Welcome to Self-Reliance & Preparedness 2015

The QUEST for PREPAREDNESS poster for 2009.

It was a short (12-week) program; this time around
the program will last the entire year. Members who
finished the program earned the title of "The Fearless"

based on the scripture "for if ye are prepared, ye
shall not fear." D&C 38:30

IT WAS 5 YEARS AGO that the Desert Sage Ward of the Las Vegas Central Stake used The Quest for Preparedness theme to help its members get a little more prepared for an emergency.

It included some incentives to complete a 12-step program over the course of 12 weeks and included a couple events (an Earthquake Simulation event and a 72-hour kit assembling activity).

For 2015, the ward leadership is bringing back the program, but with a more inclusive approach to "Preparedness" which extends it over 12 months and  includes not only temporal preparations, but extends the effort for members to be more self-reliant and prepared spiritually. This second part should be considered a more important component to readiness.

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TEMPORAL PREPAREDNESS

The first of the two components is structured as "The Road to Self-Reliance" (showing 12 areas) is "the pathway to Temporal Preparedness". 

These areas are Water • Communication • Medical & First Aid • Important Documents • Sanitation • Clothing & Shelter • Light & Power • Financial Resources • Transportation • Food • Tools • Entertainment & Leisure. 

These are not organized in any particular order of importance or priority; in fact, the order from Water to Entertainment & Leisure could change throughout the year. Each month a different topic will be emphasized, while members are encouraged to work on any portion they like as long as the goal of being accomplished in all 12 areas by the end of the year.

The first topic covered in 2015 is WATER. It is the most essential and easiest to prepared for.

You can download a PDF file here of the first in a series of 12 flyers. Each document includes three levels:  LEVEL 1 PREPAREDNESS (minimal requirements) is explained on the front and LEVEL 2 (with more details on preparedness that will make getting through an emergency more bearable) and LEVEL 3 (for long-term or major circumstances on the back.

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SPIRITUAL PREPAREDNESS

The approach for this component of readiness uses the analogy of critical blocks in "Building your Faith in Christ", to establish a firm "foundation of your Spiritual Preparedness."

Like a typical building with four sides & four corners, this program establishes four components:
   • Believing IN Christ
   • Coming TO Christ
   • Doing AS Christ
   • Becoming LIKE Christ

Each quarter, there will be an emphasis on one of these activities in talks, lessons and activities planned for the ward.

On the backside of this poster (shown to the left) are  specific actions (individual blocks) associated with each of these four phases in building our faith and demonstrating our conversion to the Savior in an effort to become like Him.

Quarter 1 [January–March]

BELIEVING in CHRIST

• Accept the Atonement
• Study His Gospel, Read His Word
• Stand as a Witness
     Testify of Christ, Joseph Smith & the Restoration

Quarter 2 [April–June]
COMING to CHRIST

• Ponder and Pray 
• Worship in the Temple 
• Respond to the Spirit
• Follow the Prophets
• Repent Quickly
• Receive Ordinances/Make Covenants
• Renew Covenants

Quarter 3 [July–September]
DOING as CHRIST

• Serve Others
• Do Good Continually
• Work Willingly in His Kingdom
• Obey the Commandments

Quarter 4 [October–December]
BECOMING Like CHRIST

• Love and Minister to Others
• Seek the Father’s Will
• Fulfill Covenants