Come To Zion by Elder D. Todd Christofferson~~Lesson Given By Pam Henderson

Zion can be considered to ways: Zion as a place (physical gathering), and Zion as a people (spiritual gathering).
Zion is the state of perfection that we should all be trying to obtain, both as a stake and as a person.
The opposite of Zion is Babylon, the ancient city that worshipped the false idol Bael or Bel, which translated means "the Shame", due to the sexual perversions practiced by those worshipping Bael.
D & C 133:5-9
We are living in a chosen day, which Nephi saw: 1 Nephi 14:12-14. Being a Zion people protects us from the travails of the world.
Bruce R. McConkie tells us that we are no longer called to congregate in the same location, that stage of Pioneering is past, but that we are to create stakes of Zion where we live now. These stakes will give us refuge from the world, D & C 115:5-6.
Elder Christopherson tells us that there are 3 ways to "Come Unto Zion"
Unity
Holiness
Caring for the poor
WE CANNOT WAIT UNTIL ZION COMES FOR THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN--ZION WILL COME ONLY AS THEY HAPPEN.
Unity--we must overcome jarrings, contentions, envyings, and strife. We also must forgive. Those estranged from the church need to come back. We need to not hold grudges.
Holiness--The Saviour was critical of some of the early Saints for their "lustful...desires" D & C 101:6. These were people we lived in a non-television, non-film, non-Internet, non-iPod world. We must leave immodesty and vulgarity aside and seek for a celestial life.
Caring for the poor--Throughout history, the Lord has measure societies and individuals by how well they cared for the poor. We are admonished to be generous in our fast offerings and giving to the poor. One comment made in Relief Society was that in a Ward affected by poverty, job-losses and other serious financial troubles, the leadership of the ward noticed that the Tithing amounts were significantly smaller (due to loss of income), but that Fast Offerings were greatly increased! Let us strive to be a holier people!

Recipes From Our RS Enrichment St. Paddies Dinner

Corned Beef-by Nancy Hales (verbatim)
"It is one of my more complicated recipes as I so enjoy spending long hours over a hot stove preparing elaborate food for my appreciative family - - - the ones who, as toddlers, spurned my best culinary efforts in favor of clawing under the fridge for morsels kicked under there months earlier. (this was the original "Hales Granola") So throw an over-priced slab of corned beef into a big pot of simmering water and let it continue to simmer all day. 30 minutes before serving, throw in some cut up cabbage & continue to simmer until you can easily poke the cabbage with a fork. Preferably a clean fork, but any fork will do. Actually, my family really does like this incredibly simple meal. And I like the incredibly simple clean-up of ONE pot. Seriously, I use a very big pot, 1/2 to 3/4 full of simmering water (don't boil or it will be tough) and simmer it all day (8 hours or so). At the end, I sometimes take OUT the meat (sometimes not) turn up the heat and boil some carrots, then add some potatoes, then add the cabbage while continuing to cook. Carrots take the longest, etc. Serve with mustard and some really decadent dessert to make up for how easy the dinner was!! Oh, and killer homemade rolls. Either Roy's Rolls (made by the Bishop..) or if he's not available, then Rhodes frozen rolls!!! The end."

Roasted New Potatoes by Elaine Jensen

3 pounds small red new potatoes, halved
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon Salt and freshly ground black pepper (or seasoning salt)

DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Toss potatoes with oil, salt and pepper. Arrange, cut side down, on a large lipped cookie sheet or jellyroll pan.
Cover with foil, Roast until tender and golden brown, about 45 min. to 1 hr. Transfer to a serving
dish. Serves 8

Buttery Cooked Carrots-Elaine Jensen

2 pounds baby carrots
1/2 cup margarine
2/3 cup brown sugar (or less)

DIRECTIONS
Cook carrots in a large pot of boiling water until tender. Drain off most of the liquid, Set the carrots aside.
Melt margarine and brown sugar in pan with the small amount of liquid. Simmer and stir until the margarine melts. Return carrots to the pot, and toss to coat. Cover, and let sit for a few minutes to allow flavors to mingle. Serves 8

Irish Soda Bread-Debbie Morris
Preheat oven to 350
Mix well with pastry blender:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 T sugar
Mix well then add:
1/4 c room temp butter
1/2 c raisins
2 t caraway seeds
Mix well then add:
1 beaten egg and 2/3 c buttermilk
Mix and knead briefly and place into a greased 8 inch round pan. Press down so that the dough fills the pan. Cut a bold cross over the top and sides. Brush top with 1 T milk.
Bake 35-40 minutes.

