Sunday Lesson #37 - Family Responsibilties

Taught by Mary L

  

     Each person has an important place in his or her family. Through prophets the Lord has explained how fathers, mothers, and children should behave and feel toward one another. As husbands, wives, and children, we need to learn what the Lord expects us to do to fulfill our purpose as a family. If we all do our part, we will be united eternally.

     In the sacred responsibilities of parenthood, “fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). They should work together to provide for the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of the family.

     One of the best ways parents can teach their children is by example. Husbands and wives should show love and respect for each other and for their children by both actions and words. It is important to remember that each member of the family is a child of God. Parents should treat their children with love and respect, being firm but kind to them.

     President David O. McKay said that motherhood is the noblest calling (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 156). It is a sacred calling, a partnership with God in bringing His spirit children into the world. Bearing children is one of the greatest of all blessings. If there is no father in the home, the mother presides over the family.

The Book of Mormon describes a group of 2,000 young men who rose to greatness because of the teachings of their mothers (see Alma 53:16–23). Led by the prophet Helaman, they went into battle against their enemies. They had learned to be honest, brave, and trustworthy from their mothers. 
     
     Their mothers also taught them that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them (see Alma 56:47). They all survived the battle. They expressed faith in the teachings of their mothers, saying, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it” (Alma 56:48). Every mother who has a testimony can have a profound effect on her children.

Accepting Responsibilities Brings Blessings

     A loving and happy family does not happen by accident. Each person in the family must do his or her part. The Lord has given responsibilities to both parents and children. 

     The scriptures teach that we must be thoughtful, cheerful, and considerate of others. When we speak, pray, sing, or work together, we can enjoy the blessings of harmony in our families. (See Colossians 3.)

Garden Tuesdays, Surplus Swap!

Do you have a garden?  Do you have too many veggies flyin' off the vine?  Don't know what to do with them?

OR. . . 

Do you want garden fresh vegetables but don't have a garden?  Want locally grown goodies from friends and neighbors?  

We have a solution for you! 

Tuesday's at Sydney's house we will be doing a garden surplus swap!

Here is how it works! 

Sisters with too many veggies will take them to Sydney's house every Tuesday morning from 6 am until 9 pm and place them on a table on her porch.  Sisters with no gardens and no veggies can show up and pick items they would like to bring home that are on the table!  First come first serve of course!

Any leftover produce will be donated to the Utah Food Bank for sisters in need!

Sunday Lesson #38 - Eternal Marriage

Taught by Katie P.


"Two of the vital pillars that sustain Father in Heaven's plan of happiness are marriage and the family. Their lofty significance is underscored by Satan's relentless efforts to splinter the family and to undermine the significance of temple ordinances, which bind the family together for eternity. The temple sealing has greater meaning as life unfolds. It will help you draw ever closer together and find greater joy and fulfillment in mortality." 

Elder Richard G. Scott 

Our exaltation depends on marriage, along with other principles and ordinances such as faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. We believe that marriage is the most sacred relationship that can exist between a man and a woman. This sacred relationship affects our happiness now and in the eternities. 

We must seek earnestly to obey every covenant that we make in the temple. The Lord has said that if we are true and faithful, we will enter into our exaltation. We will become like our Heavenly Father. Temple marriage is worth any sacrifice. It is a way of obtaining eternal blessings beyond measure.

  

Here's some fun way's to show your husband you love him.
Remember - A Happy Husband makes for a Happy Wife!!

• Think of marriage as an empty jar waiting to be filled.

• For the next thirty days think solely of your spouse.

• Make a special effort to look nice for him. Take as much care as you did when you were dating.

• Put a fun note in his lunch box, shoe, car or on his pillow.

• Use a breath spray and mints so you will always be kissable.

• Send a special personal letter to his work letting him know how special he is to you.

• Send a cupcake with a candle and a match in his lunch to help him celebrate a birthday or an anniversary.

• Write a song for him. (Haha, for us non-writer's, just change the words to a familiar tune.)
  
• Listen when he speaks, not only to what he says, but to what he means. (Make sure to stop all your work for even 5 or 10 minutes and look him in the eyes while he talks like it's the most awesome thing you have ever heard!)

• Set aside the rest of the family and plan a candle light dinner just for the two of you.

• Mail him a fun card or a love letter.

• Give a daily phone call or conversation to say "I love you" and show you care.

• Have a weekly date. Go to a favorite park, concert, the library, the gym, or stay home and play a game, put a puzzle together or work on a hobby. (Let him pick and make him feel like you are so happy to do something he loves!)

• Give a gift of time and self to let him know he is the most important thing in your life!

