Building your Ark * Lesson 9: Noah Had Shelter

Lesson 9: Noah Had Shelter

"For many years the leaders of the Mormon Church have recommended that every family have on hand at least a year's supply of basic food, clothing, fuel (where possible) and provisions for shelter". -President Ezra Taft Benson

I find it interesting that shelter is often mentioned by the Brethren as a preparedness item. Many of us have camping gear, do we think of that as part of our preparedness supplies? For those of you who don’t have camping gear, did you think about the importance of it? What if your home was not safe to live in? What if we had to relocate because our area was not safe to stay in. Do you have a shelter that would stand up to wind, rain or even snow to keep you protected from the elements and offer you some privacy?

Level 1: A space/ emergency or regular blanket for your 72+ hour kit, trash bag or poncho

Level 2: A GOOD sleeping bag (0° or lower) , tarp or plastic sheeting.

Level 3: A ground pad for comfort and insulation, wool blanket, good 3-4 season tent.

Level 4: Cot, backpack, shower/bathroom, cooking tent, table, chairs, tarps, parachute cord

Building your Ark * Lesson 8: Noah had Clothing

Lesson 8: Noah had Clothing

Clothing is our own personal shelter. Think about it, if there is an earthquake or fire in the middle of the night, and you have to evacuate, you may have nothing but the clothes on your back. Will they be enough to protect you from winds, rain, snow or even severe heat until you can find or erect another shelter. When your body temperature drops to 96° hypothermia sets in. At that time your body and brain function at a slower rate. And what about you commuters, do you have comfortable clothes and shoes stored that you could change into if you needed to walk home? And what about future needs? Do you have clothes for growing children? Do you have supplies to mend and sew?

“Concerning clothing, we should anticipate future needs, such as extra work clothes and clothes that would supply warmth during winter months when there may be shortages or lack of heating fuel. Leather and bolts of cloth could be stored, particularly for families with younger children who will outgrow and perhaps outwear their present clothes. “The day will come, when, as we have been told, we shall all see the necessity of making our own shoes and clothing and raising our own food. …” (Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, p. 166.)

Level One: (72 hour kit) 1 change of clothes; underwear; socks; shoes; a light jacket; work gloves and a bandana.

Level Two: 3 more changes of clothes, underwear and socks; sturdy shoes; a hat, some warm gloves, and heavier coat; pajamas, bathing suit.

Level Three: Warm Clothes (clothes that would protect you from the elements if you weren’t in a warm house); warm coat, hat, gloves, socks; and rain gear.

Level Four: Extra clothes; bigger clothes for growing children; work clothes; bolts of material and sewing supplies; 1-2 extra pairs of sturdy, comfortable shoes.

Building your Ark * Lesson 7: Put $$$ Away for a Raining Day

Lesson 7: Put $$$ Away for a Raining Day

Presented by Debbie Kent

I don’t think Noah needed to worry about putting money away, but we do.

"We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. . . .If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it is small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts."
“All is Safely Gathered In” Ensign, Feb. 2007

Let us avoid debt as we would avoid a plague; where we are now in debt, let us get out of debt; if not today, then tomorrow. “Let us straightly and strictly live within our incomes, and save a little. Prepare Ye, Benson Ensign 1974

“The Saints have been advised to pay their own way and maintain a cash reserve. Recent history has demonstrated that in difficult days it is reserves with intrinsic value that are of most worth, rather than reserves, the value of which may be destroyed through inflation. It is well to remember that continued government deficits cause inflation; inflation is used as an excuse for ineffective price controls; price controls lead to shortages; artificial shortages inevitably are used as an excuse to implement rationing.”
“Prepare Ye”, Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign 1974

There is no set amount for your family financial reserve. But do what you can. Setting aside even a few dollars each week, or even your change and quickly add up into a nice savings.

*IF you plan to store this at home: store small bills; in fire/water proof container; well hidden. Gold and silver are always safe additions, especially in turbulent times when the dollar may not hold its value.
NEW: Some financial experts are now saying “Put your money in commodities”, not the dollar, or silver or gold. Food is a better investment than gold.

“When we really get into hard times, where food is scarce or there is none at all, and so with clothing and shelter, money may be no good for there may be nothing to buy, and you cannot eat money, you cannot get enough of it together to burn to keep warm, and you cannot wear it.” (Pres. Clark; Church News, November 21, 1953, p. 4.)

Building your Ark * Lesson 6: Noah Had Water

Lesson 6: Noah Had Water

Presented by Debbie Kent

In pondering drinking water for Noah, I originally chuckled, thinking, “Well it was pouring rain they wouldn’t need to store water”. But then I realized that it only rained for forty days of the almost year they were on the ark.

What did they do the other ten months? They had to have stored water.

Water is essential for life. Most of us just take it for granted. We turn on the faucet and clean clear water comes out day and night. It is not until some major disaster or calamity occurs that the true value of water truly becomes apparent. In some cases it becomes “more valuable than gold.” Many of us may be prepared with our 72 hour emergency kits which contain a bottle or two of water. But how many of us are really prepared for an emergency that could last for a week, a month, several months….and yes, perhaps even up to a year.”
“Store enough drinking water for circumstances in which the water supply may be polluted or disrupted. Water is more essential than food in sustaining life.” (Providentliving.org)

There is much differing information out there about storing water. The following are some ideas of what is the best and safest way to store and treat water.

Store clean water before the crisis.

