And yet, with personal finances tighter today than yesterday, being prepared may require more commitment and sacrifice than ever before. We may have to return to the first of all questions about being prepared: “Why prepare?”

Aside from the answer, "I know not save the Lord commanded me" (Moses 5:6), why are we preparing?

Natural Disasters

According to the Christian Science Monitor, the rate of natural disasters is increasing:

“The number of natural disasters has more than doubled since 1980, mostly because of a worsening of weather-driven catastrophes, according to a German insurance company.

“In its report, Munich Re, the world's largest reinsurer (that is, an insurance company for insurance companies), said that 400 natural disaster have occurred in the first six months of 2008, with 300 of them attributed to extreme weather, such as storms, floods, and heat waves.

“This number is in line with a steady increase in the number of natural disasters that the company has tracked since 1980. In the 1980s, the average number of yearly natural disasters was 400. That number increased to 630 in the 1990s and 730 in the past 10 years. The number of geophysical disasters – earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions – increased from the mid-80s to the mid-90s, but has since returned to early-80s levels.

“The highest number of recorded natural disasters, 960, was in 2007. (2008 numbers are not yet available)”.¹

Terrorist Attacks

Terrorist plots against the United States are uncovered and foiled every day. In speaking with those who monitor terrorism for the FBI and Border Patrol, we hear similar comments: ‘It would make our head spin and we would run for the hills if we knew the number of plots that have been foiled since 9/11.'

Terrorist attacks continued at a high rate last year - not only in the Middle East - but in Britain, Turkey, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, India, Philippines, Australia, Finland, Canada, Mexico...and it goes on.

Economic downturn and job loss

Tighter and more expensive credit is limiting the ability of farmers worldwide to finance seasonal needs such as replacement trees, seed and fertilizer. The costs of these items has increased dramatically over the past few years, and the USDA estimates that US total inflation-adjusted farm costs have increased 28.5% since 2002. The same is true in other areas of the world. These increased costs are also leading to a smaller work force being hired to work those farms.

High unemployment rates, especially among young workers, have led to protests in countries from Latvia to Chile , Greece to Iceland . It has led to strikes in Britain and France .

The International Monetary Fund expects that by the end of 2009, global economic growth will reach its lowest point since the Great Depression.

“This is the worst we've had since 1929,” said Laurent Wauquiez , France 's employment minister. “The thing that is new is that it is global, and we are always talking about that. It is in every country, and it makes the whole difference.”

Millions of migrant workers in mainland China are searching for jobs, but finding that factories are shutting down.

In Britain , calls for protectionism are being heard as refinery and power plant employees walked off the job last month to protest the use of workers from Italy and Portugal at a construction project. Some held up signs “British jobs for British workers.”

At worst, these trends may lead to shortages, even more unemployment, and more discouragement among world populations, leading to more unrest and crime. Shortages and rampant inflation may be part of this scenario, according to some.

Changes in our food supply

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations expects world grain producers to cut back production in the 2009/10 season because of a shortage of credit and severe weather conditions.

In California , many of the nation's largest farms plan to cut back on planting crops this spring over concerns resulting from a three year drought and increased financing costs and property taxes. Many who have nut trees have chosen to let those trees remain dormant. Bees are not being brought in to pollinate the trees. All this translates into much lower supplies of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and honey this summer.

Severe drought in Texas is affecting the cattle industry, causing herd sizes to be reduced and prices increased. New Zealand and Australia have seen prices rise due to drought. This is a global crisis.

"Climate projections are pretty clear that there'll be increasing frequency of severe drought particularly in continental USA , the Mediterranean basin, northern China and across southern Africa, Australia and parts of South America ,"

"A lot of these areas are important food-producing areas for the globe." said Jim Salinger, of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand .

Pandemics

We have talked at length in this column about pandemics in the last few months. It is estimated a pandemic could cause 40% of all businesses to fail. If you think current economic troubles are big, you really don't want to see what could happen during a global pandemic.

Thus, we have written about preparing to clothe, feed, house and care for all our family's medical needs, for as long as three months, and all with reduced or no income.

There is also inflation to consider, deflation of our currency, and increased violence as people become desperate during a difficult time. Pandemics are not for sissies, and that is why governments fear them above almost everything else.

So why do we prepare?

"I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear ." (D&C 38:30)

“The Savior has commanded the Church and its members to be self-reliant and independent. . . .

“To become self-reliant, a person must work. Work is physical, mental, or spiritual effort. It is a basic source of happiness, self-worth, and prosperity. Through work, people accomplish many good things in their lives. . . .

“As people become self-reliant, they are better prepared to endure adversities [and are] better able to care for others in need” ( Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders [1998], 257).

"But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen." (1 Nephi 9:6)

Do you believe that? I do. I know when the Lord asks us to do something he will always provide a way for us to accomplish it. We can no longer think only in terms of money when we think of preparing. We must consider the talents, family, friends, and other opportunities we have been blessed with as resources. Have you been blessed with a friend who is a carpenter? Maybe he can provide you with lumber scraps for fire wood. Maybe he will build food storage shelves with you.

Have you been blessed with a home? Then, you have been blessed with a place to grow a garden - in beds, raised beds, or in pots.

Have you been blessed with a friend or family member who can cut your hair? Why not trade one of your talents with them and use the money you save to purchase items you cannot make or grow.

Have you been blessed with a large home? Consider renting out a room. We have all been blessed with resources.

The Lord has provided a way. Now it is our responsibility to discover that way. We must pray, listen and then work to accomplish our goals. As we do, the blessings will increase and peace will come to our homes.

1 Christian Science Monitor:

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