What's up with all the food storage with LDS (Mormons)?

Question

I went to visit some family in Utah whom I hadn't seen or contacted in nearly 10 years and my aunt had half of her garage devoted to stored food. I mean it she must have had like 150 cans of food and vacuum sealed grain. It almost reminded me of those movies that depict the nuclear scare of the 50's where everyone was building bomb shelters. Well I asked her what the huge surplus was about and she ranted about "the end of the world". She told me the prophet told her to do it. Another thing is my aunt suffers from dementia so her answers to anything always seem a little paranoid. Any PRACTICING LDS out there that can tell me the reasons to such food storage? Is the church expecting the millenium? Another flood like in Noah's day? Has the general authorities given any reasons for this, or have they pretty much just said "Trust us, you need to start storing food"?

Brother G: So because I used to be LDS I can't ask any practicing LDS questions about the faith, questions about contemporary issues that as an ex-Mormon I would obviously know little or nothing at all?

I left the church a LONG time ago, I'm sure lot's has changed.

As noted in my question, I made this observation from my aunt who is demented (literally, she's old and losing her mind) and she makes all sorts of paranoid accusations (not just religious ones) so when my devout LDS aunt says "The prophet told me to stock up food for the end of the world" I naturally became curious.

I've re-read my question and don't see how I'm "making fun of LDS beliefs" I decided to come here and get some context from actual members. For all I knew my aunt was 100% acurate and the church is awaiting the apocalypse, or (as what is becoming evident from most answers here) she was a little zealous in her interpretation of what the church is directing people to do.

Also, my post that you cited is pretty weak evidence to make me seem like an "anti-mormon". I'm not anti anything, it just wasn't for me. Re-read that previous answer of mine. Do you see the neutrality? I explained my experience without going into gross detail of why I left. I didn't harp on any grievance. In fact, look at the conclusion in my answer. I reccomended the asker to KEEP HIS/HER MEMBERSHIP since they don't seem to have any animosity towards the church. Would an anti-mormon suggest such a thing?

So.... it seems that you my friend are anti-ex-mormon. You probably had already judged me prior to even reading my question.

PS: Thanks to all the LDS here that have answered amicably. Your sincerety and kindness is really refreshing.

Answer 1

we're not preparing for the end of the world:) most lds people do have some sort of food storage- it's not a belief or doctrine- but we have been advised to always be prepared for natural disasters. It's not just food storage- it's clothing, flashlights, water, first aid, cash on hand, pictures and records in fire/ water safes- in general it's being prepared so that we can adequatley take care of ourselves, our families, and others that might need help. The church's stand has always been to help others- you can't help others if you are not prepared to help yourself. In cali- my family is prepared for earthquakes and fire. Mid east- it's tornadoes- things like that. Did you know that the LDS church was the first organized relief team to get to the katrina victims? Even before the red cross or fema? also the tsunami victims? Disasters are inevitable- and you never know when are where- you just have to be ready for it. And also out of the katrina victims- of the wards in the flood zone- not one member was killed or missing- many homes were destroyed and lives in shambles, but they were prepared for the worst, and it payed off! :)

Answer 2

End of the world? No. We're not that morbid. Yes it's strange. And to a Mormon the millenium is a good thing.

In the book of Genesis, Egypt saved up all its surplus for seven years to prepare for a famine of seven years. It may have sounded strange at the time, but they probably were all the happier for it.

It's not really paranoia of the end of the world... Actually coming to think of it I don't recall any prophet associating food storage with some sort of doomsday.

I've heard stories from people I know who have told about the loss of employment, yet still able to feed their families because they had prepared a food storage. They used what little finances they had then to pay rent, or make car payments. Or they know of a neighbor or friend who was suffering a crisis and they could help them out because they had a food storage.

So there is reasons.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Hard times are a common thing, for the most part the food storage Idea is just good practice for every one to follow if they do fall upon hard times. Yes it is said that the few years that lead up to the return of Christ will be hard years and it is advisable to have food on hand even up to a years supply. However as no one not even the Prophet knows just when this is going to happen they advise every one to have a food storage. The food storage is advised to be used for when you lose a job and other things not just as a end of the world thing, you could and would be well advised to share some of the storage with someone you knew that had fallen upon hard times and couldn't feed their family. This sort of help would be a very great help to others with out being a great burden upon your self. Hope this helps you with the why food storage issue.

Answer 5

I was raised LDS (til I discovered LSD)
What I was taught ,was to have 2 years food storage ... Having NOTHING to do with the "end of the world" , but in case of a disaster , IE: bird flu, the plague, earthquake cutting off transportation, drought, etc.... to be prepared to survive on your own.
I don't think this is part of the religious teachings, but rather part of the "wisdom" teachings.
Not only should you have food storage, but you should also have water, medications, cleaning supplies, fuel or gas generator, batteries & radio, etc...
Simply be prepared for any major disaster ( I am and I'm not a Mormon)

Answer 6

Well, I don't know about LDS beliefs but it seems to me that having some emergency provisions is a good idea.

Remember the Louisiana Superdome after hurricane Katrina? Would it have been paranoid if somebody thought to stock a potential emergency shelter with a few day's supply of food and water?

Answer 7

There are so many practical reasons for having a year's supply of food and other necessities!

lose your job and takes a while to find another.

some sort of natural disaster cuts you off from supplies

country comes under attack (remember 9/11)

We are supposed to rotate this food and stuff, so that it's always good.

Answer 8

The church counsels us to be prepared. You never know what may happen. Aside from natural disasters, or perhaps terrorists contaminating our food and water, I think the most practical reason to store food is in case the major breadwinner in the family loses their job. Several people in this country live paycheck to paycheck and probably couldn't support a family for a month if they lost their job or became disabled.

Answer 9

Here's a great website by the church that is all about food storage and prepardness

http://www.providentliving.org/

It should be able to answer all your questions.

Answer 10

"I think I attended church like at most another 10 times. After the last sunday I attended I knew I was certain in my disbelief in the LDS church."

Then you know the answer Mr. Ex Missionary boy. Thanks Brother G for putting the light on this imposter.

I guess you wasted 2 years of your life and if that wasn't good enough, you will waste the rest of your life asking questions that you already know the answer to.

Hmm, did you get offended during one of those "10 times"? Take your beef somewhere else!