Abraham

That is a great idea, but a better one is to use the starter like you said, cover them in a thick (relatively speaking) towell, and then set the Kerr jars on a heating pad. Don't disturb or look at them for 12 hours or so. When the yogurt has set it is FABULOUS!!!! People in our Stake can't believe is not store-bought. See below for flavoring it. Now this is way cool!!! After it is set, put it in the fridge overnight. the next day, take a pan boil a Cup of water, add a small package of Jello (whichever flavor you like) and then add the yogurt after you have dissoved the jello. Mix it together with the yogurt then put it back in the Kerr (canning ) jar and back in the fridge. The orange, raspberry, etc are to die for. But, because there is not stabilizer it kind of separates after a couple of days, and you can't mix it together, but it shoud be gone by then. That's how we do it in the Chaldeas - we use a current bush for power. Abraham

Here is a link to a HUGE pdf file. I have CD with 19 Files but a memmber of this site put it all together. You can search through this and it may help. My wife and put this together as were co-chairs of the Stake Prep Fair. http://www.letteringdelights.com/Doug/FoodStorage-PrepMegafile.pdf I have since added another 250 pages but can't get into this format. This will give you a good start. Abraham

If you got theideadoor.com or may be ideadoor.com they have FHE, HT, VT. YM/YW stuff and it is a great resource. Have fun. YMP, Abraham

Hi, Don't forget that we do not know how many dispensations there have been in history. It is not doctrine to say that we are in the seventh dispensation. The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times yes, and perhaps the last one, but not the 7th. (See Bible Dictionary for documentation) Therefore, perhpaps tying this in to the winding up scenes and to the Dispensation per se has not historically been as easy as it may seem. As a type, if we know the season (as a women who travaieth in childbirth - e.g., no man knoweth the day nor the hour but the 'time' of the birth as a season as Zechariah says), not to mention the we would hang ourselves with the date if we knew it, we can't even get our home teaching done since we know we have until the 'end' of days - oh I mean the month. HEE HEE. Abraham

Dear Rev. John, I am sure that Heavenly Father is pleased with your compoassion and your quest to follow Christ's example. There is one great principle: FAITH, one great law: OBEDIENCE, one great endowment: LOVE. In concert with repentance we can all return to his presence. Hatred sown with falsehoods, frosted with rumor mongoering will do just the opposite. Thank you for settign a proper example for your brothers and sister, and us as Latter Day Saints (also your brothers and sisters). Abraham

II Ne 10:3-4 Abraham

I can see why you have Darwin as your Avatar. Though there is only slight evidence, it seems like you are very limited in your study of the Book of Abraham. You are absolutely correct so far as you go, but have such a limited perspective that you should be careful. Did you know that the Book of Abraham revealed truths that were not discovered for decades after they were publised by Joseph. It is not a complete book and does not purport to be so. Put the puzzle together and you will, if you so desire, undersatnd the mysteries, for that is our objective in this life, and our mission. There is much to be criticzed about the Book of Abraham, but we do not see things as they are, we see them as we are, and thus the discrepencies between you and me. Who else??? - Abraham :-)

Scientists debate evolution also, and they are the same ones who say that since the dawn of time, there has never, never, been two snowflakes exactly alike. How hard is it to make two snowflake crystals exactly alike when compared to the double helix DNA molecule, not to mention the other miracles of life (See Alma "all thing denote there is a God") Alma 30:44. It was Reagan who said that he wanted to throw a huge banquet dinner, catered, etc, and invite atheists, then at the end of the meal ask, "Do you believe there was a chef?" Now what does that have to do with the flood. You can't always believe the Scientists especially when they contradict the scriptures Remember, the earth had to be baptized by water and is fulfilling the measure of its creation. Here is the other side. How many survived the flood? Not eight. Did you know that the righteous in the days of Noah were translated before the flood. I know I have mentioned this before, but they exist with their physical bodies in the terrestrial paradigm, and there are many there. It was a common thing to be translated 'back in the day". The PH line had to come through Noah so he and his family had to stay behind. (See Alma 9:21 & Heb 11:5) Don't believe everything that is so-called documented on the Discovery channel, they have much truth but not the whole truth. I am sure they discredit the resurrection also! Abraham

