SiZ (Test)

The First Fish Fry

<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAzKju-tl-5ULwMyV6KdBvtAs8m359pwnP4tZkHmu8wwHwQ111RWljLkH7RQhwAbq09bnbmEEpeUpX9UeqxB56pLzZv_lUCX3sfYjkRXCdijEA4YAUBbkcz9ytzuazEe9kHyGFoZ-V8A/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAzKju-tl-5ULwMyV6KdBvtAs8m359pwnP4tZkHmu8wwHwQ111RWljLkH7RQhwAbq09bnbmEEpeUpX9UeqxB56pLzZv_lUCX3sfYjkRXCdijEA4YAUBbkcz9ytzuazEe9kHyGFoZ-V8A/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">When I was younger we often attended our Sunday services at the <a href="http://www.lds.org/">LDS</a> church and then went to church with my Granny, who was a member of a Baptist church. Although it made for a very long Sunday, I enjoyed attending church with my Granny. Even though she was not <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">Mormon</a>, Granny was always at our church because she attended whenever we asked her to. If there was a <a href="http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4695-1,00.html">Primary</a> program she was there, if there was a baptism she was there, ward activity there, pretty much if we sneezed and we wanted her at church with us, she was there.</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Of course Granny loved us, but I think much of her willingness to attend church with us was because my parents allowed her grandchildren to attend church with her also. My Granny is no longer with us and I cannot express how grateful I am for those extra long Sundays, they are precious memories that I cherish, memories centered on Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">There were special Sundays at Granny's church where they had a dinner after the service. A fish fry! (A cookout or other meal at which fried fish is the main course.)</span> On those Sundays we could clap our hands, stomp our feet, praise the Lord, and then get something to eat! On that Sunday you had better get there early if you wanted a seat, the Lord had a packed house that day. I would look around the chapel at all the people stuffed in the pews and think, "I hope the church ladies cooked enough, because I sure am hungry."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">The choir was always good at Granny's church, but on fish fry Sunday, they were exceptional. The Preacher was of course a little long winded. He probably figured he needed to hit the Lord's message home for those in the congregation that wouldn't be coming back until next year's fish fry. As soon as the preacher said Amen, everyone would make a mad dash for outside. I would stand there in line with my plate thinking "Oh, I hope I make it up there before all of Granny's greens are gone."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">When I finally reached the table, spread with a variety of wonderful foods, a church lady named something like Miss Mildred would take my plate and begin to serve me. Then I would have to tell her, "Miss Mildred, could I have the greens from that pot over there?" And she'd say, "They're all the same, greens are greens." And of course she knew that was lie, because we all knew about the pot of greens from the really nice church lady who couldn't cook, but always wanted to provide something. They kept it in the kitchen and everyone prayed that we didn't run out of greens and have to bring her pot out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">"Please," I'd say, "My Granny made the ones in that pot." She'd act like she was miffed about it, but then she'd give me a scoop of them. "Just a little more please, Miss Mildred," I'd say, after I saw how tiny the scoop was. "Look here, we've got a lot of people to serve," she'd tell me. Then somebody would pass by, maybe the Preacher, and he'd say, "Come on now Sister Mildred, if <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=e9ea0f9856c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=e36d5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">Jesus could feed 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish</a>, then I'm sure we'll be all right...give the baby a little more greens." Then Miss Mildred would smile at the Preacher, and give me a good size helping. After the Preacher had left she would look at me and say, "Alright now, you got plenty of greens, I better not see you up here asking for seconds."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">I'd take my plateful of food to the table my family was sitting at, and look around. Everyone was happy and smiling and everyone was fed, all those people and everyone got a plate. Then I would wonder if that was what it was like when Jesus feed the 5000. Maybe Jesus looked around and everyone was happy and smiling and well fed. As I would take a bite of that delicious, golden, crispy fish, and it melted in my mouth, I'd imagine that as good as this fish tasted, Jesus' must of been even more divine. Boy, I would have loved to have been at Jesus' fish fry!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Now that My Granny's gone, I don't see many fish fry Sundays, but I'm still well fed. You see, when you feast on the Savior's word, you are always full. Everyone can partake; there is plenty to go around at the Lord's table. It was an absolute miracle when Jesus fed 5000 with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, and if we let him, he can feed us all too, the entire world. That's billions of people, oh what a fish fry that would be!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Peace and blessings,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Sista Laurel</span></div>

The First Fish Fry

When I was younger we often attended our Sunday services at the LDS church and then went to church with my Granny, who was a member of a Ba...

