Book of Mormon Class

Powerful Promise #39
"Repenting into His Arms"
Alma 5:32 -62
Taught by Karen P.

Alma's questions from last weeks "A Mighty Change of Heart" lesson are not designed to engender guilt as much as to inspire and motivate us to righteousness, to help us experience a change of heart, and ultimately to become like Christ.  When we give our hearts to the Lord we become as He is - His will is our will, His joy is our joy, and His work is our work.  

What could be more wonderful?

Elder Bruce C. Hafen has written, "The great Mediator asks for our repentance not because we must 'repay' him in exchange for his paying our debt to justice, but because repentance initiates a developmental process that, with the Savior's help, leads us along the path to a saintly character"


Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said, referring the President Spencer W. Kimball's explanation, "The repenting sinner must suffer for his sins, but this suffering has a different purpose than punishment or payment.  Its purpose in Change."


Elder Neil L Andersen of the Quorum of the 12 apostles said:  The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to "re-turn" toward God  It is the beckoning of a loving Father and His Only Begotten Son to be more than we are, to reach up to a higher way of life, to change, and to feel the happiness of keeping the commandments.  Being disciples of Christ, we rejoice in the blessing of repenting and the joy of being forgiven. They become part of us, shaping the way we think and feel."

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, encouraged us by saying: "Now may I speak...to those buffeted by false insecurity, who, though laboring devotedly in the Kingdom, have recurring feelings of falling forever short...this feeling of inadequacy is...normal.  There is no way the Church can honestly describe where we must yet go and what we must yet do without creating a sense of immense distance...We can contemplate how far we have already come in the climb along the pathway to perfection, it is usually much further than we acknowledge, and such reflections restore resolve...We can allow for the reality that God is still more concerned with growth than with geography...This is a gospel fo grand expectation, but God's grace is sufficient for each of us if we remember that there are no instant Christians"

He's promised to make up our shortfall.

Do the best you can and find joy in the

Saviors Love!

A Time to Prepare" by Elder Ardern & "Forget Me Not" by President Uchtdorf

Taught by Tracy H.
Part two:
President Uchtdorf ~ "Forget Me Not"


President Uchtdorf relates the German legend that just as God had finished naming all the plants, one was left unnamed.  A tiny voice spoke out "Forget me not, O Lord!" and God replied, that this would be its name.

He speaks of the five petals on the flower representing five things to "Forget-Me-Not".

The first petal is to help us to 'forget-not' to be patient with yourself.

"I want to tell you something....God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect."  "Let me add: God is also fully aware that the people you think are perfect, are not."

What is my idea of personal perfection? Possessing the body of Jillian Michaels, the imagination of Tina fey, the wit of Sandra Bullock, the speaking ability of Meryl Streep and the faith and inspiration of Elaine Dalton.  Unfortunately, that's just not realistic.

It's wonderful that we have strengths, and it is part of our mortal experience that we have weaknesses.  God wants to help us to eventually turn our weaknesses into strengths, but he knows that this is a long term goal.

He pleads with us to remember to be patient and compassionate with ourselves.

Second, 'Forget-not' the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.

Two good examples that he uses are; giving up a little sleep to help a child who is having a nightmare is making a good sacrifice.  Staying up all night, jeopardizing our own health to make the perfect accessory for a daughters Sunday outfit may not be such a good sacrifice.  

Every person and situation is different, and a good sacrifice in one instance might be a foolish sacrifice for another.

Third - 'Forget-not' to be happy now.

Don't be like the people in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and get so consumed with finding the golden ticket that you no longer enjoy the wonderful chocolate.

"That is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals.  Never stop striving for the best that is within you.  Never stop hoping for all the righteous desires of your heart.  But don't close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day's ordinary moments that make up a rich well lived life."

Fourth - 'Forget-not' the "why" of the gospel.

While understanding the "what" and the "how" of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the "why". When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern of living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and instead, becomes a joy and delight  It becomes precious and sweet.

Fifth - 'Forget-not' that the Lord loves you.

"God loves you because you are His child.  He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely or make mistakes."

"The love of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving.  If you will only allow His divine love into your life, it can dress any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow."

"Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you.  In fact He loves you with an infinite love."

Lesson - "A Time to Prepare" by Elder Ardern & "Forget Me Not" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Given by Tracy H.
Part One:
Elder Ardern ~ "A Time to Prepare"

Mastering the techniques needed to reach our goals includes becoming the master manager of our time.
Elder Ardern says that "time is never for sale; time is a commodity that cannot, try as you may, be bought at any store for any price.  Yet when time is wisely used, its value is immeasurable."