Hi, I salute YOU!!! I know your husband is the object of untold respect, honor and is due much reverence because of his fulfilling his duty, but you also have sacrificed much so WE could enjoy freedom. We are indeed FREEMEN as mentioned in the Book of Mormon. As a newly reactivated member I would counsel you to trust God. What does that mean? It means that the deepest recesses of your heart are accessible to Him and you can get the light and the truth that you so desire if you ask the right questions, search the right places, and talk to the right people. Read II Nephi 4:16-35 and Chapter 9. You will come to love and appreciate another man who gave his all so we could have freedom for eternity. Don't let a moment of doubt shade the numerous evidences of truth. If you don't know He lives then you can find out. There are many keys, here are three of them. 1) Read from the Book of Mormon every day _ if possible memorize the seminary scripture master scriptures, 2) Pray (but be sure you are getting through the veil. If not ask me how, 3) Repent and be obedient. Miracles happen every day. I just had one, and it was a one word answer to a prayer. There are no such things as small miralces. Keep on the path until the Father embraces you and weeps because you have returned. May the Lord bless you and all you give to provide us with the liberty that is also real. Abraham

I just pulled up the title page of the BoM and it still says it is written to the Lamanites. We had a GA come to our SC and tell us if we have a problem with the 'Lamanites' then we better get over it. I served in four different countries in Central America and so I love those hard working, intelligent, and devoted people. Being illegal is another issue. I will tel you who the Lamintes are not. They are not the traditional American Indians such as the Navajo, Apache, Crow, Blackfeet, Shosone, etc. It is too complicated to explain but the scholars I read say the same thing. Additionally, don't forget that when Lehi got here there were already many, many, people(s) here. This (South America supposedly) was not a virgin land, if for the very least remember the Jaredites and the so-called (never named such) the Mulekites. (Of course they were extinc but the point is that other have occupied this hemisphere.) I think trying to idetntify the lamintes is like trying to define a 'Gentile' there are different ways to look at it. For example, descendants of Laman, those who aligned themselves with Lamanites, those opposed to the Nephites. So sorry, this is not a better, clearer answer but I just wanted to at least clarify that the Amercan Native Indians in the broad sense are not under the name of lamanite. Abraham

The Captain of a Lifetime We stand berreaved upon the dock While ships embark for home To distant ports not viewed by us We are left alone Approching new horizons Ship and Captain fade away He encounters new beginnings And the dawn of a new day The Captain of a lifetime Disappears, or so it seems His destiny awaiting Where life is more serene His Mother's crying, waiting She's vigilled through the night Upon a far more distant shore She beacons with a light Death is but a sleeping He'll awake once more We'll then see his horizon As just another shore Our separation's not for long A fact amidst life's travels We were merely left behind As eternity unravels. GDW

I am very happy for you. Just remember that everything is a type and shadow of what points you to the eternal realm, to Heavenly Father. For example, and I am being careful not to tread even close to the line here; the tokens you receive are representative of the 'real' coin, like a token in life. One day when we are called up we will receive the real thing. It is a life-long quest to understand the endowment, kind of like the Atonement, but it a wonderous, joyful, and exciting journey. Remember how you felt. Abraham

Hi, The Hong Kong temple is the most incredibel temple. Of course each has its own spirit. For example, the Manti temmple is very special for other reasons, as well as San Deigo (see dobuel 'D; in a box symbolism). When going to Hong Kong, the night before the trip my wife was awakened by the Spirit, with a not-so-still voice, saying, "your recommends expired yesterday." I may have shared this but we got the Bishop up at 6 A.M. and the Stake Pres counselor and got our recommends. When we got to the temple there is a sign on the front recommend desk that states in short and in the vernacular "We don't care if your recommend expried 10 minutes ago, if it is expired, you cannot enter the temple." We were so glad for the Spirit to tell us (or my wife). We got a special tour and it was very very spiritual. Abraham

