To maintain stability in a rapidly changing world, plan for the future, said Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve.

Elder Perry said that as technology sweeps through every facet of life, changes are occurring so rapidly that it is difficult to keep life in balance. Speaking Saturday afternoon, he suggested "it is time, with some urgency, to review the counsel we have received dealing with our personal and family preparedness."

He recounted Lehi's vision of the rod of iron, and the great and spacious building, applying it to today, saying current cries "tempt us to compete for ownership of the things of this world. We think we need a larger home...We long for designer clothes, extra TV sets, all with VCRs, the latest model computers, and the newest car."

He said often these items are purchased with borrowed money that leads to bankruptcy, and families preoccupied with financial burdens.

Citing global conditions such as fluctuating inflation, wars, national disasters, variances in weather conditions, innumerable forces of immorality, crime and violence, Elder Perry declared: "The need for preparation is abundantly clear...'If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.'" (D&C 38:30)

He suggested preparing temporally in four areas:

• First, gain an adequate education. Steady employment from a trade or profession will provide remuneration. However, today's changing technology "requires us to be continually engaged in preparing ourselves for the future."

• Second, live within your income and save something for a rainy day. "Incorporate within your lives the discipline of budgeting what the Lord has blessed you with," and then pay tithing and put aside savings.

• Third, avoid excessive debt. "Necessary debt should be incurred only after careful, thoughtful prayer, and after obtaining the best possible advise."

  Elder Perry cautioned members against succumbing to the enticement of easy debt. "It is so easy to allow consumer debt to get out of hand." He offered a definition of interest from one of his former employers: "Thems that understands interest receives it, thems that don't pays it."

• Fourth, acquire and store a reserve of food and supplies.

  "As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and obtain a year's supply of necessities....I believe the time to disregard these instructions is over. With the events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness."

  He counseled members to "create a plan, or update your present one. We are not in a situation that requires panic buying....but we do need to be careful in rotation of our storage we are putting away."