Here are some cute Visiting Teaching handouts for the month of may.
Find this one and more HERE.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wheatgrass 101
Growing wheatgrass is super easy. Here's how:
1. Procure wheat.
2. Make sure you check to see if you already have wheat. Especially be sure to check that food storage starter kit your mom gave you for Christmas a few years ago. Look thoroughly. There's a can of wheat in there. This especially a good idea before packing up three boys and driving to Riverdale to the whole foods store for overpriced tiny bags of wheat and then driving all over Ogden looking for Kitchen Kneads to buy better-priced wheat and chocolate-covered cinnamon bears and price the wheat grinders ($269 I think they were) Karen Gilmore told us about at her bread-making class a while back. Don't leave the cinnamon bears at the store. Forgetting children is optional.
3. Soak wheat 10-12 hours. You'll want to soak enough wheat to cover your entire planting surface.
4. Procure potting soil and a container. I don't necessarily recommend canning jars (unless you're going for a specific look) because it's hard to pull out the root-bound dirt when you're through with the wheatgrass. Also, I used Miracle Grow potting soil that may have made my grass grow faster. Once I planted my wheat, it was tall enough to look good in a week.
5. Fill the container until the soil is about 3/4 to 1/2 inch from the top. Dump the soaked wheat in (and the water too--why not?) and spread until it's even. Cover with more soil to the top of the container.
6. Water the whole thing until all of the dirt is moist.
7. Loosely cover with plastic wrap. Place in a spot where you'll get indirect sunlight. Keep it there with the plastic on until it sprouts. Move it wherever you want it to be as long as it gets some sun at some point in the day--it's not picky. Have fun watching it grow.
8. The directions I read said that if you want to trim it to eat, trim it down to one inch. Once you trim it, it doesn't look as good as it did when it was first growing, so if using it for decoration, let it grow until it's too bushy or drives you nuts then pull it out and replant it. You can probably even reuse the soil a couple of times if you want to be really frugal, or provident. Just do it joyfully (like when the kids are in bed).
1. Procure wheat.
2. Make sure you check to see if you already have wheat. Especially be sure to check that food storage starter kit your mom gave you for Christmas a few years ago. Look thoroughly. There's a can of wheat in there. This especially a good idea before packing up three boys and driving to Riverdale to the whole foods store for overpriced tiny bags of wheat and then driving all over Ogden looking for Kitchen Kneads to buy better-priced wheat and chocolate-covered cinnamon bears and price the wheat grinders ($269 I think they were) Karen Gilmore told us about at her bread-making class a while back. Don't leave the cinnamon bears at the store. Forgetting children is optional.
3. Soak wheat 10-12 hours. You'll want to soak enough wheat to cover your entire planting surface.
4. Procure potting soil and a container. I don't necessarily recommend canning jars (unless you're going for a specific look) because it's hard to pull out the root-bound dirt when you're through with the wheatgrass. Also, I used Miracle Grow potting soil that may have made my grass grow faster. Once I planted my wheat, it was tall enough to look good in a week.
5. Fill the container until the soil is about 3/4 to 1/2 inch from the top. Dump the soaked wheat in (and the water too--why not?) and spread until it's even. Cover with more soil to the top of the container.
6. Water the whole thing until all of the dirt is moist.
7. Loosely cover with plastic wrap. Place in a spot where you'll get indirect sunlight. Keep it there with the plastic on until it sprouts. Move it wherever you want it to be as long as it gets some sun at some point in the day--it's not picky. Have fun watching it grow.
8. The directions I read said that if you want to trim it to eat, trim it down to one inch. Once you trim it, it doesn't look as good as it did when it was first growing, so if using it for decoration, let it grow until it's too bushy or drives you nuts then pull it out and replant it. You can probably even reuse the soil a couple of times if you want to be really frugal, or provident. Just do it joyfully (like when the kids are in bed).
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 4/25/10
---And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit---
Today's Fast Sunday lesson was given by Sister Steele. The lesson was based on Sister Beck's Conference talk from the Saturday morning session of this past General Conference.
You can read Sister Beck's talk by going HERE.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Hooded Towels
A while back, we made hooded towels for our craft night in Relief Society. I thought someone out there would want the directions on how to make them. Find the directions HERE.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Oreo Suckers
If you were at Provident Living Night we had a couple of weeks ago, you were given a very yummy treat... a chocolate covered Oreo sucker. I have had a few requests on how to make these. If you click HERE, you will be taken to the website that inspired me. She has the steps along with pictures on her blog.
A few tips: Hobby Lobby had the best deal on the little baggies, melting chocolate and sticks. Also, use Double Stuf Oreo's... You'll be glad you did.
Good Luck!
-Jessica
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Relief Society Lesson-4/18/10-Praying to Our Heavenly Father
Praying to Our Heavenly Father
(Excerpts from Chapter 8 in Gospel Principles)
Prayer is one of the greatest blessings we have while we are here on earth. Through prayer we can communicate with our Heavenly Father and seek His guidance daily.
Prayer is a sincere, heartfelt talk with our heavenly Father. We should pray to God and to no one else....We should pray for strength to resist the temptations of Satan and his followers (see 3 Nephi 18:15; D&C 10:5). We should pray to confess our sins to God and ask Him to forgive us (see Alma 38:14). We should pray for the Lord's guidance and help in our daily lives. We need to pray for our families and friends, our neighbors, our crops and our animals, our daily work, and our other activities. We should pray for protection from our enemies (see Alma 34:17-27).
We should pray to express love to our Heavenly Father and to feel closer to Him. We should pray to our Father to thank Him for our welfare and comfort and for all things He gives us each day (see Thessalonians 5:18). We need to pray to ask our Heavenly Father for strength to live the gospel.
We can pray whenever we feel the need to communicate with our Heavenly Father, whether silently or vocally.
At times we may not feel like praying. We may be angry or discouraged or upset. At these times we should make a special effort to pray (see 2 Nephi 32:8-9).
We should each pray privately at least every night and every morning...We are commanded to have family prayers so that our families may be blessed (see 3 Nephi 18:21). Our Church leaders have counseled us to pray as families each morning and night. We also have the privilege of praying to give thanks and ask a blessing on the food before each meal.
...We should always pray in faith, "with a sincere heart, with real intent" (Moroni 10:4).
As we pray to our Heavenly Father, we should tell Him what we really feel in our hearts, confide in Him, ask Him for forgiveness, plead with Him, thank Him, express our love for Him. We should not repeat meaningless words and phrases (see Matthew 6:7-8). We should always ask that His will be done, remembering that what we desire may not be best for us (see 3 Nephi 18:20). At the end of our prayer, we close in the name of Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi 18:19).
Our sincere prayers are always answered...Sometimes the Lord answers our prayers through other people.
As we live the gospel of Jesus Christ and pray always, we will have joy and happiness.
*Nicole Coles gave a beautiful lesson on prayer. So many great comments were shared by the sisters, too. It is so wonderful to know that we can talk to our Father in Heaven. Even when we don't feel worthy to pray, we always can. If we're having a hard time prayer, we should pray until we feel like praying. Someone said, "If you want to talk to God, pray. If you want God to talk to you, read the scriptures." I know prayer works and that we do have a Father in Heaven who listens to our prayers. He is more involved with our lives than I think we sometimes realize. Don't forget to pray and thank Him for his many blessings and to ask Him for help. He is always there.
(Excerpts from Chapter 8 in Gospel Principles)
Prayer is one of the greatest blessings we have while we are here on earth. Through prayer we can communicate with our Heavenly Father and seek His guidance daily.
Prayer is a sincere, heartfelt talk with our heavenly Father. We should pray to God and to no one else....We should pray for strength to resist the temptations of Satan and his followers (see 3 Nephi 18:15; D&C 10:5). We should pray to confess our sins to God and ask Him to forgive us (see Alma 38:14). We should pray for the Lord's guidance and help in our daily lives. We need to pray for our families and friends, our neighbors, our crops and our animals, our daily work, and our other activities. We should pray for protection from our enemies (see Alma 34:17-27).
We should pray to express love to our Heavenly Father and to feel closer to Him. We should pray to our Father to thank Him for our welfare and comfort and for all things He gives us each day (see Thessalonians 5:18). We need to pray to ask our Heavenly Father for strength to live the gospel.
We can pray whenever we feel the need to communicate with our Heavenly Father, whether silently or vocally.
At times we may not feel like praying. We may be angry or discouraged or upset. At these times we should make a special effort to pray (see 2 Nephi 32:8-9).
