Help from on High

Savanna taught our lesson the second Sunday of March on Howard W. Hunter chapter 4. You can find the lesson by clicking HERE

I liked the story it told in the introduction to the chapter:

When [Howard W. Hunter] was serving as a bishop, a man in his ward expressed bitterness toward another man. President Hunter’s counsel reflected his testimony of the help that comes through prayer:

“I said to him, ‘My brother, if you will go home and pray for him every morning and every night, I’ll meet you two weeks from today at this same time and then we will decide what should be done.’”

After following this counsel, the man returned and humbly said of the other man, “He needs some help.”

“Are you willing to help him?” President Hunter asked.

“Yes, of course,” the man said.

“All the venom was gone and all the bitterness was gone,” President Hunter later recalled. “This is the way it is when we pray for one another.

Prayer can change our hearts!!  I believe this is why Jesus told us in Matthew 5:44 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"  Prayer is powerful, and if we can pray for people we are struggling with, we will receive help from on high in our circumstances, have a greater ability to love and forgive, even those who are difficult!

All of us face times in our lives when we need heavenly help in a special and urgent way. We all have moments when we are overwhelmed by circumstances or confused by the counsel we get from others, and we feel a great need to receive spiritual guidance, a great need to find the right path and do the right thing. ...the Lord promised that if we would be humble in such times of need and turn to him for aid, we would “be made strong, and [be] blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time.” (D&C 1:28.) That help is ours if we will but seek it, trust in it, and follow ... “the enticings of the Holy Spirit.” (Mosiah 3:19.)

“Be of good cheer,” the Lord says, “for I will lead you along.” (D&C 78:18.) “I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy.” (D&C 11:13.)

President Hunter shares the story of Joseph Smith, "I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

“Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know” [Joseph Smith—History 1:8–12].

Of course, what happened next changed the course of human history. Determining to “ask of God,” young Joseph retired to a grove near his rural home. There, in answer to his fervent prayer, God, the Eternal Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ visited Joseph and counseled him. That great manifestation, of which I humbly testify, answered many more questions for our dispensation than simply which church young Joseph should or should not join.

But my purpose … is not to outline the first moments of the Restoration, though it is one of the most sacred stories in the scriptures. I wish, rather, simply to emphasize the impressive degree of spiritual sensitivity demonstrated by this very young and untutored boy.

How many of us, at fourteen or any age, could keep our heads steady and our wits calm with so many forces tugging and pulling on us, especially on such an important subject as our eternal salvation? How many of us could withstand the emotional conflict that might come when parents differ in their religious persuasions? How many of us, at fourteen or fifty, would search within our souls and search within holy writ to find answers to what the Apostle Paul called “the deep things of God”? (1 Cor. 2:10.)

How remarkable … that this lad would turn profoundly to the scriptures and then to private prayer, perhaps the two greatest sources of spiritual insight and spiritual impression that are available universally to mankind. Certainly he was torn by differing opinions, but he was determined to do the right thing and determined to find the right way. He believed, as you and I must believe, that he could be taught and blessed from on high, as he was.

But, we may say, Joseph Smith was a very special spirit, and his was a special case. What about the rest of us who may now be older—at least older than fourteen—and have not been destined to open a dispensation of the gospel? We also must make decisions and sort out confusion and cut through a war of words in a whole host of subjects that affect our lives. The world is full of such difficult decisions, and sometimes as we face them, we may feel our age or our infirmities.

Sometimes we may feel that our spiritual edge has grown dull. On some very trying days, we may even feel that God has forgotten us, has left us alone in our confusion and concern. But that feeling is no more justified for the older ones among us than it is for the younger and less experienced. God knows and loves us all. We are, every one of us, his daughters and his sons, and whatever life’s lessons may have brought us, the promise is still true: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5.)

The promise from James is to ALL OF US, not just Joseph Smith!  God loves us all and is willing to help us if we turn to Him!

