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

 

 

Life is Like an Old Time Rail Journey

"Look to God and LIVE!"

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY:
Alma 37:45-47 

"And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. . . . yea, see that ye look to God and live."

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Thomas S. Monson 

"Looking heavenward should be our lifelong endeavor. Some foolish persons turn their backs on the wisdom of God and follow the allurement of fickle fashion, the attraction of false popularity, and the thrill of the moment. Their course of conduct resembles the disastrous experience of Esau, who exchanged his birthright for a mess of pottage.

"And what are the results of such action? I testify to you today that turning away from God brings broken covenants, shattered dreams, and crushed hopes. Such a quagmire of quicksand I plead with you to avoid. You are of a noble birthright. Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is your goal" ("Guideposts for Life's Journey," BYU Devotional, November 13, 2007).

We are a "Favored" People

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Howard W. Hunter 

"The ancients whom we love and read and quote so much-Adam and Abraham, Joshua and Joseph, Isaiah and Ezekiel and Ezra, Nephi and Alma, and Mormon and Moroni-all of these ancient prophets, priests, and kings focused their prophetic vision 'with peculiar delight' on our day, on our time. It is this hour to which they have looked forward 'with joyful anticipation,' and 'fired with heavenly and joyful anticipation they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day.'

"They saw us as 'the favored people' upon whom God would shower his full and complete latter-day glory, and I testify that is our destiny. What a privilege! What an honor! What a responsibility! And what joy! We have every reason in time and eternity to rejoice and give thanks for the quality of our lives and the promises we have been given. That we may do so, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen" ("An Anchor to the Souls of Men," BYU Devotional, February 7, 1993).

God Intended for Humans to be FREE

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY A NON-MEMBER

I’m inspired by this Mormon theological idea: God intended for humans to be free to make our own choices and live with the consequences of those choices.

Smart Mormons

- Mike Jensen   Tuesday, January 22, 2013

During the 2012 presidential campaign, that awesomely deep well of perpetual wisdom, Alec Baldwin, proclaimed that if Barack Obama were not black, his vote total would have been 20 percent higher.
People of real intelligence realize that the opposite was probably true: if he had been white, his vote total would have been 20 percent lower.  The African-American voting bloc combined with enough whites suffering from liberal guilt guaranteed a higher vote total for Obama.

The truth of the matter is, if Mitt Romney had not been a Mormon, his vote total might very well have been significantly higher.

In fact, according to a Galup poll released in June of last year, while 4 percent of people said they would not vote for a black president, a full 22 percent said they would not vote for a Mormon.  In fact, only atheists and gays ranked higher. So Baldwin probably had it backwards, which he usually does, so that comes as no surprise.
What did come as a surprise to me is why people would have such negative views of Mormons.  I have known lots of them in my life, and in most cases they have been hard-working, kind, generous, family-oriented people—just the kind of people this country used to value (and maybe that’s the problem right there.)

Mormons have intrigued me ever since Mike Huckabee back in 2007 claimed that Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers.  With the recent election over, I decided to check out Mormons a bit more.
My hope in doing this was to explain to readers who Mormons are and whether or not 22 percent of the people were justified in opposing having a Mormon president.

But instead I’m going to share an intriguing bit of Mormon theology I learned that I think makes them perhaps the most politically wise human beings on the planet.  Ironically, this story stems from that Huckabee quote about the relationship between Jesus and the devil, but the lesson to be learned is one that, regardless of our political or religious views, we would all be wise to consider.

So here’s what I learned: Mormons, unlike most other Christian sects, believe that all humans lived a life before mortality.  They call this the pre-existence or pre-earth life.  At birth a veil is placed over our minds so that we don’t remember it (you’ll see why in a minute).

In this pre-earth life, we were all in the presence of God as His spirit children.  Jesus was there—the first-born of God’s spirit children, and a leader in the councils in Heaven.  Lucifer was also there, and was another leader among the children of God.  He was called a “son of the morning.”

At some point in this existence, the Father called all of His children together to explain how things worked.  All of His children would have to leave His presence and come to earth for a period of testing.  The goal was to see if we would live a righteous life even when we had to live by faith, as we would no longer be able to remember God or heaven (that’s the reason for the veil).

If we would live a righteous life, we would be given the opportunity to return and live with God forever.  Otherwise we would forfeit that chance, because no unclean thing can live in God’s presence.  However, God knew that we would all make mistakes, so he would provide a Savior for the world.  This Savior would live a sinless life, and because of that, he would qualify to pay for the sins of the world through what would be called the “Atonement.”  If people would sincerely repent of their sins, then the Atonement would essentially erase their sins, and they could still return and live with God.  The Father called for volunteers to be this savior, and two stepped forward: Jesus and Lucifer.
Lucifer said that he would be the savior and he would force everybody to live righteously, thus guaranteeing that all of God’s spirit children would return to Him in heaven.  Jesus said that He would follow the Father’s plan and allow God’s children their free agency.  They could choose for themselves whether to live righteously and take advantage of the Atonement or whether to live in sin and forfeit the opportunity to return and live with God.
God rejected Lucifer’s plan, causing Lucifer to rebel and declare war on God.  One-third of God’s spirit children joined Lucifer in this rebellion.  In the end, the rebellion failed and Lucifer and his followers were cast out of heaven.  They came to earth without bodies and now, continuing the war they started in heaven, they tempt men to do evil to one another and lose out on the chance to return to God.

PAY ATTENTION HERE; THIS IS THE GOOD PART
Now, any traditional Christians reading this will see similarities to their own belief system.  Most traditional Christians believe that Lucifer lived in heaven as an angel, but then declared war on God and was cast out.  However, the causes for that war are not necessarily clear in traditional Christian theology.
That is where Mormon theology is so intriguing.  For Mormons, the greatest of all battles, the war in heaven, was fought over LIBERTY—or as they call it, “free agency.”  Lucifer wanted to take it away, while God demanded that humans have it.
Although a Mormon might balk at my making comparisons between their religious beliefs and modern politics (and as I said earlier, every Mormon I’ve ever known was a very good person, so I apologize to any I offend), I see a direct correlation here.  For a Mormon, the battle for liberty is not unique to this life; it is the core battle of the ages.  Lucifer lost the war in heaven (he really thought he could beat God?), but the war continues on earth.  So seeing the government become more and more tyrannical is not just a political concern; it’s a fundamental, eternal concern.
I’m inspired by this Mormon theological idea: God intended for humans to be free to make our own choices and live with the consequences of those choices.  The Founding Fathers of this country said essentially the same thing in the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

My study of Mormonism has not only given me newfound respect for this people and their religion; it has also made me evaluate my own attitude towards the liberty that seems to be slipping through all of our fingers.  Is this just something that is nice to have, and for which I thank the Founding Fathers?  Or is it really something that is endowed by God, and that He expects me to fight for.  According to Mormon theology, I already fought for this once.  The fact that I’m here says that I was on God’s side in the war in heaven, and fought for liberty.

A Mormon might ask, why should any of us be less willing to fight for it here than we were there?

Mike Jensen is a freelance writer living in Colorado.  He received his M.A. in Professional Writing from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he wrote his first book, Alaska’s Wilderness Highway.  He has since published Skier’s Guide to Utah along with humor, travel, and political articles for various magazines and newspapers.  He is married with five sons, and spends his free time at a remote cabin in the Colorado Rockies.