We should each pray privately at least every night and every morning...We are commanded to have family prayers so that our families may be blessed (see 3 Nephi 18:21). Our Church leaders have counseled us to pray as families each morning and night. We also have the privilege of praying to give thanks and ask a blessing on the food before each meal.
...We should always pray in faith, "with a sincere heart, with real intent" (Moroni 10:4).
As we pray to our Heavenly Father, we should tell Him what we really feel in our hearts, confide in Him, ask Him for forgiveness, plead with Him, thank Him, express our love for Him. We should not repeat meaningless words and phrases (see Matthew 6:7-8). We should always ask that His will be done, remembering that what we desire may not be best for us (see 3 Nephi 18:20). At the end of our prayer, we close in the name of Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi 18:19).
Our sincere prayers are always answered...Sometimes the Lord answers our prayers through other people.
As we live the gospel of Jesus Christ and pray always, we will have joy and happiness.
*Nicole Coles gave a beautiful lesson on prayer. So many great comments were shared by the sisters, too. It is so wonderful to know that we can talk to our Father in Heaven. Even when we don't feel worthy to pray, we always can. If we're having a hard time prayer, we should pray until we feel like praying. Someone said, "If you want to talk to God, pray. If you want God to talk to you, read the scriptures." I know prayer works and that we do have a Father in Heaven who listens to our prayers. He is more involved with our lives than I think we sometimes realize. Don't forget to pray and thank Him for his many blessings and to ask Him for help. He is always there.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Relief Society Lesson for 4/11/10- The Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost Came to Adam and Eve
• Why did Adam and Eve need the guidance of the Holy Ghost?
After Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, they began to till the earth and work at other tasks for their living. They had many children, and their sons and daughters also married and had children (see Moses 5:1–3). Thus, spirit children of our Heavenly Father began leaving His presence to come to the earth as they had been promised (see Abraham 3:24–25). As they came to earth, the memory of their heavenly home was taken from them. But our Father did not shut them away from His influence. He sent the Holy Ghost to comfort and help and guide all of His spirit children.
Adam and Eve called upon Heavenly Father in prayer. He spoke to them and gave them commandments, which they obeyed. An angel of the Lord came and taught Adam and Eve the plan of salvation. The Lord sent the Holy Ghost to testify of the Father and of the Son and to teach Adam and Eve the gospel. (See Moses 5:4–9.) Through the power of the Holy Ghost, Adam “began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God” (Moses 5:10). Because of the witness of the Holy Ghost to Eve, she said, “Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient” (Moses 5:11).
• How is our need for guidance from the Holy Ghost similar to that of Adam and Eve?
Attributes of the Holy Ghost
• How does the Holy Ghost differ from the Father and the Son? Why is that difference important to us?
The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead (see 1 John 5:7; D&C 20:28). He is a “personage of Spirit” (D&C 130:22). He can be in only one place at a time, but His influence can be everywhere at the same time. Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are called the Godhead. They are unified in purpose. Each has an important assignment in the plan of salvation. Our Heavenly Father is our Father and ruler. Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Holy Ghost is the revealer and testifier of all truth. The Holy Ghost is our Heavenly Father’s messenger and is a special gift to us.
The Mission of the Holy Ghost
• What are some of the truths that the Holy Ghost reveals to us?
The mission of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things. The Holy Ghost will witness to us that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer (see 3 Nephi 28:11; D&C 20:27). He will reveal to us that our Heavenly Father is the Father of our spirits. He will help us understand that we can become exalted like our Heavenly Father. (See Romans 8:16–17.) The prophets of the Lord have promised, “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). Without the Holy Ghost, we could not know that Jesus is the Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote, “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Corinthians 12:3). The Savior Himself said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John
17:3). It is by the power of the Holy Ghost that we are led to understand and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. The convincing power of the Holy Ghost is so great that there can be no doubt that what He reveals to us is true.
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
“When a man has the manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even of the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase”
President Smith also said, “Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten”
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we should make ourselves worthy to receive this special messenger and witness of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
• Think about times when the Holy Ghost has helped you grow in your testimony.
**A talk by Henry B. Eyring was also referenced during the lesson. You can read that HERE.
• Why did Adam and Eve need the guidance of the Holy Ghost?
After Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, they began to till the earth and work at other tasks for their living. They had many children, and their sons and daughters also married and had children (see Moses 5:1–3). Thus, spirit children of our Heavenly Father began leaving His presence to come to the earth as they had been promised (see Abraham 3:24–25). As they came to earth, the memory of their heavenly home was taken from them. But our Father did not shut them away from His influence. He sent the Holy Ghost to comfort and help and guide all of His spirit children.
Adam and Eve called upon Heavenly Father in prayer. He spoke to them and gave them commandments, which they obeyed. An angel of the Lord came and taught Adam and Eve the plan of salvation. The Lord sent the Holy Ghost to testify of the Father and of the Son and to teach Adam and Eve the gospel. (See Moses 5:4–9.) Through the power of the Holy Ghost, Adam “began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God” (Moses 5:10). Because of the witness of the Holy Ghost to Eve, she said, “Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient” (Moses 5:11).
• How is our need for guidance from the Holy Ghost similar to that of Adam and Eve?
Attributes of the Holy Ghost
• How does the Holy Ghost differ from the Father and the Son? Why is that difference important to us?
The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead (see 1 John 5:7; D&C 20:28). He is a “personage of Spirit” (D&C 130:22). He can be in only one place at a time, but His influence can be everywhere at the same time. Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are called the Godhead. They are unified in purpose. Each has an important assignment in the plan of salvation. Our Heavenly Father is our Father and ruler. Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Holy Ghost is the revealer and testifier of all truth. The Holy Ghost is our Heavenly Father’s messenger and is a special gift to us.
The Mission of the Holy Ghost
• What are some of the truths that the Holy Ghost reveals to us?
The mission of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things. The Holy Ghost will witness to us that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer (see 3 Nephi 28:11; D&C 20:27). He will reveal to us that our Heavenly Father is the Father of our spirits. He will help us understand that we can become exalted like our Heavenly Father. (See Romans 8:16–17.) The prophets of the Lord have promised, “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). Without the Holy Ghost, we could not know that Jesus is the Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote, “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Corinthians 12:3). The Savior Himself said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John
17:3). It is by the power of the Holy Ghost that we are led to understand and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. The convincing power of the Holy Ghost is so great that there can be no doubt that what He reveals to us is true.
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
“When a man has the manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even of the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase”
President Smith also said, “Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten”
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we should make ourselves worthy to receive this special messenger and witness of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
• Think about times when the Holy Ghost has helped you grow in your testimony.
**A talk by Henry B. Eyring was also referenced during the lesson. You can read that HERE.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 3/28/10
What Have I Done For Someone Today?
President Thomas S. Monson
October 2009 General Conference
President Monson said he had felt prompted to share this message with us.
President Monson spoke about a doctor, Jack McConnell, who was one of the seven children of a Methodist minister and a stay-at-home mom. He said that at the dinner table, his father would ask each of the children, "And what did you do for someone today?" The children wanted to have something to report, so would try each day to serve someone else. Dr. McConnell called this exercise his father's most valuable legacy because it inspired the children to serve throughout their lives. Dr. McConnell went on to help in the medical field by helping with the development of Tylenol and the MRI, among other things. After he retired, he volunteered 60 hours a week and found a satisfaction that he had never before found in his life.
President David O. McKay made this statement in the Octiber 1963 general conference: "Man's greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others."
Often we live side by side but do not communicate heart to heart. There are those within the sphere of our own influence who, with outstretched hands, cry out, "Is there no balm in Gilead?"
I am confident it is the intention of each member of the Church to serve and to help those in need. At baptism we covenanted to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light." How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you've left it for others to help, feeling that "oh, surely someone will take care of that need."
Too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes.
President Monson shared this poem:
I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody's need made me blin;
But I never have yet
Felt a tinge of regreat
For being a little too kind.
President Monson spoke about how for he told a reporter that the ideal birthday gift for him would be to "Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for him or her."
He was overwhelmed by the letters he received from members of the Church telling him the service they had done as a birthday gift to him.
*Sister Dunford gave this beautiful lesson. We had a beautiful discussion on service. We talked about how the giver and the receiver are both blessed and that sometimes we are on the giving end and sometimes we are on the receiving end. No matter what side we are on, we should allow the service to be done so blessings can be received. Sometimes we don't have the health or strength to serve like others may be able to, but we can all serve in one way or another. Our service may be a kind word or sharing words of wisdom with another. It may be as simple as pulling a neighbor's weed or making a phone call. When we serve others, we are really serving God. President Monson has been such a wonderful example of giving service. May we be more mindful of others and serve each other daily.
