by David E Bay, High Councilor

Recently, Coleen and I spent time with family members. We participated in a reunion for the descendants of H. Earl Bay and Iola Maxwell Bay. Also, we interacted with our siblings, our children, our grandchildren, and others of our posterity.

There is power when we get together with those who are family members. We love them; they also love us. We recognize the blessings we receive that were given to us by family members who have gone on to the next phase of our existence. Many of our ancestors have passed through the portal that we mortals refer to as death.

God views our physical suffering and even the death of our mortal bodies very differently than we do. Alma teaches Amulek in Alma 14:10-11. Wicked people were killing those who believed in Jesus Christ. “And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children … he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them … . But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory.” What Alma and Amulek could not see with their physical eyes was those individuals being received in glory by God.

Emergency preparedness with an eternal point of view helps us recognize that we prepare so that those who will continue on here in mortality will have the resources to be able to do so. There has been an emphasis on preparing for lean times since Israel’s son Joseph saved grain in the days of plenty for the days of scarcity that came. The important thing for Joseph’s preparation as well as for ours is to be able to seek understanding from God on what we need to do. And then to go forward and accomplish all of those things as taught by the Spirit.

President Russell M Nelson clearly taught us that, “If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation. Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. … Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.”

On May 3, we had a Preparedness Fair. Some of you were able to enjoy the well-prepared displays and presentations. Brother Jaxon Eggett helped prepare high-quality recordings of the presentations, so all of us can view them again or for the first time. See the links that follow. Perhaps they will give you some ideas to consider for you and your family.

• Brigham City Emergency Management – Kate Kelley

• Box Elder County Risks – Mark Millett

• Family Communications in a Disaster – Don Summit

• ARES – Dee Dostaler W7DEE

• Disaster Psychology – Cyndi Tangren

• Brigham City CERT – Adam Eden

• Sourdough – Gary Thompson

Prayerfully consider what the Lord would have you and your family do to become better prepared so that you will be able to faithfully manage those events that will be coming as we continue to prepare for the return of our Savior to the earth.