Staying Warm Without Heat

How do you stay warm in wintry weather without a working furnace or fire?  Many events, unforeseen or as part of your daily life, may put you into situations of extreme cold in which you risk life-threatening hypothermia and/or frostbite if your aren't prepared.  Over the years, I've tried wool, down, fleece, and synthetic materials as I've gone on winter Klondikes with the Boy Scouts, or skiing & other winter activities with my family.  I've slept in tents and snow caves and camp trailers.  In most circumstances, those winter nights were miserable tests of endurance.  My wife & I zip our down sleeping bags together and have been much more comfortable.  However, recently we've discovered the benefits of foam clothing & sleeping bags.

Everyone should know by now that in wet winter weather, Cotton Kills!  It may be great and breathable in warm weather, but cotton sweatshirts and socks are your worst enemies in winter, especially as they get wet, even from just your own perspiration.  Many people find wool uncomfortable, although newer merino wool blends are as comfortable as cotton.  It even retains some insulation capacity if it gets wet.  Down is the ultimate in warmth, but is totally useless when wet.  New synthetic down or water-repellent down are great improvements and still very lightweight, but also very costly.  Regardless of the material, eventually it will absorb moisture and lose the ability to insulate you from the cold.  After 3-4 days, or even a full week, most of these need aired out so they can dry.

Foam, on the other hand has so many benefits.  For one, it can take the cold day after day for indefinite use.  You can jump into a frozen lake, squeeze out the water, go to bed under a tarp and not only stay warm, but wake up drier than when you went to bed.  Every year, groups of people spend an entire week on top of the mountain pass above Logan, Utah, in blizzard-like conditions, without any tents or campfires in clothing they made themselves from polyurethane foam.  They all remark how amazingly comfortable foam clothing & sleeping bags will keep them.

Jim Philips is the pioneer in developing this simple technology and has a lot of great resources on his website www.safeharboralliance.com.  He offers classes on how to make your own clothes and even offers ready-made clothing sets.  He explains that in an emergency, you can find foam in a lot of places that can be stuffed inside your clothes or wrapped around you and may just save your life if stranded away from home or are suddenly without working heaters at home.  Your carpeting has an underlayment of 1/2" foam.  Your car seats have thick foam as well.  If your alternative is to cut up your carpeting or car seat which will need replaced later versus freezing to death, from which you cannot recover, what will you do?  If you have time to plan ahead and secure a full set of foam clothing and sleeping bags before an emergency arrives, how much peace of mind will that provide you and your family?

Local entrepreneur, John Arbon, has taken these concepts even further with high-quality clothing under the brand Fortress Clothing, and four-season sleeping bag systems called Pakanuni.  Be aware that there is a waiting list for his sleeping bags.  You can find the clothing sets at some emergency preparedness conventions and online.  You can have these custom made or download patterns and just buy your foam and material from John (much cheaper than you'll find it anywhere else).  You can email him through his website, or contact me for his phone number.

Read the links below and watch the videos that demonstrate how foam out-performs even the most advanced winter sports gear on the market.

http://www.safeharboralliance.com/palstrade/

http://www.fortressclothing.com/

https://pakanuni.com/

Historical Evidence of God Gathering Out the Righteous

All throughout the history of the scriptures, the Lord has always gathered his people out to safety. This is a common pattern used from the beginning of the earth. Let’s review some of these events. Here is a list of at least 49 times that the righteous have to leave.

1. Brother of Jared

2. Lehi

3. Mulek

4. Saints in Europe coming to Utah. Many ancestors answered the call of Joseph Smith to immigrate to America and join with the saints in Utah. Left their homelands and relatives.