This lesson seemed appropriately timed for the new year. What better time to start improving on our time management skills than during the time of our resolutions.


In my career as a nurse, it is critical that I prioritize my tasks so that I can keep my patient comfortable, but most importantly, alive. We call this in my field, critical thinking. This critical thinking can be used to best organize and prioritize the time in our everyday lives.  


Elder Ardern further teaches that the poor use of time is a close cousin to idleness.  As we follow the command to "cease to be idle", we must be sure that being busy also equates to being productive.  


Our younger generation has been given the opportunity to grow up with many electronic gadgets, right down to the phones that they carry in their pockets each and every day.  I find myself totally enthralled in the fun that these gadgets can pack.  However, I need to be mindful that my phone or my iPad can be a "time sucker".  Elder Ardern notes that many are trapped in a new time consuming addiction-one, that enslaves us to be constantly checking and sending social messages and thus giving the false impression of being busy and productive.

I love that he further cautions that electronic games and cyber acquaintances are no lasting substitute for real friends who can give an encouraging hug, who can pray for us and seek after our best interest.  As much as I have my own Facebook account, I find it to be a somewhat lonely and an impersonal place to be.


Take a few minutes, (this would be time wisely spent), and assess what you are using your time for.  Decide if it is being spent wisely or being wasted. Remember that in balancing our time and using it wisely, we need to include time for Self as well as for Family, Church, Work and Community. 

Brother Ardern says, "We soon learn, as the familiar hymn so carefully teaches, "Time flies on wings of lightening; we cannot call it back." What time we have we must use wisely."

Missing your dishes?

We have a few dishes that are looking for their home!

These dishes were from meals taken in to Sue G.

If you are the rightful owner, contact Leila J. and they

can happily reside with you once again.

Thanks to everyone who was able to help out with 

meals and other services for Sue.

You are dearly loved!

Book of Mormon Class

'A Mighty Change of Heart'
Alma chapter 5
Taught by Karen P.


"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Alma 5:14

Is the changing of your heart an event or process?


President Ezra Taft Benson cautioned: "The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road to Damascus, Enos praying far into the night, King Lamoni.  Such astonishing examples of the power to change even those steeped in sin can give confidence that the Atonement can reach even those deepest in despair.


But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples.  Though they are real and and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule.  For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible.  Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing that they are building a godlike life.  They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment.  They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said 'were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.' 3 Ne 9:20


In verses 11-13 Alma discusses the conditions of salvation with the promise to be saved.
Verse 11 - We must BELIEVE the word of God.
Verse 12 - We must experience a mighty change of heart or a new birth of a new person.
Verse 13 - We must HUMBLE ourselves and trust in God, and,
Verse 13 - We must be faithful until the end of our mortal lives.


Get your heart checked with a 'Spiritual Cardiogram'.
Go through each of Alma's change of heart questions and mark your answers with a dot on the line, Alway, Most of the Time, Sometimes, Seldom or Never.

Questions:

1)  Have you been spiritually born of God? Or in other words, do you take time to Repent and take advantage of the Atonement in your life daily?

2)  Have you received His image in your countenance? What does that mean to you? We physically look different when we have the light of Christ in our lives.

3)  Have you experienced a mighty change in your heart? To experience a mighty change in our hearts is to gain a full and complete commitment to the gospel cause.

4)  Do you exercise faith in the redemption of Him who created you? Do you believe that he has the power to remit sins, heal souls, raise the dead, and triumph in all that is right and good.

5)  Do you look forward with an eye of faith to standing before God and will you hear him say, "Come unto me ye blessed, for behold your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth..."

6)  Do you imagine that you can Lie to the Lord? Are you professing to live one thing and are doing another?

7)  Can you look up to God (daily) with pure hearts and clean hands? Elder Dallin H. Oaks has written: "If we do righteous acts and refrain from evil acts, we have clean hands.  If we act for the right motives and if we refrain from forbidden desires and attitudes, we have pure hearts."

8)  Are your garments clean? Do you repent daily and take advantage of the Atonement in your life?

9) Are there things you do daily that "Testify against you"?

10)  Do you live worthy daily so that you would feel comfortable, sitting and living in the presence of all the prophets of God...from Adam down to President Monson.

11)  If you have experienced a change of heart, do you still feel that way now? "We must be ever on guard against spiritual lethargy, against coasting upon our memories. We cannot afford to homestead on spiritual plateaus." Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon 

12)  Do you live daily so that you are blameless before God?

13)  Are you sufficiently humble? "Humility! That does not mean weakness; that does not mean lack of courage, lack of faith, lack of self-confidence; but it means the recognition of a higher power upon which we are dependent..." Ezra Taft Benson

14) Are you stripped of pride?

