Greetings from Nephi (at least, two Nephites) ;)‏

We had a spiritual day at church, as always, beginning in Sacrament meeting and moving on through our other meetings of the day. Bro. Paul Sutorius spoke about the great gift the Savior gave each of us: the atonement. He spoke of the wise men (we really don’t know how many there were) and how they were “seeking” of the Savior when the star appeared. They knew it for what it was, because they were prepared to recognize it when they saw it. They went to Herod who had, apparently, either not seen the star or had not attributed it to anything of import. However, the wise men did understand its significance and did follow it seeking the Christ. 

Bro. Sutorius spoke of the many stars each of us have to guide us, chief among those the scriptures, our families, our teachers, the prophets and others who love and serve us. Those are stars we may follow in our own seeking of the Savior. First of all, we must seek the Christ and then He will grant us the stars we need to lead us to him. Our stars, in addition to the scriptures, are usually people.

We have a young woman in our ward who was injured in a terrible car accident a couple of months ago. For awhile, it was not certain whether she would live or, if she did, if she would walk again. She is now on crutches and is our ward miracle girl. At any rate, Bro. Sutorius asked her to hop to the podium and asked he a few question. He then asked her what she saw when she looked out at the congregation and she replied, “Stars.” She did so a bit tearfully and many of us shared her tears.

His main message? We must remember that the Savior can only be found if we are looking. 

He was also our instructor in Sunday School. We discussed charity and its meaning. We learned from the Book of Mormon that the word atonement can be substituted for charity. Because charity is the love of Christ for us, expressed by his willingness to atone for our individual sins and for our pain and suffering. We must accept the gift he bestowed upon each of us and each day of our lives we should try to emulate our Savior in our daily living. If we seek Him, we must try to be like Him.

We also learned great lessons about charity in our Relief Society lesson.

We are enjoying your letters and we know that you are serving others as you serve our Savior. Certainly, you are having experiences that will help you all of your life. We are also enjoying your letters and that we are grateful that you include us in your circle of loved ones. 

Judging from the many young women coming to the temple to be endowed prior to their going on missions, many of them coming in your direction, you will soon have an army of young women there to assist you in your efforts to bring the gospel to the Latinos in California.

Take care and know that you are loved and that we pray for you often each day. We love you!

About Program

I'm sorry that I invited you to the Christmas Relief Society program held in our stake. 

I could tell, by their sobbing, that some of the sisters found the program very touching. Judging from their crying throughout, I thought that they were active participants emotionally, sitting there in the dark with hands on laps turned upward so that we each could feel as items, such as the coarse linen, were placed in our hands. Our ears could hear the sounds from the music and narration but I really am a visual learner and it was not as appealing to me as it could have been had my eyes been allowed to see.

I noted that none of us cried. I know that neither of you like the "touchy-feely" sort of program any more than I do. In addition to that, there were some parts that bothered me, like wearing a blindfold for 75 minutes and having babies cry because of the dark and having to have their feet touched. I know that we were to touch the small baby feet and think of the birth of our Savior as though we were at the stable but I did not think the point was worth having a baby be the representative.

I also do not know if Satan tempted Jesus in the period of time that Heavenly Father left him alone on the cross so I did not like the song that was sung during that period. I do not think that music from "Jesus Christ, Superstar" was as appropriate as words from a more sacred work might have been. For example, I think I may have liked something from the "Messiah" much better.

I value the Savior, His life and His sacrifice, but I prefer more visual programs than the one we attended. 

I just wanted you both to know that I was not as sold on the program, after seeing it, as Annette Lovell was, prior to the program, when she was telling us that it would change us for the better. At any rate, I wanted you to know what I thought. 

You have such busy lives and made time to go to the program with me simply because I am your mother and I invited you. We went early, another sacrifice for each of you on a busy day during December, so that we could gain entrance and would not be turned away since there were a set number of seats available. That took even more of your precious time.

Dad said I should probably appreciate the work someone had put into the program but I found it a bit maudlin (effusively or insincerely emotional). Perhaps you both loved it and were glad I invited you. If so, just ignore this.

Investing Tip

Investing for the future might need to be more practicle than ever thought. According to an email being sent around, folks should maybe think more about stocking up on canned goods and water than on hiding away gold or investing in stocks and bonds.

In advancing the email, Gordon Smith, had one more suggestion. "Add toilet paper to that list.  I never did like using the old Sears catalogues," he said. 

I actually did not know what that catalogue was doing in the old outhouse I visited when I was little. I sat and looked at it and wondered where the toilet paper was. ;) Eventually, someone came and found me and then I knew what it was for. That was at an older lady's house, Grandma Kate Childs' home, where we were visiting for a holiday. She made really good cookies in her old coal stove's oven. YUM!

About Dad

That was one LONG day for both of us. The surgery was scheduled for 11 a.m. Just before we left home, they called and scheduled it for an hour and a half later. We still waited and waited. They finally took Dad in at 3 p.m. By the time all was said and done, we did not leave there until dusk. I got to drive home in the dark. :) (You all know how I love that.) But it was not bad. Poor Dad, he had gone without food since 7 p.m. the night before. Thanks to Julie, we came home to roast and brown rice which she had cooked and left in the oven for us. I tried to get Dad to eat a banana on the way but he did not feel like it. (WHAT?? You know how he loves slightly green bananas. He must feel really lousy.)

When I say it was a long day for both of us, that is because I had to impatiently (I was the impatient one, not Dad.) wait with Dad. I was perched on a little doctor's stool. They took us back to the prep room not long after we got there and got Dad ready. Then we waited and waited and waited. Of course, if it had been Dad who was the person needing the extra time we would have been thankful that the doctor gave him the time so we tried to be cheerful.