5. Alma fleeing wicked King Noah

6. Alma's fleeing from Lamanite bondage. Mosiah 24

7. Puritans and Pilgrims

8. Children of Israel fleeing Egypt

9. Enoch. Moses 7:27

10. Mary and Joseph to Egypt

11. Saints fleeing from Jerusalem and Titus in 70 A.D.

12. Limhi's people fleeing Mosiah 22:6-1 People of Limhi deliver themselves from bondage by departing into the wilderness with tents, flocks, families. They couldn't do it by the sword--were out-numbered. Went out the back pass. Mosiah 22:2

13. Nephi fleeing from Laman and Lemuel

14. Ammon and his Anti-Nephi-Lehi's fleeing the Lamanites Alma 27

15. Mosiah flees Omni 1:12

16. Joseph of Aramanthea in Jewish legend driven from Jerusalem in a boat with Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Mary Magdalene and others. (Fascinating Story)

17. The ten tribes fleeing from bondage to the north.

18. Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees. Hebrew 11:8

19. Another Jewish legend of Jeremiah fleeing to Egypt and then to England and Ireland before the destruction of Jerusalem.

20. Lot from Sodom and Gommorah.

21. The Nephites flee from their homes and gather together to fight the Lamanites and Gadiantons, pooling all their supplies for 7 years.

22. Alma and Amulek flee Ammoniah. Alma 15:16

23. Zoramites cast out and flee to Jershon. Alma 35

24. The people of Ammon vacate Jerson so the Nephites can battle the Lamanites there. Alma 35:13

25. Ishmael and his family join Lehi in fleeing Jerusalem. 1 Nephi

26. Noah flees the world on an ark.

27. Jacob flees to Egypt to get food.

28. The saints flee Kirtland to go to Missouri

29. Then they flee Missouri to go to Nauvoo

30. Then they flee Nauvoo to Salt Lake

31. Adam and Eve have to leave the Garden of Eden to start a new life. The pattern was set when Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden of Eden and into the wilderness, a journey that must have been quite an education in the school of hard knocks.

32. Hyrum Smith received a revelation saying his life was in danger and to move his family from Palmyra to Colesville, N.Y. He packed that night and left the next morning. "Life of Joseph Smith by His Mother"

33. Father Smith's life was in jeapordy. He was warned to flee but didn't leave soon enough and was thrown into prison where he spent a month. After his release he immediately moved his family to Waterloo, NY and most of the Smith family would never see Palmyra again. "Life of Joseph Smith by his Mother"

34. Joseph and Emma flee Palmyra with the gold plates to live in Harmony, PA.

35. Joseph flees from Harmony to Colesville or Fayette?

36. No sooner had the early saints settled themselves with good herds and good homes in Salt Lake City, UT than they were called to leave it all and settle St. George, Arizona and other places in between. One group of great grandparents were called to St. George to settle there and then again were called to colonize Arizona making 3 callouts.

37. The saints fleeing U.S. marshalls into Mexico to save their families.

38. Moroni flees the rest of his life from the Lamanites.

39. Zoramites find out which people believe Alma's and Amulek's words and cast them out of the land. They go to Jerson. Alma 35:6-9. Verse 14 "Those who repented were driven out of the land."

40. Peter, James, and John, "And straight way they forsook their nets and followed him." Mark 1:16-18

41. Jesus fleeing Nazareth when they tried to kill him, never to return to his home town.

42. Omar is warned to flee because Akish and his secret band are going to kill him so Akish can marry Jared's daughter and give Jared the kingdom. Ether 9:3

43. The people in the city Moroni fled to the city Nephihah. Alma 51:24

44. Jacob fled when Simeon his son killed those who had abducted his daughter Dinah.

45. Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, fled with "the residue of the people of God" and "came out from the land, which was called Shulon, and dwelt in a land of promise..." Moses 6:17

46. 2000 strippling preschoolers left the Order of Nehor and Amulon to be taught by their mothers following the missionary Ammon.

47. The saints at Haun's Mill were told to leave by Joseph Smith.

48. And the prophet did send out a letter to the nations calling for the Jews to return to Jerusalem. If they had listened they would have been spared the holocaust.

49. The saints fled from Johnston's Army back in Brigham Young's day.

Examples such as these show a pattern in the scriptures: God leads his people to places of safety to avoid destruction when it becomes necessary to do so. We also read in the scriptures that there are many other such accounts of which we are not aware:

For behold, the Lord God has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure. And now behold, the Lord remembereth all them who have been broken off, wherefore he remembereth us also. (2 Nephi 10:22)

I would challenge you, as you read the scriptures especially the Bible and Book of Mormon to pay attention every time someone is leaving and going to the wilderness or somewhere else to live. Make a note as to who is leaving, it is usually the righteous party who is leaving.