Some examples of this 2 week supply: 3-5gallon jugs; 5-cases of 4 oz water pouches; 3:5 gallon bottles; or 4-cases of 16 oz bottles. PETE bottle: 2 liter soda bottles or juice bottles can also be used if washed really well. 

Do NOT use Bleach/Soap bottles for drinking water.

Level One: FEMA recommends at least 1 gallon of water person for 2 weeks, or at least 14 gallons. Allow more for first aid, cooking, cooling down, etc. (minimum 2 gallons per person per day) PLUS water bottle purifier (can be found at ldscatalog.org – Seychelle $22). This water filtration bottle kit removes up to 99.99 percent of pollutants and contaminants found in drinking water. Produces up to 100 gallons of filtered water, includes extra filter.
Level Two: 1-55 gallon drum per person; pump; wrench (to open and close); water treatment
Level Three: 2 more 55 gallon barrels per person (3 barrels: 3 months supply-per person).
Level Four: A way to collect more water and a GOOD purifier, and creative ways to store.

Where to Store Water

Store where easily accessible for emergency use and water source to fill. Best stored in dark, cool place. Can be stored outside, off of ground, covered, in shade if possible. Store away from insecticides, petroleum or anything else with a strong odor.

The Time is Now

With the Earthquake in Virginia this week and now a Hurricane coming to the same region we should be looking around us to see where we need to better prepare.  The time to prepare is now.  Where are we on our efforts?  Where do we want to be? What can we do today?  If you don't have the answers to these questions there is something that you can do.

Being fully prepared takes time, effort and money.  If we find ourselves short in one or all of those areas there is one thing that we can and must do to prepare.  PRAY.  If we simply have a desire to prepare but do not know how or where to start PRAY,  The Lord will guide you in your efforts.  Pray about what you can do now to prepare for the future.  There are many things that each of us can do that cost no money;  Make an Emergency Plan, plan Escape Routes, save milk jugs and soda bottles for water storage. If we are prayerful we will be guided in what is most important for us.

Now would also be a good time to review our 72 Hour Kits;  If you need to rotate the food, update medications or add something that you find to be missing.  If you have children make sure their clothing fits.  If you haven't started a 72 Hour Kit you could take last year's school back pack for the kids and put their emergency clothing inside instead of throwing them out.

Don't forget that you may be away from home in the event of an emergency.  You may want to have a Mini Emergency Kit in your car or at your office.  It will only take a little time and thought and you will be better prepared.

We live in an area where earthquakes, though unpredictable, are expected.  Here are some links with information about what we can do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER an earthquake.  Knowledge is Priceless and can save a life.  Please take a few minutes to review the information.

We can all be prepared, we just have to take the first step and start.

Building your Ark * Lesson 5: Noah Counted the Animals

Lesson 5: Noah Counted the Animals

Presented by Debbie Kent

Noah had to count the animals to be sure he had what he needed. The same is true with you. Knowing what you have and what you still need begins with inventorying. If you don’t really know what you have, then you can’t know if you have enough or what you still need. How you do this is up to you.

Here are a few ideas:

Pencil and paper: Record: item name, date purchased; how much and where it is stored
Index cards: have one card for every bucket or can. Keep these organized in a recipe type box. When you open a new one put that card in the buy pile. Easy way to keep track of inventory.
TrackMyFoodStorage.com: Free site to record and track your food storage
Food Storage Analyzer (beprepared.com): Inventory & analyze your food & nutritional content.
Food Storage Planner: Computer program: 3 levels of lists including food and many other areas of preparedness; keeps track of inventory, recipes, etc.

Building your Ark * Lesson 4: A Place for Everything

Lesson 4: A Place for Everything 

Presented by Debbie Kent

With limited space on the ark and many kinds of animals, Noah would have needed to be organized. This is a good lesson learned. The more organized and easily accessible your food storage is the more likely you will use it. Did you know that by cooking with food storage one day out of the week can totally rotate your food storage in seven years? 

Optimally, food should be stored in your basement or storm cellar where temperatures remain stable and below 70º. If this is not possible where you live then the garage works for most grains and even canned goods if you rotate often, but definitely NOT for dehydrated or freeze-dried foods or dairy products. They are greatly and quickly affected by heat. Store these in house. After you have done all you can, pray that Heavenly Father will bless and protect your food. 

Think you have no place to store in your house? Think again. Did you know you can store a one year supply of basics under a twin sized bed? Under beds, in closets, linen closets, false walls, in the corner or on rotating shelves are just some options for storage. Storing food that is easily accessible will make it not only easier to rotate but easier to find when you need it. Make sure you DATE all items. Rotating your food is the best way to ensure good quality. There are four things that affect the quality (flavor, appearance, texture, vitamins) of your food, these are known as HALT. More info on effects of long term storage on BYU website: ndfs.byu.edu/foodstorage 

§ Humidity (moisture)

§ Air (oxygen)

§ Light

§ Temperature (temp. above 70 degrees cut storage life by half each year) 

Storage Containers 

In addition to storing your food in an organized manner and in keeping with the rules of HALT and wanting to keep it free from bugs and rodents, you will want to package it for long term storage. This can be done by packing in one of the following ways: 

All Storage Containers (package with O2 packets and store all off of floors)

Mylar Bags: re-sealable, not puncture or rodent proof, store in other container,

#10 Cans: Make sure seal is tight, not re-useable, not airtight once opened, stackable.

Buckets: Food Grade, Stackable, re-useable, re-sealable, easy open with gamma lids.

PETE bottles: cheap, re-useable, not stackable.