Hi, We know Satan has his counterfeits and thus those who claim to speak to those beyond the gramve usually are being deceived. Do we think the spirits are at the beck and call of those on earth. No, they have work to do, but Satan can imitate visitations. See Moses, Joseph Smith's First Vision, and II Ne chapter 9 where we see that Satan and his minnions can appear as angels of light. Please remember those who teach/preach that these are done away in our day or sorely mistaken, see Moroni Chapter 7 (and 8 -10 for that matter). He was speaking for our day. We will need such to help us in these latter times. At the same time, many who are here as disembodied spiritts, or as spirits who never had a body have much to do with us. It is very natural to see spirits, angels, and to converse with them, or not. It is not any more unusual or supernatural than sending a text or fax over the phone line. We just have to remember which side of the line we are on when the vistis come. Abraham

Hi, John tells us that the Savior was hated before we were so we are in noble company. Also, see Alma 24:30, and other related scriputres about having the truth taken away once one rebels against it (Him). Abraham Antis are poor excuses for Chritisans. Any christian who preaches destruction is not on the Lord's side in any way.

I believe it was Joseph F McConkie who said, if we were sellling vacuum cleaners and told the ladies of the house that their vacuum is just like ours, does the same job, same quality, and same performance, in other words ours is just like theirs and has many things in common what would compel them to change (buy) our message. We will not, in my opinion accomplish the goal to bring others unto the true Christ if we try to align oursleves with their doctrines. Now I know the point was that if was have some common ground it gives us a foundational relationship, but some are too afarid to preach the true doctrines like living prophest, living scriprues and a living church (See D&C 1:30), then we have not done much other than dilute the faith. I think the bold aproach is going to sound the clarion call to those who are prepared. A

Yes the figs are ripe,it is summer. I often say to those who want to come and 'share' my 2-3 years supply. Where was Lehi's year's supply when the Babylonians overtook Jerusalem, when those who chose to stay and glut in the land of their inheritance, and all their gold, and silver, and precious things? Where was their food storge, it was with them and they were called away. In my opinon the Lord would not command us to prepare and then let us be consumed by the Gentiles (or members for that matter). I simply cannot conceive of not sharing number one, or being in a position where 3% of the members are expected to feed 97% who legitaimatley had been counseld for 60 years and did not heed the prophet's voices. It just is not the Lord's way. One would have no problem coming over and wanting me to share my food with his family, but they never wanted to share their RV, ski boat, etc. with me? Get the point. Abraham

We have a sweet lady iin our Ward who's husband is not a member and in a nice way forbids her to pay tithing. She honors that and helps out in any other way she can. She donates to the YM/YW, provides food for the Ward dinners etc, and yes she has a TR. I guess every situation is unique but overall the concept of living as much as you can applies here. A

First of all, these are separate but tithing is an indivvidual issue. If you do not make any money but have the intent of paying an honest tithing on any income you qualify for that portion of the TR interview, regardless of your husband's point of view. Obviously, there are deeper issues here that have not been mentioned so I will not bring them up. Secondly, I knew a couple in our Ward in FL who were interviewed together for their TR. This infuriated the wife as the husband was, well, let's say not an upstanding husband or saint. She wanted to tell the SP some things but could not with her husband present. In my opinion, the TR should always be an individual interview, for that and many other reasons. BTW - they got a nasty divorce, as the man was having an affair. I have been in many bishoprics and always receive counsel that you never know want to assume anything about a person or less about a relationship. Abraham