Irish Potato Candy-Debbie Morris
Ingredients
1/4 cup softened butter
1/2 8 oz. package cream cheese
1 t vanilla
4 cups confectioner's sugar
2 1/2 c flaked coconut
1 T cinnamon
1/2 T cocoa
Mix in medium bow, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the vanilla and confectioner's sugar. Beat until smooth. Using your hands mix the coconut. Roll into potato shapes and then roll into mixture of cocoa and cinnamon. Add pine nuts as if they were "eyes". Place on cookie sheet and chill.

Heidi Yeates Lesson March 15th---Chapter 30: Valiant In the Cause of Christ

Chapter 30: Valiant In the Cause of Christ

This weeks lesson focused on being valiant in the cause of Christ. There are several ways we can do this. We are valiant in the cause of Christ when we do our best in the face of adversity and challenges. We also develop Christlike qualities, strive to improve ourselves, and endure to the end. Each class member was challenged to choose one Christlike attribute in which they felt they needed to improve, and made a goal to do so. Joseph Smith said, "I am a lover of the cause of Christ and of virtue, chastity, and an upright, steady course of conduct, and a holy walk."

Relief Society Irish Birthday Jig

We had a great time at the Relief Society Irish Birthday Celebration. Gaye even grew a beard in honor of the Celebration!

Sisters lined up to Kiss the Blarney Stone
Jane really LOVED that Blarney Stone!

Beth give the Blarney Stone a sweet kiss!
Our first game of the evening was "Hot Potato".
Then we all shared our Limericks. If you weren't there, don't worry...you might be able to read them in the "Second Thoughts" ward newsletter!
It was also a Special Birthday for our good friend, Mardene!
Happy Birthday, Mardene! We love you!
The last game we played was Musical Chairs. Can you guess who this
cute Leprechaun is???
Things got a little crazy in this game. You never know what's going to happen when you get a bunch of Relief Society Sisters in one room all wearing masks!
The Bishop tried to play a trick on his wife. Then things REALLY got out of hand. But that's another story!
And the winners are...

Sherry Hales came in Second Place. 2 First Place winners were

Marita and Melanie

We're not sure...we think someone spiked her lemonade!

No party is complete without a favor. We took home candy "potatoes" in cute little burlap bags. Each was tied with an Irish Blessing.

Thank you, Enrichment Committee & Food Committee for a

WONDERFUL EVENING!!!

ESPECIALLY FOR THE HORTICULTURALY CHALLENGED

Linda Tao is offering to teach classes on gardening at her home starting this Thursday at 6:30. These classes will be a 'hands-on' experience. These classes are open to both the RS Sisters and the Priesthood. (Bring your husband and maybe he will be motivated enough to rent a rototiller and turn over the soil in the garden for you!). Bring your neighbors and friends. She is extremely talented and has a great deal of experience. The following is a schedule of the gardening classes:

March 19th 6:30

April 21st 6:30

June 16th 6:30

July 21st 6:30

Sept 15th 6:30

Write these dates down in your calendar-you won't want to miss this!

Sunday's Lesson: Living With Others In Peace and Harmony by Donna Maygren

One of the desires of the early Latter-day Saints was simply to be allowed to live their religion in peace. But wherever they moved, peace eluded them. Many agree that this might also be a concern in today’s world.
We can cultivate harmony in our communities by respecting the freedom of all people to believe according to their own conscience.

