Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - Vandalism and Corn Meal Mush

Los Angeles Temple Vandalism during the Prop 8 voting

For starters, I wanted to share this email that I received regarding vandalism/ mischief that has been happening to our church buildings locally.

Brethren and Sisters – I am emailing you today because of increases in Church property vandalism and/or mischief during the past month, and I am asking that you please pass the word to your members and staffs to be vigilant for us and help put a stop to this costly abuse.  We have had the following incidents occur in the last 30 days:

• Sprinkler flow controls turned off at the Temple, and Church Street 
• Electrical disconnect turned off to sprinkler system at CT5, Central/FM
• Electrical disconnects turned off to HVAC equipment at Solomon, Safford 20^th, Safford SC, Pima SC
• Sprinkler wires ripped from valve boxes at Pima SC
• Sprinkler clocks tampered with, watering times changed, programs altered, button settings disrupted at Pima SC, Pima DT Safford 20^th, Thatcher Seminary

Many of these controls and disconnects are behind masonry screen walls, or inside locked containments where no unauthorized persons should be.  So they are entering with the intent to do damage. 

These cost man hours and contractor hours to review, reset, and repair, not to mention the destruction and death to plant and landscape materials in a short time with the heat levels at over 100 degrees, and the cost to replace that.  Much of that damage we are even discouraged to replace by our Municipality Water Restriction guidelines which are in place during this drought.  It is much less costly to maintain the current landscapes than to replace them if they die.  I do not know who is causing this, but it seems to be increasing and spreading.  Please be extra vigilant and notify me or the police in your communities if you find or suspect someone doing damage to church property.

This reminds me in the Book of Mormon, just before Jesus is born in Helaman 13, the prophet Samuel warns the people that their riches will become slippery because of a curse that is brought upon them. That curse is theft. The disregard for personal property is "theft's" first cousin.  Let us be vigilant and report to the proper authorities if we see anything suspicious - these are houses of the Lord.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Aurelia and son Orson Thomas Rogers

I recently heard a talk about the first Primary General President - here is a short summary I found.

• In 1878, Aurelia Rogers had become concerned that younger Latter-day Saint children had too much unsupervised time. In particular, Rogers felt that the younger boys in the community were becoming unruly and mischievous. While praying for guidance, Rogers said she heard a voice say "that there was an auxiliary organization [in the church] for all ages except the children".Rogers met with the LDS Church president John Taylor and received permission to operate a church organization for children. With the assistance of general Relief Society president Eliza R. Snow, Rogers organized a Primary Association for her local Farmington congregation on August 11, 1878. Two weeks later, the first meeting was held on August 25, with 215 children in attendance. That day, boys were specifically taught not to steal fruit from orchards and girls were taught not to hang on wagons. In addition, they were given lessons on faith, manners, obedience, and other principles. Snow assisted the church in spreading Primary to other church congregations. In 1880, Primary was adopted churchwide as the official organization for children in the LDS Church. From 1893 until her death, Rogers served on the general board of the Primary organization.
• Who wants to take on a responsibility like that? Didn't she know there were thousands of children in the church?
• In 1978 April General Conference, David B. Haight spoke of Sister Rogers.  At Winter Quarters, when Aurelia was only twelve and her sister Ellen was only fourteen, their father was called to leave their motherless family (mom died shortly after they left Nauvoo). Dad had been called to serve a mission. So Aurelia and Ellen became "mother" to the four younger siblings. After the first year their father was gone, they were asked by President Brigham Young if they would consider their father continuing his mission for another year. Ellen said, “If it is thought best,we would like it so, for we want to do [what’s] for the best.” The cows and horses their father had purchased for their support had all died but one. This little family had crossed the plains by themselves. Aurelia said:
•  … We really suffered for something to eat; part of the time having nothing but corn-meal, which was stirred up with water and baked on a griddle. Many a night I have gone to bed without supper having to wait until I was hungry enough to eat our poor fare.” 
•  
• Wow...isn't that humbling? I have a couple reasons for bringing up corn-meal mush. 
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1. it can sustain life (just like rice, beans, and wheat) - if that's all you've got, then you make do.
2. would it be wise to store a variety of foods? Food fatigue is a very real thing (shoe string prep ideas here http://runningfoxes.blogspot.com/2014_11_01_archive.html)

One of my "sons" on Trek put about two tablespoons of corn-meal mush in his bowl. He wanted to eat enough for him to get "the pioneer experience". Funny boy. 

Aurelia is one of my heroes. Her ability to take this two year trial and make herself a better person. It prepared her for the calling she would later hold. She became the example to not only her younger siblings, but also to the young moldable children of the entire church. Amazing! Through physical trials, Heavenly Father is able to mold us to be what He needs us to be. Aurelia's life is an excellent example of that.  

If our children are getting into too much mischief....maybe we need to feed them corn-meal mush. It may help to humble them. :)