SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY PLEASE Is there really a bomb shelter or other type of place inside every Mormon church?

Question

I've been told stuff like this by friends.

I've heard there is a fallout shelter inside every Mormon church. That they have a year's supply of food and possibly weapons and communication equipment.

Now, I don't personally know any Mormons, but I've also heard that this information is 'classified'.
I'm not joking or making this up, just repeating what I was told ad trying to find out some real facts.

Is any of what I say true?
Am I dead wrong?
Since I'm not LDS, can I even be told?

SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY, PLEASE.
Otherwise, I'd have stuck this question over in Polls and Surveys.

I wasn't trying to insult anyone! I didn't make up - what I now know is a myth - just was asking if it was true.
Thanks for all the information, though.
Being prepared for a disaster is both prudent and admirable.

Answer 1

I'm Mormon, and yes you can be told. It's no secret that we have been counseled to store a years supply of food and other necessities. As for a bomb shelter, not that I'm aware of. It would be kind of dumb to have a fall out shelter and not tell any of the members. So since I haven't heard about it, my guess is there isn't one. What you may have heard is that there is a hole/cave in a granite mountain in UT that contains church history records. That's pretty common knowledge to among those who are interested in church history and family history. As far as weapons, communication equipment and the like, it's possible that some do have those things, but the counsel we've been given is to have a years supply of food, and other things that are necessary for the survival of your particular family such as toilet paper, several months of medications, extra clothing, some money, even things to keep the kids occupied. There are people who have a light/radio thing that can be either battery operated, solar operated or operated by a hand crank. Of course all of this is subject to the families own personal financial affairs (don't go in debt to get your years supply) and the laws of the land (in some countries it is illegal to have more than a couple months of food).

We've been counseled to do this in case there is a reason to need it. We've also been counseled to use the food we store, so for many families their food storage may start out as a few weeks of extra food, then as their finances allow they add a little at a time until they have their years supply, all the while using it and replacing it as needed. We are counseled to be self-sufficient and this is one way we can. If something ever happened and either we couldn't get to the grocery store or there was a situation which caused there to not be food on the shelves then at least we wouldn't starve. It's nothing to worry about. You can do it too. There are several quality food storage places online, like Emergency Essentials.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

So.....growing up in South Jordan Utah....I was a 8 year old child. I remember the fallout plaques in the church. I have always had a fear of nuclear blast. So with my own eyes I seen, and I remember the fallout signs. How are there NOT shelters in the churches? Well at least the one I went to church in. And if other people are talking about it, how is there not. Look around ur church! Look for the plaques. I bet they are there. Is crazy that its not talked about. This conversation drives me crazy. Cuz they deny what I seen. Was never told....but I saw the radiation plaques. Makes me SMH thinking if like for the leaders only or only a few chosen! But to answer the question. Yes I believe they are fallout shelters! That's always been my belief. How can I deny what I saw. Maybe I should go to church again just to find the true answer :)

Answer 4

No. It isn't true, but it sure would be cool!!! The years supply of food is true, but it isn't kept at the church. It's kept at our homes, and we purchase it.

I don't think there is any stock pile of weapons. That would go against what we are about, as a church. We have guns in our home, but there are none at any church.

I'm sure we have what some consider to be communication equipment, since we have computers, phones, microphones and a pulpit.. ;) We don't have anything in the church for communication if something happens to the power or anything, but we are instructed to have battery operated radios and two way radios in our homes, if our finances allow it.

We are asked to have a year supply of food for our families, and enough money to last two weeks. We have been asked to do this for many years, but only recently has the council been really said over and over.

I think it's a good idea anyway, then if anything ever does happen- a natural disaster, loss of work, accident- you wouldn't have to rely on others for support. So.. if anything ever does happen, and you have a mormon neighbor, you'll know where to go to get food and water when yours runs out.. ;)

Answer 5

Wrong. We don't have bomb shelters under every church meetinghouse and no we don't have Osmond cut outs either.
We are asked to keep at least a year supply of food though in case of emergencies.

Answer 6

No that is not true. There may be something like that in the older buildings- that were used in the days of Polygamy- you know when the government made polygamy illegal- But those who were already married in the 1800's- what were they supposed to do- Put their wives and children on the streets to fend for themselves? There may have been places built for the men who had to go into hiding- then. But not in the newer churches.

There are however Tunnels built under Temple Square In SLC- they lead from the Temple to the Church office building and the Old Hotel Utah- now the Joseph Smith Memorial Building- The prophet used to live on the Top floor of that building.

Edit**
The church does not to my knowledge have a stockpile of weapons. They do however have a humanitarian center where we store supplies for people, members and non- in their time of need. These supplies are sent to people are over the world in their time of need. In any major Crisis the LDS church is one of the first organizations on the scene. I am sure that if there were a major crisis, these supplies would sustain, the members as well as the non members in their time of need. The members are encouraged to have a storage of food and supplies, for our times of crisis so we should not be relying on the church for our support.

Edit***
Your question in no way sounded offensive to me.

Answer 7

Well if they do they haven't let me in on it. And seeing it would be made for us members, I think they would let us know. So no they don't. People love to make things up about us. Just ask Jesussaves, I'm sure he can fill your head with a bunch of bull.

Answer 8

You forgot to mention the 200-bed medical center, fresh water production facility, and electric generators.

NO. What you're hearing is false.

(plus, you don't have the security clearance to get the "right" answer here on R&S)

Seriously, it's just plain silliness and not true. Visit a Mormon Church and see for yourself.

Yaks(pbuh)

Answer 9

heh. no. its not true. I should know. My dad is a temple worker.

If I wanted a underground bomb shelter. I would just build one in my backyard. It would have a large room for several years worth of food, a room to grow chickens and fish in for the meat. a exercise and recreation room, and a state of the art home entertainment system with enough DVD movies and video games to ride it out comfortably while the surface is covered with bomb radiation.

Answer 10

NO (Ive been to Churches in Omaha Ne. and others and I saw NO weapons and no sign of bomb shelters