[SisterofJared]

I didn't respond to this earlier but now a friend of mine, an ex-stake president, checked out the story by calling church headquarters and asking. He was told the church is aware that this is circling the internet, and that Elder Packer had indeed addressed his home ward last Sunday.

While there is some understandable concern that one might take a message that is individually given to one specific ward and not meant for others... the overall topic of Elder Packer's talk cannot be possibly conceived to mean that the rest of us need not pay attention to his wise counsel. While this is not church doctrine, it carries the spirit with it, and is wise counsel for all times, and most especially for today.

I have taken steps to follow it. In preparing food, I am being especially vigilant to not wase... far more vigilant that ever before. I am buying cloth kitchen towels to replace paper towels. I am also inventorying my food storage and budgeting to fill in any gaps there may be.

I like the fact that Elder Packer was not giving a doomsday talk. He pointed out that hard times were ahead and that thrift would need to be practived more than we had in many years. But he also pointed out that if we are obedient, we will be okay, and that this would be a wonderful time for having children and raising a family... and that the entire purpose for the difficult time would be to bring people to a state of repentence.

All in all, good news, and good counsel. I'll take it, official or not.

Sister of Jared