Dad looks pretty good, considering that they cut out a chunk of his eyelids. They also tightened the muscle that holds the eyes open. He has wide, wide eyes now, even though they are both black. The doctor said that by morning we can expect them to be swollen shut so, for a few more days, no one will be able to see how wide and nice they are. He has to sleep either in a recliner or on top of three pillows. He gets to wear an ice bag over his eyes for the next couple of days off and on. He gets to take extra-strength Tylenol for the next couple of days, as well. I was feeling really sorry for him until they wheeled another patient into the same discharge room we were in. It is sort of a little good-bye room with recliners that they have the patient sit in until they have their sea legs and while the spouse (or whatever) goes to get the car. The woman's whole lower jaw was swathed in an elastic-style brace/bandage and she was complaining about extreme pain. I still feel sorry for Dad, of course, but I am glad he was not in that situation. UGH!

In six weeks we go back to the doctor. And, hopefully, that should be that.

Dad's RN was a person that Auntie Helen had trained in nursing. Her maiden name was Anderson. Her first name was Alys (said Alice). She was so happy to wait on a relative of Auntie's that we got the royal treatment. She was the nurse who got him ready for the surgery and who kept tabs on him while we waited and waited. (The Primary song: "Pioneer Children Sang As They Walked and Walked and Walked" made me think of Dad. "LHT joked as he waited and waited and waited. . .")

I am just thankful that, even though I drove through the rush hour traffic of Salt Lake City, I got us home in one piece and that I did not make any driving mistakes. When they remodeled the freeway, they should have added a fifth and sixth lane I am thinking. We did the bumper to bumper traffic on the way to Provo and I was in the HOV lane. What does that tell you? At least I didn't have to worry about speeding. 

I just gave Dad his last meds of the day and fixed his ice pack so he is tucked in for the night (or until the ice melts). I am heading to bed myself. 

We love you all.

Who will be here for Thanksgiving?

Myrna wrote: Plans for Thanksgiving 2011 are now made. I know who will be here and how much turkey to cook.

Thanks to my family for all of the responses to my question about who will be where on Thanksgiving. I now know who will be here to celebrate with us and who will be celebrating elsewhere. Let's all have a great day. Thanksgiving is still one of my favorite holidays: food, family, fun. Of course, there is also gratitude, thankfulness and lots of good and happy memories.

One year for either Christmas or Thanksgiving, when Joey and Walter Olpin lived next door, they were our only guests besides our own small family. We crowded into our small kitchen, that was years and years before the addition was added, and ate, laughed and enjoyed a great meal. 

Most years, we traveled elsewhere. I don't know why it was that we stayed home that year. It was most unusual but it was fun. Perhaps all of our usual haunts had other plans. Strange that I do not remember why we were at home. It must have been Christmas. We usually stayed home Christmas Day after all of the children started to have lots of gifts to pack around. We would sometimes have family come to our home for dinner and sometimes not. 

We always had Auntie Helen's Christmas party in early December and met together as a big family then. We also, at some point, visited in Kenilworth, Price and Huntington. There we exchanged gifts prior to Christmas and were fed great meals. These are all good memories to warm my old age.

Oh, wait, I am old. Well, they warm my memories now and, perhaps, someday I will actually remember whether it was Christmas or Thanksgiving that we hosted the Olpin neighbors.

From Grammy and Gramps

I think that I am finally happy that I live among cowboys. It has taken some time for me to feel that way but, over the years, I have been in great meetings where humble and spiritual cowboys have taught great lessons. 

For example, at sacrament meeting one week ago, Bro. Davis, first counselor in the bishopric, told of his experience with his cell phone. He is the new church cattle ranch manager for the cattle ranch in our stake. He replaced Bro. Don Berezay when he died. At any rate, our ward is having, at the St. George Mission President’s request, a bring-a-friend-to-church-day on November 11. There is an assignment that goes with the request--we are to pray each day for inspiration, we are to read certain scriptures, we are to seek the spirit--then we are to approach the person with love and respect and ask them if they would like to attend church with us on that day. 

Paul Sutorius, our retired seminary principal and gospel doctrine instructor, said that, if they refuse, we should continue to be friends but that when we approach them we should teach them how to recognize the spirit when it inspires them. There is a list of scriptures we should use: 1 Cor. 2: 11-14; Moroni 10: 4-5; John 14: 26; Alma 32: 28; Alma 5: 45-46; and 3 Nephi 18: 18-20. 

At any rate, Bro. Davis was out rounding up cattle with Mitch Durban, Berezay’s son-in-law, when one of the calves decided to take off away from the rest of the cattle and make a run for it. Davis said that he knows from experience that the only thing to do is to chase the cow and work to cut it back to the rest but that it often leads through rough ground and tall brush. It cuts at the flesh of the cowboy and tears at his clothes. He did get the calf back to the herd but, at that time, he realized that the cell phone he had in his pocket was gone. He knew that it might seem a trivial and unimportant thing but to him it was vital. It had the contacts he needed for the church and for the other church business activities involved with his job. Those could be replaced but it would take time that he could ill-afford. So still in his saddle, he prayed and reminded Heavenly Father that the cell phone, in the eternal scheme of things, was not very important but that to him, Bro. Davis, it was. He asked him to help find it. Then he yelled to Mitch and told him to mind the cows while he looked for his phone. The problem was that he had been all through the brush in a zigzag manner and one stand of brush looks much like another. Still he looked as best he could for 45-minutes. Then it occurred to him that since he wanted help for this project, he should ask in a more formal way. So he got off his horse and knelt and offered a formal prayer. He got back on the horse and rode a short distance and there the phone was shining in the sun. He got off his horse, picked it up and then knelt again to thank Heavenly Father.

Bro. Davis said he wanted us all to know that we were important to Heavenly Father. He took time for each of His children and, if they wanted His help, He was there. “If He would help me find something so unimportant to anyone but me, He will help each of us with any of our problems. All we need to do it ask.”