Won't the Church Take Care of Us?

Some believe falsely that when things get bad...the Church has stored enough for all of the members. The Church leadership has been very clear on this issue:

“Our bishop’s storehouses are not intended to stock enough commodities to care for all the members of the Church. Storehouses are only established to care for the poor and the needy. For this reason, members of the Church have been instructed to personally store a year’s supply of food, clothing, and, where possible, fuel. By following this counsel, most members will be prepared and able to care for themselves and their family members, and be able to share with others as may be needed.”

BOOK OF GOMER PARABLE

It was not raining when Noah built the Ark!

These are the generations of Gomer, son of Homer, son of Omer.  And in the days of Gomer, Noah, the Prophet, went unto the people saying, “Prepare ye for the flood which is to come, yea, build yourselves a boat, that ye may not perish.”

Now, Gomer was a member of the Church, and taught Sunday School and played, yea, even on the ward softball team. And Gomer’s wife said unto him, “Come, let us build unto ourselves a boat as the Prophet commandeth, that we may not perish in the flood.” But behold, Gomer saith unto his wife, “Worry not, dear wife, for if the flood comes the government will provide boats for us.”  And Gomer did not build a boat.

And Gomer’s wife went unto Noah and she returned saying, “Behold, Honey, the Prophet saith unto us, “Build a boat, that we may preserve ourselves, for the government pays men not to grow trees, wherefore the government hath not the lumber to build for you a boat.” And Gomer answered saying, “Fear not, oh wife, for am I not the star pitcher on the ward softball team? Wherefore, the Church will provide for us a boat that we will perish not.”

And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah, and she returned unto Gomer, saying, “Behold mine husband, the Prophet saith that the Church hath not enough lumber to build a boat for everyone, wherefore, mine husband, build for us a boat that we might not perish in the flood.” And Gomer answered her saying, “Behold, if we build a boat, when the flood cometh, will not our neighbors overpower us and take from us our boat; wherefore, what doth it profit a man to build a boat?”

And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah and she returned, saying, “Behold, the Prophet saith, build unto yourselves a boat, and have faith, for if ye do the Lord’s bidding, He will preserve your boat for you.” But Gomer answered his wife, saying, “Behold, with this inflation, the price of wood has gone sky high, and if we wait awhile, perhaps the price will go down again. And then I will build for us a boat.”

And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah, and she returned saying, “Thus saith the Prophet, build for yourselves a boat RIGHT NOW, for the price of wood will not go down, but will continue to go up. Wherefore, oh husband, build for ourselves a boat that we may perish not.” But Gomer answered his wife, saying, “Behold, for 120 years Noah hath told us to build a boat, to preserve us from the flood, but hath the flood come? Yea, I say, nay. Wherefore, perhaps the flood will not come for another hundred and twenty years.

And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah and returned saying, “The Prophet saith, he knows it has been 120 years, but nevertheless, the flood will come, wherefore, build unto yourselves a boat.” And Gomer answered her saying, “Wherewith shall we get the money to build ourselves a boat, for are we not now making monthly payments on our snazzy new four horsepower chariot? Wherefore, when our payments end, perhaps we shall build ourselves a boat.”

And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah and returned saying, “Behold, the Prophet saith that we should cut down on our recreation, and our vacations, and even give each other lumber for Christmas, that we might thereby get enough lumber to build a boat.” But Gomer saith unto her, “What a drag!  Are we to cease enjoying life, just because we must build a boat?”

Wherefore, Gomer built not a boat. But behold, one afternoon Gomer heard thunder in the sky, and he feared exceedingly and he ran, yea, even to the lumber yard to buy lumber. But behold, the lumber store was crowded with great multitudes, all seeking to buy lumber, and there was not enough lumber to be found for the multitudes.

And on the same day were all the fountains of the deep opened, and the windows of heaven were broken up, and the floods came -- and behold, Gomer had no boat. And as the water rose above Gomer’s waist, his wife saith unto him, “Behold, Honey, I told thee so!”

