Assumptions:
1) The right to work will be lost.
2) Finding and holding a job will require compromising/forsaking ones moral beliefs.
3) Inflation will result in widespread homeless and unemployment.
4) Most of the saints are unprepared (debt, food storage, savings, etc).
5) The church's resources will be exhausted or confiscated.
6) There will not be a "call out".
With the assumptions above I attempted to lay out a framework of the conditions that might prevail in the future that will result in economic isolation of many LDS and gentiles alike. The dollar will become so worthless that many people will end up supporting themselves with barter. During the Great Depression unemployment peaked at almost 25%. I am expecting that number will be much higher in the scenario I am presenting. Shanty towns (Hoovervilles) are already making a come back now, but in the future they will return with a vengeance. Many of the LDS will fall pray to these condition because of ignoring the counsel of the prophets. The church's resources will either be depleated quickly or out right confiscated under the Continuity of Operations Plan and National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive. I also envision a hostile, anti-religion climate that would make it illegal to employee persons who affiliate with groups that do not conform to the general political climate (gay rights, climate change, etc) resulting in persons having to make a choice between employment and adhering to the conscience. I am also attempting to explore options of what we can do if it turns out that something like a "call out" or a gathering of the saints does not happen.
History:
Looking back at history is a good way to visualize what the problems were and how they were solved by the people. The Great Depression is a perfect example of the conditions that I am proposing we will face in the near future. Without providing a complete history lesson on the subject of the Great Depression, some of the solutions that emerged from that time where:
Hobos: Individuals, mostly men, roamed the country in search of employment. Most often, permanent/steady employment was not found. Hobos utilized symbols to communicate to those who followed where help could be found and danger might be expected.
Shanty Towns: The homeless were forced to create their own free housing. Some shanty towns lasted 10 years (from 1931 to 1941). Many had populations in the thousands, with their own local government to include mayors, sheriffs, churches, etc.
Depression Scrip: "Depression scrip was used during the depression era (1930's) as a substitute for government issued currency. Because of the banks closing temporarily and the lack of physical currency, someone had to come up with another form of currency to keep the economy going and a way for trade to continue. Therefore the old idea of local currency was reborn. Paper, cardboard, wood, metal tokens, leather, clam shells and even parchment made from fish skin was used. At one point, the U.S. Government considered issuing a nation wide scrip on a temporary basis. But that idea was quickly shot down by the Secretary of the Treasury William H. Woodin. Instead, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing was tasked with increasing their printing of new Federal Reserve notes."
What can we do today to prepare for such an eventuality?
1) Follow the prophet (get out of dept, gather food storage, save money, grow a garden)!
2) Establish a local currency?
3) Develop communication? (covert signs, flags, bulletin boards, flyers)
4) Prepare for the possibility of homelessness?
As I see it, the nation is now ill equipped to feed itself. Food production rare. There will most likely be a shortage of food until be necessity people relearn the lesson of self-reliance with respect to growing and eating their own food. Establishing a local currency early will likely ease the suffering as trade will be able to continue even as the Federal Reserve Note collapses. Developing communication that isn't dependent of government oversight (t.v., radio, internet) will be important to help people find resources and conduct trade to meet needs. As almost all products today are imported from other countries basic items such as clothing, tools, etc will become hard, if not impossible to come by. Thankfully, thought Heavenly Fathers generosity, today, anyone who wants to become a publisher can with the use of a basic computer and simple printer. The development of hobo signs could also be use to help people find individuals with whom they can trade without the danger of overt advertisements. The return of shanty towns is already here, but I see a real possibility of widespread (50% or more) homelessness as most people are deep in dept for homes now and there is a very, very low percentage of people that have homes paid off.
Proposal
My proposal is this, that righteous LDS should begin now to create an alternative economy with which to support the community when conditions arrive that will make normal employment impossible.
Rev 13:17 wrote:And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Please provide your ideas and suggestions that would help provide for a more successful transition of the LDS to the new reality we face.D&C 58:26 wrote:For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