He then said that the people we wanted to come to church with us were so important that He would help us reactivate them or convert them if we asked for His help and if those people were then ready. However, He was going to send us to the people who were ready. They would be the ones who would be inspired to accept our offer just as we had been inspired to seek them out. Gramps and I enjoy your missionary letters. 

We feel your great spirit in each of your letters and we are so happy that you are serving our Father in Heaven. The only way that any of us can ever truly feel the peace of the gospel is by living it. "Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace." Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 2000.

We love you. We hope that you got your Halloween card in time. Grammy doesn't yet know how long it takes to get things to you.

Lots of love, Grammy and Gramps

Health

I was just tired all of the time but I had quite a summer with a lot of visits from family. Most of the kids and their kids were here for a week or two each. Melanie was here for a couple of weeks and then went home and came back for a couple of more weeks. It was fun but I was so very tired. I made an appointment with the doctor and found that all seemed normal so he dug deeper. He said my sugar was high so he called for one more test, an A1C, and found that my sugar was really out of the norm. It is not so much so that I need meds but am managing it with diet and exercise. I know of no one on either side of the family who ever had diabetes--cancer, heart disease, yes, but diabetes, no. I think I must be weird. I do know that type 2 is mostly a life-style disease that comes from not taking good care of yourself, gaining a few pounds, eating too much sugar, etc. I have lots 25 pounds. I am at 135 and the doctor wants me at 125. LHT spent too much time in the sun when he was young so he has the fun of getting things burned off on a regular basis. I have a few spots that I have had to deal with. Yes, every doctor you see, specialist or not, charges a high enough fee to pay for the summer cabin and month long vacation to said cabin. Bob is just about 8-years older than I am. I think Maxine is even closer in age to me. They certainly do have some health issues. I just keep praying that they will keep on keeping on. I think getting old is difficult at best. I know that for a fact since I am old. I will be 72 in December. Shudder. Of course, that is better than the alternative, right? LHT is the energizer bunny! His hearing is his big problem. He just got new hearing aides yesterday and they seem to be doing the trick. Cyd said she is happy where she is. She said Laurel had asked if they didn't want to follow them south but she said they did not and were happy enough in the old hometown. I am just happy that Mike is doing so much better. His speech was much improved when we saw them last, during June.

My Own Creation

Myrna's Very Own Jell-O 'N Pudding Cake

I made this cake up for a church award I was working on.

1 small package cherry Jello gelatin

1 large package Jello chocolate pudding mix, regular cook-style

1/2 cup cooking oil

4 egg whites

1 cup milk

1 3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Stir all dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add liquid ingredients and blend on low speed of electric mixer. Then beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Pour cake into lightly greased pans (2 8-inch layer pans or 1 9X13 pan). Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes for the layer pans and 30 minutes for the 9X13 sized pan. Other flavors of pudding and jello may be used. Vanilla and orange are good but chocolate cherry is the best.

Yummy for Your Tummy Spice Cake

Spice Cake

3/4 c. butter or shortening 

1 c. brown sugar 

1 egg 

1/2 c. raisins 

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cloves 

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

I c. sour milk

2 tsp. baking powder

Cream together butter, brown sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Stir in raisins salt and spices. Add half the flour. Blend in baking soda and milk. Stir in remaining flour and baking powder.

Pour batter into buttered 8 inch round layer pans or 7 x 12 inch baking dish. Bake in a moderate oven at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until top springs back when touched. May be served plain or frosted; warm or cooled. Serves 8.

Coconut Topping Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup shredded coconut (Ground or finely chopped almonds are also good)

1/2 cup chopped pecans (or other chopped nuts)

3 tablespoons light cream

Melt butter in sauce pan. 

Add brown sugar and stir over medium heat until sugar is mostly dissolved. 

Add coconut, pecans, and cream. 

Spread topping over cake and broil cake for 2-3 minutes, until topping is bubbly and browned.

Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting

Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting

Yield: enough to frost tops and sides of two or three 8- or 9-inch cake layers

ingredients

1 12 ounce package (2 cups) semisweet chocolate pieces

1/2 cup butter

1 8 ounce container dairy sour cream

4 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar (about 1 pound)

In a large saucepan melt semisweet chocolate pieces and butter over low heat, stirring frequently. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating with an electric mixer until smooth. This frosts tops and sides of two or three 8- or 9-inch cake layers. (Halve the recipe to frost the top of a 13x9x2-inch cake.) Cover and store frosted cake in the refrigerator.

Pumpkin Molasses Cake

Pumpkin Molasses Cake

2 1/2 cup flour

2 tsp grated orange zest (optional)

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup buttermilk or soured milk (add 1 tbsp vinegar to 3/4 cup milk)

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup molasses

Powdered sugar or vanilla frosting

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9X13 baking pan. Mix the four, zest, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger in a bowl and set aside. Cream the butter and add the brown sugar and continue to cream until light. One at a time and the eggs, beating well after each addition. Add the buttermilk and the four mixture, alternately, a little at a time, to the butter mixture. Be sure to beat the mixture well after each addition. Pour into the prepared baking pan. Bake for about 35 minutes or until done. Cool. Either frost or sprinkle top with powdered sugar.

This makes a really BIG cake!

German Chocolate Cake

Ingredients for the cake:

4 ounces sweet dark chocolate (see Shopping Hint below)

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup warm milk

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 medium egg whites

2 cups sugar

5 medium egg yolks, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup buttermilk, well shaken

For the coconut frosting:

2 cup sugar

8 medium egg yolks

2 cups evaporated milk

2 cups (2 sticks) butter

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

20 ounces fresh or frozen and thawed grated coconut

3 cups finely ground pecans, walnuts, or almonds

1/2 cup warm milk

Prepare the chocolate by melting it in the top of a double boiler, stirring until it is smooth. Add 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of the butter and stir until it is melted and blended. Add 1/4 cup of warm milk and stir until smooth. Set the chocolate aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Line the bottoms only of three 9-inch cake pans with circles of parchment paper, or grease each pan bottom only with solid shortening and dust lightly with flour. Sift together the sifted and measured flour, baking soda, and salt.

