Labor for your Support

Unfortunately, there has been fostered in the minds of some an expectation that when we experience hard times, when we have been unwise and extravagant with our resources and have lived beyond our means, we should look to either the Church or government to bail us out. Forgotten by some of our members is an underlying principle of the Church welfare plan that “no true Latter-day Saint will, while physically able, voluntarily shift from himself the burden of his own support” (Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, p. 106).
One of the first principles revealed to father Adam when he was driven out of the Garden of Eden was this: “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” (Gen. 3:19). All we obtain in life of a material nature comes as a product of labor and the providence of God. Work alone produces life’s necessities. (Ezra Taft Benson, “Prepare for the Days of Tribulation,” Ensign, Nov 1980, 32)

Orange Julius

BLEND until ice is totally crushed and drink is smooth:
2 cups Orange Juice
½ cup Powdered Milk
½ cup Ice, crushed
2 Tbsp. Sugar
½ tsp Vanilla

Food Preservation

You do not need to go into debt, may I add, to obtain a year’s supply. Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each pay-check. Can or bottle fruit and vegetables from your gardens and orchards. Learn how to preserve food through drying and possibly freezing. Make your storage a part of your budget. Store seeds and have sufficient tools on hand to do the job. If you are saving and planning for a second car or a TV set or some item which merely adds to your comfort or pleasure, you may need to change your priorities. We urge you to do this prayerfully and do it now. (Ezra Taft Benson, “Prepare for the Days of Tribulation,” Ensign, Nov 1980, 32)

Ranch Salad Dressing

MIX:
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 cup Plain Yogurt
¼ cup Milk
1 tsp Ground Pepper
½ tsp Garlic, powdered
1 Tbsp Dry Onion
½ tsp Salt

REFRIGERATE for 30 minutes before serving.

Home Food Production

An almost forgotten means of economic self-reliance is the home production of food. We are too accustomed to going to stores and purchasing what we need. By producing some of our food we reduce, to a great extent, the impact of inflation on our money. More importantly, we learn how to produce our own food and involve all family members in a beneficial project. No more timely counsel, I feel, has been given by President Kimball than his repeated emphasis to grow our own gardens. Here is one sample of his emphasis over the past seven years:
“We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard.” (Ensign, May 1976, p. 124). …
There are blessings in being close to the soil, in raising your own food even if it is only a garden in your yard and a fruit tree or two. Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own. (Ezra Taft Benson, “Prepare for the Days of Tribulation,” Ensign, Nov 1980, 32)

White Sauce

COMBINE:
1⁄4 cup flour (whole wheat or allpurpose)
10 tablespoons powdered milk
3⁄4 tablespoon salt

MIX or SHAKE well.

MAKE a smooth paste by adding a portion of:
2 cups water

STIR in remaining liquid and cook over moderate heat.
STIR frequently until sauce thickens and comes to a boil. REMOVE from heat.

Makes 1 1⁄2 cups sauce.

Heed His Counsel

Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion.
The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel? (Ezra Taft Benson, “Prepare for the Days of Tribulation,” Ensign, Nov 1980, 32)

Chicken Gravy Mix

COMBINE:
1 1/3 cup Powdered Milk
¾ cup Flour
3 Tablespoons Chicken Bouillon granules
¼ tsp Sage
1/8 tsp Thyme
1/8 tsp Ground Pepper

STIR with a wire whisk until blended.
CUT IN until evenly distributed:
½ cup butter

STORE in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 4-6 weeks.

Chicken Gravy

POUR in small saucepan:
1 cup Water

GRADUALLY whisk in:
½ cup Chicken Gravy Mix

STIR constantly over medium heat until gravy is smooth and slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.