165 East 2200 North
North Logan, UT 84341
(435) 227-0405

by Ronald Natali

Are We Prepared?

As families, individuals, wards, and Stakes are we prepared for things that could happen in our communities? Our area, i.e., covers Brigham City, southern Idaho, a small part of Wyoming, and Cache Valley. Do you remember the Camp Fire in Paradise, CA, in November 2018? This devastated the whole City of Paradise, CA, in a matter of hours and days. Just last month on February 3, in East Palestine, Ohio a train derailed carrying toxic hazardous materials, creating problems for their residents, clean-up personnel, and environmental issues as a result of the accident. The Department of Transportation has reported there are over 800,000 thousand shipments each day of hazardous materials on roadways, air, rail, and ships. Each of these disasters has the potential of happening in our area.

• Are you and I prepared for such a disaster?
• Or have we convinced ourselves this cannot happen here?
• What have you and I done to prepare for such disasters?
• If we are asked to evacuate, do you have an escape route?
• Do you have a way to communicate with your immediate and extended
  family?
• Do you have as part of your home storage program 72–96-hour emergency
  kits for the family and know where they are?
• Do you have a water supply for short-term emergencies or longer-term
  shortages?
• If asked to shelter in place, do you know how to make your home safe?
• Do you have a three-month supply of food, and where appropriate, a year
  of basic food to sustain life as recommended by our prophets?

There are many more questions that could be asked, but the big question being asked is, are you and I prepared?  We have been encouraged for over 80 years to have a year’s supply of food in case of an emergency.  The COVID-19 pandemic gave us a dry run to see how we did.  Are you and I listening?  Do we hear Him?  We learn in section one of the Doctrine and Covenants, verse 38, “…whether by mine own voice (Christ) or by the voice of my servants (the Prophets), it is the same.”  Again, are we listening?

We have in our midst the Home Storage Center (HSC) located in North Logan, UT, the prices are reasonable compared to those items in local grocery stores.  We urge each of you to evaluate not only your home emergency plans but also your home storage program.  The HSC has service missionaries that will help you.

We live in exciting times!  When you listen to what is happening in our communities, state, and country, they are changing faster than we can keep up with at times.  I remember what President Nelson said during his talk, “Hear Him,” at April 2020 General conference when he said,” We live in the day that “our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation (D&C 121:27).” We have front-row seats to witness live what the prophet Nephi saw only in vision, that “the power of the Lamb of God” would descend “upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory (1 Nephi 14:14).”

You, my brothers and sisters, are among those men, women, and children whom Nephi saw. Think of that!”

What a tremendous blessing when we stay on the covenant path.  Our hope is that as we follow the Prophets, the Lord will bless each of us.

A Trial Run

President Dallin H. Oaks, speaking about the pandemic at a missionary meeting in Las Vegas, NV on March 14, 2020, stated the
following, “This is not the end of the world but merely a test. A trial run for the Second Coming if you will – physically and spiritually. If you’ve been following the counsel from the prophet about ministering, emergency preparedness, and at-home Church, you have no need to fear, you passed the test.”

Considering President Oak’s statement above, what has this “Trial Run,” taught you about your Home Storage Program?

Helpful Hint – Pancake Cake and Waffle Mix

Pancake mix is a convenient product to have on hand to make pancakes and waffles for a quick breakfast. The mix is a great addition to your three-month supply. The Pancake and Waffle Mix that the Home Storage Centers sell is produced by the Church under the Deseret Farms label. A 4-pound bag costs $6.20. The pancake/waffle mix has a 2-year shelf life. The mix comes in a plastic bag so it is not suitable for long-term storage and should not be repackaged in cans or foil pouches. As a reminder—anytime a product contains a fat of any kind it should not be put in a Mylar bag or a can for long-term storage. Even a small amount of fat will cause the product to become rancid.

Pancakes turn out great using the recipe on the bag, however if you want your pancakes to be extra fluffy
try the following tips:

• Sift pancake/waffle mix. This is so the dry ingredients get more air in them.
• Add milk instead of water
• Do not overmix the batter. You do not need the batter to be free of lumps.

Logan Home Storage Center Operating Hours

Below is the table showing the hours of operation for the Logan Home Storage Center (LHSC).  Please make sure the members of your Stake see the schedule of hours for the Logan Home Storage Center (LHSC).

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Closed	Closed	2 PM to 6 PM	10 AM to 2 PM	Closed	10 AM to  2 PM	10 AM to  2 PM