In the final analysis it is Christ who redeems us and saves us. Being Mormon and very active, I do not like the scripture "by grace that we are saved after all we can do." Now don't get too excited. If we keep thinking that we can do more, and we can always do more, it seems like we save ourselves, and it truly is strictly by the grace of God that we can be saved in the salvation or exaltation sense. In the spirit of this tread do we have to obey, remain steadfast, on the strait path, repent, accept the atonment (thus Christ) yes but the Baptists have the upper half right when they say it is by grace. Nevertheless, we as LDS have both halves. I believe we just have to be careful we don't let the shadow of works overshadow the Christ. In short after all we can do we never measure up (See II Ne Ch 9). Christ became subject to all men so that all men would become subjecdt unto him. But unless we do as John mandates, accept and know the true and living God, in his true and living Church, we will have some conversioning [sic] to do. Instinctively, we want to say, I do this and this and this ad infinitum and so I merit salvation, but it is on the merits on the One who allows us to enter, not oursleves. At the same time, we should strive to be as the scritpures state (see obad 2:21). we need to strive to be saviors in sharing and being examples. etc. In my opinion that is why the Lord said if ye love me "obey" (keep my commandments), love one another, serve one another. It is NOT enough to just say you believe, because THAT IS NEVER FAITH!!!!!! Faith like love and obedience and reprentance requires ACTION!!! So we have to do our part, and we do not save ourselves. It demonstrates the love we have, the commitment we accept, the plan we walk, and the person we embrace in the Savior. Otherwise we would be spewed out of the Lord's mouth, as it were. Consider this, Satan's plan would have saved all of us. No work, no service, no love, just saved. Just saying Christ is everything is like saying, his salvation was cheap and I accept it. He paid the price so I could coast. That is Satan's devious, clever, attractive, and enticing plan. Remember Satan carefully chains us and bind us. So anyway sorry to ramble, but Christ demanded obedience but not compliance, love but not acquiescence, service but not servitude, faith but not apathy. That is why the Gospel is the great plan of happiness. One who loses his life will find it. Abraham

In the final analysis it is Christ who redeems us and saves us. Being Mormon and very active, I do not like the scripture "by grace that we are saved after all we can do." Now don't get too excited. If we keep thinking that we can do more, and we can always do more, it seems like we save ourselves, and it truly is strictly by the grace of God that we can be saved in the salvation or exaltation sense. In the spirit of this tread do we have to obey, remain steadfast, on the strait path, repent, accept the atonment (thus Christ) yes but the Baptists have the upper half right when they say it is by grace. Nevertheless, we as LDS have both halves. I believe we just have to be careful we don't let the shadow of works overshadow the Christ. In short after all we can do we never measure up (See II Ne Ch 9). Christ became subject to all men so that all men would become subjecdt unto him. But unless we do as John mandates, accept and know the true and living God, in his true and living Church, we will have some conversioning [sic] to do. Instinctively, we want to say, I do this and this and this ad infinitum and so I merit salvation, but it is on the merits on the One who allows us to enter, not oursleves. At the same time, we should strive to be as the scritpures state (see obad 2:21). we need to strive to be saviors in sharing and being examples. etc. In my opinion that is why the Lord said if ye love me "obey" (keep my commandments), love one another, serve one another. It is NOT enough to just say you believe, because THAT IS NEVER FAITH!!!!!! Faith like love and obedience and reprentance requires ACTION!!! So we have to do our part, and we do not save ourselves. It demonstrates the love we have, the commitment we accept, the plan we walk, and the person we embrace in the Savior. Otherwise we would be spewed out of the Lord's mouth, as it were. Consider this, Satan's plan would have saved all of us. No work, no service, no love, just saved. Just saying Christ is everything is like saying, his salvation was cheap and I accept it. He paid the price so I could coast. That is Satan's devious, clever, attractive, and enticing plan. Remember Satan carefully chains us and bind us. So anyway sorry to ramble, but Christ demanded obedience but not compliance, love but not acquiescence, service but not servitude, faith but not apathy. That is why the Gospel is the great plan of happiness. One who loses his life will find it. Abraham

