TEMPORAL
PREPAREDNESS
SELECTED TEACHINGS
President Spencer W. Kimball
“I like the way the Relief Society teaches personal
and family preparedness as ‘provident living.’ This
implies the husbanding of our resources, the wise
planning of financial matters, full provision for
personal health, and adequate preparation for
education and career development, giving appropriate
attention to home production and storage as well
as the development of emotional resiliency” (in
Conference Report, Oct. 1977, 125; or Ensign,Nov.
1977, 78).
Elder L. Tom Perry
“On a daily basis we witness widely fluctuating
inflation; wars; interpersonal conflicts; national
disasters; variances in weather conditions;
innumerable forces of immorality, crime, and
violence; attacks and pressures on the family and
individuals; technological advances that make
occupations obsolete; and so on. The need for
preparation is abundantly clear. The great blessing
of being prepared gives us freedom from fear, as
guaranteed to us by the Lord in the Doctrine and
Covenants: ‘If ye are prepared ye shall not fear’
(D&C 38:30).
“Just as it is important to prepare ourselves spiritually,
we must also prepare ourselves for our temporal
needs. Each of us needs to take the time to ask
ourselves, What preparation should I make to care
for my needs and the needs of my family?
“We have been instructed for years to follow at least
four requirements in preparing for that which is
to come.
“First, gain an adequate education....
“Second, live strictly within your income and save
something for a rainy day....
“Third, avoid excessive debt....
“Fourth, acquire and store a reserve of food and
supplies that will sustain life” (in Conference
Report, Sept.–Oct. 1995, 46–47; or Ensign,Nov.
1995, 35–36).Health
President Spencer W. Kimball
“We teach our people to live the laws of health. It is
paying important dividends in longer and more
healthy lives” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1975, 6;
or Ensign,May 1975, 6).
“The principle of self-reliance stands behind the
Church’s emphasis on personal and family
preparedness.... We hope that you are conscious
of proper diet and health habits, that you may be
fit physically and able to respond to the many
challenges of life” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1978,
120–21; or Ensign,May 1978, 79–80).
“We refrain from taking harmful substances into
our body. Through wisdom and moderation in all
things, we seek good health and a sense of physical
well-being” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1978, 7; or
Ensign,Nov. 1978, 6).Employment and Finances
President Gordon B. Hinckley
“I urge you, brethren, to look to the condition
of your finances. I urge you to be modest in your
expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases
to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay off debt as
quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage.
“This is a part of the temporal gospel in which we
believe. May the Lord bless you, my beloved brethren,
to set your houses in order. If you have paid your
debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be
small, then should storms howl about your head,
you will have shelter for your wives and children
and peace in your hearts” (in Conference Report,
Oct. 1998, 69–72; or Ensign,Nov. 1998, 52–54).The principle of self-reliance stands
behind the Church’s emphasis on
personal and family preparedness.
—President Spencer W. Kimball327