President Thomas S. Monson
October 2009 General Conference
President Monson said he had felt prompted to share this message with us.
President Monson spoke about a doctor, Jack McConnell, who was one of the seven children of a Methodist minister and a stay-at-home mom. He said that at the dinner table, his father would ask each of the children, "And what did you do for someone today?" The children wanted to have something to report, so would try each day to serve someone else. Dr. McConnell called this exercise his father's most valuable legacy because it inspired the children to serve throughout their lives. Dr. McConnell went on to help in the medical field by helping with the development of Tylenol and the MRI, among other things. After he retired, he volunteered 60 hours a week and found a satisfaction that he had never before found in his life.
President David O. McKay made this statement in the Octiber 1963 general conference: "Man's greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others."
Often we live side by side but do not communicate heart to heart. There are those within the sphere of our own influence who, with outstretched hands, cry out, "Is there no balm in Gilead?"
I am confident it is the intention of each member of the Church to serve and to help those in need. At baptism we covenanted to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light." How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you've left it for others to help, feeling that "oh, surely someone will take care of that need."
Too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes.
President Monson shared this poem:
I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody's need made me blin;
But I never have yet
Felt a tinge of regreat
For being a little too kind.
President Monson spoke about how for he told a reporter that the ideal birthday gift for him would be to "Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for him or her."
He was overwhelmed by the letters he received from members of the Church telling him the service they had done as a birthday gift to him.
*Sister Dunford gave this beautiful lesson. We had a beautiful discussion on service. We talked about how the giver and the receiver are both blessed and that sometimes we are on the giving end and sometimes we are on the receiving end. No matter what side we are on, we should allow the service to be done so blessings can be received. Sometimes we don't have the health or strength to serve like others may be able to, but we can all serve in one way or another. Our service may be a kind word or sharing words of wisdom with another. It may be as simple as pulling a neighbor's weed or making a phone call. When we serve others, we are really serving God. President Monson has been such a wonderful example of giving service. May we be more mindful of others and serve each other daily.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Relief Society Lesson for 3/21/10- The Fall of Adam and Eve
God prepared this earth as a home for His children. Adam and Eve
were chosen to be the first people to live on the earth (see Moses
1:34; 4:26). Their part in our Father’s plan was to bring mortality into
the world. They were to be the first parents. (See D&C 107:54–56 .)
Adam and Eve were among our Father’s noblest children . In the
spirit world Adam was called Michael the archangel (see D&C
27:11; Jude 1:9). He was chosen by our Heavenly Father to lead the
righteous in the battle against Satan (see Revelation 12:7–9). Adam
and Eve were foreordained to become our first parents. The Lord
promised Adam great blessings: “I have set thee to be at the head; a
multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over
them forever” (D&C 107:55).
Eve was “the mother of all living” (Moses 4:26). God brought Adam
and Eve together in marriage because “it was not good that the man
should be alone” (Moses 3:18; see also 1 Corinthians 11:11). She
shared Adam’s responsibility and will also share his eternal blessings.
When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, they were
not yet mortal. In this state, “they would have had no children”
(2 Nephi 2:23). There was no death. They had physical life because
their spirits were housed in physical bodies made from the dust
of the earth (see Moses 6:59; Abraham 5:7). They had spiritual life
because they were in the presence of God. They had not yet made
a choice between good and evil.
God commanded them to have children. He said, “Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have domin-
ion over . . . every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Moses
2:28). God told them they could freely eat of every tree in the
garden except one, the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Of that
tree God said, “In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die”
(Moses 3:17).
Satan, not knowing the mind of God but seeking to destroy God’s
plan, came to Eve in the Garden of Eden. He tempted her to eat of
the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He assured her
that she and Adam would not die, but that they would “be as gods,
knowing good and evil” (Moses 4:11) . Eve yielded to the tempta-
tion and ate the fruit. When Adam learned what had happened, he
chose to partake also. The changes that came upon Adam and Eve
because they ate the fruit are called the Fall.
Because Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit of the tree of knowledge
of good and evil, the Lord sent them out of the Garden of Eden into
the world. Their physical condition changed as a result of their eat-
ing the forbidden fruit. As God had promised, they became mor-
tal. They and their children would experience sickness, pain, and
physical death. Because of their transgression, Adam and Eve also
suffered spiritual death. This meant they and their children could
not walk and talk face to face with God . Adam and Eve and their children
were separated from God both physically and spiritually .
Some people believe Adam and Eve committed a serious sin when
they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, latter-
day scriptures help us understand that their Fall was a necessary
step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us. Because of
the Fall, we are blessed with physical bodies, the right to choose
between good and evil, and the opportunity to gain eternal life.
None of these privileges would have been ours had Adam and Eve
remained in the garden.
After the Fall, Eve said, “Were it not for our transgression we never
should have had seed [children], and never should have known
good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life
which God giveth unto all the obedient” (Moses 5:11).
The prophet Lehi explained:
“And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have
fallen [been cut off from the presence of God], but he would have
remained in the Garden of Eden . And all things which were created
must have remained in the same state in which they were after they
were created . . . .
“And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have
remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no
misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin."
“But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who
knoweth all things.
“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have
joy” (2 Nephi 2:22–25) .
Relief Society Lesson for 3/14/10- The Creation
When we lived as spirit children with our heavenly parents, our
Heavenly Father told us about His plan for us to become more like
Him. We shouted for joy when we heard His plan (see Job 38:7).
We were eager for new experiences. In order for these things to
happen, we needed to leave our Father’s presence and receive
mortal bodies. We needed another place to live where we could
prepare to become like Him. Our new home was called earth.
Jesus Christ created this world and everything in it. He also created
many other worlds. He did so through the power of the priesthood,
under the direction of our Heavenly Father. God the Father said,
“Worlds without number have I created; . . . and by the Son I created
them, which is mine Only Begotten” (Moses 1:33). We have other
testimonies of this truth. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw Jesus
Christ in a vision. They testified “that by him, and through him, and
of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof
are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24).
The earth and everything on it were created spiritually before they
were created physically (see Moses 3:5). In planning to create the
physical earth, Christ said to those who were with Him, “We will
go down, for there is space there, . . . and we will make an earth
whereon these [the spirit children of our Father in Heaven] may
dwell” (Abraham 3:24) .
Under the direction of the Father, Christ formed and organized the
earth. He divided light from darkness to make day and night . He
formed the sun, moon, and stars. He divided the waters from the
dry land to make seas, rivers, and lakes. He made the earth beautiful
and productive. He made grass, trees, flowers, and other plants of all
kinds. These plants contained seeds from which new plants could
grow. Then He created the animals—fish, cattle, insects, and birds of
all kinds. These animals had the ability to reproduce their own kind.
Now the earth was ready for the greatest creation of all—mankind.
Our spirits would be given bodies of flesh and blood so they could
live on earth. “And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which
was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our image,
after our likeness; and it was so” (Moses 2:26) . And so the first man,
Adam, and the first woman, Eve, were formed and given bodies
that resembled those of our heavenly parents. “In the image of God
created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27).
When the Lord finished His creations, He was pleased and knew
that His work was good, and He rested for a time.
God’s Creations Show His Love
We are now living in this beautiful world. Think of the sun,
which gives us warmth and light. Think of the rain, which makes
plants grow and makes the world feel clean and fresh. Think of
how good it is to hear a bird singing or a friend laughing. Think
of how wonderful our bodies are—how we can work and play
and rest. When we consider all of these creations, we begin to
understand what wise, powerful, and loving beings Jesus Christ
and our Heavenly Father are. They have shown great love for us
by providing for all of our needs.
Plant life and animal life were also made to give us joy. The
Lord said, “Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the sea-
son thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to
please the eye and to gladden the heart; yea, for food and for rai-
ment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven
the soul” (D&C 59:18–19). Even though God’s creations are many,
He knows and loves them all. He said, “All things are numbered
unto me, for they are mine and I know them” (Moses 1:35).
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Recipe Swap-Pasta
We had a fun recipe swap this past Tuesday, March 16th. Everyone brought such different pastas. It was fun to try all of them. Thanks to everyone who came. Remember to email me your recipe this week at katiecupcake1@gmail.com
Monday, March 8, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 3/7/10
Provident Living: Self-Reliance
Boni Peterson gave our Presidency message today. It was on provident living and self-reliance. Self-reliant means to be able to take care of yourself and serve others. We can be self-reliant in a number of areas in our life, such as: spiritual, education, food storage, and physcial. We had a great discussion on being self-reliant. As we are more self-reliant, we can better give of ourselves to serve others. It was a great lesson. Boni challenged us to pick an area in our life where we could become more self-reliant.