Developing spirituality and attuning ourselves to the highest influences of godliness is not an easy matter. It takes time and frequently involves a struggle. It will not happen by chance, but is accomplished only through deliberate effort and by calling upon God and keeping his commandments.   The prophet Joseph Smith ... said: “We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker, and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment”

It has always been encouraging to me that the Lord said it is the “willing and obedient [who] shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.” All of us can be willing and obedient. If the Lord had said the perfect shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days, I suppose some of us would be discouraged and give up. …

The place to begin is here. The time to start is now. The length of our stride needs be but one step at a time. God, who has “designed our happiness,” will lead us along even as little children, and we will by that process approach perfection.

I love this! God doesn't require us to be perfect, and it doesn't matter where in life we are starting- He just asks that we be willing and obedient, and that we turn to Him, having faith.  If we do those things,  He will come through for us despite our imperfections! He will answer our prayers, He will lead us and guide us!  We need to do as Joseph Smith did when we have concerns and turn to God, scriptures and prayer.  I think too often we turn to our friends, our parents and other people before we turn to God. Maybe some people think they are too unworthy to receive help, but there is no such thing. No one is too unworthy to receive help from God.  If you turn to Him with faith and a willing heart, you will receive guidance!

“Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy;

“And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.” (D&C 11:12–14.)

Savanna also gave some excellent quotes from other talks.  One quote she gave was from President Thomas S. Monson, from a first Presidency message entitled, "Come unto Him in Prayer and Faith." You can find the full message HERE

"Now, if we have hesitated in supplicating God our Eternal Father simply because we have not as yet made the attempt to pray, we certainly can take courage from the example of the Prophet Joseph. But let us remember, as did the Prophet, our prayer must be offered in faith, nothing wavering.

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that the brother of Jared saw the finger of God touch the stones in response to his plea. 

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Noah erected an ark in obedience to the command from God. 

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Abraham was willing to offer up his beloved Isaac as a sacrifice. 

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. 

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Joshua and his followers brought the walls of Jericho tumbling down. 

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Joseph saw God our Eternal Father and Jesus Christ, His Son. 

Now, the skeptic may say that these mighty accounts of faith occurred long ago, that times have changed.

Have times really changed? Don’t we today, as always, love our children and want them to live righteously? Don’t we today, as always, need God’s divine, protecting care? Don’t we today, as always, continue to be at His mercy and in His debt for the very life He has given us?

Times have not really changed. Prayer continues to provide power—spiritual power. Prayer continues to provide peace—spiritual peace.

Wherever we may be, our Heavenly Father can hear and answer the prayer offered in faith."

Another quote she gave that stuck out to me was from Carl B. Cook of the Seventy, from a talk entitled, "It is Better to Look Up".  This talk can be found by clicking HERE

Elder Cook tells this story: At the end of a particularly tiring day toward the end of my first week as a General Authority, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question “How can I possibly do this?” I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building. As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor.

The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, “What are you looking at down there?” I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson.

I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.” (I’m sure that clever response inspired confidence in my abilities!)

But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!”

...As we parted, the words of a scripture came to mind: “Believe in God; believe that he is … ; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth.” As I thought of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s power, my heart found the comfort I had sought in vain from the floor of that descending elevator. ...

Experience has taught me that if we, like President Monson, exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life. We will not feel incapable of doing what we are called to do or need to do. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy. We will come to realize that most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance—and if it is, the Lord will help us. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction.

Why is it a challenge to consistently look up in our lives? Perhaps we lack the faith that such a simple act can solve our problems. For example, when the children of Israel were bitten by poisonous serpents, Moses was commanded to raise up a brass serpent on a pole. The brass serpent represented Christ. Those who looked up at the serpent, as admonished by the prophet, were healed. But many others failed to look up, and they perished.

Alma agreed that the reason the Israelites did not look to the serpent was that they did not believe doing so would heal them. Alma’s words are relevant to us today:

“O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful … ?

“If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for [our] sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead.”

President Monson’s encouragement to look up is a metaphor for remembering Christ. As we remember Him and trust in His power, we receive strength through His Atonement. It is the means whereby we can be relieved of our anxieties, our burdens, and our suffering. It is the means whereby we can be forgiven and healed from the pain of our sins. It is the means whereby we can receive the faith and strength to endure all things.

The Tongue of Angels

The first Sunday in March, Mae taught our lesson based on a talk given by Jeffrey R. Holland entitled, "The Tongue of Angels".   Below are my favorite quotes, but you can find the full talk HERE 

"The Prophet Joseph Smith deepened our understanding of the power of speech when he taught, “It is by words … [that] every being works when he works by faith. God said, ‘Let there be light: and there was light.’ Joshua spake, and the great lights which God had created stood still. Elijah commanded, and the heavens were stayed for the space of three years and six months, so that it did not rain. … All this was done by faith. … Faith, then, works by words; and with [words] its mightiest works have been, and will be, performed.” Like all gifts “which cometh from above,” words are “sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit."

“The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.”

"The voice that bears profound testimony, utters fervent prayer, and sings the hymns of Zion can be the same voice that berates and criticizes, embarrasses and demeans, inflicts pain and destroys the spirit of oneself and of others in the process. “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing,” James grieves. “My brethren [and sisters], these things ought not so to be.”

Wives, what of the unbridled tongue in your mouth, of the power for good or ill in your words? How is it that such a lovely voice which by divine nature is so angelic, so close to the veil, so instinctively gentle and inherently kind could ever in a turn be so shrill, so biting, so acrid and untamed? A woman’s words can be more piercing than any dagger ever forged, and they can drive the people they love to retreat beyond a barrier more distant than anyone in the beginning of that exchange could ever have imagined. Sisters, there is no place in that magnificent spirit of yours for acerbic or abrasive expression of any kind, including gossip or backbiting or catty remarks.

We must be so careful in speaking to a child. What we say or don’t say, how we say it and when is so very, very important in shaping a child’s view of himself or herself. But it is even more important in shaping that child’s faith in us and their faith in God. Be constructive in your comments to a child—always. Never tell them, even in whimsy, that they are fat or dumb or lazy or homely. You would never do that maliciously, but they remember and may struggle for years trying to forget—and to forgive. And try not to compare your children, even if you think you are skillful at it. You may say most positively that “Susan is pretty and Sandra is bright,” but all Susan will remember is that she isn’t bright and Sandra that she isn’t pretty. Praise each child individually for what that child is, and help him or her escape our culture’s obsession with comparing, competing, and never feeling we are “enough.” 

I suppose it goes without saying that negative speaking so often flows from negative thinking, including negative thinking about ourselves. We see our own faults, we speak—or at least think—critically of ourselves, and before long that is how we see everyone and everything. No sunshine, no roses, no promise of hope or happiness. Before long we and everybody around us are miserable.

I love what Elder Orson F. Whitney once said: “The spirit of the gospel is optimistic; it trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down and away from God, looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains, and is slow to yield obedience.” We should honor the Savior’s declaration to “be of good cheer.” (Indeed, it seems to me we may be more guilty of breaking that commandment than almost any other!) Speak hopefully. Speak encouragingly, including about yourself. Try not to complain and moan incessantly.

 Yes, life has its problems, and yes, there are negative things to face, but please accept one of Elder Holland’s maxims for living—no misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse.

Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)

Submitted by Brooke


This is one of my favorite foods ever!  You can really customize it to whatever you want- use the veggies you like and omit the ones you don't.

1 loaf very crusty Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (if the loaf is very big, use just a partial loaf. You only need about 6-8 cups of cubed bread)
1 Cucumber, peeled (or not) and diced
3-4 Tomatoes, diced
1/2 Red onion, thinly sliced (or I often use green onions sliced up instead of red onion)
Olives, sliced (I use black, but you can use whatever your favorite are)
1 yellow or red bell pepper, thinly sliced or cubed
Shredded Parmesan or diced Mozzarella or crumbled feta cheese (whatever your favorite is)
10-15 Basil leaves, coarsely chopped (or use dried basil)
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp vinegar (Red wine or Balsamic. I usually use Balsamic)
1/4 cup Olive oil (I often omit this)
Salt  and black pepper to taste


Preheat the oven to 350 F.  Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes, arrange on a baking sheet (you can lightly drizzle with olive oil if desired). Place the pan in the oven for 15-20 minutes until crisp/lightly toasted. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool.