Whip the egg whites until stiff using the wire beater of the mixer. Transfer the beaten whites to a separate bowl and set aside.

In the mixer bowl, cream the remaining 1 1/2 sticks of butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the melted, cooled chocolate and the vanilla. Mix well.

With the mixer on very low, stir in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Do this by adding about a third of the flour and slowly stirring it in completely. Then add about half the buttermilk and stir it in. Continue adding flour and buttermilk in this manner, ending with flour. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and stir again. Do not beat the batter! With a long-handled spoon or spatula, fold and stir the beaten egg whites into the batter until the batter is smooth with no visible clumps of whites.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-40 minutes. Bake on the middle rack of the oven, allowing at least 1/4-inch clearance between the pans and the oven walls. The cake will rise above the pan edges as it bakes but will not spill over and will settle back down as it continues to bake. The cake is done when it begins to pull away from the sides of the pans and springs back to a light touch. Cool layers in the pans for about 8 minutes. This makes too much cake to bake in a 9-inch by 13-inch pan.

Run a knife around the edges of each pan and turn the layers out onto wire racks that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Cool layers completely before frosting.

To make the frosting, combine the sugar, egg yolks, and evaporated milk in the top of a double boiler. Stir with a wire whisk until the yolks are fully incorporated. Add the butter. Place over simmering water and bring to a boil (see Note below). Simmer for 12-15 minutes longer, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Add the vanilla, coconut, and nuts. Cool.

To assemble the cake, place one layer on a cake stand and spread with frosting. Frost each layer completely, top and sides, as it is added to the cake.

Note: You can also make the frosting in a regular saucepan, but be sure to stir it constantly, as it scorches quite easily. Also, you must use the finely grated fresh or frozen coconut, not canned or shredded, to be able to spread the frosting on the sides of the cake easily.

My Aunt's Buttermilk Spice Cake

My Aunt's Buttermilk Spice Cake

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 1/3 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup Crisco

3 large eggs

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9x13 pan or 2 8 in. round cake pans. Measure all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Blend for 30 seconds on low speed. Scrape sides of bowl down. Blend on high speed for one minute, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into prepared pans. Smack pans gently on counter to get rid of any air bubbles. Bake 9x13 for 45 minutes; 8 inch rounds for 30-40 minutes or until wooden toothpick or cake tester comes out clean. Frost cake with your favorite frosting.

Black Magic Chocolate Cake

Black Magic Chocolate Cake

My wonderful Aunt Renee used to use brewed coffee in place of the water in this cake. It made a great cake but I don't drink coffee and, after I found out what she was putting in it, I stopped eating hers. I think the water works. It does for me and then I don't have issues.) I still think she was a great cook and I still love her.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

2 cup sugar

3/4 cup cocoa powder

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 c water

1 c buttermilk

1/2 c vegetable oil

1 tsp real vanilla extract

Chocolate Frosting

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 oz melted unsweetened chocolate, cooled

3 cups powdered sugar

3 Tbsp milk

2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat at medium speed for two minutes. Batter will be thin. Pour batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan or two 9 inch cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes for a 9x13, or 30-35 minutes for layer pans. Combine frosting ingredients and mix with a hand or stand mixer. Spread frosting on cooled cakes.

Chocolate Mayo Cake

Chocolate Mayo Cake

This is was known as the Depression Chocolate Cake. I always loved it. You cannot tell that it has mayo in it. I made it from time to time when you kids were young. LHT (your Dad) really doesn't like dark chocolate cake. He would rather have a white cake with chocolate frosting. But, wow, I do (did).

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups water

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease two 9 inch layer pans or one 13X9 pan. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, and sugar into a large bowl. Stir in mayonnaise. Gradually add water and vanilla and blend until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees 30 minutes. Cool, remove from pans, and frost with your favorite chocolate frosting.

German Chocolate Topping

German Chocolate Frosting

1 cup sugar

1 cup canned evaporated milk

3 eggs

4 tsp vanilla

1/4 pound butter (1 stick)

1 1/4 cup flaked coconut

1 cup nuts, chopped (pecans are best but walnuts are OK)

Cook first five ingredients together until the butter has melted and the mixture has become thick. Add coconut, nuts and vanilla. Remove from heat. Mix well and spread on cake.

Sister Dyer's Favorite Cake

Sister Dyer's Favorite White Cake (from the Relief Society Magazine)

2 1/2 cups flour

3 tsp baking powder 

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup sugar

2/3 cup butter 

2 well-beaten eggs

1 1/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

In a large mixing bowl place butter and sugar and beat to mix. Add eggs, vanilla and milk and beat. Add dry ingredients sifted together.  Beat for three minutes. 

To use for a pudding mix cake:

Add:

1 pkg vanilla instant pudding

2 more eggs

2 Tbsp flour

Add the pudding mix with the dry ingredients and proceed as above.

Pour batter into two greased 9-inch cake tins, or one bundt pan or one 9X13 cake pan and bake at 375 degrees for 30 mins for the smaller tins and 45 mins for the larger tins. 

Frost as usual. 

Pecan: Use 1 pkg butter pean instant pudding mix. and 1/2 tsp maple flavoring. Also use 1 tsp cinnamon.

Chocolate: Add 3 Tbsp cocoa and subtract 2 Tbsp flour.

