How to start?

Isn't it a good thing when so many members of the church are thinking about preparedness. I have friends who are in the business of wholesale long term storage items such as wheat, powdered milk (etc) and they say that the boom in business is very NORMAL anytime people are worried about the economy.

As an emergency preparedness coordinator for my branch, I tell people in my branch the following ...

1. Dont panic. This might seem obvious, but lots of people panic over things such as thier utility bill or who cuts them off on the freeway. The worst decisions in the world are made by people when people panic.

2. Research. Do some research about the things you need to fix as it pertains to emergency preparedness. The church has some very timley material with regards to home storage and financial stability. Isn't it timely that they came out with this material just last year?

3. Prioritize. Once you have some ideas about what you need to do to prepare, the next step is to prioritize them. Write them down and check your progess weekly.

4. Stay in tune with the Holy Ghost. There have been people in the classes I teach tell me when they were shopping they were inspired to get a specific item for thier 72 hour kit. When one sister in my class told me that, I felt her testimony. When you are inspired, ACT!!!!! or as Spencer W Kimball would say .... DO IT NOW! Sometimes it can be usefull to write down what you are inspired about so that you can act.

We live in a wonderful time! It's not all gloom and doom. In fact from the 1975 Ensign Magazine we read ......

"Ancient prophets looked with enthusiastic anticipation to our dispensation when the fullness of the gospel would be restored and preached among all nations, and when final preparations would be made for the Second Coming and ultimate reign of the King of Kings, our Savior. Great eternal blessings, keys, and secrets of the gospel, which have been kept “hid from before the foundation of the world,” were reserved to come forth in this final dispensation to bless our lives. (See D&C 124: 41; D&C 121:26–32; D&C 128:18.) How privileged we are to live in these momentous times! "

"Whether to us these days are ultimately times of peril or of promise depends upon our own spiritual receptivity and individual preparedness. Though all of us may be challenged, even alarmed, by the events of our day, the Savior assures us that we can acquire the spiritual resilience to hold up under the immense pressures of our time and prepare for his coming by faithful discipleship to him. This message seems to be the thrust of the parables of preparation in Matthew 25."

"The parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1–13) calls us to prepare diligently and watch for the Savior’s Second Coming. The five wise virgins are faithful Saints who build a spiritual reserve. They “have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived.” (D&C 45:57.) They have “spiritual oil” in their vessels against times of darkness. For these there is no ultimate doom or gloom; they are not panic-stricken by the last days. The Second Coming is an exhilarating prospect. We are not told in the parable specifically of the virgins’ thrill at entering into the marriage with the Lamb, but who can doubt the inestimable joy of at last receiving personal communion with the Bridegroom! For these, the Lord’s coming is a day to be anticipated and relished; it is a great day. "

Full article located at LDS.org - Ensign Article - I Have a Question