Articles of Faith 1:11: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”

“We deem it a just principle, and it is one the force of which we believe ought to be duly considered by every individual, that all men are created equal, and that all have the privilege of thinking for themselves upon all matters relative to conscience. Consequently, then, we are not disposed, had we the power, to deprive any one of exercising that free independence of mind which heaven has so graciously bestowed upon the human family as one of its choicest gifts.”

“Jesus said: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.’ Matthew 5:9

Breads Cooking Class

Dilly Casserole Bread-Wendy Speakman
1 package dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water
1 cup cottage cheese (heated to lukewarm)
2 T Sugar
1 T dry minced onion or 2 T finely chopped onion
1 T butter or margarine
2 t dill seed (dry)
1 t salt
1/4 t baking soda
1 unbeaten egg
2 1/4 to 2 1/2 c. flour
Soften yeast in water. Combine in mixing bowl cottage cheese, sugar, onion, butter, dill seed, salt, soda, egg, and softened yeast. Add flour to form a stiff dough, beating well after each addition. Cover. Let rise in warm place, until light and double in bulk (about 50 - 60 minutes). Stir dough down. Turn into well-greased, 8 inch round, 1 1/2 or 2 quart casserole. Let rise in warm place until light, 30 to 40 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes, until golden brown. Brush with soft butter and sprinkle with salt. Makes one round loaf.
White Bread-Cathy Stevenson-Meyring
4 cups warm water & 1/2 cup powder milk or
3 cups milk plus one cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon Salt

MIX IN:
1/2 cup shortening, margarine, or butter melted
4 cups flour
2 Tablespoons Yeast added with flour (2 packets yeast)

MIX WELL
Add an Additional:
6-8 cups flour

Knead & let rise. Put in pans, let rise again for about 1 hour. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
Yields 2-3 loaves
Sharon’s Whole Wheat Bread

Use Hard White Wheat

9 cups fresh ground hard white wheat
3 cups white flour
2 T Salt
½ cup powder milk

Mix slightly

Add:
½ cup canola oil
½ cup honey or sugar
2 T lecithin
3 eggs
5 cups very hot water from tap

Mix till moist

Add:
2 ½ T yeast
Mix 10 minutes

Add more flour if needed

Let rise. Flour counter. Cut into four equal pieces. Press out and roll to make loaf. Flour outside. Place in un-greased pans. Bake 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Variations:
Add 2 cups 6 grain flour for 1 cup whole wheat flour
Can add cranberry dried things for fruit

Can roll and add butter, cinnamon and sugar and roll to make cinnamon loaf

Swedish Limpa (Rye) Bread-Pam Henderson

1 pkg (2 1/2 tsp) dry yeast
1/4 c warm water
3/4 c milk
3 T Molasses
2 T butter
51 1/2 tsp aniseed
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly grated orange zest
1 c rye flour
1 1/2 - 2 c all-purpose flour

Put flours, orange zest, salt and aniseed in breadmaker. Make well in center of mixture and put in yeast. Drop in butter. Pour over top water, milk and molasses. Set breadmaker to "dough" setting and turn on. When dough is mixed and risen, divide dough in two and hand-shape into 2 oblong small loaves, or 1 large round loaf.
Let rise until about doubled. Prick top of loaf/loaves with a fork making a decorative pattern.
Bake at 375 in the middle of the oven for 30-40 minutes for a single loaf and 20-30 minutes for the smaller loaves. Bake until they are browned and sound hollow when the bottoms are tapped.

EASY Monkey Bread-Pam Henderson

1 pkg unbaked frozen roll dough, partially thawed

1 package butterscotch pudding, any kind

1/2 c brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 c butter, melted

Note: If using large bundt pan, use ALL the frozen rolls. If using the regular size bundt pan, use only 18 rolls.

Spray bundt pan with PAM. Break rolls in half. Put half of the halved rolls in the bottom of the bundt pan. Sprinkle with half of the dry butterscotch pudding mix, 1/4 c brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and 2 T melted butter. Layer with remaining rolls. Sprinkle over the top, the rest of the ingredients, ending with the butter.
Let rise until rolls have doubled. You can leave this overnight.
Bake about 15 minutes according to the temperature noted on the roll package.
Let cool for 10 minutes. Turn monkey bread out onto a serving plate and pull off pieces to enjoy.

