Memo #35
April 1, 2003
From: Richard Pratt
To: Those I love
Re: PREPARATION
Those prepared should have no fear but should rejoice. For God’s plan for this earth is right on schedule. The schedule that was set before the earth was. The earth was programmed to have 6,000 years of Telestial mortality. (Where we are now) and a 7,000th period of Terrestrial mortality at which time (end of 7000 years) the earth, a living organization, will die and be resurrected a Celestial orb and only those who have prepared for this great event will be able to dwell on it eternally. This is when the “Meek” shall inherit the earth, and will dwell upon it forever in the presence of God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Ghost. All others at the final judgement will be relegated to a Terrestrial or Telestial earth according to their works. A few will even be sent eternally to dwell with Satan as “Sons of Perdition.”
Preparation consists of two parts. A physical preparation for our mortal body of flesh and bones and a spiritual preparation for the Spirit body which leaves the flesh at the change known as death. In the long run the Spiritual preparation is by far the most important for it determines our worthiness for protection while in the flesh and our eternal exaltation thereafter. But because, we are in the flesh let us consider the preparation necessary to assure that we live our allotted time on earth. Our length of life on earth was determined before birth. The righteous may not extend theirs much and the wicked shorten theirs a great deal.
Our mortal body, to survive, needs food, clothing, and housing. As the prophet Joel said:
“The final war will leave the earth a desolate wilderness.” or as the prophet-apostle Orson Pratt describes conditions in the United States: (all of the early prophets of the church up to and including George Albert Smith (1870-1951) say the same thing but Pratt gives the best detail.)
“If it be asked, why is America thus to suffer? The answer is because they have rejected God...For these great evils, they must suffer; the decrees of Jehovah have gone forth...the great and magnificent cities are to be cut off. New York, Boston, Albany and numerous other cities will be left desolate. Party will be arrayed in deadly strife against party; state against state; and the whole nation will be broken up...dreadful revolution will devour the whole land. Then shall there be fleeing from one city to another, from one state to another, from one part of the continent to another, seeking refuge, from the devastations of bandits and armies; then shall their dead be left unburied, and the fowls of heaven shall summer upon them, and the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them. Moreover the Lord will visit them with deadly pestilence which shall sweep away many millions by its ravages; for their eyes shall fall from their sockets, and their flesh from their bones. (Atomic warfare perhaps) and their tongues shall be stayed in their mouths, that they shall not be able to blaspheme against their Maker. And it will come to pass, that the heavens will withhold their rains and their fruitful fields be turned into barrenness, and the waters of their rivers will be dried up, and left in standing pools, and the fish there in will die; and the Lord will send forth a grievous plague to destroy the horses and cattle from the land. Thus by sword and by pestilence, and by famine, and by the strong arm of the Almighty, shall the inhabitants of that wicked nation be destroyed.”
The Prophet Wilford Woodruff testified: “ The American nation will be broken in pieces like a potter’s vessel, and will be cast down to hell if it does not repent ~ and this, because of murders, whoredoms, wickedness and all manner of abominations, for the Lord has spoken it.”
These two prophecies are substantiated by hundreds of prophets from Moses to the current prophets.
So, where will we get food, clothing and shelter under such stringent conditions? President Brigham Young warned that a bushel of gold will not, at that time, buy a bushel of wheat. (One bushel of wheat weighs 60 pounds)
But we don’t have gold, we just have pieces of green paper with figures on them. The same size piece of green paper, we call money, may designate from one dollar to many dollars. Regardless of the amount indicated on a bill it will be worthless except perhaps to start a fire...
All the prophets have advised the following prepatory steps: One, get out of debt and stay out of debt. They are talking of consumer debt. Consumer debt is to buy things to satisfy our desires. They are usually not needed. There are some things that we can only acquire by debt such as a home and automobile. But if a three bedroom and 1 ½ bath home fills your needs do NOT buy a 6 bedroom three bath home. And a late model used car or even older is a tremendously better buy than a new car. I have had many used cars and they have all been very satisfactory. If you can’t control your credit cards, cut them up and throw them away. I carry only one card as a convince and I never use it to buy on time.
