Powerful Promises of the Book of Mormon

Book of Mormon Class
"The Debts Are Paid by God"

Mosiah 15:1

Taught by Sue G.

     Few names in the scriptures have the power to stir the vision and touch the should in the same way as does the revered name as Abinadi.

     Even though his life as known to us is less than 12 pages of the Book of Mormon and the total length of the messages delivered by him can be read in less than 25 minutes.

     He was a man of such tremendous power and impact as to leave an impression upon anyone who can come to know him.  The account of this hero of the past is in Mosiah chapters 11 - 17.

The scriptures we read and discussed are:

Mosiah 7:20-28

Mosiah 11:20

Mosiah 11:27-29

Mosiah 13:1-5

Mosiah 15:1

Alma 34::9-13

1 Nephi 19:12

Get involved! Read these scriptures for yourself and post your thoughts or feelings about them in our special thoughts section. 

Mormon Message- "Watch Your Step"

This is an awesome video giving the feeling of what happens when pornography hits the life of a loved one. The High Priests just posted this on their blog, willowwoodhpg.blogspot.com  

We feel it is a good one to share with your families and talk about the effects of pornography.

Additional help for combating pornography can be found HERE. 

Super Star Softball Sisters!

Our talented team of Softball players just took 2nd place in our stake tournament!  These ladies were so dedicated to playing despite all of their busy schedules.  They have all had a great time this season and have represented our ward talent SO well!  You go girls!!!

So Great A Cause Celebration

'So Great a Cause' Celebration coming up

Our Stake's 'So Great a Cause' celebration scheduled for August, 13th is just that, a Celebration of what is being done by our members and what is yet to be done!

We have been asked by our Stake Presidency to export our strength outside our ward and stake boundaries, by sharing heart-felt testimony of the Gospel and offering Christ-like service.

We are to be setting a Goal as Families and as Individuals. 

The Goal Cards that you should have received from your Home Teachers look like this;

There is a large one for your family and small ones for each individual.

If you didn't receive one email us or call and we will make sure you get yours.

Some idea's given are to:    

*Express your testimony of the Savior and His Gospel in writing. 

                                                                                                                                                                     *Copies of your written testimony and a picture could then be sent to missionaries serving from our stake throughout the world. 

                                                                                                                                                                     *The missionaries could then place your testimony in a Book of Mormon for a particular investigator.

                                                                                                                                                                     * Prepare a profile on Mormon.org proclaiming your faith and testimony.

                                                                                                                                                                     *Take the opportunity to share a testimony with every service that you render as the Savior did.

                                                                                                                                                                     *Participate in humanitarian service projects locally and around the World.

                                                                                                                                                                     *Earn and make contributions to missionary and humanitarian service funds.

                                                                                                                                                                     *Re-establish contact with individuals and families from prior affiliations (e.g., missions, foreign students or cultural exchanges, etc.) letting them know of your love and concern.

*Increase levels of participation in temple and family history activities.                                                          
*Contact couple missionaries who might be serving in branches or Young Single Adult centers and find out what support they could use to strengthen those church units                                                                                                

                                     These things need not be done by the celebration date. 

We have just been asked to incorporate a change in lifestyle, to do, and continue to do, these acts of expressing testimony and sharing service this year and throughout our lives.

We know that blessings will come to not only those your share with and serve but to you and your families.

We Love You!!!

Your Relief Society Presidency

Powerful Promises of the Book of Mormon

Book of Mormon Class
"He Notices Immediately"

Mosiah 2:22-24

Taught by Sue G.

Alma's mission to the Zoramites was a success, at least among the poor.  

As time was running out for these people, Alma spoke urgently. They had to act right away "Now is the time and the day of your salvation.  

Alma made them an unusual promise. "If ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.  Alma 34:31

God keeps promises with perfect integrity and perfet timing.

First Annual Swap Event

It has officially been one month since we had our awesome. . .

Willow Wood Women Swap Activity!  

We had so much fun we can't wait until next year!  Here are some snapshot memories of the whimsical decor, food, fun finds, and festivities. 

Signing in on our giant chalkboard!

We clipped clothespins with our names on them to the items we really liked. Then if more than one woman wanted the item, the clothes pins were put into a hat and drawn to find the lucky new owner!

If your name wasn't drawn for that item, you got your clothespin back to put on another item for drawing in round two!

Look at the darling cupcakes! Watch for the recipes to be posted later, by request of some of the swap-ette's.

Whimsical garlands made for fun decor!

We took some really fun candid pictures with old vintage frames! Marilyn's
close up!

Are these veggie cups handy or what!! And cute to boot!

The three amigas! Sydney, Sue and Terri. 

