How to Use the Mormon Preparedness Guidelines to Stock Your Homestead

They're heretics. But they're prepared heretics.

As someone who views the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) as a heretical departure from biblical Christianity, I must acknowledge their remarkable emphasis on self-preparedness. While their theology—built on Joseph Smith’s claims, extra-biblical scriptures, and unorthodox doctrines—strays far from the gospel of Jesus Christ, their practical approach to preparing for adversity is a model of discipline and foresight. For over a century, the LDS church has cultivated a culture of self-reliance, urging members to stockpile food, water, and supplies to weather crises. This article examines the history of this commitment, the requirements placed on LDS members, the church’s ownership of farms and stockpiles, and, most importantly, what families are expected to keep on hand. It also clarifies whether non-Mormons can access LDS canning facilities at local wards. While their preparedness system is admirable, it’s critical to separate their practical wisdom from a theology that leads souls astray.

A HISTORY OF SELF-RELIANCE IN LDS CULTURE

The LDS church’s focus on preparedness emerged from its tumultuous early history. Founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, whom I believe falsely claimed divine revelation, the church faced persecution and displacement in Missouri and Illinois during the 1830s and 1840s. These hardships, coupled with their exodus to the Great Basin under Brigham Young, shaped a mindset of self-sufficiency. As historian Matthew Bowman notes, Young sought to build an independent economy in what became Utah, free from reliance on external supplies. Food storage became a practical necessity to survive harsh winters and isolation.

This ethos formalized during the Great Depression, when the LDS church established its welfare program in 1936 to support struggling members. Leaders began urging families to maintain food reserves, a practice that intensified during the Cold War. In the mid-20th century, apostles like Ezra Taft Benson recommended two years’ worth of supplies, fearing nuclear conflict or economic collapse. While the apocalyptic rhetoric has softened, the principle of preparedness remains, tied to the LDS value of “temporal salvation” alongside spiritual goals. Their 2007 pamphlet, All Is Safely Gathered In, reflects a modern, pragmatic approach, urging members to prepare for job loss, natural disasters, or other disruptions without extreme stockpiling.

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