15)  Are you stripped of envy?

16)  Do you make fun of or talk bad about other people?

Now take and connect all the dots that you have made on your spiritual cardiogram.  How are you doing?  Is your heart mostly up - close to the Lord?

By daily repenting, and plugging into the power of the scriptures and prayer, we can day by day-become like the Savior.  As we do, there is a wonderful light that shines from your eyes - because your spirit radiates the goodness you are feeling from our Heavenly Father.

Sue's Quilt of Love

Wonderful Karen P. had the brilliant idea of making a 
"Quilt of Love" for Sue.
Everyone's quilt blocks were so fun!

Heres the finished masterpiece!

The quilt was delivered the night before Sue had to go back in for surgery to replace the bone in her skull.
It was such a wonderful, enveloping hug from everyone for her next step in the road to recovery from this near death experience.

Sue's dance with death has been quite an increadable experience for more than just those of us who love her. Her doctors at the U have been shocked right out of their socks! They are now using Sue as a poster patient on brain anurisums. They are writing a paper about her case to share with other doctors to show the hope that you can have when you think there is none. Her doctor literally did not want to operate, feeling that even IF she made it, she would have little to no real quality of life. Fortunately, Brad pleaded with them, and one of the doctors went to bat for he and Sue with the big wig head doctor, even though it could cause him some trouble. They are now using the 'M' word when they talk about Sue. We all know that it was the mercy of the Lord, the power of the priesthood and many, many prayers and fasting with faith on her behalf. Miracles truley do happen.

Karen shared these photos for all to see the wards creative handy work!

Julie H's Buttermilk Brownies

Sheet Cake Buttermilk Brownies

Preheat oven at 400 degrees.  Grease and flour jellyroll pan.

Combine in saucepan and bring to boil:

1 cube butter
1 cup water
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup crisco

Pour over:

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Add:

1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla

Blend well and pour into prepared jellyroll pan and cook for 20 min.
Start to prepare icing when the brownies have 5 min. cooking time left.
 
Icing

Combine and bring to a boil:

1 cube butter
1/4 cup cocoa
1/3 cup buttermilk

Add to:

4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup nuts (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
dash of salt

Spread on brownies while still hot.

YUM! Who doesn't love a good Chocolate Escape!!

Recipe Group / Homemade Noodles & Chicken Noodle Soup

Taught by Julie H.

Yum!!!

We learned that making homemade noodles is pretty quick and easy!

First you mix....

Then you roll......

Then you cut......

(Julie uses a pizza cutter - genius!)

Look at this nifty mat she has!

Then you plop them in the boiling soup.....

As they cook they rise to the top.

Then - wala!! Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Nancy says......"Yummy!!!"

Julie even made us desert!

Delicious Buttermilk Brownies.

Pay no attention to the woman behind the bin!

Or shall we start playing Where's Waldo.....Haha!

*All those who prefer not to have your picture on the blog no worries, we can edit you out, omit pictures with you in them, or just discretely hide you, haha!

In all seriousness, please call #801-597-0431 and let Sydney G. know if you prefer not to be pictured on the RS blog and your request will be honored no problem.

The Recipes:

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

3 to 4 chicken skinless breasts (some with bones)

6 to 7 chicken bouillon cubes

14 cups water (or use chicken stock and eliminate bouillon)

2 onions

8 celery stocks

2 to 3 carrots (Julie likes hers shredded so the kids won't pick them out teehee!)

Pepper to taste

In a large stock pot cover chicken with water, add chicken bouillon, one coarsely chopped onion and half of the celery.  cook until chicken comes off bones easily.  Strain broth and return to pan.  Add the remaining ingredients (add more or less vegetables to taste).  Debone and shred the chicken.  Return the meat to the broth  Let simmer on low heat for several hours, stirring occasionally.  Add noodles about 1/2 hour before serving.  Cook until noodles are tender.

Noodles

3 cups flour

1/2 Tablespoon salt

4 eggs

Water

Measure flour and salt into bowl, make a nest in the flour.  Break eggs in bowl.  Save shells.  Fill a 1/2 egg shell with water twice and beat eggs.  Pour eggs into nest and and mix into the flour (add more flour or water as needed until dough is stiff)>  Lightly knead dough on a floured surface.  Roll out on floured surface and cut.  (Pizza cutter works well for this.)  Cut in 1/2" x 3" strips.  Separate and add to boiling soup. 

Susan S. and Sue G. update

It was Susan S's birthday on December 30th and of all the rotten luck, she ended up in the Hospital.

