What Books do You Read?

"If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads."

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday, February 20 2013

Printed in the "Meridian Magazine" 

Satan’s Attack on Women

By Larry Barkdull

Something happened in the Garden of Eden that defined the battlefront of the continuing war between good and evil. What is the battlefront? The woman and her children. They became Satan’s primary targets, which prompted God to set up a safety net.

After Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit, the Father and the Son appeared to halt Satan in his diabolical scheme to lead the man and the woman to the Tree of Life. Had this first couple partaken of that fruit, they would have lived forever in their sins and become subject to the devil forever, and because God had decreed that they would die, He would have become a liar and ceased to be God.[i] Satan is forever trying to destroy us and wrest the kingdom from God.

The Father foresaw this crisis and made immediate provision to thwart Satan’s designs and corral him into a limited space. Notice the Father’s language as He rebukes Satan: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed.”[ii] 

We note with interest that Adam is not mentioned here. The woman and her children are the Father’s concern, suggesting that He has anticipated the object of Satan’s attack. 

Satan had previously leveled an assault on the woman. When she was separated from her husband (never a good idea for any couple), the devil beguiled her to partake of the forbidden fruit. Of course, we are told in the record that Satan “knew not the mind of the Lord” or how this event would work to divine purposes. Nevertheless, Satan’s plan was to “destroy the world”[iii] by first destroying the woman; his intention was to make her life miserable by waging an all-out war on her and her children. Gratefully, the Father stepped in and placed enmity between the woman, her seed and the devil.
Then the Father set up boundaries for the enmity. Although Satan would be permitted to bruise Eve’s children, a Child would emerge from her seed that would bruise and conquer the devil.[iv] That Child, of course, was Jesus Christ. 

Satan knew something that we should understand: If he could defeat the woman and remove her out of her place, he could win the war; but if he left her alone, he was doomed. Why? Because she had the power to bring forth the promised Child along with other righteous children to crush his head.[v] Therefore, Satan took direct aim at the woman to make her as miserable as possible. He strategy was twofold: attack her head-on and attack her through her children. 

John the Revelator understood the battlefront of the war, and, borrowing the woman-child metaphor, he described a horrific war that would be wrought with “bruising” and would culminate with the complete overthrow of Satan. Personalizing the scripture from the Church to the woman, we read how John portrays the battle waged on sisters and their children and how God protects them. 

            And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

            And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

                  And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

                  And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

            And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

            And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.[vi]

From the beginning, Satan has zeroed in on the woman and her children. Now John backtracks and shows us how and where this hatred of the woman originated.

            And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

            And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

            And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.[vii]

Notice that the Priesthood stepped in to protect the woman and her child. Then came rejoicing, as the Priesthood wielded their weapons to give the woman protection and to defeat Satan.

            And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

                   And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.[viii]

Then and now, the blood of the Lamb and the power of testimony are the Priesthood’s weapons.John continues his narrative by describing the war on the woman and her children as it transferred here on earth.

            Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

            And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

            And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

            And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

            And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

            And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.[ix]

The language in these verses is fascinating. Satan wages relentless, all-out war on the woman and her seed, but God gives her power the power of flight, a secure shelter and nourishment. How is this accomplished? By all accounts, God lays the responsibility for the woman and her children’s welfare on the man.

After God placed enmity between the woman, her seed and Satan, it fell to Adam to use his priesthood to protect his wife and family. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” uses the following language to define the man’s obligation to support and protect his wife and her children from Satan’s attacks:

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

Perhaps no population has ever been so oppressed or abused as women. One need only survey history and to observe cultures to recognize how successful Satan has been in waging his war on women. Often they have had no voice; frequently, they were viewed as second-class citizens and servants, not equals, to their husbands. They have been demeaned, exploited, mistreated: they have even become the sexual object of men who are carnal, sensual and devilish. 

From the beginning, God’s safety net for the woman is the Priesthood: first, her kind and righteous husband, second, the Priesthood within her extended family, and third, the Priesthood community in which she lives. Her husband is to provide for her and her children the “necessities of life” and protect her children. These necessities and protection exceed the temporal; spiritual necessities and protection are equally required.
Her safety net of the Priesthood--her husband, her family, and the community of Priesthood in her ward—are charged to shoulder the responsibility of watching over the woman and her children. Indeed, we are told that the gospel in its purity makes specific requirement to care for the woman and her children who are under attack from Satan: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”[x]

My purpose in writing this article is not to suggest that women are weak and need coddling. On the contrary, women historically have proven exceptionally strong and valiant. My purpose is not to suggest that women could not stand against Satan or protect her children from his attacks. One need only read the testimonies of the Stripling Warriors to show how powerful is a mother’s protection. My purpose is not to suggest that men are less immune than women from Satan’s fiery darts. Clearly, the devil can wage vicious blows to either gender. However, it seems apparent that God foresaw that Satan’s war would specifically be waged against the woman and her children, so He made special provision by giving the Priesthood the responsibility to provide for and safeguard them.

In a day when apostasy abounds and Satan rages in the hearts of men,[xi] may husbands, fathers and the Priesthood stand between the devil and women and their children. May the Priesthood wield the weapons of the blood of the Lamb and testimony to provide for and protect those who depend on them. May the Priesthood practice pure religion and defend the line of enmity so that Satan cannot pass.

"58" New Missions Created

Additional Resource

List of 58 Additional Missions Being Created

With the influx of new missionaries, some existing missions will be divided to form these additional missions:
Angola Luanda
Argentina Comodoro Rivadavia
Argentina Posadas
Arizona Gilbert
Arizona Scottsdale
Australia Sydney North
Bolivia Santa Cruz North
Botswana Gaborone
Brazil Curitiba South
Brazil Fortaleza East
Brazil Juiz de Fora
Brazil Natal
Brazil Piracicaba
Brazil Santos
Brazil São Paulo West
California Bakersfield
California Irvine
California Rancho Cucamonga
Chile Santiago South
Colorado Fort Collins
Ecuador Guayaquil West
Ecuador Quito North
El Salvador San Salvador East
Georgia Macon
Ghana Accra West
Guatemala Cobán
Honduras San Pedro Sula West
Idaho Nampa
Idaho Twin Falls
Illinois Chicago West
Japan Tokyo South
Kansas Wichita
Korea Seoul South
Liberia Monrovia
México Cancún
México Ciudad Juarez
México Ciudad Obregón
México México City Chalco
México Pachuca
México Queretaro
México Reynosa
México Saltillo
New Zealand Hamilton
Nigeria Benin City
Ohio Cincinnati
Oregon Salem
Papua New Guinea Lae
Perú Huancayo
Perú Iquitos
Philippines Cavite
Philippines Cebu East
Philippines Legaspi
Philippines Urdaneta
Ukraine L'viv
Utah Salt Lake City East
Virginia Chesapeake
Washington Federal Way
Washington Vancouver

President Henry B. Eyring - How Things are Done...

What Book is Known as the "Great Sifter"?

President Ezra Taft Benson’s comments:

I have noted within the Church a difference in discernment, insight, conviction, and spirit between those who know and love the Book of Mormon and those who do not. That Book is a great sifter. (Ensign, December 1988, p. 4)

The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means. First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and His gospel. It testifies of His divinity and of the necessity for a Redeemer and the need of our putting trust in Him. . . . Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (see 2 Ne. 3:12) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time. (Ensign, January 1988, p. 3)

Two great American Christian civilizations—the Jaredites and the Nephites—were swept off this land because they did not ‘serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ’ (Ether 2:12) What will become of our civilization? (Ensign, November 1987, p. 7).

Back to Basic Class: Making Homemade Bread and Pasta

Our BACK to BASIC classes headed up by

Honey Newton...have been VERY INFORMATIVE...

This month's class was mostly centered on

making HOMEMADE PASTA...

I went and found a detailed article on "HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE PASTA"

and have incorporated the article here...including pictures taken from our own class...

as well....

Honey displaying the different kinds of pasta she and her family had made...

Used different variations in the mixture to make

different "tasting" pastas:

EXAMPLES:

Add 1/2 teaspoon oregano, basil or thyme (to the dough)... OR

Use lemon OR lime juice in place of water ... OR

Use teriyaki sauce in place of water (for oriental dishes) ... OR

Use different types of flour ... OR

Use tomato paste in place of egg or water ... OR 

Use spinach juice or carrot puree in place of liquid

 

How to Make Homemade Noodles

http://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-basics/how-to-make-homemade-noodles

Homemade noodles are much easier to make than you think -- and you don't even need a pasta machine (though you can use one if you like).

It's true: Homemade noodles take more time to prepare than store-bought. But they reward cooks (and their lucky guests) with fresher, richer, better-tasting noodles to serve with all kinds of dishes -- pot roast, beef stroganoff, chicken and noodles, Swedish meatballs, braised meats, casseroles, and more.
Homemade American Noodles vs. Other Pastas
From the cellophane noodles of China to soba noodles in Japan to the scores of pasta shapes available in Italy, noodles come to the table in many countries around the world. What makes North American noodles (found in or served with classic comfort foods like chicken and noodles) different is that they are often enriched with egg or egg yolks. They can be cut long or short, thick or thin, but -- thanks to the egg quotient -- they're among the richest noodles around.