--- Author Unknown

5 Scriptures That Will Help You Get Through Almost Anything

1 Nephi 11:17……....God Loves His Children

Moses 7:26-33…....God Allows Evil to Exist in the World

Alma 14:13………....Our Work is Not Yet Finished

Alma 7:11-12……....Christ’s Atonement is Not Just For Sinners

D&C 101:32-36…...Christ Will Reveal All Things

Alternative Cooking

• Dutch Oven / Volcano: stewing, grilling, baking, broiling. Can cook virtually anything.  Outdoor use only.  Charcoal storage issues.
• Backpacking stoves: portable, lightweight, great for 2-4 people, limited to boiling / frying.  Fuel storage issues.  Carbon monoxide. White gas vs. butane vs. propane vs. multi-fuel (white gas, gasoline, aircraft fuel, kerosene, cooking oils)
• Butane camp stoves: 2 cases of fuel sufficient for family of 4 for 1 year. fuel storage issues.  Indoor use.
• Open camp fire: fuel storage, least efficient, fire hazard
• BBQ gas grill, Camp Chef burner: fuel storage.  Outdoor only.
• Fuel cubes.  Outdoor only.
• Rocket Stove.  Outdoor only.
• Sterno.  Outdoor only.
• Stove-in-a-Can.  Outdoor only.
• Buddy Burner.  Outdoor only.
• Alcohol Stove: denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, HEET fuel line antifreeze.  Needs ventilation.
• Solar Oven / Cooker: DYI or commercial.  If you can see your shadow, you can cook.  Subject to weather and time of day.
• Parabolic Stove / Cooker: Sol Source.  Intense heat, free energy.  Subject to weather and time of day.
• Wood Gas.  Outdoor only.
• Biolite Stove: charge your cell phone while cooking food.  Outdoor only.
• Kelly Kettle. Outdoor only.

Considerations:

• How much fuel can you legally and safely store?  Check local regulations and homeowner insurance policy.
• Will starving roaming marauders or hungry neighbors be attracted by the aroma / open flame?
• Do you have alternative options in case one method fails?
• Is it portable?
• Is your energy source renewable / replenishable?
• What is your cost of investment? …of operation?
• Does everyone in your family know how to (safely) operate it?
• Can it be dual purpose?
• Can you use it indoors?

Alternative Heating

Choose your favorite flavor of disaster. Earthquake, EMP, blizzard, prolonged unemployment, tornado, grid-down, TEOTWAWKI. Power is down. Furnace won't work. Now imagine that it's the coldest winter in 20 yrs. What are you going to do to keep you and your family warm? Do you want to burn every stick of furniture that you've invested in over the years? Are there even enough trees in Utah to supply everyone's home that is now in the same deep freeze as you? Here are a few ideas that can provide some warmth aside from snuggling the whole family together in one bed.

• Mr. Heater, Big Buddy, Little Buddy: safe for indoor use. Fuel storage issues
• Coleman tent heater: carbon monoxide? Fuel storage issues
• Propane / Kerosene space heaters: carbon monoxide? Fuel storage issues
• Foam clothing: the shelter & bedding that you wear. DIY or purchase.
• Heat only limited living spaces. Close off unnecessary areas. Layer clothing.
• Wood stove / fireplace: it literally takes a woodpile the size of your house (or living space) to heat for one year.
• Pellet stove: fuel pellet storage. Will it run in a power outage?
• Wood Gas / Rocket Stove: requires proper venting
• GeoThermal
• Solar Water Heater: a warm shower or wash water is wonderful.

Considerations:

• Before you go wild, keep in mind that it is easier to hide the fact that you still have food than it is to hide the fact that your have a way to keep your house warm.
• How much fuel can you safely and legally store?  Check local regulations and homeowner insurance policy.
• Can you use it indoors without risk of carbon monoxide poisoning?
• Is it portable in case of evacuation?
• How cold is the worst-case scenario?  How long might the worst-case scenario last?
• How large an area do you really need to heat and for how much of the day?
• What type of shelter are you heating: home, a room, a small space, tent, tarp, trailer, cave?
• Does everyone in your family know how to (safely) operate it?