Pres. Packard--Get Prepared!

So, I got an email from my Great Aunt Colleen today. She forwarded a message from a friend of her's in Utah. She has the privledge of having Pres. Boyd K. Packard (he is one of the leaders in our church) in her ward. Following are notes from a message he gave to their congregation. It's a little long, but soooo good. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and can use some of his counsel in your lives. I'm so glad that we have living prophets on the earth to guide us in these troubling and trying days. (I didn't put the whole talk in, but if you want to read the rest, just email me and I'll forward it to you.)

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve ApostlesSpeaking at the Forest Bend Ward, Salt Lake City UT Sunday, October 12, 2008

"Even though I regularly have the opportunity to attend Fast and Testimony meeting, I don't usually stand to speak. But today, I feel moved upon by the Spirit to share a message. Last weekend's General Conference was different than any before. We felt that down at Church Headquarters and have been talking about it all week. We live in troubled times. There is great financial crisis and we've seen something that hasn't happened in the last 60 years: the world's financial markets are collapsing.
The Church is in excellent condition. You don't need to worry about that. But as individuals we will face difficulty. Some will come to the Bishop seeking financial aid and counsel. And as judges in Israel, the Bishop will respond. The time for financial largess in our ward activities is over." [President Packer then turned directly to our Bishop and counseled him that last year's youth trip to Nauvoo, which was, President Packer said, a great opportunity for testimony buildingand missionary work, will not happen again. Times of/for that sort of expense in the Church are past.]
President Packer then shared experiences of providing aid and service after the great Tsunami devastated Indonesia. He recalled... "I was speaking on the phone with a government minister who said "I'm standing in Banda Aceh and you cannot imagine what I am seeing. A city of a million people has been swept away and there is nothing." A week later, I was standing in area of Banda Aceh and the need was immense."What do you need?" I asked. "Body bags" was the reply. So we found 20,000 body bags in China and had them on a plane the next day. A call came, "we need 30 [thousand] more." We found them and they were sent. The next call "do you have any motorcycles? We need to get back into the mountain villages with aid and medical supplies, but the roads are gone. Trucks can't get through and elephants are too slow. If we had motorcycles, we could get through." "Are they to be found in Asia" I asked. "Yes," he said. So we found the motorcycles and had them on their way the next day.
The Church is sound and is able to provide these types of aid as a back-up where there is need. We [as members and in our individual wards] are the back-up position of the Church. Learn to apply the old Pioneer adage - "Eat [use] it up. Wear it out. Make do, or do without." We're going to have to learn to do without. Again, "Eat it up. Wear it out. Make do, or do without." Even if we have the resources, we need to do more to be thrifty. Others will rely on us. The Church will rely on us. It is our responsibility and duty to be caring for ourselves, our family, and those around us. Be watching for need. Set something by that we can be of help to others when the time comes. Trust in the counsel of our wise elders/older people.
It's about time the Lord taught us a lesson. A great catastrophe is coming. Now I probably shouldn't say that because then it will happen. But it is going to happen. That's what it will take to turn our hearts to the Lord. And we will learn from it. Our prayers will be different, less selfish. The scripture says "If ye are prepared, ye need not fear." Renew your prayers. You can [also] think a prayer. Carry a prayer in your heart throughout the day. Learn to pray for that which is of worth. Another scripture says ".do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy." (2 Nephi 9:51) That can be applied both spiritually [to prayer] and physically. Use what we have. If something is broken, fix it. Our young people are going to see different times than what they are used to. To you teenagers, your life will be different. Things are changing. You will have to do without some of the things you are used to expecting. Don't be afraid. Change your life to do without the extravagances and luxuries that you've expected.
Learn to pray. There's a difference between 'saying prayers' and praying. A wonderful time is coming - it's not going to be easy, and it's not going to be short. But don't be afraid. Take care of what we've got. Begin to save. The rainy day is coming - in fact, the snowy day is already here [in reference to today's first winter snow]. Reset our expectations. Give up selfishness. Wickedness is all around us. In today's world, it's not safe for children to be outside alone. We need to be ever watchful. We need to protect ourselves from the wickedness, avarice, and greed in the world.
Read the scriptures and the revelations. The guidance and counsel are there. Read with new eyes, and the scriptures, the Book of Mormon, will take on new meaning.As President Bush and world leaders gather in the coming week and the weeks ahead, there will be no easy answers or solutions. Hard times are ahead and it's difficult for them to see what to do. It's important to listen to the Sprit. We are led by prophets and apostles. We can see ahead. We can be and are prepared.
I pronounce upon you an Apostolic blessing. Comfort our children. Little children can be afraid of things we might not think of. Comfort them and strengthen our families. Turn off the television and focus on family. Pay your tithing. The promise is there - pay your tithing and you'll be watched over. You'll be alright. None of us is exempt from trials. If hard times come upon you and your income dwindles, remember that tithing is equitable for everyone: 10%. If you have nothing, then it's 10% of practically nothing. Pay your tithing, do what you're supposed to do. You'll be comforted. Sure trials will come. Because of them, faith will increase. Happiness will increase. Security will increase. You'll be glad to be alive at this time. It's a good time to be living. To be raising children. I leave this testimony, counsel, and blessing with you in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen."