Important Points

In the post below are "Official Church Answers to questions about Family Home Storage".

I love the simplicity of the new guidelines. The brochure "Family Home Storage" and Family Finances are very short simple and to the point.

I think that it is very important to prioritize. As King Benjamin counseled, “See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.” I think this could apply to our food storage as well.

To me wisdom would be to prioritize. This order makes sense to me.

1. Do we have enough food and water to sustain our family for 72 hours, and is is portable and easy to access?

2. Do we have enough food and money to sustain our family for a 3 month period. Is this food that our family is used to eating? Don't forget the money part! The church does not specifically say 3 months, it does say, "Gradually build a financial reserve, and use it for emergencies only. If you save a little money regularly,
you will be surprised how much accumulates over time."

3. Get out of debt. We have been counseled, "Spending less money than you make is essential to your financial security. Avoid debt, with the exception of buying a modest home or paying for education or other vital needs. Save money to purchase what you need. If you are in debt, pay it off as quickly as possible."

4. Long term food storage. Once your house is in order as outlined above, it is time to work on long term food storage.

"We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve."

Sources: http://providentliving.org/fhs/pdf/WE_FamilyResourcesGuide_International_04008_000.pdf
http://providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,7587-1-4087-1,00.html