Martin, I would like to clarify something here. The Latter Day Saint church, or Mormons do indeed suggest having the full years supply of foodstuffs, water, clothing and the like. But, in the last decade or so, there was made a recommendation to stock a 72 hour kit as recommended by authorities and then work into a 3 month supply and then a 6 month and so on and so on. This recommendation was based upon actual past experiences of church members who had tried to use a full years supply and finding out too late what they thought would carry them for a full year was actually a 3 months supply. More emphasis is placed on just being prepared and building a supply slowly and within your budget.

There is no magic list of what to stock, only you can do that by following some guidelines and staying within your desired goal. If space is a problem, then you need to consider a different length of time. I would make an excellant recommendation for any “kit” or storage program to rotate your supplies. Canned goods spoil, medicines perish and well you get the idea. I know of some who have stored wheat for over 20 years, though I do not recall anyone doing anything with it. Talk about very stale, yuck! You will find several good books on the subject of storage on the LDS church bookstore website www.deseretbook.com, click on the store then books, then click on preparedness. You will see a listing for over 16 titles.

Now for a little history on this matter, beginning with Brigham Young in the earliest days of the church the members were encouraged to be self-reliant and prepared for any event. Perhaps the best example of a “bug-out” situation is the early Mormons, fleeing persecution, left Illinois for Utah. Brigham Young actually devised a “survival list” (which I have a copy) of requirements for the journey, which includes items such as firearms, tools, foodstuffs, cloth, etc. Today the emphasis is on a self-reliant lifestyle. No mention of economic collapse type scenarios but prepared for any emergency, including loss of the primary income. Hunkering down or bugging in as some call it is a good way to be self reliant if you prepare for it.

The water is a good start, but what preparations have you made to pump water in the event the pond is contaminated? For the generator, unless it is good sized, then stay with gasoline, otherwise consider propane. Propane provides electricity, will heat the home and provide a source for cooking. Propane is less polluting and much more efficient. Make a list, involve your family and work from there. The pamphlets published through FEMA and the Red Cross give good solid basic guidelines for 72 hour kits, home preparations and what to do in an emergency.