Best-Ever Chocolate Cake

Best-Ever Chocolate Cake

3/4 cup butter, softened

3 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cups milk

Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, lightly grease bottoms of three 8-inch round baking pans or two 8x8x2-inch square or 9x1-1/2-inch round cake pans. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Grease and lightly flour waxed paper and sides of pans. Or grease one 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Set pan(s) aside. In a mixing bowl stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder; and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined (3 to 4 minutes). Scrape sides of bowl; continue beating on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition (about 1 minute total). Beat in vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to beaten mixture, beating on low speed just until combined after each addition. Beat on medium to high speed for 20 seconds more. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan(s). Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 35 to 40 minutes for 8-inch square pans and the 13x9x2-inch pan, 30 to 35 minutes for 8- or 9-inch round pans, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cake layers in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Peel off waxed paper. Cool thoroughly on wire racks. Or place 13x9x2-inch cake in pan on a wire rack; cool thoroughly. Frost with desired frosting. Makes 12 to 16 servings.

My Favorite Chocolate Cake

I FINALLY found my favorite chocolate cake recipe. Well, duh! I remembered that I used to use the cake recipe on the back of the cocoa can. I went online and there it was. I'm a happy camper. The frosting is the same one, as well.

HERSHEY'S "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" Chocolate Cake

Skill Level:Beginner

Prep Time:15 Minutes 

Ingredients

2 cups sugar1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoon salt2 eggs1 cup milk1/2 cup vegetable oil2 teaspoons vanilla extract1 cup boiling water "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING (recipe follows)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. 

Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans. 

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING. 10 to 12 servings. 

VARIATIONS:

ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.

THREE LAYER CAKE: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost. 

BUNDT CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost.

CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes. 

"PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine

2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.

Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

Julie's Carrot Cake

Julie's Carrot Cake

Julie found the original recipe online but then she fiddled around with it until it became her own. I seriously love this cake.

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup cooking oil

3 eggs

Beat sugar, cooking oil and eggs in a large bowl on the low speed of an electric mixer for about 30 seconds or until well-blended.

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Add the dry ingredients to the sugar/oil/eggs mixture and beat on low speed of the mixer for one minute.

1 16-ounce package of frozen sliced carrots (3 cups)

Cook the carrots, according to package directions, until they are soft. Puree the carrots and add the cake dough mixture. Mix until blended.

1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Stir in the nuts and pour batter into a prepared greased and lightly floured 13X9X2-inch pan. Bake at 350-degrees for about 45 minutes. If round cake pans are used, bake for 35 minutes.

Frosting

3 sups powdered sugar

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup maple syrup (Julie uses homemade with extract)

Beat together and frost cooled cake.

Lazy Daisy Oatmeal Cake

This is the cake I used to make quite often on Sundays.

Lazy Daisy Oatmeal Cake (My Favorite)

1 cup quick oatmeal

1/2 cup butter

1 1/4 cup boiling water

2 eggs, well beaten

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cloves

Frosting (coconut topping):

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup melted butter

3 Tbsp milk

3/4 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup chopped nuts

(May add 2 Tbsp cocoa and drop allspice and cloves)

For cake: Combine oats, butter and boiling water. Set aside for 20 minutes. Beat together the eggs, sugars and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients and add, along with the oats, to the sugar mixture. Beat well. Pour into a greased 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool for a few minutes. Then combine the frosting ingredients, spread on cake and place under the broiler for one min or until frosting begins to bubble. WATCH so that it does not burn.

Grandma Smith's One, Two, Three Four White Celebration Cake

Grandma Smith's One, Two, Three, Four White Celebration Cake

A favorite celebration recipe that has been in our family for many years is a delicious from-scratch white cake that's called One, Two, Three, Four Cake. The name comes from the first four ingredients--1 cup, 2 cups, 3 cups, and 4 eggs--easy and beautiful.

Cake:

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

2 cups sugar

3 cups flour

4 eggs

3 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp lemon extract

1 1/2 cups milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each egg. In another mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture alternately with the milk. (One cup of flour mixture and mix in then add 1/2 cup of milk and beat. Do this each time, beating well between additions.) Add the flavorings. Beat on high speed of the electric mixer for 3 minutes. Pour into two greased and floured 9-inch round pans and bake for 35-minutes or until done. Remove from oven and let cool about 5 minutes before removing cakes from pans. (I also sometimes us one 13-inch by 9-inch pan and bake for 45 minutes.)

Icing:

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter (one stick)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 Tablespoon milk

12-ounces flaked coconut, separated

Cream the butter and sugar together until well mixed. (I like to melt the butter slightly because it mixes in better. I put it in the microwave for about 25 seconds.) Add the flavorings and milk and mix until creamy. Frost the cake. (When I make the layer cake, I double the frosting recipe.) Sprinkle flaked or shredded coconut on top of the cake.

What a Difference a Day Makes

AnnMarie and family and Shawn and family were watching conference when their lives changed forever during one announcement. How exciting! Dane is the oldest of the three but will still not graduate until June. Kyle will also graduate then. Alyssa is eligible, this month, to go on a mission. Of course, Brigitta is now old enough but does not think that she wants to go. Alyssa will put in her papers right away and is thinking that she will get a call this spring. Kyle said he will likely be ready to leave in August. Then I will have five of you all serving missions at the same time. That should certainly be seen as a great blessing. I will consider it that--a great blessing for our entire family.

The strange thing is that at the temple on Friday, some of the workers were saying that we should all expect a big announcement during conference. I didn't believe them and said, "Oh, sure. Like that's going to happen." So guess who had egg on their face? That's right, I did.

We spent the last three days at Julie's. David came up, with family, and he, Jim and Grandpa went elk hunting. Bree, Julie the grandchildren and I all hung out together. The first day, Thursday, Bree and her three stayed here with me and we played with Megan, Matthew and Rachel because they were on fall break. Yesterday, we came back and went to church here. Eric came down after his church and we had dinner. Everyone then left.

Gramps had some really big pumpkins this year. We also had watermelons. I cannot believe how big they all grew. The corn didn't do quite so well but everything else grew big and produced a lot of crops. The apples are also really well this year. They are big and juicy. YUM!

David and Bree have quit smoking. That is great good news for me. They should be able to save a few dollars now because smoking is not only unhealthy, it is expensive. Now if they would just become spiritual. That will be some years coming and will need a miracle. David told me this weekend that his kids really didn't like going to church with Gramps and I. He didn't want us to force them into going. We will have to see what comes of that. Erin, Donovin and Caydin all went with us yesterday. They said they had a good time. Donovin was the one who said he didn't always want to go but he did sometimes. Part of it, I think, is that he doesn't have friends there but he is going to Scouts in his ward in St. George. That is good.

The big news here is that the church announced Friday afternoon that it is pulling back from its plan to build a new nine-story building on the Missionary Training Center campus in Provo. They did say that the church would need to do something to expand the facilities there but that they would now need to decide what they could do to expand the facility because it badly needed to be enlarged.

What do you think of the new curriculum for Young Men, Young Women and youth Sunday School classes? It sounds exciting to me. It was announced as a shift from stand-and-deliver gospel teaching to gospel-centered conversations between youth and leaders. Training for the new curriculum will be conducted by priesthood leaders, from General Authorities to stake presidents to stake and ward councils. The resources are available online and that makes it possible for parents can keep up on what their children are learning at church. Youth need to be prepared to teach and preach the gospel and, I think, this is an excellent way to do that.

Gramps and I are enjoying the news from our two missionary grandsons. We are proud of you and of the work that you are doing. I keep praying that some young missionaries, like you two, may have an influence on David and Bree so that they can enjoy the peace of the gospel in their lives. At this point, it would be easier to convert Bree than David.

I told Erin yesterday, when she commented that it was easier not to go to church, and wondered if she could still go to Heaven even if she did not go o church that, most likely she would go to Heaven. I am certain that we all receive our reward for living a good life. She said that going to church just made everyone feel guilty because everyone there mostly taught about repentance for sins. We talked about mistakes Vs sins. She really didn't get it. You can understand why. My stand is, that even you live the best life possible, do good things and serve others, why would you not want to have a close relationship with Heavenly Father and with your Savior? Why would you shut yourself off from all that love? Why would you want to stumble through life just doing your best without taking advantage of the times when you could be speaking with your Father in Heaven? I think that I did not really impress her with the idea that Heavenly Father is there for us. She is 12. She is not baptized. She can be influenced by the Holy Ghost but she cannot have the daily gift.

I love my Elders. I think of you and of the work that you prepared yourselves to do all of your lives. That makes me proud and happy. Carry on!

Lots of love, Grammy and Gramps

I learned a new word today!

Transpicuous - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster ... www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transpicuous

Oct 16, 2012

tran·spic·u·ous. adjective \tran(t)s-ˈpi-kyə-wəs\.Definition of TRANSPICUOUS. : clearly seen through or understood

Missing Paintings

Several extremely valuable paintings, once in the possession of Juab High School, are missing.
"Any one who has a knowledge of any of the paintings should write a brief description of them, so it can be established that, at one time, the school owned them," said Mike Morgan, Nephi City Police Chief.
Many letters have now been collected and Morgan has interviewed those who were in administrative positions at the school since the paintings were last remembered as hanging in the hallways of the high school.
When Leonard Trauntvein retired as principal of the high school, the paintings were in place.
Since then, Andy Cindrich, Rick Durban and Rick Robins have served in that position. No one remembers, said Morgan, the paintings being moved to the new high school.
It is unclear when the paintings disappeared, said Morgan.
Many educators remember the paintings hanging on the walls of the school but, since that time, the then high school has become the junior high, he said.
He said that there were yearbook photos taken which showed one or another of the paintings in the background. Those photos provide a sort of timeline. However, no photos were taken of just the paintings.
Morgan began his investigation of the missing paintings more than a year ago, he said.
Missing are: The Fallen Giant, painted by Floyd Breinholt was purchased by Clark "Sam" Newell. It was a painting of a large pine tree that had fallen in the forest.
Two paintings by Paul Salisbury: One was of two Indian horses, a colt and two women and a child and, the second was a red rock scene, both purchased by Newell.
Ghost of Creede, painted by Dean Fausett and purchased by Sam Newell. It was a painting of an old mining town in Creede, Colorado. The heirs of Fausett, several years ago, requested that they be allowed to purchase the painting for many thousands of dollars but, at that time, the board of education refused the request.
Two paintings by Max Blain of Ephraim, Utah. Both paintings were water colors. One was of a fall mountain scene with it's splendor of colors.
A J.T. Harwood painting which was hanging in the counselor's office at the old high school, which is now the Juab County building. It did come to the new high school which is now the junior high. Jim White, retired art teacher, identified the Utah artist.
A mountain scene by Rosco Grover (1952) is still sitting on the floor, in the conference room, at the high school.
A print, Vietnam Reflections, by Lee Teter, was a framed and matted print of the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C. and showed some ghostly soldier figures, with their hands on the wall, touching the hand of a mourning person.
"That print has been recovered," said Morgan. "It was in the possession of a former teacher of the school. The print was returned in July 2010."
The print, while valued at $400 without the frame, was the least valuable of the missing art work. It could be replaced but none of the paintings, since they were all originals, can be replaced.
There were also paintings donated to the school by Jim White, while he was art teacher at the school.
"We think we have located all of those," said Morgan.
Shirleen Newell, wife of Clark "Sam" Newell, remembered when her husband, acting as Juab High School Principal, purchased the paintings by Brienholt and Salisbury.
"I wrote a letter to Dr. Kirk Wright (then superintendent) telling of the purchase of those paintings," said S. Newell.
In addition to their monetary value, she said, they had a great sentimental value. Her husband thought it important to expose the youth of the community to great art produced by Utah artists.
With the exception of the print by Teter, all of the work was done by Utah-originated artists who became renowned over the years. After death, paintings by well-known artists increase in value.
"I remember when the Fausett painting was purchased," said Leonard Trauntvein, former principal. "My wife, Myrna, and I traveled to Price, Carbon County, and picked it up after being given that assignment by Sam Newell."
The two Max Blain paintings were selected by teachers Jim White and Leonard Trauntvein from paintings at Blain's Ephraim studio.
"After they were framed, I traveled to Ephraim and picked them up," he said.
The Vietnam wall print was purchased for the school by Leonard Trauntvein when he was at a conference in New Orleans.
Connie Lofgren, secretary at the school for many years, said she was saddened by the missing paintings which should have remained in the possession of the school district as a legacy for the community.
"Some school districts keep track of valuable paintings on their inventory lists but that was not done," said Lofgren.
There may be other paintings missing which have not been identified.
"I am not done with the investigation," said Morgan. "It is continuing but I am at the stage where I can release the basic information about the paintings, what we are doing to recover them and how our investigation is proceeding."
The school storage areas and classrooms have been searched. In addition, said Morgan, he has visited the homes and offices of those who were previously employed in administrative positions.
He has reviewed the letters educators and former educators have submitted.
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Ancient Writings

Was Jesus Married? I don’t know the answer. However, whatever He did was the way it should have been done. If we needed to know the answer, we would already know. I hope that someday I overcome all of my faults, and through repentance, will be worthy enough to be where He is. If that ever happens, I will find the answer to that question. Until that hoped for reunion, I will just try to become what I need to become, and be what He wants me to be. However, as I approach my eighty second birthday I realize how short my time left here is. I am not sure there is enough time left for me to get that done. I am a very slow learner. Therefore, when we get to the other side, please come down and visit me from time to time. Lots of love, Gordon The topic that might be of interest: The entire article that discusses the discovery of a new text fragment can be found at the Smithsonian and the Smithsonian Channel will premiere a special documentary about the discovery on September 30 at 8 p.m. ET. Top religion scholar, Karen King, just unveiled the discovery of a 1600-year-old Coptic text fragment that suggests that at least some early followers of Christ believed he was married. Myrna wrote: I am just fascinated with ancient writings. More so because Joseph Smith put up with so much from his critics and the church has put up with so much through the years. It seems to me that more and more ancient texts are uncovered and none of them are well-preserved as were the plates. Therefore, it is a little joy to me to know that Heavenly Father saved the record of the Nephites to teach us in our day and did it so well that they were not destroyed by time. Even some of the ancient metal plates discovered in other places have been ravaged by time. Ours were on gold for a reason. Isn't it a marvel? In addition, Joseph Smith was assisted so that he gave the proper translation to the ancient text every time. That is even more of a testimony builder to me. Translators work and work to come up with what they think are reasonable translations and they make errors. They do not have heavenly assistance and did Joseph. You are 81 and I am 71. I have the same thoughts about time rushing past and it being my time to go home. I have no need to come "down" to visit you. First of all, you will be in the "land of light" and of peace and joy and second of all, I am concerned about where I might be. As long as it is not "outer darkness," I will be happy. Can you imagine a fate worse?

To Michael

In his letter, Ben said he had seen you. I think that is great--two cousins in the MTC at the same time. 

We would like your box number for the MTC if you would share it. It would be really nice to send a card or do something for you. For example, if you will tell us your size, we could get you a couple of T-shirts and have them delivered to you. That might be faster than having your folks do it. In the OLD days, you could just go to the MTC and drop off whatever you wanted delivered at the front desk. :)

On Tuesday, I found out that I have Type 2 diabetes. That has been a difficult idea to accept. I am on a sugar ban for 10 days. I will take a class in just a few days that will help me know how to live for the rest of my life. I will be allowed "good" carbs and will not be allowed "bad" carbs. I can eat all the veggies I want. There are starchy vegetables that turn into sugar and so they are out. What fun. I am 71-years old. You would think I could have made it just a few more years before this, right? ;)

We had a really good couple of days at the temple on Friday and Saturday. We were as busy as could be. That is always wonderful when so many people come to the temple. We had large sessions as well as lots of weddings and sealings of living families. Many times the temple is crowded all day but the sessions are small because all of the people are just coming to view the weddings. A goodly number of them also want to see the spiral staircase which means they have to be guided in small groups and that takes more of us in order to accomodate. I love the temple. I love working there.

We had another missionary homecoming today. It is different here in our ward with our new bishop. He does not assign a topic but tells the returned missionary to speak about their mission, not in an traveloge style, but in a faith-building manner. This missionary did an excellent job of that. He told us how he had learned to listen to the spirit and used several examples.

One of the nice things about serving in the states was that several of his missionary companions and a convert family were able to be there for his homecoming. The family still lives in Texas but the missionary comps are at BYU.

We had an interesting discussion in Sunday School today. Our instructor, Paul Sutorius, is a retired seminary principal. He was telling us that as we read about Moroni in Alma 46 we should remember that we are being told about a covenant people who are making and keeping sacred covenants. I suppose having been to the same class yourself, you also were given the understanding of the direct association of the Joseph of Egypt story when his brothers, who had sold him, rent his coat. Moroni's rent garment is clearly symbolic of Joseph's coat, which was "rent by his brethren into many pieces" (Alma 46:23).

Bro. Sutorius told us that :"The rent coat or garment was an essential part of Moroni's covenant of liberty. Moroni rent his coat and rallied the people; then the people rent their garments 'in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments' (Alma 46:21)."

Many of the wars between peoples through the ages have been, and still are today, over "dirt," he said. So it was in the times of Moroni. In order for the Nephites to take care of their families, and keep the covenants which they had made, they needed dirt. They needed a place of their own to grow crops. Even today, the church will not build a temple or a chapel on leased ground. The church must own the ground the building stands on. Just as the Mormon pioneers located in the West, away from the problems of the East, so they could keep their covenants, so did Moroni recognize the need for his people to have a place of freedom where they owned the dirt.