We felt so fancy with all the lovely vintage linens and dainty dishes to eat on! 

At first the weather got a little windy and cold with a touch of rain. We just dawned jackets......that didn't stop us!

Then the sun shone through making it the most heartwarming evening.

 

Friendships blossomed!  Tina and Gabby. 

Making final choices before the drawing.

Friends Peg and Nancy happily posing!

Jeanne contemplates whether or not to sacrifice one her valuble clothespins on this choice, or move on.

Kathleen with Kerri and her successful swap draws!

Our awesome Sue who brought half her house to help decorate this stylish event!

Sisters Heather, Nikki, and Hannah came with mom and turned it into a girls night out! 

There was such a fun variety of choices!

Danielle and Linda look picture perfect! 

Sharon scored bigtime at the swap with a beautiful bountiful temple picture, food processor. . .

and this chic country table!  Go Sharon!

A big thanks to our gracious hosts, Terri and Bishop Salmon for letting us use their great home for our awesome activity!  

The Bishop even helped set up big canopies right after coming home from scout camp at Lake Powell.  What a guy!

Also, a big thanks to all the committee, Mary Jane, Danielle, Britt, Sue, Terry, Heidi S, Shana and Sydney for their work to pull this great evening together so we could invite our friends and neighbors for a fun ladies night out, enjoying each other's company and getting to know one another better.

Thank you too, to Sigrid and Peg for taking all these great pictures for us to share!

This was an incredible event and we can't wait to make it a yearly tradition! 

Swap Portraits

Some swap-ette attendees!  Taken by our very own talented Sigrid! 

*You can click on her name to see her photography work.  

Sharon

Shannon

Brittani

Terry

Sydney

Sue

Heidi

Shana

Nancy

Kerri

Jeanine

Leila

Sunday Lesson #34- Service

Taught by Katie P.

"Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives."  President Thomas S. Monson

Some great scriptures on service in the Book of Mormon:
Moroni 7:47-48
Alma 37:6-7

President Spencer W. Kimball taught, " God does notice us, and he watches over us.  But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.  Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom... In the Doctrine and Covenants we read about how important it is to 'succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.' (D&C 81:5.)  

So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and small but deliberate deeds!" (Ensign, Dec. 1974)  Our service need not wait until we devise some elaborate means or project.  Often the simplest, most obvious thing is what is needed most, like a thought expressed by telephone or a note in the mail.

A letter that we received from our stake Relief Society President, Sister McFarlane said,  "President Strong is concerned that we need a better understanding of the "So Great A Cause" effort, and what it is about.  There are a multitude of things we can do, but it must become our way of life, a lifestyle for us, that we look to give, to strengthen those around us near and far.

August 13th is not THE event, but is a celebration of what individuals and families have done and will be doing to "export strength."

Here are some recent examples:

A family in our stake is helping with the travel expenses of a family that cannot afford to make the trip to be sealed in the temple.

Some have signed up on mormon.org proclaiming faith and testimony.

Pres. Strong has given a Triple Combination to someone at work.

We need to change our viewpoint, our vision if you will of this inspired direction for our Stake."

"It is only when we love God and Christ with all of our hearts, souls, and minds that we are able to share this love with our neighbors through acts of kindness and service- the way that the Savior would love and serve all of us if He were among us today.

When this pure love of Christ- or charity- envelopes us, we think, feel, and act more like Heavenly Father and Jesus would think, feel, and act.  Our motivation and heartfelt desire are like unto that of the Savior."  Elder M. Russell Ballard

Enchilada Pie Recipe

*From July Recipe Group

 By Karen E. 

1lb ground beef - browned with onion flakes or real onion
1 can refried beans
1 15 oz can of tomato sauce

Mix refried beans and tomato sauce with the browned meat and onions.  Season with Chili Powder or Taco Seasoning.

If you would like you could add green peppers or other peppers to the mix.  I have also mixed in sliced olives.
9 corn tortillas
Grated cheese  -  your choice of kind of cheese.  I use mild cheddar.

 Spray bottom of casserole dish with pam so that it doesn't stick to bottom of dish.  Layer buttered tortillas - meat mixture -grated cheese, three times finishing with cheese.  Put a little, about 1/2 a cup to a cup of water in the bottom of the casserole.

Cover and put in 350 degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes until cheese is melted and it is heated through.  You could take the cover off the last 5 minutes if you like a crustier top. 

Serve with green salad. 

 Yummy!  This looks super easy and delicious! 

Terry and Sydney were also super excited to hear Karen was going to make a strawberry pie with chocolate crust to eat while we all waited for the Enchilada Pie to bake.

 Wow!  A two course meal!  Thank you Karen for hosting an incredible recipe group and for spoiling us with delicious food!