Yummy Desserts!

Did you come to your Visiting Teaching Interview at Linn's? If you did you were able to have a taste of her yummy Almond Tart. We have the recipe for you!

Almond Tart
1/2 t to 1 t almond extract
1 cup less 1 T flour
1 cup less 1 T sugar
1 cup melted butter
2 eggs
1 T chopped or sliced almonds
sugar

Mix first 5 ingredients together and pour in greased round pie pan or tart pan. Sprinkle with almonds and sugar.
Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes 1 tart (regular size pie pan)

Here is the recipe for the jello dessert that Nikki Waller made for the New Member BBQ:

Crust:
3/4 c butter, crushed
3/4 c broken up pretzels
3T sugar
Mix and press into a 9/13 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Let cool.

Middle:
8 oz of softened cream cheese
8 oz of softened whip cream
1 cup sugar
Mix well and spread over the pretzel layer. Be sure to completely cover the crust so that the next layer does not seep into the crust.

Topping:
1 pkg Strawberry Jello
1 1/2 c boiling water
1 pkg frozen strawberries-do not drain
Mix Jello with water and dissolve completely. Add strawberries. Let cool to room temperature. Pour over cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate for a couple of hours prior to serving.

Bonnie Knapp's Lesson: "Errand of Angels"

The mission or errand of Angels is to minister unto the needs of God’s children as He directs them. (Moroni 7:22) When we are on the errand of Angels, the mission that is entrusted to us is to teach, warn, rejoice, comfort, guide, protect, nurture, minister to needs, act as instruments in the hands of God–-in other words, to give service to others.

Sister Bonnie D. Parkin told us that “Today, we . . . have opportunities to serve as ‘instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.’ What does it mean to be an instrument in everyday terms? I think it means to nurture others. Joseph Smith called it acting ‘according to those sympathies’ in our hearts.” (Bonnie D. Parkin, Sweet Moments, Ensign, Nov. 2005)

The prophets and the scriptures tell us that service “Service is a characteristic of Christ’s followers–a divine quality.” (Elder Carlos H. Amado Of the Seventy, Ensign, May 2008) When we serve we are acting as the Lord’s agents on His errand. (D&C 64:29) How can we know the master if we have not served Him? (Mosiah 5:13) We serve the Master when we serve others. (Mosiah 2:17)

When we give service both the servant and the served experience the love of the Lord. Through serving we come to know the Lord. Service makes us strong in our faith and useful in His kingdom. Service gives us purpose and courage in life and brings us closer to God. When we serve we refine our divine nature. We are taught to love and understand our fellowmen and we forget about our personal desires because we are thinking of the needs of others. service allows us to develop the virtues that the Savior possesses. The more we give of ourselves, the more our capacity to serve, understand and love will grow.

“[A]s women we are pretty hard on ourselves! Believe me when I say each of us is much better than we think. We need to recognize and celebrate what we’re doing right. Much of what we do seems small and insignificant–just a part of daily living. . . . If we are in tune with the Spirit, if we are seeking the Lord and His guidance, if our direction is to return to our Father in Heaven . . . we have become instruments in the hands of God. . . . There are countless ways to be instruments in God’s hands. . . . The Prophet Joseph said of such efforts, ‘If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.” (Bonnie D. Parkin“Sweet Moments” Ensign, Nov. 2005)

President Kimball told us that “The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times.” (President Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Nov. 1978) There is much for us to do as women of the Lord’s church–when it all seems to much to bear–please remember :

“. . . fear not, little flock; do good” (D&C 6:34) [for] “. . . I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, . . . my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (D&C 84:88

Let us never forget that we are engaged in the Lord’s work. You are so often, the angels who are round about us bearing each other up. Thank you for being instruments in His hands, doing His great work