Rolling Pin or Pasta Machine?
The easiest way to get homemade noodles to the desired thickness (which is pretty thin!) is by passing the dough through a pasta machine. If you are nuts about homemade noodles, you might want to invest in a pasta machine. However, you can use a rolling pin instead. It just takes a little more work.

 Debbie setting up her pasta machine - first time used...
Wasn't too sure when putting it together...but, feeling much better
when finally got it assembled...smile


How to Make Homemade Noodles
This recipe will make enough noodles for five servings.
1. Gather the Ingredients
You'll need:

• 2 to 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• HONEY USES: semolina, whole wheat or white flours
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 egg yolks and 1 whole egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or olive oil
• All-purpose flour
• AGAIN...YOU CAN use the other flours I listed in RED

2. Mix the Dough

• In a large bowl stir together 1-3/4 cups of the flour and the salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.
• In a small bowl combine egg yolks and whole egg, the water, and oil. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stirring to combine.

Tip: The dough will be sticky at this point. That's OK; it will become smooth as you knead it.

3. Knead the Dough

• Sprinkle a clean kneading surface with the remaining flour. Turn dough out onto floured surface. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic (8 to 10 minutes total).

Tip: To knead dough, fold the dough and then push it with the heel of your hand. Turn the dough and repeat folding and pushing until the dough reaches a smooth and elastic consistency.

• Cover the dough and let rest for 10 minutes.

Tip: You can make the dough in advance to this point. Transfer the dough to an airtight container; freeze up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator, then continue with the next step.

4. Roll the Dough

• Divide the dough into four equal portions.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 12x9-inch rectangle. (Or pass it through a pasta machine until 1/16 inch thick.)
• Dust both sides of the dough portions with additional flour.
• Let the dough stand, uncovered, about 20 minutes.

5. Cut the Noodles

• Loosely roll the dough into a spiral.
• Cut the spiral crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips.
• Unroll the strips to separate.
• Cut the strips into 2- to 3-inch lengths.
• At this point you can cook the noodles immediately, or dry and store them (see next steps).

(BY MACHINE)

OR BY HAND:

6. To Store Cut Noodles

• Spread the noodles on a wire cooling rack.
• To store in the refrigerator: Let the noodles dry for 2 hours. Place in an airtight container and chill for up to 3 days.
• To freeze: Dry the noodles for at least 1 hour; place them in a freezer bag or freezer container and freeze for up to 8 months.

6. To Store Cut Noodles

• Spread the noodles on a wire cooling rack.
• To store in the refrigerator: Let the noodles dry for 2 hours. Place in an airtight container and chill for up to 3 days.
• To freeze: Dry the noodles for at least 1 hour; place them in a freezer bag or freezer container and freeze for up to 8 months.

6. To Cook Homemade Noodles
You can use homemade noodles whenever hot cooked noodles are called for. Here's how to cook them for serving and for adding to recipes:

• Fill a large pot with 3 quarts water. Bring the water to boiling; if desired, add 1 teaspoon salt.
• Add noodles a few at a time so the water does not stop boiling. (This also prevents the noodles from sticking together).
• Reduce the heat slightly and boil, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until the pasta is al dente (flexible but still slightly firm at the center).

Tip: Be sure to test often for doneness near the end of cooking time -- fresh noodles can go from stiff to perfect to overly soft in a matter of seconds.

• Drain the noodles in a colander, giving them a good shake to remove all the water.

  HOMEMADE BREAD:

"Honey Bread"

Recipe By: Honey Newton

In a large bowl combine: 

• 3 eggs
• 3 cups hot water
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 teaspoon yeast

LET RISE TILL FROTHY

• Then...ADD 1 teaspoon SALT

Add 5-7 cups flour of YOUR CHOICE.

Knead 15 minutes.

Dough should be smooth and glossy and bounce back when touched.

Let rise till double, covered, in a warm place.

Place in greased loaf pans and let rise 30 minutes.

Place in COLD OVEN.

Set temperature at 350 degrees.

Bake till golden brown (35-45 minutes)

SECRETS: Use FRESH ground flour.

Bread dough is ALIVE so keep it WARM.

Knead all your frustrations out…(smile)

Add herbs or spices for fun: rosemary, cinnamon, garlic and onion, coriander