4 February 2009
Activity at Bishop’s Storehouses New “Index” for Economy
Posted by Terrie Soberg under: Emergency Preparation; World Economy .
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been counseled for many years to have a year’s supply of food. I found this article today on the LDSLivingOnline.com site. With the economy in a recession, preparing for emergencies is wise for everyone, not just the Mormons.
Activity at Bishop’s Storehouses New “Index” for EconomyAshley Evanson – LDS Living
It’s been called the “Mormon Index,” and economists believe it’s an untraditional yet excellent gauge of today’s market.
The LDS Church’s Bishop’s Storehouse Welfare Program nearly doubled its regular volume of distribution in 2008, a sign of a hurting economy.
The 109 storehouses in the U.S. stock staple foods and essential household items, and allow needy individuals who have been approved by a local bishop to work or render services in exchange for the goods. As the activity at these storehouses has increased, many economists see an escalating anxiety about sustenance and safety for the future.
James Goodrich, who runs the LDS welfare program in Salt Lake City, recently told the press there was “no question that the economy has had an impact on our storehouses system-wide.”
Also on the rise—activity of the Church’s canneries. Members are heeding the council of the prophets more than ever these days, building up their food storages and water supplies. And actions like these have caught the attention of economists.
In a recent article published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, economist and author Daniel Gross said the Mormon Index and similar boutique economic clues are often more reliable than big-gun barometers, such as housing starts and the unemployment rate.
“Some of the more obscure indicators actually tell you something real because they’re not subject to manipulation,” Gross told the press. “What they’re measuring is unambiguous, and in this case, these numbers are measuring stress in the Mormon community.”
The concept for the storehouses was conceived by Joseph Smith, but it really took root during the Great Depression when revelation was received for members to create a one-year supply of food storage and water.
“We encourage members world-wide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings,” The First Presidency said in “All is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage” in 2007. “We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.”
For more information on the Church’s welfare system, go to providentliving.org.
-Information on Starting Your Own Food Storage-
To start your own food storage, here are a few tips from the Church’s website:
Three-Month Supply
Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.
Drinking Water
Store drinking water for circumstances in which the water supply may be polluted or disrupted.
If water comes directly from a good, pretreated source, then no additional purification is needed; otherwise, pretreat water before use. Store water in sturdy, leak-proof, breakage-resistant containers. Consider using plastic bottles commonly used for juices and soft drinks.
Keep water containers away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
Financial Reserve
Establish a financial reserve by saving a little money each week and gradually increasing it to a reasonable amount.
Longer-Term Supply
For longer-term needs, and where permitted, gradually build a supply of food that will last a long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans.
These items can last 30 years or more when properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place. A portion of these items may be rotated in your three-month supply.
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