 In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients BUT the bread pieces. Stir everything, and salt and pepper to taste.  Just before serving, add the crusty bread and stir all the ingredients together. (Most recipes have you add the bread along with everything else, then let it sit for 20-30 minutes, but I don't like my bread soggy at all, so I don't do this!)

Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder

Submitted by Brooke


1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, but into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 Tbsp butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup hot water
2 tsp chicken bouillon granules
1/2 to 1 tsp ground cumin
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 can (14 3/4 ounces) cream-style corn
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, undrained
1 medium tomato, chopped

In a large pot, brown the chicken and onion in butter until the chicken is no longer pink.  Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.  Add the water, bouillon and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
Stir in the cream, cheese, corn and chilies.  Cook and stir over low heat until the cheese is melted; add tomato.  Top with cilantro, avocado slices and tortilla strips if desired.

(I often make a healthier version of this soup by omitting the cheese and replacing the cream with skim milk.  Although it's probably not as tasty as the original version, I still think it tastes good!)

Cheese Steak Sandwiches

submitted by Brooke


Ingredients:
2 Tbsp butter
1 pound boneless steak
1 medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper
Cholula hot sauce (optional)
Sliced Provolone cheese
6 Hoagie Rolls

1. The meat for these sandwiches needs to be very thinly sliced.  It's easier to slice if you freeze it for a couple of hours first. Once partially frozen, you can use a very sharp knife to slice yourself or a slice using a food processor. You can also ask the butcher at the grocery store to thinly slice it for you.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. When melted and bubbly, add steak.  Stir constantly while it is cooking.
3. When the meat is about halfway cooked, add onions and green peppers.  Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce.  Continue stirring until the meat is cooked through and the onion and peppers are tender.
4. Spoon the meat filling onto sliced rolls and add a slice of Provolone cheese.  If desired, place the open-faced sandwiches onto a baking sheet under the broiler in your oven.  Broil for 1-2 minutes until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
5. Serve immediately

Chicken Pot Pie

Submitted by Brooke


1 chicken or 2 chicken breasts, cooked and cut in pieces
2 carrots, diced
2 potatoes, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
1/3 cup peas (optional)
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup Bisquick
1 cup milk
1 cube butter, melted

Mix up vegetable and chicken pieces and place in bottom of 9 x 13 pan. Combine soups and pour over veggie/chicken mixtures. Combine Bisquick, milk and butter and pour over the top. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour (or until veggies are tender).

Gracie's Cinnaburst Bread

Submitted by Brooke


So this is a copycat recipe of Great Harvest Cinnaburst bread, but I always think of this as Gracie's cinnaburst bread because that's who introduced me to it!

1 cup warm water
1 cup warm milk
1/3 cup sugar
2 1/4 teaspoon yeast (1 pack)
1/3 cup oil (I used veggie oil)
1/2 T salt
1 egg
4 1/2 to 5 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup cinnamon chips (I like Hershey's brand. You can buy at Lucky's, I believe. Also online at amazon or walmart.)

In mixer combine yeast, sugar, and warm water and milk; let bubble for about 5 minutes.
Add in oil and egg.
Slowly add 2 cups flour, mix and then add salt.
Add 1/2 cup flour at a time until it comes away from side of bowl. Add the cinnamon chips when it gets close to the right consistency. The dough will be very sticky but the softer the dough the lighter the bread. So use the least amount of flour you can handle.
Let rise in mixing bowl for about 30 minutes.
Form into loaf (or whatever shape you want).
Let rise and additional 30 minutes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

Makes 2 loaves