What does preparedness mean to you? As we’ve discussed before, “preparedness” really can mean so very many different things. But in all categories, preparedness seems to imply that you are ready for the unexpected.

Mormon FamilyHow does one go about this? How does one become ready for the unexpected, if he or she does not know what that unexpected is?

Another consideration is that for many people, budgets are tight. So in trying to be prepared for a variety of eventualities, most of those preparations cannot be overnight.

Thus, for most of us, we need to be wise in scheduling or handling any forms of preparedness. Here are at least a few categories to consider:

  • Resume preparedness (should your job cease)
  • Health preparedness (to avoid medical costs and difficulty)
  • Short-term emergency preparedness
  • Long-term emergency preparedness
  • Community preparedness

These are just a few categories. There are more over in the column on the right near the top of this blog. But regardless of the categories of preparedness, any and all of them take forethought and effort to achieve some semblance of success within them.

So why be prepared? Perhaps 20 years ago that question would have brought a laugh. The natural disasters didn’t seem to come as frequently as they do now. But now, in the 21st century, we only need think on recent years about the ever-increasing disasters that we’ve all seen to know the answer to the question, “Why be prepared?”

Most natural disasters hit with less than a week’s warning (Hurricane Katrina, fires in California, etc.). Then there are the man-made disasters that also can occur without warning (the twin towers in New York, etc.).

Perhaps some families have budgets that allow them to go and purchase, all at once, everything they would need to live on for the next year, in addition to paying for emergency prep classes, etc. But many families do not have this ability. That is why it is even more prudent that at least weekly we make some small stride toward increasing our preparedness.

The Mormon church (officially called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) teaches its members to live provident lifestyles, including preparedness ways. In fact, the Church will often team with community groups to help local cities in these matters. The Mormon Church on many levels extends an outreach into communities to help all people with provident living skills, not just Mormons (here is just one of the many examples: see press release).

As Mormons, we believe in self-reliance. In fact, you can read further about the efforts of this Church to help not just members, but all of God’s children by clicking on these two links:

Welfare and Self Reliance

Provident Living Website

As a Mormon, I’ve learned that the Lord desires that I not only be wise and thrifty for my family’s needs and considerations, but also to be busy helping others to do the same. When Jesus Christ came to redeem us, He did it out of love for our needs. As we seek to follow Him, we become more like Him – prepared in all things.

So yes, how important it is to prepare for the unexpected.

If you’d like to learn more about the Church and it’s Provident Living counsels, feel free to click here.

About Cindy B

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