Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 24:20

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 24:20
"And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you."

This made me reflect on how belief in God is at an all time low world-wide. People have been leaving their churches as they become disillusioned with them. The world does not always see the connection between the loss of faith and the lack of prosperity that follows. They point to wicked leaders and governments as the fault. But, in reality that is only the result of where men's hearts have taken them, and the choices they have made.

On the flip side I thought about the exponential growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I thought about living prophets and the guidance and counsel given us. Today the Stake Presidency asked that a few excerpts from the church emergency preparedness website be read in both Sacrament and Relief Society. It took me a while when I got home to find what was read off the website.

"Members of the Church have been counseled for many years to be prepared for adversity. Preparation, both spiritual and temporal, can dispel fear. (See Doctrine and Covenants 38:30)
”With the guidance of Church leaders, individuals and families should prepare to be self-reliant in times of personal and widespread tragedy.
As members of the Church, we know that it is our responsibility to provide for ourselves and our families both in good times and in bad. Part of fulfilling that obligation is making preparations now to face whatever challenges may come our way.
Church members are encouraged to make an emergency plan and update it regularly.
Elder L. Tom Perry instructed, “Start now to create a plan if you don’t already have one, or update your present plan. … The instability in the world today makes it imperative that we take heed of the counsel and prepare for the future."
(Gospel Topics, "Emergency Preparedness", ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

We were asked to review the "Emergency Preparedness Guide" and use it to create or update our personal or family plan. I know that as I follow counsel like this from my church leaders I do not fear what is ahead. Spiritual and temporal preparedness is an individual and family matter. I know after all I can do the Lord will not forsake me.

Day 3874