Boni Peterson gave our Presidency message today. It was on provident living and self-reliance. Self-reliant means to be able to take care of yourself and serve others. We can be self-reliant in a number of areas in our life, such as: spiritual, education, food storage, and physcial. We had a great discussion on being self-reliant. As we are more self-reliant, we can better give of ourselves to serve others. It was a great lesson. Boni challenged us to pick an area in our life where we could become more self-reliant.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Ward Conference 2/28/10
We had a wonderful Ward Conference today. I learned so much that I don't think I can quite remember it all to post it here. But I will try to write some of the things that stood out to me.
Our theme for our Ward Conference was "Search, Ponder, and Pray".
In Relief Society, the Stake Relief Society Presidency spoke to us and reminded us of the importance to come unto Christ and to search, ponder, and pray. For more on these lessons, see 'Relief Society Lesson 2/28/10'. (You can find this by clicking on 'Relief Society Lessons' under 'Labels' found on the right hand side of this blog).
In Sunday School, President Johnson gave the lesson. We talked about different action verbs in the scriptures (forgive, remember, hearken, etc). It's not just enough to have faith; we need to DO something with that faith. That's the same with "Search, Ponder, and Pray". These are all action words and require something to be done on our part. We can do something and not have the right attitude and benefit minimally from the task. If we have the right attitude and work at searching, pondering, and praying, we will be blessed immeasurably.
In Sacrament Meeting, Bishop Hawkes and President Johnson addressed us. They both gave beautiful and powerful talks, urging us to do better and to be better people. Bishop Hawkes talked about becoming more spiritual. We do this through self-mastery. We constantly are having a battle between our bodies and our spirits. For example, our bodies (or the natural man) may have difficulty going to bed and waking up at a decent time, even though our spirits are wanting that. The same goes for exercise and other tasks that are good that require self-discipline. As we learn to master our bodies, we naturally become more spiritual. Every temporal commandment we are given also is a spiritual commandment. I can't remember everything that was said, but I know that I felt the Spirit. And now I feel even stronger the need to become more self-disciplined so that I could become more spiritual and come unto Christ more.
President Johnson spoke about the Areas of Focus that our stake is going to work on for this 2010 year. In Sunday School a copy of these areas and objectives were handed out, so make sure you get a copy of these to have in your home. #4 is our Stake's yearly challenge like we've had in the past (e.g. take a name to the temple, memorize the 'Living Christ' document, etc). President Johnson said he saw that this was important for our stake as he watched us at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication. He noticed that during the 30 minutes before the dedication started, where we had to be in our seats to wait for the dedication to start, that he saw how difficult it was for us to just sit there and ponder. There is a great need for us as individuals to take time in our lives to 'search, ponder, and pray' in those quiet moments.
Below are the the Areas of Focus for 2010, as layed out in the handout given out in Sunday School:
1. As Stake members, we will focus on the preeminence of the home and family as the basic organizational unit of the Church by:
a. Improving the quality and frequency of our Family Home Evenings; and
b. Improving the quality of family scripture study and family prayer.
2. As a Stake, we will be a temple loving people.
a. Each member will be worthy to participate in the ordinances of the temple.
b. Each adult temple recommend holder will broaden their temple experiences by participating in each of the ordinances available at the temple.
c. Each individual/family will become a registered user of the new FamilySearch.
3. As Stake members, we will participate in gathering Israel through conversion, retention and activation.
a. Individuals and families will pray consistently to be an instrument in the hands of God to bring about His work in the lives of others (Alma 26:3).
b. Individuals and families will pray to be better finders and for the missionaries to be better teachers.
4. Each capable individual will build their faith in Jesus Christ by committing to seek their own "sacred grove" experience.
a. Spend 1 full hour in a secluded, private setting studying, praying and pondering over elements of faith and truth.
b. Write a personal journal entry regarding the feelings, thoughts, inspiration and testimony received through this experience.
*I know that our Stake Presidency is inspired of God and as we focus on these areas we will be blessed as individuals and in our families.
Our theme for our Ward Conference was "Search, Ponder, and Pray".
In Relief Society, the Stake Relief Society Presidency spoke to us and reminded us of the importance to come unto Christ and to search, ponder, and pray. For more on these lessons, see 'Relief Society Lesson 2/28/10'. (You can find this by clicking on 'Relief Society Lessons' under 'Labels' found on the right hand side of this blog).
In Sunday School, President Johnson gave the lesson. We talked about different action verbs in the scriptures (forgive, remember, hearken, etc). It's not just enough to have faith; we need to DO something with that faith. That's the same with "Search, Ponder, and Pray". These are all action words and require something to be done on our part. We can do something and not have the right attitude and benefit minimally from the task. If we have the right attitude and work at searching, pondering, and praying, we will be blessed immeasurably.
In Sacrament Meeting, Bishop Hawkes and President Johnson addressed us. They both gave beautiful and powerful talks, urging us to do better and to be better people. Bishop Hawkes talked about becoming more spiritual. We do this through self-mastery. We constantly are having a battle between our bodies and our spirits. For example, our bodies (or the natural man) may have difficulty going to bed and waking up at a decent time, even though our spirits are wanting that. The same goes for exercise and other tasks that are good that require self-discipline. As we learn to master our bodies, we naturally become more spiritual. Every temporal commandment we are given also is a spiritual commandment. I can't remember everything that was said, but I know that I felt the Spirit. And now I feel even stronger the need to become more self-disciplined so that I could become more spiritual and come unto Christ more.
President Johnson spoke about the Areas of Focus that our stake is going to work on for this 2010 year. In Sunday School a copy of these areas and objectives were handed out, so make sure you get a copy of these to have in your home. #4 is our Stake's yearly challenge like we've had in the past (e.g. take a name to the temple, memorize the 'Living Christ' document, etc). President Johnson said he saw that this was important for our stake as he watched us at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication. He noticed that during the 30 minutes before the dedication started, where we had to be in our seats to wait for the dedication to start, that he saw how difficult it was for us to just sit there and ponder. There is a great need for us as individuals to take time in our lives to 'search, ponder, and pray' in those quiet moments.
Below are the the Areas of Focus for 2010, as layed out in the handout given out in Sunday School:
1. As Stake members, we will focus on the preeminence of the home and family as the basic organizational unit of the Church by:
a. Improving the quality and frequency of our Family Home Evenings; and
b. Improving the quality of family scripture study and family prayer.
2. As a Stake, we will be a temple loving people.
a. Each member will be worthy to participate in the ordinances of the temple.
b. Each adult temple recommend holder will broaden their temple experiences by participating in each of the ordinances available at the temple.
c. Each individual/family will become a registered user of the new FamilySearch.
3. As Stake members, we will participate in gathering Israel through conversion, retention and activation.
a. Individuals and families will pray consistently to be an instrument in the hands of God to bring about His work in the lives of others (Alma 26:3).
b. Individuals and families will pray to be better finders and for the missionaries to be better teachers.
4. Each capable individual will build their faith in Jesus Christ by committing to seek their own "sacred grove" experience.
a. Spend 1 full hour in a secluded, private setting studying, praying and pondering over elements of faith and truth.
b. Write a personal journal entry regarding the feelings, thoughts, inspiration and testimony received through this experience.
*I know that our Stake Presidency is inspired of God and as we focus on these areas we will be blessed as individuals and in our families.
Relief Society Lesson 2/28/10
Search, Ponder, & Pray
Today was our Ward Conference and we had the priviledge of hearing our sweet Stake Relief Society Presidency talk to us in Relief Society. The Spirit was very strong as they spoke to us and counseled us. They each talked about the importance of searching, pondering, and praying, which was the theme of our Ward Conference. We all need to take the time in our lives to come unto Christ. We do this as we search, ponder, and pray. We can find answers to our problems and comfort in times of need as we read the scriptures, which are the words of Christ. The scriptures are written for us to help us in our daily lives. As we build a foundation on Christ, we will be able to better face the demands and trials in our lives. How grateful I am for the scriptures where I can learn more about Christ and find the strength and answers I need to meet the challenges of my life.
