This General Conference Odyssey post covers the October 1982 Welfare Session.

Last year had some terrifying natural disasters. The year before that was equally terrifying. What could happen to us this year? Disasters always tend to refocus our concerns for self-reliance. Marion G. Romney said,

“I say the principle of self-reliance is spiritual, as are all the principles of the welfare program. This is not a doomsday program, but a program for today.”

Living in an affluent society doesn’t seem to help people live a life of self-reliance. In fact, it tends to do just the opposite. As members of the church, we simply know better.

The ten virgins were all members. They all had oil, but half of them ran out and didn’t have any extra. We’ve used this story for years to prove the importance of temporal preparedness. Like you, I’ve struggled for years to learn the best way to store extra food in the house. One thing I have learned though is that if you store only wheat, oil, and legumes you have a better chance of preventing the kids from sneaking it out when you’re not looking.

Temporal Preparedness

Welfare Square and Bishop’s Storehouses all over the world offer us a unique way to build our storage. They offer top quality foods for a good price. Nowhere else in the world does this happen.

As I read Barbara B. Smith’s talk, it made me think of the untapped resource Relief Society is in our lives. During the war, sisters were getting together regularly to help families survive the years of economic downturns. Those were difficult years, far different from what we’ve been experiencing for decades now. We have forgotten what it’s like to help one another prepare for difficult times.

With recent minor earthquakes stirring in Utah, I’ve heard sisters panicking because they want to beef up their food storage and they don’t know how. This is a perfect opportunity for a Relief Society president to organize a series of classes or offer text-challenges to help sisters work at getting their homes in order. This is what Relief Society does, yet it remains an untapped resource to help sisters feel prepared for whatever challenges their family is facing.

Our society has lived in affluence for too long. It’s wonderful to have so much in abundance but as a result, we have forgotten how to discipline ourselves to work hard, sacrifice, and save. Again, this is something that the members of Relief Society can easily excel at. We care more about our homes than anyone else.

Spiritual Preparedness

While temporal preparedness gives us security in an unpredictable world, it is spiritual preparedness that will save us from everlasting darkness.

James E. Faust offered a list of blessings, none of which are foreign to us. We’ve heard them all before. If we obey our prophets, we will be the ones who profit most.

• Seek first the kingdom of God–Parents’ examples to their children go a long way in building security in this life.
• Solidify family strengths and resources–Consistent Family councils, Family prayer, Family Scriptures, Family Home Evenings bring unity of purpose to a family.
• Exercise faith–Trust in the Savior leads to a positive attitude.
• Be adaptable in your work–Finding satisfaction in the hard work we do.
• Avoid Debt–A warning that has largely been ignored.
• Reduce expense–Too many things are available to us today.

It’s no secret that we are nearing the end of this earth life. But there is still time to show the Lord we recognize all the good advice he’s offered us through His prophets over the years. Self-reliance will take some of the terror out of the terrifying disasters of our day.