She stepped on a piece of glass a few day's before and it became infected. Because of her diabetes, it became a dangerous emergency situation. She had surgery at IMC the next day and has now been moved to rehab here in Bountiful at Orchard Cove which is up 5th south just above South Davis Hospital. The hole is quite extensive and can take up to a year to heal. She is unsure for now if they will do a skin graft to fill it in, or just try let it heal from the inside out. She most likely won't be able to walk on it for quite a while.  Cards, calls and visits of well wishes would help boost her spirits. Orchard Cove #801-299-4800

Swollen but Smiling!

Sue G. had her surgery to replace the bone flap in her head Tuesday. She was able to move out of ICU to acute care 

room 3116.

She had hoped to come home today but the Doctor's decided she needed to stay one more night and can hopefully come home tomorrow. She is hoping this will help remedy the double vision she is experiencing. 

She and Brad again thank all of you for your many prayers on her behalf. 

U of U #801-582-1565

Sunday Lesson - Chapter 1: Living What We Believe

Taught by Mary L.


Our lesson is entitled Living What We Believe and teaches us that our religion must find expression in our everyday lives.

From the Life of George Albert Smith

     When he was 34 years old, George Albert Smith made a list of resolutions that he called his "personal creed",  11 ideals that he committed to live by:
 "I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor."
"I would visit the sick and afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed."
"I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of all mankind."
"I would seek out the erring one and try to win him back to a righteous and a happy life."
"I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right."
"I would live with the masses and help to solve their problems that their earth life may be happy."
"I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughless friends."
"I would not knowingly wound the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend."
"I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the successes of all the children of my Heavenly Father."
"I would not be an enemy to any living soul."
"Knowing that the Redeemer of mankind has offered to the world the only plan that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter, I feel it not only a duty but also a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth."


     One of his counselors in the First Presidency, President J. Reuben Clark Jr., summed-up President Smith's personal integrity with these words: "He was one of those few people of whom you can say he lived as he taught.


     Each time a prophet or apostle speaks under guidance of the Spirit, we are given, as it were, a creed by which to live. More than once, President gordon B. Hinckley has counseled members to be better husbands and wives, more loving parents and children, and to be more tolerant, neighborly and friendly.  during the April 2000 general conference, he counseled: "Let us study the ways of the Lord, reading His life and teachings in the sacred scripture He has given us. Let us take a little time to meditate, to think of what we can do to improve our lives and to become better examples of what a Latter-day Saint should be".


     What a great time of year. I would like to give a challenge, I thought that since it is the New Year we could think of some ideal or principles that you would like to follow in your own life. Consider recording them in a personal journal.

     Having a personal creed is commedndable.  It reflects the kind of person we are and, perhaps more important, the kind of person we want to become.
     If each of us were to write a creed, what would it contain?  What are the ideals that are important and of value in our lives?
     The way we use words isn't important in composing our creed. What is important is how we live our lives, living what we believe Just as George Albert Smith lived.

Book of Mormon Class

THE BOOK OF ALMA - Pride
Taught by Karen P.

     The book of Alma comes from the plates of Mormon.  It is an abridgment of the records of alma the Younger and his son Helaman.  the book begins with an account of the Nephite nation during a time of peace under the recently-established reign of judges.  Alma the Younger was the first of these new judges and the keeper of the sacred records.  The book concludes with Alma's grandson, Helaman taking possession of the sacred records, and the Nephites and Lamanite at war.


     In chapter 1 & 2 we see the effects of those who are humble followers of Jesus Christ and those who are prideful. From the persuasions of Nehor and Amlici leading the people in pride and to their eventual demise, to the humble Nephites who prospered.
     President Howard W. Hunter counseled: "We must not allow ourselves to focus on the fleeting light of popularity or substitute that attractive glow for the substance of true but often anonymous labor that brings the attention of God, even if it does not get covered on the six o"clock news.  In fact, applause and attention can become the spiritual Achilles Heel of even the most gifted among us."
     Elder Neal A. Maxwell warned, "Being popular can become narcotic. We can come to crave it and to need the frequent fixes brought by the world's praise and caresses of recognition.""Humility is not the disavowal of our worth; rather, it is the sober realization of how much we are valued by God."

     The blessings of humility are peace and strength given to us by Our Heavenly Father.
     *Take the challenge to go one week, one day, one hour, without being prideful, without comparing yourself to others, without looking at yourself as the world sees you but rather as the Lord sees you.  Lean on the arm of the Lord, depend on his perspective to define who you are, rather than the world.  It could be a life changing and defining experience for all of us!

file://localhost/Users/sfgarner8/Desktop/humility-quote.jpg
Humility does not mean you think less of yourself. 
It  means you think of yourself  less.
                                  -  Ken Blanchard