Potential Tsunami Disaster
I have never been through a potential disaster (man-made or natural) until today. At 6:30 Hawaii time, Matt and I received a phone call from a co-worker of Matt's here in Hawaii. He said the emergency sirens were going off and they have ordered everyone to evacuate to higher ground. I have never been so shaky and scared. We were so unprepared. We had our clothes, but what about water and food? We were two tourists in middle of a real crisis. So after Matt calmed me down, we packed, and went through the whole condo and gathered all the supplies we had or thought we needed and packed the car. With the worse case scenario running through my head, and a prayer to Heavenly Father for protection, we left the condo, and joined the millions of others fleeing to higher ground. Gas stations were 10-20 cars deep waiting to fill up with gas and food and water disappeared from grocery store shelves in a matter of minutes as panicked people rushed to get the necessities for life. For the next six hours we waited in a Lutheran Church parking lot. At one point, while the emergency sirens were going off, I looked at the church and noticed three crosses on the lawn. Those crosses reminded me that The Savior was with us and not to panic or be scared. Finally a 2 P.M the "all clear" signal went out over the radio and we were all allowed to go back home.
What did I learn through all this? I was not as prepared as I wanted to be or am in my everyday life. This experience has reminded me to get my life in order. I need to have my year supply of food and other necessities. I also realized I need to have an emergency kit in all of my vehicles. You can never be too prepared.
This is my testimony, As long as you follow the warning voice of God's servants we will be prepared for life's unexpected trails.
Jessica Pope
What did I learn through all this? I was not as prepared as I wanted to be or am in my everyday life. This experience has reminded me to get my life in order. I need to have my year supply of food and other necessities. I also realized I need to have an emergency kit in all of my vehicles. You can never be too prepared.
This is my testimony, As long as you follow the warning voice of God's servants we will be prepared for life's unexpected trails.
Jessica Pope
Monday, February 22, 2010
March & April 2010 Relief Society Meetings
Quilting
Every Monday @ 10 am
Meet in the Relief Society Room
Specialist: Sara Jo Moss 801-444-0933
Stake Relief Society Meeting
March 11th @ 7 pm
Meet at the Stake Center.
Come celebrate the birthday of the Relief Society and listen to Heart Bound perform.
Recipe Swaps
Pastas
March 16th @ 6:30 pm
Katie Poland's home (448 S Christine Way)
Breakfast Foods
April 27th @ 6:30 pm
Katie Poland's home (448 S Christine Way)
For all recipe swaps, please bring your dish to share and ONE COPY OF YOUR RECIPE.
*If you cannot make it one or both of these nights, you may email your recipe to katiecupcake1@gmail.com by the Saturday following the recipe swap (March 20th & May 1st, respectively)
Specialist: Katie Poland 801-558-0591
April Provident Living Meeting & Dinner
April 13th @ 6:30 pm
Come enjoy a wonderful presentation and dinner.
Meet at the church.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 2/21/10
Freedom to Choose
(Excerpts from Chapter 4 of Gospel Principles)
Agency is an eternal principle....In our premortal life we had moral agency. One purpose of earth life is to show what choices we will make. If we were forced to choose the right, we would not be able to show what we would choose for ourselves. Also, we are happier doing things when we have made our own choices.
Agency was one of the principal issues to arise in the premortal Council in Heaven. It was one of the main causes of the conflict between the followers of Christ and the followers of Satan.
When we choose to live according to God's plan for us, our agency is strengthened. Right choices increase our power to make more right choices.
As we obey each of our Father's commandments, we grow in wisdom and strength of character. Our faith increases. We find it easier to make right choices.
Satan does all he can to destroy God's work. He does not love us (emphasis added). He does not want any good thing for us.
Even though we are free to choose our course of action, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.
Heavenly Father has told us how to escape the captivity of Satan. We must watch and pray always, asking God to hep us withstand the temptations of Satan. Our Heavenly Father will not allow us to be tempted beyond our power to resist (see 1 Corinthians 10:13; Alma 13:28).
God's commandments direct us away from danger and toward eternal life. By choosing wisely, we will gain exaltation, progress eternally, and enjoy perfect happiness (see 2 Nephi 2:27-28).
*Sister Marsden gave a beautiful lesson and we had a wonderful discussion on moral agency. She said (from something she had heard from President Monson) that the things we learn in church should cause us to change and be better. We should "think about, feel about, do something about living gospel principles" not just learning the principles. We all have been given the Light of Christ, whether or not we are members of the Church. From this we all know what is inherently right and wrong. And we have been given the gift of moral agency to choose right or wrong. God allows there to be opposition. He allows Satan to tempt us because he would never take away Satan's agency or anyone elses. We are free to choose for ourselves. This is an eternal gift from God.
(Excerpts from Chapter 4 of Gospel Principles)
Agency is an eternal principle....In our premortal life we had moral agency. One purpose of earth life is to show what choices we will make. If we were forced to choose the right, we would not be able to show what we would choose for ourselves. Also, we are happier doing things when we have made our own choices.
Agency was one of the principal issues to arise in the premortal Council in Heaven. It was one of the main causes of the conflict between the followers of Christ and the followers of Satan.
When we choose to live according to God's plan for us, our agency is strengthened. Right choices increase our power to make more right choices.
As we obey each of our Father's commandments, we grow in wisdom and strength of character. Our faith increases. We find it easier to make right choices.
Satan does all he can to destroy God's work. He does not love us (emphasis added). He does not want any good thing for us.
Even though we are free to choose our course of action, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.
Heavenly Father has told us how to escape the captivity of Satan. We must watch and pray always, asking God to hep us withstand the temptations of Satan. Our Heavenly Father will not allow us to be tempted beyond our power to resist (see 1 Corinthians 10:13; Alma 13:28).
God's commandments direct us away from danger and toward eternal life. By choosing wisely, we will gain exaltation, progress eternally, and enjoy perfect happiness (see 2 Nephi 2:27-28).
*Sister Marsden gave a beautiful lesson and we had a wonderful discussion on moral agency. She said (from something she had heard from President Monson) that the things we learn in church should cause us to change and be better. We should "think about, feel about, do something about living gospel principles" not just learning the principles. We all have been given the Light of Christ, whether or not we are members of the Church. From this we all know what is inherently right and wrong. And we have been given the gift of moral agency to choose right or wrong. God allows there to be opposition. He allows Satan to tempt us because he would never take away Satan's agency or anyone elses. We are free to choose for ourselves. This is an eternal gift from God.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Living on Less and Recipes
Studio 5 (from KSL) posts meals, recipes, and ideas for living on less. Below are the websites. These links are also posted on the right hand side under 'My Blog List'.
(Living on Less)
http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=76&sid=4128014
(Recipes)
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=28
(Living on Less)
http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=76&sid=4128014
(Recipes)
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=28
Recipe Swap-Cookies! Cookies! Cookies!
We had a wonderful recipe swap on February 9th, 2010 after the Provident Living Classes! We got to try lots of yummy cookies! Thanks to everyone that brought them.
Also, Suzanne Page treated us with her homemade french bread! It was so yummy. French bread is a lot cheaper to make from scratch and a lot tastier. Suzanne's french bread recipe is below. Thanks Suzanne!
French Bread
In a large bowl put:
2 Tablespoons yeast
2 1/2 cups warm water
3 Tablespoons sugar
Stir to dissolve and let sit for a few minutes.
When yeast is bubbling, add:
1/3 to 1/2 cup oil (I use 1/3)
3 cups flour
1 Tablespoon salt
Mix together well. Add 3 more cups of flour, mixing well.
Cover with a cloth and let rise for one hours, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes. Stir the dough down and divide into two portions. Roll each piece of dough out thin, then roll it up tightly as you would for cinnamon rolls, then tuck in the ends. Place on a greased sheet pan, repeat with remaining piece of dough.
Make 3 or 4 diagnol slashes with a serrated knife in the top of the dough.
Let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
Also, Suzanne Page treated us with her homemade french bread! It was so yummy. French bread is a lot cheaper to make from scratch and a lot tastier. Suzanne's french bread recipe is below. Thanks Suzanne!
French Bread
In a large bowl put:
2 Tablespoons yeast
2 1/2 cups warm water
3 Tablespoons sugar
Stir to dissolve and let sit for a few minutes.
When yeast is bubbling, add:
1/3 to 1/2 cup oil (I use 1/3)
3 cups flour
1 Tablespoon salt
Mix together well. Add 3 more cups of flour, mixing well.
Cover with a cloth and let rise for one hours, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes. Stir the dough down and divide into two portions. Roll each piece of dough out thin, then roll it up tightly as you would for cinnamon rolls, then tuck in the ends. Place on a greased sheet pan, repeat with remaining piece of dough.
