The "lackadaisical" nature of mankind has been around for centuries. We can learn from the scriptures that our loving Father in a Heaven has the patience with His children as He repeats the same message to us. One occurrence I bring up:
And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.
And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.
And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.
And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:
Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name--hear ye him.
The key point I make in this scripture is that our Heavenly Father repeated Himself three times until the multitude heard and understood. Do we need this same sort of reminders in our day and age?And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them. (3 Nephi 11:3-8)
To this end, we have been getting our food and physical supplies in order. We have heard that "the big one (earthquake) is past due to hit the Salt Lake valley. Experts predict that it will be a 7.0 type of earthquake. The other concern is due to being in a valley separated by two mountain ranges, the shock will ripple back and forth, so in actuality it could be as high as an 11.0 hit. Now I bring this up not for scare tactics, but as more of a "wake-up" call - to assess what we do have and what do not have to be able to sustain our family.
We now have the good makings of a 72-hour kit ready. We have sleeping facilities, lights, emergency communications (ham radio) at the ready. Are there other things we need? Absolutely! But we are building our kit and food supply one can at a time, one thing at a time. We are more prepared today than we were yesterday, and the goal is to progress to that end. Our 72 hour kits include several meals ready to eat - but it needs water. The one thing we are seriously lacking. But we are aware of it and are progressing to that end - one gallon at a time.
To tie this in with a spiritual parallel: We all know of the evils in the world. We can either shield ourselves from those evils, or give in and join in with those evils. Many of us may not even know we leaning toward those evils even with prophetic counsel given to us. Many of us will try to justify that counsel and pick and choose which counsel to follow and which not to follow. Some may fall into the traps that the adversary has set around. The "glamour" of the world may seem to catch our eyes.
And then there are those that are very much aware of the evils in the world and are building their "spiritual ready kits". They fortify their home as a safe house from the whirlwinds of the world. They not only fortify the outside of their homes, but also safeguard what can enter into their homes. The internet, television, and music can have welcome mats to the evils of the world if we are not careful. Indeed, we can make our homes as a castle, but the drawbridge for those devices are oftentimes left ajar inviting any and all into our homes.
The person who is aware of those evils is also taking stock of the good foods that the gospel has to offer. Foods such as Family Hone Evenings, personal and family prayers, family councils, and personal and family scripture study are our recommended daily spiritual intake. Partaking of these foods daily will help keep the evils at bay. We can partake of these foods, but in order to get the most spiritual benefit, we need to add water into that - the living waters of our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is He that makes all the preparation worth it. Through His atonement to mankind, we can have the opportunity to taste of the eternal fruit of salvation.
If one feels like they are not physically or spiritually prepared, it is never too late. One just has to start - one can at a time, one scripture at a time, one item at a time, and one faith and trust in The Lord at a time.
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