When we were expecting our first baby, I promised to wash the dirty diapers (NO disposable ones then) until we could pay cash for a washing machine. It was amazing how soon I came up with the cash to buy that first washer!
When I remember back to my young manhood some 75 years ago when most of our modern necessities had not yet been invented, it now makes me marvel that we lived very happily and comfortably without them.
No, I don’t want to go back to those days but I have acquired considerable of this worlds goods by staying out of debt.
I get 2 or 3 phone calls a day offering to refinance my mortgage at the present low interest rates. They can’t believe it when I tell them I have no mortgage.
Secondly, have a years supply of food, clothing and if possible fuel. Most of us have large closets jammed full of clothes already. As to food, an adult man can exist a year on 400 pounds of wheat. It would be nice to add to that a little salt, dried milk and honey or sugar, and don’t forget the yeast. The whole should not cost more than $100. ~ add other things as your personal finances permit.
Does this mean that in a year every thing will be back to normal. NO! It simply means that you will have a years time to become self - sufficient. Those who know how to grow a garden and have seed will fare better than others.
now, does all this sound grim? NO! What an interesting challenge to become once again accountable for one’s self. And able to help those who couldn’t or didn’t listen.
So let us look forward to being able to survive that first year as we learn to care for our physical needs.
It will be a great adventure. Memo 36 for May will be about spiritual preparations.
I love each one of you!~
Dad, grandpa,etc Richard M. Pratt
Andy Hales wrote this essay in a competition. It took first place in district, post and state and 11th place in the national competition! He will receive about $2000 in awards. He is 14 years old and the son of Sharla and Jim Hales. (Sharla is the daughter of our daughter Kay and husband Vern Smith.)
Lives, Fortunes and Sacred Honor
“We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” these words are more than just an end to the Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers were dead serious about them. They lived and died according to this pledge. I can make the same pledge to America.
Many soldiers have pledged their lives to America. During the Revolutionary War, many died for independence and the right to “lives, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” written of by Thomas Jefferson. In the Civil War, Americans died for the equality of its citizens. In World Wars I and II soldiers died to protect all people’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In Vietnam, soldiers fought and some died because America asked them to. I am not called on to give my life for America, but I undoubtedly can live my life for America. I pledge to intelligently vote, properly display our flag, and support our military.
Founding fathers pledged their fortunes, and unfortunately, many lost them. During the Revolutionary War in the Battle of Yorktown, the house of Governor Thomas Nelson (a signer of the Declaration of Independence) had been taken over for use as the British headquarters by General Cornwallis. Nelson fired at his own home with a cannon, completely destroying it. In a flash, he lost what had taken him years to obtain. Compared to Nelson, my pledge to willingly pay taxes is a small sacrifice.
Great people have pledged their sacred honor to America. Senator John McCain is one of them. During the Vietnam War he was taken captive, and held as a Prisoner of War for five years. He was treated terribly by the North Vietnamese forces. Afterward, instead of being angry, he continued to contribute to American society. Not only did he not turn his back on America, he served even more. He became a senator for Arizona. He later ran for president. I can pledge my honor as he did. I will be respectful, honorable and loyal to America.
I can pledge great things for my country. I don’t have to be a hero, just willing to be one. I pledge to America to live my life as a good citizen, to share my fortune by paying taxes, and to give my honor by respecting America and the freedom that it stands for.
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The following is a poem written by Tammy Peterson a granddaughter. Her parents are Sheryl and Gibb VanOrman.
Dear Grandpa,
Your life has been long each day a new task
of building a table
or something we’ve asked.
In wood you could form
A great piece of art
in creative shapes
that look really smart.
But other than wood
you’ve chiseled away
at showing us how
to not go astray.
The time that you took
to polish our grain
will help us achieve
a more holier plain.