Make 3 or 4 diagnol slashes with a serrated knife in the top of the dough.
Let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 2/14/10
Let Virtue Garnish Your Thoughts
Bishop H. David Burton
(Excerpts from October 2009 General Conference Talk)
"Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God" (Doctrine & Covenants 121:45).
"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things" (13th Article of Faith).
Today I wish to speak about personal traits we call virtues....The spelling in English of many individual virtues concludes with the letters ity: integrity, humility, charity, spirituality, accountability, civility, fidelity, and the list goes on and on. Relying on literary license, I refer to the virtues ending in ity as the "ity" virtues. "Ity" is a suffix that means quality, state, or degree of being.
We need only look around us to see what is taking place in our communities to realize that personal traits of virtue are in a steep decline.
....We need not be a part of the virtue malaise that is penetrating and infecting society. If we follow the owrld in abandoning Christian-centered virtues, the consequences may be disastrous.
We need to stand tall and be firmly fixed in perpetuating Christlike virtues, even the "ity" virtues, in our everyday lives. Teaching virtuous traits begins in the home with parents who care and set the example. A good parental example encourages emulation; a poor example gives license to the children to disregard the parents' teachings and even expand the poor example. A hypocritical example destroys credibility.
President James E. Faust suggested that integrity is the mother of many virtues. He noted that integrity can be defined "as a firm adherence to a code of moral values." He also suggested that "integrity is the light that shines from a disciplined conscience. It is the strength of duty within us." It is difficult for a person to display virtuous traits if he or she lacks integrity. Without integrity, honesty is often forgotten. If integrity is absent, civility is impaired. If integrity is not important, spirituality is difficult to maintain.
President Thomas S. Monson reminded us a few years ago that "most people will not commit desperate acts if they have been taught that dignity, honesty and integrity are more important than revenge or rage; if they understand that respect and kindness ultimately give one a better chance at success."
Virtuous traits, especially the "ity" virtues, must never be forgotten or set aside. If forgotten or set aside, they will inevitably become the "lost virtues." If virtues are lost, families will be measurably weakened, individual faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will soften, and importantn eteranal relationships may be jeopardized.
May we have the humility to take the opportunity to act upon our responsibility to deomonstrate our ability to do so, I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
*Sister Caprice Erickson gave a beautiful lesson on living a virtuous life and remembering the virtues that are so important. It was a good to remember the individual virtues that keep our lives and communities intact. If we live a virtuous life, we can better our own lives, our families, and our communities.
For the full talk, visit the following website:
LDS.org - Ensign Article - Let Virtue Garnish Your Thoughts
Relief Society Lesson 2/7/10
Follow the Prophet
Sister Ashby gave a wonderful lesson on following the prophet. When we do follow the prophet we are blessed. When we don't follow the prophet, we don't have that protection or promise. Our latter-day prophets have asked us to do things such as: have a food storage, pay our tithing, and keep the commandments. When we sustain them, we are promising to also heed their counsel. If we are not going to do what we are told, then it really is not needful to listen to what they are saying. Let us all try harder to not only listen to what our Prophet and Apostles are telling us, but to also DO what they are telling us. I know we will be greatly blessed.
Sister Ashby gave a wonderful lesson on following the prophet. When we do follow the prophet we are blessed. When we don't follow the prophet, we don't have that protection or promise. Our latter-day prophets have asked us to do things such as: have a food storage, pay our tithing, and keep the commandments. When we sustain them, we are promising to also heed their counsel. If we are not going to do what we are told, then it really is not needful to listen to what they are saying. Let us all try harder to not only listen to what our Prophet and Apostles are telling us, but to also DO what they are telling us. I know we will be greatly blessed.
Live Your Life for Half the Price
I've been reading a book called "Live Your Life for Half the Price" by Lyle and Tracy Shamo. It has some good tips in it about how to save money on everything. I particularly liked the section about saving money on groceries. Since we just had a provident living class on saving money when it comes to food, I thought I would share some of the websites that were mentioned in this book if you wanted to get some more ideas. The websites are:
http://www.smartsource.com/
http://www.couponmom.com/
http://www.live4half.com/
http://www.smartsource.com/
http://www.couponmom.com/
http://www.live4half.com/
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Provident Living Night...Pictures!!!
Lorraine Evans and Shirley Bergstrom
Diane Ashby and Janet Steele
Karen Nichols and Staci Kranz
Jenny Decow and Nicole Willmore
Jessica Pope and Phyllis Allred
Yummy cookies!!! Thanks to all of those who brought these!
Sherri Jamieson and Katie Poland
Sharma Millward
Aubrey Shiner and Suzanne Page
Shirley Bergstrom
That's not a vac!
Now that's a vac!!! (get it? From Crocodile Dundee?) Thanks Laura and Karen for helping clean up!It was a great evening and we look forward to more to come this year! A special thanks to Suzanne Page and Sherri Jamieson for your wonderful presentations!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Provident Living Night
What Is Self-Reliance?
"Self-reliance means using all of our blessings from Heavenly Father to care for ourselves and our families and to find solutions for our own problems.' Each of us has a responsibility to try to avoid problems before they happen and to learn to overcome challenges when they occur... How do we become self-reliant? We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being."
-Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.
A Gospel Responsibility
"As we live providently and increase our gifts and talents, we become more self-reliant. Self-reliance is taking responsibility for our own spiritual and temporal welfare and for those whom Heavenly Father has entrusted to our care. Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others. It is important to understand that self-reliance is a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ability to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self-reliance."
-Elder Robert D. Hales
For our Relief Society activity for the month of February we had a night about Provident Living.
How do we plan for meals? Sister Page taught, one good way to start is to make a list of menu items that your family likes. Include main dishes, side dishes, breads, etc. After that you will have a place to start. Here are some good tips:
*Look in the fridge: what needs to be used?
*Look in the pantry: what do I have on hand?
*Look in the freezer: what needs to be used?
*Look in the grocery ads: what are the good deals?
*Look in cookbooks.
*If you have a meal calendar, see what is scheduled.
Sister Page has a system when she plans meals. She tries to rotate chicken, beef, pork, fish, and meatless dishes. She also rotates the staples that fill you, such as: pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, and breads.
Why do we want to cook from scratch? It's better, it costs less and is usually more healthy for you.
Sister Sheri Jamieson spoke to us on saving money by using coupons and pinching your pennies.
The purpose of coupons:
-save money
-build food storage
-stretch money
-get our of debt
-it's fun!
How to save money on your shopping:
-Accumulate Coupons
-Get organized
-Food Storage
-Use Coupons wisely
-Shop Online
Shopping tips:
-Don't shop hungry
-Use a list
-watch expiration dates
-check on discrepancies at check out
-check out clearance sections
Join Co-ops
Co-ops provide quality, healthy food at a substantial savings through cooperative purchasing; and build a sense of community by bringing people together and promoting volunteer service.
Co-ops websites:
www.foodco-op.net
www.bountifulbaskets.org
www.fieldtofamilies.com
Some other helpful or related websites:
www.pioneerwoman.com
www.recipezaar.com
sudio5.ksl.com
abc4.com
www.pinchingyourpennies.com
www.grocerysmarts.com Utah passport is:g84rcm
norahsrecipes.blogspot.com
"Self-reliance means using all of our blessings from Heavenly Father to care for ourselves and our families and to find solutions for our own problems.' Each of us has a responsibility to try to avoid problems before they happen and to learn to overcome challenges when they occur... How do we become self-reliant? We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being."
-Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.
A Gospel Responsibility
"As we live providently and increase our gifts and talents, we become more self-reliant. Self-reliance is taking responsibility for our own spiritual and temporal welfare and for those whom Heavenly Father has entrusted to our care. Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others. It is important to understand that self-reliance is a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ability to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self-reliance."
-Elder Robert D. Hales
For our Relief Society activity for the month of February we had a night about Provident Living.
How do we plan for meals? Sister Page taught, one good way to start is to make a list of menu items that your family likes. Include main dishes, side dishes, breads, etc. After that you will have a place to start. Here are some good tips:
*Look in the fridge: what needs to be used?
*Look in the pantry: what do I have on hand?
*Look in the freezer: what needs to be used?
*Look in the grocery ads: what are the good deals?
*Look in cookbooks.
*If you have a meal calendar, see what is scheduled.
Sister Page has a system when she plans meals. She tries to rotate chicken, beef, pork, fish, and meatless dishes. She also rotates the staples that fill you, such as: pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, and breads.
Why do we want to cook from scratch? It's better, it costs less and is usually more healthy for you.
