Japan crisis spurs survival planning by U.S. Mormons

Japan crisis spurs survival planning by U.S. Mormons
Sat, Apr 2 2011

By Laura Zuckerman

SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) - While the nuclear crisis in Japan unfolds a continent away, Mormon-dominated communities in the western United States say the disaster overseas is bringing close to home a lesson about preparing for the worst.

Emergency planning and the long-term storage of food, water and medical supplies are central practices by the 14 million worldwide members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The tradition stems from doctrine - "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" - established by Joseph Smith when he founded the church in 1830 in upstate New York. It also stems from the persecution that drove his early followers from the Midwest to the Rocky Mountains in 1847.

Present-day Mormons, concentrated in the United States in Utah, California and Idaho, say preparedness and self-reliance are a way of life and not signs of survivalist leanings or knee-jerk responses to disasters.

"It's not a sudden, spectacular program," said Craig Rasmussen, spokesman for the church in Idaho, second only to Utah for the highest percentage of Mormons.

Worries about radiation from Japan's crippled nuclear plants have spurred sales in the West of potassium iodide to block absorption of cancer-causing radioactive iodine even though U.S. officials say minor amounts detected in the air, rainwater or milk in 15 states pose no health risks.

At a time of renewed interest in how to cope with calamity in a region where Mormonism is the prevailing religious, cultural and social influence, companies selling dehydrated, freeze-dried or canned foods in bulk are reporting rising sales.

Don Pectol, vice president with Emergency Essentials Inc., a retail and online emergency supply chain based near Salt Lake City, said top sellers are powdered milk, water purifiers and meat processed to extend shelf life.

'NORMAL BEHAVIOR'

Pectol said the spike came after harmless levels of radiation were detected in states like Utah, Idaho and Arizona and the upsurge is similar to one that happened when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005.

Another online seller of stored food said on its website that dried dairy products and powered eggs were temporarily unavailable.

University of Colorado sociologist Kathleen Tierney, head of a national institute that tracks society's reactions to disasters, said potential nuclear threats place people on heightened alert.

She said fears lessen with measures like stocking up on food or remedies because a sense of control replaces the feeling of helplessness.

"It's normal behavior during uncertainty," said Tierney, director of the Natural Hazards Center in Boulder, Colorado.

Mormon Mark Oliverson, a dentist and father of three in the remote mountain town of Salmon in central Idaho, said he and his wife routinely add and rotate items in the family's year-long supply of food. The couple also attends the church's workshops on emergency planning, food storage and other practices that make up so-called provident living.

"It puts you in a position to take care of yourself and provide for your family through hard times - and that puts you in a good position to help others," he said.

Church leaders say that principle allows it to respond to emergencies worldwide.

In the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Mormon missionaries working in areas near Japan's stricken nuclear reactors were moved to safety.

Officials said congregations in Japan have since set up an emergency response committee to organize volunteers distributing food, water, fuel and blankets.

The hazard center's Tierney said models like that confirm studies that show "we are better people in disasters than in day-to-day situations."

Eric Erickson, head of a group of Mormon congregations in the eastern Idaho community of Rexburg, where 90 percent of 24,000 residents are church members, said the crisis in Japan would likely prompt local leaders to fine-tune emergency plans and communications systems.

"Katrina provided us the opportunity to re-look at things and revisit those principles; this will be another," he said.

(Editing by Dan Whitcomb and Greg McCune)

Homelessness and Survival

Homelessness and Survival



I was driving home today and saw a homeless man on the street and my mind began to wonder (as it often does ;-))

It dawned on me that the poor homeless person is better equipped to deal with a disaster than many of my friends or I am! I think this is an epiphany of sorts. It is an amazing reality that each of us should spend a few minutes contemplating about.

Think about how simple a life they are forced to live. A life devoid of all the luxuries we feel are necessities. Then think about our dependency on gadgets, on technology...

Imagine a living on the street 24/7, 365 days a year. No source of income. No regular food or shelter.

So much we can learn from the simple homeless man. If only we could tap into his wisdom!

Welcome to the grand opening of Jewish Preppers

Welcome to the grand opening of Jewish Preppers. I created this forum in order to unite like-minded Jews (and Jewish supporter) who believe that it is prudent to be prepared for any eventuality.

I, for one, get a little bit nervous when I see all the white supremacy, racist rants and I would feel more secure being with people that share my own faith.

Everyone is welcome on this forum as long as they remain civil. Open debate is welcome. It will be monitored and I will not hesitate to delete any posts I feel are hateful in nature.

Please let me know if you have any comments or suggestions.

Last note: As with anywhere else, please be cautious about personal information you share.