When prayer becomes meaningful and not drudgery then you will wish you could pray all the time, and not just iin your heart, which has its own merits. Whey one receives pure, unequivocal revelation then you will see that the Lord wants to be on your side. If you are not there yet, change something in your prayers, like the time spent speaking, time spent listening, and find out how the Lord speaks to you. I went to Utah for a blessing and my best friend, in the blessing, spoke slowly, deliberately, carefully, with poignancy, I felt the spirit. When I came home, I was asked to minister to someone. I began to speak slowly, carefully (you get the point), and the Spirit yelled in my ear, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" The message was that I don't receive inspiration that way. I, in the most positive sense of the word provoke the Spirit and speak boldly and NEVER use the word "might. As in, I bless you that you might be healed or get a job or whatever. Might = Maybe = Perhaps = COULlD = DOUBT = NO FAITH!!!! I also never qualify my blessings be saying (and this is admittedly arguable) contingent on the person receiving the blessing's faith. In my humble opinion, if you don't have the faith to proclaim with power and humility the will of the Lord, then don't shuffle it back on the person by saying in essence, "Oh, just in case the blessing does not take place it is on your faith not my blessing." Too wimpy in my book of revelation(s). Oh, about prayer. It is about personal revelation. When you see the light it is like getting a testimony, or falling in love, hard to describe but very real. Realize that one must affect the blesssings of prayer that the brethern speak about. Best of blessing and hearing (think of this "the thoughts of your heart") Abraham

If one would only look at the new doctrine that was not even discovered by so called scientists until decades after Joseph translated and published the Book of Mormon you would see a billion other evidences of its divinity. If you read I Nephi, we see that Isaiah was included because the books of Moses (Pentateuch) were not enough to bring people to Christ. If there we no other chapter to the B of M other than II Nephi Chapter 9, it would give us so much more than any other partial and incomplete so-called true church on earth that it would be laughable, but we have so much more. Moroni in the end and so forth. So many strain at trying to find fault and they will find it, because muckrakers always do, but look at the expounding of doctrines such as the Fall, the Atonement, the reason we have opposition, the plan of happiness (salvation), and on and on. I promise if you keep straining at a gnat you will find yourself on the outside looking in. Don't be so sophomoric. But of course you have pure rights to your opinion(s) just broaden your vision and get off the plagerinzing thing. It is as revelant as the use of the word Adieu. Of course any English word that is translated was not used by the B of M peoples. Look at the Bible and there are dozens of references to scriptures that speak of the prophecies of Christ that we do not have - do you think the Bible is false, uninspired, and shallow because of that? Abraham

We as children it may appear Hold sports and things much more dear Than you our Mother nice a sweet Who care for us as her elite So this year we wish to show And hope in spirit you’ll always know We recognize your sacrifice In molding us into being nice For eternities we’ll endear The lessons that you’ve taught us here And when we’re not in your sight Still remember you gave us flight Please know deep inside We know your love still abides We care, and love, and take advantage To make it true, this well-used adage: We love you Mother sweet and true All we are is because of you Tho’ we may not show you have to know Love’s true message is in our soul Thank you for direction high and true For values nurtured deep and through Fibers of our very being We love you Mom for all your seeing. Happy Mother’s Day Your loving children!

We as children it may appear Hold sports and things much more dear Than you our Mother nice a sweet Who care for us as her elite So this year we wish to show And hope in spirit you’ll always know We recognize your sacrifice In molding us into being nice For eternities we’ll endear The lessons that you’ve taught us here And when we’re not in your sight Still remember you gave us flight Please know deep inside We know your love still abides We care, and love, and take advantage To make it true, this well-used adage: We love you Mother sweet and true All we are is because of you Tho’ we may not show you have to know Love’s true message is in our soul Thank you for direction high and true For values nurtured deep and through Fibers of our very being We love you Mom for all your seeing. Happy Mother’s Day Your loving children! GDW AKA AOC