Sister Sheri Jamieson spoke to us on saving money by using coupons and pinching your pennies.
The purpose of coupons:
-save money
-build food storage
-stretch money
-get our of debt
-it's fun!
How to save money on your shopping:
-Accumulate Coupons
-Get organized
-Food Storage
-Use Coupons wisely
-Shop Online
Shopping tips:
-Don't shop hungry
-Use a list
-watch expiration dates
-check on discrepancies at check out
-check out clearance sections
Join Co-ops
Co-ops provide quality, healthy food at a substantial savings through cooperative purchasing; and build a sense of community by bringing people together and promoting volunteer service.
Co-ops websites:
www.foodco-op.net
www.bountifulbaskets.org
www.fieldtofamilies.com
Some other helpful or related websites:
www.pioneerwoman.com
www.recipezaar.com
sudio5.ksl.com
abc4.com
www.pinchingyourpennies.com
www.grocerysmarts.com Utah passport is:g84rcm
norahsrecipes.blogspot.com
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Relief Society Lesson 1/31/10
Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior
(Excerpts from Chapter 3 from Gospel Principles)
When the plan for our salvation was presented to us in the premortal spirit world, we were so happy that we shouted for joy (see Job 38:7).
We understood that we would have to leave our heavenly home for a time. We would not live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. While we were away from Him, all of us would sin and some of us would lose our way. Our Heavenly Father knew and loved each one of us. He knew we would need help, so He planned a way to help us.
We needed a Savior to pay for our sins and teach us how to return to our Heavenly Father. Our Father said, "Whom shall I send?" (Abraham 3:27).
Jesus was willing to come to the earth, give His life for us, and take upon Himself our sins....Jesus Christ was chosen and foreordained to be our Savior.
Because our Heavenly Father chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior, Satan became angry and rebelled. There was war in heaven. The Savior's followers "overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11).
By following [Christ's] teachings, we can inherit a place in the celestial kingdom. He did His part to help us return to our heavenly home. It is now up to each of us to do our part and become worthy of exaltation.
*Sister Dunford gave a beautiful lesson today. We have some amazing teachers in our ward. Today we talked about the plan of salvation and our ability to exercise our agency in making good choices. How blessed we are to know about the plan of salvation and have the gift of agency. Even more, how blessed we are to have a Savior who would give his life for each one of us. He makes it possible for us to one day return to live in heaven with those we love, if we would but follow him.
We understood that we would have to leave our heavenly home for a time. We would not live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. While we were away from Him, all of us would sin and some of us would lose our way. Our Heavenly Father knew and loved each one of us. He knew we would need help, so He planned a way to help us.
We needed a Savior to pay for our sins and teach us how to return to our Heavenly Father. Our Father said, "Whom shall I send?" (Abraham 3:27).
Jesus was willing to come to the earth, give His life for us, and take upon Himself our sins....Jesus Christ was chosen and foreordained to be our Savior.
Because our Heavenly Father chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior, Satan became angry and rebelled. There was war in heaven. The Savior's followers "overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11).
By following [Christ's] teachings, we can inherit a place in the celestial kingdom. He did His part to help us return to our heavenly home. It is now up to each of us to do our part and become worthy of exaltation.
*Sister Dunford gave a beautiful lesson today. We have some amazing teachers in our ward. Today we talked about the plan of salvation and our ability to exercise our agency in making good choices. How blessed we are to know about the plan of salvation and have the gift of agency. Even more, how blessed we are to have a Savior who would give his life for each one of us. He makes it possible for us to one day return to live in heaven with those we love, if we would but follow him.
"New" Family Search
If you haven't gone to the new family search website, you must! It is incredible and is pretty easy to navigate through. It's so fun to see your family on this site and to add other family members. Here are the instructions you need to register and use the website (information given out by our Bishopric):
1. Access the internet via your internet web browser.
2. Navigate to the following website: http://www.new.familysearch.org/
3. At this site, locate the option "Register for the new FamilySearch"
4. You will need your "church membership number" and your "confirmation date" to complete the registration process. (If you don't have these, you can ask the Ward Clerk for assistance in obtaining them.)
5. Follow the registration instructions on the screen.
6. You will be asked to choose a "username" and a "password".
7. Write down your chosen "username" and "password" and keep them in a safe where you can refer back to them if necessary.
8. Once registered, you can log onto the site in the future using your "username" and "password". You will no longer be asked for your "church membership number" and "confirmation date".
9. Explore the various options found on this page. The most important link to click on initially is the link called, "See Me and My Ancestors". Here, you will see a pedigree chart of you and your family.
10. HAVE FUN!!! At this point, the fun starts, and the possibilities are endless!!
I've added a link to this website on the right hand of this blog under "My Blog List".
1. Access the internet via your internet web browser.
2. Navigate to the following website: http://www.new.familysearch.org/
3. At this site, locate the option "Register for the new FamilySearch"
4. You will need your "church membership number" and your "confirmation date" to complete the registration process. (If you don't have these, you can ask the Ward Clerk for assistance in obtaining them.)
5. Follow the registration instructions on the screen.
6. You will be asked to choose a "username" and a "password".
7. Write down your chosen "username" and "password" and keep them in a safe where you can refer back to them if necessary.
8. Once registered, you can log onto the site in the future using your "username" and "password". You will no longer be asked for your "church membership number" and "confirmation date".
9. Explore the various options found on this page. The most important link to click on initially is the link called, "See Me and My Ancestors". Here, you will see a pedigree chart of you and your family.
10. HAVE FUN!!! At this point, the fun starts, and the possibilities are endless!!
I've added a link to this website on the right hand of this blog under "My Blog List".
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Questions?
We have a lot of knowledge and talent in this ward that could be shared with each other. For example, some people know how to make a webpage; others know how to crochet. If you need to know something or want to learn a new skill, please leave a question in the comments and let us share our knowledge with each other. Thanks!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland-He spoke to us
Our stake had the priviledge of having an Apostle, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, come speak to us on Sunday, January 24, 2010. The Spirit was very strong in the meeting and we were blessed to have him in our presence. Just hearing him speak, bore witness that he truly is a special witness of the Lord.
He talked to the youth about giving a "tithe of their time". If you lived to be 100 years old, he said, that would be 10 years of your time. He asked that the youth give their lives to the Lord between the ages of 12 and 22. Those are the most critical years in a person's life and if you turn your life over to the Lord during that time, you will be blessed for the rest of your life. He said, "The smarter you are, the closer you'll stay [to the Church]." This is a Church with a happy ending.
He taught of the importance of the rising generation and how they will be the future leaders of this Church. They will be the ones that will teach his grandchildren and great-grandchildren when he is not here anymore. Jokingly he said, "I have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel."
He powerfully expressed his testimony of the importance of every worthy young man serving a mission. He said that all of the good things that have happened to him in his life are largely due in part to his own mission.
He spoke of a man who was not a member, but who had observed the Mormon people. This man said, "The Mormon men were strong, but the Mormon women were stronger." What a compliment that is to the women of the Relief Society.
He spoke about the Resurrection. He talked about how Christ's wounds still have scars. He said that when we weep, God weeps. And he said that everything will be alright.
He left an Apostolic blessing on us and on all we cared about who may not be in attendance. He said this blessing was as if he had his hands on each one of our heads. He blessed us with health. He blessed the babies and those that were lonely. He blessed us with every hope, blessing, and wish we've hoped for.
From all of the wonderful things that were taught by Elder Holland and the other speakers, what did you learn from this meeting? Please leave a comment so we can all learn from each other.
He talked to the youth about giving a "tithe of their time". If you lived to be 100 years old, he said, that would be 10 years of your time. He asked that the youth give their lives to the Lord between the ages of 12 and 22. Those are the most critical years in a person's life and if you turn your life over to the Lord during that time, you will be blessed for the rest of your life. He said, "The smarter you are, the closer you'll stay [to the Church]." This is a Church with a happy ending.
He taught of the importance of the rising generation and how they will be the future leaders of this Church. They will be the ones that will teach his grandchildren and great-grandchildren when he is not here anymore. Jokingly he said, "I have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel."
He powerfully expressed his testimony of the importance of every worthy young man serving a mission. He said that all of the good things that have happened to him in his life are largely due in part to his own mission.
He spoke of a man who was not a member, but who had observed the Mormon people. This man said, "The Mormon men were strong, but the Mormon women were stronger." What a compliment that is to the women of the Relief Society.
He spoke about the Resurrection. He talked about how Christ's wounds still have scars. He said that when we weep, God weeps. And he said that everything will be alright.
