we doing? Are we preparing for the literal coming of Jesus Christ? Are we aware of the calamities that will precede His coming? We can no more stop those huge events than we could stop the ocean’s movement; those events are coming (some might say “sooner than later,” looking at the newspapers of today).
The Lord spoke these words through His prophet Joseph Smith:
“And at that day, when I come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
“For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived – verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day…”
And look at this promise for those who obey, thereby preparing in all things – both spiritually and temporally!
“And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.
“For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver” (D&C 45:56-59).
Here are two websites to help you in your spiritual preparation and an additional website to help you in your temporal preparation:
The scriptures
The words of modern-day prophets
The provident living website