Bro. Sutorius built a huge flag pole in his front yard. He flys the American flag and a BYU pennant. He played football for BYU.

We will continue to pray for you and ask Heavenly Father to bless you and help you to learn the language easily and well. We do love you!

Grammy and Gramps

To Ben

You didn't say whether or not you had much of a chance to talk to Michael or not. Hopefully, you got to say more than "hi" and "bye." I think that is great--two cousins in the MTC at the same time.

It is great to learn that you "did a lot of studying, and have been eagerly trying to complete a task in Preach My Gospel." It sounds like a good use of time and effort. I think I should try that myself.

Tuesday sounds like it was wonderful for you. Thanks for sharing Elder Neil L. Anderson's nine things that he said President Monson would say if he had been there.

On Tuesday, my day was not so great. I found out that I have Type 2 diabetes. That has been a difficult idea to accept. I am on a sugar ban for 10 days. I will take a class in just a few days that will help me know how to live for the rest of my life. I will be allowed "good" carbs and will not be allowed "bad" carbs. I can eat all the veggies I want. There are starchy vegetables that turn into sugar and so they are out. What fun. I am 71-years old. You would think I could have made it just a few more years before this, right? ;)

We had a really good couple of days at the temple on Friday and Saturday. We were as busy as could be. That is always wonderful when so many people come to the temple. We had large sessions as well as lots of weddings and sealings of living families. Many times the temple is crowded all day but the sessions are small because all of the people are just coming to view the weddings. A goodly number of them also want to see the spiral staircase which means they have to be guided in small groups and that takes more of us in order to accomodate. I love the temple. I love working there.

We had another missionary homecoming today. It is different here in our ward with our new bishop. He does not assign a topic but tells the returned missionary to speak about their mission, not in an traveloge style, but in a faith-building manner. This missionary did an excellent job of that. He told us how he had learned to listen to the spirit and used several examples.

One of the nice things about serving in the states was that several of his missionary companions and a convert family were able to be there for his homecoming. The family still lives in Texas but the missionary comps are at BYU.

We had an interesting discussion in Sunday School today. Our instructor, Paul Sutorius, is a retired seminary principal. He was telling us that as we read about Moroni in Alma 46 we should remember that we are being told about a covenant people who are making and keeping sacred covenants. I suppose having been to the same class yourself, you also were given the understanding of the direct association of the Joseph of Egypt story when his brothers, who had sold him, rent his coat. Moroni's rent garment is clearly symbolic of Joseph's coat, which was "rent by his brethren into many pieces" (Alma 46:23).

Bro. Sutorius told us that :"The rent coat or garment was an essential part of Moroni's covenant of liberty. Moroni rent his coat and rallied the people; then the people rent their garments 'in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments' (Alma 46:21)."

Many of the wars between peoples through the ages have been, and still are today, over "dirt," he said. So it was in the times of Moroni. In order for the Nephites to take care of their families, and keep the covenants which they had made, they needed dirt. They needed a place of their own to grow crops. Even today, the church will not build a temple or a chapel on leased ground. The church must own the ground the building stands on. Just as the Mormon pioneers located in the West, away from the problems of the East, so they could keep their covenants, so did Moroni recognize the need for his people to have a place of freedom where they owned the dirt.

Bro. Sutorius built a huge flag pole in his front yard. He flys the American flag and a BYU pennant. He played football for BYU.

We will continue to pray for you and ask Heavenly Father to bless you and help you to learn the language easily and well. We do love you!

Grammy and Gramps
   

Type 2 Diabetic

I wondered why I was not feeling well? As it turns out I have Type 2 Diabetes. I thought I was going to beat the gestational diabetes curse but I didn't. My numbers are good enough that I only need to give up most sugars and starches, exercise and lose 20 pounds and then I will be OK (maybe). 

I am at 6.5 (whatever that means). I am signed up for a class to teach me how to eat.

Reed's Tiger Muskie

Gordon Smith wrote: Todd, Reed and I went fishing at Pineview Reservoir.

Reed caught this Tiger Muskie at Pineview Reservoir Friday August 10, 2012.

The fish is thirty six inches long.  Wow!

We had a lot of fun.  Maybe I will catch one next time.

Todd caught one last year.


Myrna wrote: Congratulations to Reed. What a great fish! I'll bet it put up quite a fight.

Our Week

Today we received a new bishopric. It was sad seeing our former bishopric sit on the stand for the last time. They certainly have been excellent leaders and have been such great men to work with the youth. They have reactivated several families and young men. Those young men are now going on missions. We have five missionaries out now but will have three more going soon. I will not be surprised if Bishop Roy Ward becomes the next stake president. Our new bishop is one of the dentists here in town. His brother and he own the Nephi Dental Clinic. His brother is first counselor in the First Ward. 

We have Caydin and Donovin here with us this week. Erin is going to girl's camp with Megan and AnnMarie. Donovin tells us that he is now going to church in St. George. His best friend is LDS and invited him to go to Scouts with him. He also goes to church with his friend when he is home but is now a registered Scout. He is a good boy. He wants to be a missionary and tells us that he will be baptized when he is 18 and doesn't need his parent's permission. He likes going to church with us and has made friends here.

We are certainly happy that you are being blessed with the gift of tongues. Gramps and I are thankful that you are putting in the needed work in order for the Holy Ghoset to bless you so that you can learn so quickly. I always thought that Spanish was more difficult to learn than French. I would give Spanish a try if I had some time but I really don't need it except to know what Hispanic folks who are shopping in Walmart are actually saying to each other. Maybe they are saying: "I hope that woman does not buy the last yellow shirt because it is the one I wanted."

It is goodnight for this old Grammy. I love you and Gramps and I continue to pray for you and for your success.