He left an Apostolic blessing on us and on all we cared about who may not be in attendance. He said this blessing was as if he had his hands on each one of our heads. He blessed us with health. He blessed the babies and those that were lonely. He blessed us with every hope, blessing, and wish we've hoped for.
From all of the wonderful things that were taught by Elder Holland and the other speakers, what did you learn from this meeting? Please leave a comment so we can all learn from each other.
Primary 2010 Family Home Evening Lessons
Sister DeCow found Family Home Evening lessons that correlate to the 2010 Primary Theme ("I Know My Savior Lives") and Outline for Sharing Time. There are 48 lessons and are geared for Junior Primary age children. You can download and print them for free on the web. Below is the site.
http://www.sugardoodle.info/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5512&Itemid=540
You can also find the 2009 Family Home Evening lessons at this same website, if you wanted to print those out and haven't yet. (Just click on "a whole year worth of FHE lessons")
http://www.sugardoodle.info/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5512&Itemid=540
You can also find the 2009 Family Home Evening lessons at this same website, if you wanted to print those out and haven't yet. (Just click on "a whole year worth of FHE lessons")
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday Quilting
These fabulous ladies get together every Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the church to do some gabbing, I mean quilting...okay they get to do both! It's a great and fun way to provide service if you are interested you are welcome to join them.
Lucille Turpin, Diane Ashby and a lovely sister from the Gailey Park ward (sorry I forgot her name).
Joyce Molyneaux and lovely sister from Gailey Park.
Shirley Palmer.
Audrey Simons and Sara Jo Moss.
Sara Jo with Margaret Miller.
Kae Park and Shirley.
It was a little bit of a smaller group this day, due to the weather, but I'll go again to get more ladies posted. Head on over there if you can, they have lots of fun!
Lucille Turpin, Diane Ashby and a lovely sister from the Gailey Park ward (sorry I forgot her name).
Joyce Molyneaux and lovely sister from Gailey Park.
Shirley Palmer.
Audrey Simons and Sara Jo Moss.
Sara Jo with Margaret Miller.
Kae Park and Shirley.
It was a little bit of a smaller group this day, due to the weather, but I'll go again to get more ladies posted. Head on over there if you can, they have lots of fun! Sunday, January 17, 2010
Recipe Swap-Food Storage
We got some yummy recipes from our Food Storage Recipe Swap! We only got a few sent in, so if you have one please email me your recipe at katiecupcake1@gmail.com or leave it in the comments. We could still use a lot more. I will then email you the other recipes we got. (I would post them here, but I haven't figured out how to "copy" and "paste" onto a blog. It won't let me so far. If anyone knows if this is possible, would you please leave me a comment with instructions? Thanks!)
Also you can find some other food storage recipes by clicking on the "Prepared LDS Family" link on the right hand side of the blog. From there, click on any recipe under the heading "My Food Storage Recipes" which is found on the right hand side of the blog. Enjoy!
Also you can find some other food storage recipes by clicking on the "Prepared LDS Family" link on the right hand side of the blog. From there, click on any recipe under the heading "My Food Storage Recipes" which is found on the right hand side of the blog. Enjoy!
Linking your personal blog
If you would like to have your personal blog linked to this blog so others in the Relief Society can view it, pease leave a comment with your blog website and we will put a link on here for it! Thanks.
Relief Society Lesson 1/17/10
Our Heavenly Family
(Excerpts from Chapter 2 from Gospel Principles)
God is not only our Ruler and Creator; He is also our Heavenly Father...Every person who was ever born on earth is our spirit brother or sister. Because we are the spirit children of God, we have inherited the potential to develop His divine qualities. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become like our Heavenly Father and receive a fulness of joy.We were not all alike in heaven...We possessed different talents and abilities, and we were called to do different things on earth. We can learn more about our "eternal possibilities" when we receive our patriarchal blessings.
A veil covers our memories of our premortal life, but our Father in Heaven knows who we are and what we did before we came here. He has chosen the time and place for each of us to be born so we can learn the lessons we personally need and do the most good with our individual talents and personalities.
Our Heavenly Father knew we could not progress beyond a certain point unless we left Him for a time. He wanted us to develop the godlike qualities that He has. To do this, we needed to leave our premortal home to be tested and to gain experience.
Our Heavenly Father called a Grand Council...At the Grand Council...we learned that all of us would have trials in our lives...But we understood that these would be given to us for our experience and our good (see Doctrine & Covenants 122:7).
At this council we also learned that because of our weakness, all of us except little children would sin (see Doctrine & Covenants 29:46-47). We learned that a Savior would be provided for us...We learned that if we placed our faith in Him, obeying His word and following His example, we would be exalted and become like our Heavenly Father. We would receive a fulness of joy.
*Sister Coles taught this lesson and encouraged us to discover our talents, work to improve them (practice! practice! practice!), and share those talents with others. If you don't know what your talents are, you can pray for help in discovering them, ask others to point out some of your qualities, or look through your patriarchal blessing. We all have something to share and give.
Provident Living
For the next few months, we will be focusing on Provident Living in our monthly Relief Society meetings. We have posted a few websites (Prepared LDS Family, Utah Deal Diva, Coupons.com, Grocery Smarts) that can help you work on your food storage and shopping on a budget. If you have any other websites that could help us living more providently (finances, budgeting, debt reduction, couponing, food storage, cooking, emergency preparedness, etc), please email me or leave a comment with your website. Then we can share it with other sisters in the ward. Thanks! katiecupcake1@gmail.com
Kaysville 7th Ward Survey
As a Relief Society Meetings Committee, we are wondering on which of the following subjects YOU have knowledge in and could be used as a resource, if needed. Please choose from the following list and send me (Katie Poland) a list of those subjects (either by email or in person). Thanks so much for your help! katiecupcake1@gmail.com
*You may also just leave me a list of those subjects by making a comment to this post!*
Marriage & Family
*You may also just leave me a list of those subjects by making a comment to this post!*
Marriage & Family
- Parenting skills/ideas
- Strengthening Marriage
- Child Development
- Writing wills/trusts
- Fun & easy kid crafts
Homemaking
- Knitting
- Crocheting
- Cross-stitch
- Quilting
- Sewing
- -Basic sewing
- -Sewing clothes
- -Sewing dolls/toys
- -Sewing home decor
- -Sewing other ________
- Scrapbooking (digital, etc)
- Computer skills
- -Basic computer programs
- -Making a webpage
- -Other __________
- Home Improvement
- Home decorating
- Embroidery
Provident Living & Self-Reliance
- Finances
- -Budgeting
- -Debt reduction
- -Other ___________
- Couponing
- Food Storage
- -Collecting food storage
- -Rotating food storage
- -Organizing food storage
- -Using food storage
- -Other _____________
- Cooking
- -Planning a meal
- -Freezer meals
- -Drying food
- -Healthy cooking
- -Cooking on a budget
- -Canning
- -Other ____________
- Emergency Preparedness
- -72-hour kits
- -Other ______________
- Gardening
- Retirement Planning
- Job employment
- -Resume writing
- -Working from home
- -Other _____________
- Recycling
Compassionate Service
- Service activities
- Humanitarian projects
Temple & Family History
- Indexing (for temple work)
- Genealogy
Sharing the Gospel
- Preach My Gospel
- Scripture Study (discussing scriptures, marking scriptures, etc)
- Missionary work
Other
- Music Appreciation
- -Reading music
- -Leading music
- -Organ/piano
- -Singing
- -Other ___________
- Health/Well-being
- Hair care/cuts
January, February, & March 2010 Relief Society Meetings
Quilting
Every Monday @ 10 am
Meet in the Relief Society room.
Provident Living Classes
February 9th @ 6:30 pm
Meet at the church.Come learn from talented women about meal planning, cooking, couponing, and much more.
Recipe Swap
Cooking with Food Storage
January 12th @ 6:30 pm
Meet at Katie Poland's home (448 South Christine Way)
Recipe Swap
Cookies! Cookies! Cookies!
February 9th @ 8 pm
Meet at the church.
We will be providing refreshments for the Provident Living classes.
So if you want, please bring a dozen cookies to share, but don't feel obligated.
*Email recipe to Katie Poland by the following Saturday (katiecupcake1@gmail.com)
Stake Relief Society Meeting
March 11th @ 7 pm
Location: To be announced
Come celebrate the birthday of the Relief Society and hear Heart Bound perform.
***Count on the 2nd Tuesday of every month for a Relief Society Meeting!***
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