• Make him a warm breakfast. (Serving Cocoa Puffs while wearing flannel PJ's doesn't count.)

• Do things his way when you would much rather do them your way.

• Write a love note in lipstick on the bathroom mirror or shower wall.

• Send a text saying, "Meet me at.......at.......o'clock for a special date."

• Place a mint on his pillow. 

• Write a "love letter". Cut it into puzzle pieces and mail it to him.

• Meet your husband at the door with a hug and a squeeze. Tell him how much you missed him all day!

• Attend the temple together!

You will have one Happy Husband!

Chocolate Chip Cake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting

 Sydney’s Crazy Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
        by request from the Swap 

1 2/3 cups flour

1 small package instant chocolate pudding

1 cup sugar

¼ cup cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup water

½ cup canola oil

½ cup sour cream

1/3 cup milk

1 Tablespoons vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

¾ cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips 

In a bowl, sift together dry ingredients. In another bowl, mix wet ingredients together then gently combine with dry mixture. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour into a well-greased and floured pan. Hint: Spray cupcake liners with non-stick cooking spray. 

Bake at 350 degrees. Mini cupcakes: 15-17 minutes, Cupcakes: 20-22 minutes, Bundt cake: about 30 minutes 

Coconut Buttercream Frosting 

1 cup butter, softened

¼ cup coconut milk

1 teaspoon coconut extract

1 lb. powdered sugar 

In large bowl, cream butter with electric mixer. Add coconut extract. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add coconut milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. 

For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Rewhip before using. 

P.S. This frosting is a work in progress. What it really needs is Coco Lopez (cream of coconut.) Does anyone know where to find it?

Back to School

And the day arrives.........It's back to school time!

How many of your kids laid there school clothes out the night before in anticipation?

We celebrated (or mourned) the first day of school

with a ladies back to school breakfast.

There was yummy food!

Good visiting and laughing! 

(We were enjoying it so much, we didn't get pictures of everyone who came)

* PS - if you prefer not to have your picture on the blog

let us know, we will surely respect that :)

And the pre-school age kids got busy playing and forgot 

to be sad they didn't get to go to school with their siblings!

Look at their great creation!

It was fun for all!

Back to School Breakfast!

We hope to see all you ladies bright and early tomorrow morning at Sydney G's house!  Feel free to bring all your little kiddies who aren't in school yet and we will see you there!

Powerful Promises of the Book of Mormon

Book of Mormon Class
Mosiah 17 & 18
Taught by Sue G.

     In Mosiah 17 we officially meet Alma for the first time. Alma is an example of the power of the Atonement to cleanse and heal, completely. 

     The Lord wants us to learn a major message regarding those who are very serious transgressors who can repent and be forgiven.What a powerful message to each of us!

     In Mosiah 18, Alma preaches in secret. Read Mosiah 18: 17-22 to see what Alma teaches the people so that they can become "children of God".

     Mosiah 18:21 is a great message to us as Relief Society sisters and members of the Church.. "...having their hearts knit together in unity and love one towards another:.

     What do you think that means? How can we achieve such a loving goal?  

Post your thoughts for us to think about.

Chocolate Chips with a little bit of dough!

Super fun cookie recipe from the Swap activity!  By Haley!

2 sticks salted butter room temp

3/4 c firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 c sugar

2 eggs 

1 tsp vanilla (white mexican is the best) 

...mix together with hand (very important) 

 then add.. 

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

and then about 1 1/2c flour

then the WHOLE bag of mini choco chips (you are under a binding contract by reading this recipe to NEVER .. EVER put in less than the whole bag:) 

then keep adding flour by the 1/2c until its kind of sticky, but not to sticky...so if you roll out a one inch ball it will leave a film on your hands. 

then bake at 350 for 6-7 minutes...I take them out of the oven as soon as I see the smallest bit of browning on top...sometimes they even look uncooked...but that way they stay nice and soft:) then I let them cool on aluminum foil 

thats it!! ....hope you share :)

Powerful Promises of the Book of Mormon

Book of Mormon Class
"The Heirs Are the Ones Who Listen"

Mosiah 15:11

Taught by Sue G.

Read 2 Nephi 4:33 - Nephi says, "O, Lord wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness."

Nephi wanted to be protected and treated like a son. He wanted the Savior to be not just a brother, or a teacher, or a leader, but more like a father.

How do we enter into that robe from Christ and become an heir? The promise is clear. When he sends a prophet, hear that prophet, love the words of that prophet, obey that prophet.

Read Mosiah 15:12 - Who then are his seed?

Know your Neighbor! Kate R.

