I find it interesting and a little perplexing that Pharaoh, an idol worshiper, sought out Joseph to interpret his dreams. Joseph, through the power of a God that Pharaoh did not believe in, interpreted. Here is the interesting part. Pharaoh took immediate action. Think about that and let it sink in for a minute.
Pharaoh believed Joseph. Not only did he believe him, he focused on his counsel, he elevated Joseph politically in his kingdom to just beneath himself, and he put him in charge of the nation's food storage plan. In so doing, all the inhabitants of Egypt and of all the lands round about Egypt were blessed. Hooray for Joseph, but the real kudos go to Pharaoh.
As Latter-day Saints we claim to be directed by prophets, men truly inspired by God through revelation. This is a unique and significant claim. We share our testimonies with the world that there are once again living prophets who speak for God and have the authority to do so. Even now I feel the conviction of my own testimony.
Our prophets have been admonishing us to acquire and use food storage since 1935 when the church welfare program was first established. How many of us, like Pharaoh, have taken action?
Though unconfirmed, I have heard reports that as few as 15% of the members of the church have any food stored at all. Of those, fewer have a "complete" food storage, fewer still actually know what they are storing or how to use it, and very few use their food storage on a daily basis.
Why is that?
“We have built grain storage and storehouses and stocked them with the necessities of life in the event of a disaster. But the real storehouse is the family storeroom. In words of revelation the Lord has said, ‘Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing’ (D&C 109:8.)”
President Gordon B. Hinckley
It is my hope that we will take heed of prophetic counsel today, this very minute, and begin to aquire, use, and maintain a proper food supply for our families. By so doing we will provide life sustaining nutritional security that can not be obtained any other way.