Journal of Discourses 3:196; “We never ought to be without three or five years provisions on hand. But when you see men run to hell to sell a bushel of wheat for sixty cents, instead of laying it up in their granaries for a day of scarcity, you are forced to conclude that they would trade with the very devil, to get his coat and shoes in exchange for their wheat.” – Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, January 27, 1856
Matthew 6:27-28, 30; “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”
Back in the days of Brigham and friends storing food for the year was a necessity. The reasoning Young employed promoting a 3-5 year supply of goods can only be known to him. These types of “commands” fit in well with the leadership’s agenda to keep members busy – too busy to focus on God and His word.
Case in point was my family. Brigham’s instructions to keep a three year supply of food and household goods on hand was strictly adhered to, yet I don’t recall one time my family sat to read the Bible together. Wheat, oats, soy, dry beans, rice, water, canned foods, etc were all rotated on a regular basis.
At some point the Church decided only a year’s worth of food storage was necessary and in recent years it was whittled down even more. Today Mormons are taught they should have a three month supply.
We’re wondering why this keeps changing and what purpose does it serve for each and every Mormon household to have a three month supply of household goods and food on hand. What if there’s a tornado or flood, then what?
I’m a strong supporter of having batteries, flash lights, water and the bare necessities on hand in case of emergencies. Here in the Seattle area we have our fair share of big storms and power outages so I get that.
There comes a point where it’s excessive and the reason why someone would do this should be taken into account. Who’s telling you this and why?
I’m not sure if it’s just a Utah thing or not, but everyone in my family has what they call a “fruit room” in their home. Don’t ask me why they call it that because personally I think it sounds like part of a psych ward. At any rate, if you look back in the annals of Utah history you’ll find these fruit rooms have a long secretive history behind them. At one time they were used to hide the prophets, leaders of the Church and your garden variety polygamist and their extra wives when the government raids were taking place.
My aunts, uncles and grandparent’s homes on both sides of my family have these small rooms lined with floor to ceiling shelves around the perimeter of the entire room. The floor had a small round metal latch to pull up a door that opens up to a set of stairs to get under the house and there you’ll find another room or rooms, depending on how many wives were hiding and how much space was needed.
Whenever the escape route wasn’t in use a rug under a small roll away table or hutch would be placed over the escape door to conceal its presence.
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