Mormon Church Offers Tips For Emergency Preparedness - They've Been Preparing For Nearly A Century

www.theomahachannel.com POSTED: 4:02 p.m. CST February 15, 2003 UPDATED: 4:05 p.m. CST February 15, 2003

OMAHA -- Leaders of Omaha's Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say members of their church are prepared for the latest government-issued terror alert.

Mormons Offer Tips For Emergency Preparedness While many people are heeding the advice of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by stocking up on duct tape and non-perishable foods, some Mormons saying they're just doing what they've done for nearly a century.

Sid Breese of Millard, a member of the LDS Church, has his basement full of food in case of an emergency.

The food and supplies aren't just for a terrorist attack or other emergency; they can also help if someone loses a job, he said.

Arthur Taylor, president of the Omaha Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says Mormons stockpile food and other supplies because of a directive from their church leader, whom they believe is a prophet.

Taylor said the supplies and food are like a home-insurance policy: You hope you'll never have to use it, but if there's an emergency, you're sure glad it's there.

The church has set up two hotlines for other churches, pastors or groups interested in finding out more information about storing food for the long term. The numbers to call are (402) 850-9722 and (402) 850-9723.

Copyright 2003 by TheOmahaChannel.com.