As the cracker stash in our nursery closet dwindles down to crumbs, I realize now is the time to stock up before the end of our ward's annual budget allocations.

A year's supply of snacks is one tool in our belt for dealing with the unpredictable, the catastrophic and the perceived famines that can plague any Primary nursery. Luckily, the Mormon mentality never balks at two shelves full of goldfish crackers and pretzels, because "if we are prepared, we shall not fear" -- even a toddler revolt prompted by grumbling tummies.

Prophet-endorsed principles of provident living stretch far beyond recommendations for a family's food storage and savings accounts -- I realize, it even applies to our nursery.

Two Sundays ago, our Relief Society presidency was asked to speak in sacrament meeting. The lovely ladies who give so much to our ward spoke on the topic of preparedness as it applies to their callings and expertise.



The education counselor spoke on higher education and lifelong learning. The enrichment counselor spoke on provident living and food storage.

Our president took a new twist on the topic and encouraged us to have peace in our lives as it relates to being prepared for anything on the horizon. She detailed three preparedness principles that will increase our mental and spiritual peace: prayer, work and gratitude.

In this era of unemployment, stock-market volatility and economic turmoil, we can have a semblance of peace if we are prepared to provide the basics for our family to survive a variety of possible emergencies.

A bucket of wheat and a couple of thousand dollars in savings will help, but our Relief Society president encouraged us to be prayerful as we prepare. She said we have to work in every way possible to be self-reliant and, finally, we need to develop true gratitude for every blessing -- even those that arrive in disguise.

My mind wandered to nursery as she spoke, and I committed to teach those same principles to the children as often as possible.

Prayer

Two-year-olds are eager to pray even when their vocabulary doesn't quite match their enthusiasm. Last Sunday, our children decorated prayer bears to hang by their beds. (See www.sugardoodle.net.) The little poem stuck in their memories, and they could be heard reciting "I'm a little prayer bear..." when their parents asked them about their craft projects.

When the sun set Sunday evening and our family gathered for prayer, my little 2-year-old realized what was about to happen and bolted to her room instead of finding a place in the circle. She returned just as quickly waving her "Prayer Bear" in the air and saying, "It's prayer bear time, it's prayer bear time."

Work

Nursery is not a place for the lazy -- and I'm not just talking about the adults in the room. Our toddlers work hard as they play and sing, as they take their own napkins and paper cups to the garbage after snack time and as they learn to put toys away in the proper place and at the proper time. Wooden puzzles are a true test of grit and sharing: There's nothing that requires more work than that. I've written before about our miniature cleaning crew who love to use disinfectant wipes on the chairs almost as much as they love rocking baby dolls.

Gratitude

Nursery's snack time is almost as much an exercise in manners as it is about eating.

Every leader prompts every child to say "please" and "thank you" for every morsel placed on their plates and every request for more. Usually, an 18-month-old's first and only words spoken in nursery relate to gratitude. Wouldn't it be nice if they didn't outgrow it so quickly? Nothing is so pure and gratifying as receiving a grateful jester from a tiny toddler -- a hug, a smile, a soft-spoken "thanks" or even that look of appreciation in their big, beautiful eyes when they realize you know exactly what they want or need. Their gratitude keeps me coming back for more every Sunday.

Preparedness in nursery includes a schedule, snacks and enough toys to keep everyone happy. But it also includes frequent prayer, hard work and a grateful disposition for all involved. The result: peace amid the chaos.