Kate was born in Louisiana. She spent the last 8 1/2 years back east in Run Oak Virginia. Run Oak is about 3 hours south of Washington D. C. Kate is staying with her parents, Rolando and Carolyn R.

Kate is a very passionate person. She loves, loves, really loves to cook. She is a gourmet cook. She likes to take gourmet cooking and make it budget friendly for every day people. She loves cooking so much that she had a catering business with one of her friends in Virginia. Her friend was a silent partner and Kate ran the business. She has catered weddings, events, and corporate events with up to 1500 people...impressive huh. She took her cooking passion in a fresh new direction in 2010. She opened a "Chef at Home" program through her business. People would hire a chef to come to their house to cook dinner for them for a date night, special occasion or just for fun. (That would be fun don't you think?) Kate would be a perfect addition to our recipe group (hint, hint).

Kate has had a lot of education. She has a degree in Business Employment, Human Resources and Corporate Training, a Minor degree in Psychology, a teaching certificate and her OPN. She will be working towards her Masters soon. She owned a business that specialized in Business Administration. Companies would turn over their day to day accounting, employee training, or behavioral and efficiency training to her company. She usually had small businesses but she did have a few large corporations too.

She loves children. Kate has always wanted to be a teacher. A college teacher to be exact. She has a daughter who was born a preemie. Maysie Diane was born in March of 2008. She passed away in April 2008. She will forever be in her Mom's heart.

She adores music. All music interests her. She plays the flute. She also loves movies.

She likes reading and history. She also follows politics closely. Kate describes herself as a very outgoing classic person who is grounded and passionate. One of her bosses even called her tenacious. She goes after things.

We want to extend a warm welcome to Kate. We are excited to get to know you and to have you in our ward!!!

Sunday Lesson -Revelation

Taught by Tracy H.

“Revelation is communication from God to His children on the earth and one of the great blessings associated with the gift and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.”

In the April 2011 General Conference, Elder Bednar states that the spirit of revelation is available to every person who receives, by proper priesthood authority, the saving ordinances of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost - and who is acting in faith to fulfill the priesthood injunction to receive the Holy Ghost.

This blessing is not restricted to the presiding authorities of the Church: rather it belongs to and should be operative in the life of the every man, woman, and child who reaches the age of accountability and enters into sacred covenants. Sincere desire and worthiness invite the spirit of revelation into our lives.

We prepare to receive revelation by studying the scriptures, fasting, praying and building faith.  

How is this revelation conveyed to us?  It is usually not received immediately and intensely, although it can be.  Instead, we usually receive it gradually and subtly.  We need to be patient and understand that we will not receive revelation on our timetable but on Heavenly Fathers. 

We, as members of the Church, tend to emphasize marvelous and dramatic spiritual manifestations so much that we may fail to appreciate and may even overlook the customary pattern by which the Holy Ghost accomplishes His work. The very “simpleness of the way” of receiving small and incremental spiritual impressions that over time and in totality constitute a desired answer or the direction we need may cause us to look “beyond the mark”.  (Elder Bednar, April 2011, General Conference)

Some great examples of personal revelation in church history include Lehi and the Liahona, Nephi and the slaying of Laban to retrieve the Brass Plates, Joseph Smith and the first vision and many many more.

In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, God requires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon and to trust Him.  We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying - but without absolute assurance - that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. 

But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guide our steps.  And we can speak with the assurance that God will inspire our utterances.  This is in part the meaning of the scripture that declares, “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God” (D&C 121:45).

  

Mormon Message- "The Blessings of the Temple"

Genealogy and New Family Search

Ladies!  We are very lucky and fortunate to have such an incredible and enthusiastic woman as our family history expert in our ward. 

That woman is none other than Tracy B!  

I didn't know that she was the go-to person for that calling, and I'll bet you didn't either!  

She was telling me that those interested in furthering their family history should speak with her and she can help you out with whatever your family history goals may be!  

She is very knowledgeable and can help you find family members, teach you more about Family Search, and help you prepare names for temple work.  

 Family Search is the Church's new site that has several tools to help you locate ancestors, see if work has been done, and contact those in your extended family to help forage connections. 

Contact her at utahbryant@comcast.net  

Thanks Tracey!!!

"Consider the spiritual connections that are formed when a young woman helps her grandmother enter family information into a computer or when a young man sees the name of his great-grandfather on a census record. When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves. Our inborn yearnings for family connections are fulfilled when we are linked to our ancestors through sacred ordinances of the temple."  Russell M Nelson 

Also, we have linked family search and new family search to our blog for your convenience.  Look on the right sidebar near the bottom for the icon.