Zion's Home & Visiting Teaching Service

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMvBDLbY8-6tZ6R0oYnJCvpFyquHWUqQRON9xAVHFObW4KSROWV6RhO0XPfa23H5-eUxoxrOmo0yiZMGOL2mwwP77nEYNNU7JusL99T1VhQxcDKGCw5hXcLDOsA1HpmWtUebb2IipsLM/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMvBDLbY8-6tZ6R0oYnJCvpFyquHWUqQRON9xAVHFObW4KSROWV6RhO0XPfa23H5-eUxoxrOmo0yiZMGOL2mwwP77nEYNNU7JusL99T1VhQxcDKGCw5hXcLDOsA1HpmWtUebb2IipsLM/s320/8.jpg" width="244" /></a><b>ZION'S HOME & VISITING TEACHING SERVICE</b>: "We care when you don't have time to."<br /><br />Home/visiting teaching getting you down? Can't get that annoying priesthood leader/Relief Society sister off your back? Home/visiting teaching interfering with your TV, golf or me time? We can help! At Zion's Home & Visiting Teaching Service we'll do your home/visiting teaching for you. For a small monetary fee we will send one of our trained representatives to the homes of your families.<br /><br />Basic Visit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10<br /><br />Basic Visit plus Spiritual Message . . . . . . . $15<br /><br />Birthday and anniversary cards in addition to the Basic Visit and Spiritual Message. . . . . $20<br /><br />Is $20 too much to pay for peace of mind? Call us at 1-800-752-2537. That's 1-800-Slacker.<br /><br />PLEASE NOTE: Because of heavy volume, an extra $15 will be added for the last day of the month.<br /><br /><b>Check Out Our New Services!</b><br /><br /><u>Meetings:</u> We will send a representative to the appropriate meeting to take notes for you and report back.<br /><br />Ward Council Meeting: $30<br /><br />Ward Council Meeting w/ written report: $50<br /><br />Presidency Meetings: $20<br /><br />PEC: $25<br /><br />Sacrament Meeting: $20<br /><br />Sunday School: $20<br /><br />Priesthood: $20<br /><br />3-hour Sunday Block (best value): $50<br /><br />PLEASE NOTE: Surcharge of 10% for stake meetings. Call us at 1-800-752-2537. That's 1-800-Slacker.<br /><br /><u>Talks and Lessons:</u> Did a bishopric member call and assign you a talk? Tired of wasting Saturday night preparing a lesson? Well, free up your time and just read one of our professionally prepared talks and lessons. No need to spend countless hours pouring through books, writing and praying. We'll do it for you!<br /><br />Basic Talk (any subject assigned): $20<br /><br />Scripture Talk (basic + 5 scriptures): $30<br /><br />Deluxe Talk (scripture + 1 poem + 2 G.A. quotes): $40<br /><br />All talks are guaranteed to last 15 minutes. Add $1 for each additional minute.<br /><br />Basic Lesson (40 minutes): $25<br /><br />Deluxe (Basic + visual aides): $35<br /><br />Super Deluxe (Deluxe + Handouts): $45<br /><br />*Due to high expectations, centerpieces and floral arrangements, Relief Society lessons are slightly higher. Call for quote.<br /><br />* Due to lower expectations, priesthood lessons receive a 10% discount.<br /><br />Call us at 1-800-752-2537. That's 1-800-Slacker.<br /><br /><u>Casserole Service:</u> If you just can't possibly throw together food for various Ward occasions, WE CAN! Our basic services include:<br /><br />a.. Funeral Potatoes<br /><br />b.. Green Bean/Mushroom Soup with Crunchy Onions<br /><br />c.. Green Jell-O with Carrots<br /><br />d.. Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl<br /><br />e.. CheezWiz/Tater Tot Surprise<br /><br />For only $15 (plus deposit) each delivered to your house with Corningware marked with your name! They'll never know you didn't make 'em! Remember our number: 1-800-S-L-A-C-K-E-R<br /><br /><u>Introducing our Bundle Buys and Frequent Shopper Plan:</u> Bundle any 3 services and receive a 20% discount. Receive one free Basic talk or lesson with any 10 purchases.<br /><br />There you have it! We take all the work off of your shoulders and put ours to the wheel just for you. We're not doing the work for you, we are doing you a service, and after all isn't service what it's all about. A good person serves others, and an even better person lets others serve them. Let Zion's Home & Visiting Teaching Service serve you!<br /><br />Count your blessings,<br />Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel

Zion's Home & Visiting Teaching Service

ZION'S HOME & VISITING TEACHING SERVICE : "We care when you don't have time to." Home/visiting teaching getting you do...

Mormon Nudists

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lMHyHiSvFZN1H7-WFD_tKpVwf7ayWLYNYsrWpYLTKUHfuFiN3GoZfl-K-P6Y9S1ZiTNPR6Ag9nx-AmbLqHCkW3mYbRY0QR-OyAKBPvkepG_G76IIqeU9qoaKT2-UuCBp920dbnsNXSc/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lMHyHiSvFZN1H7-WFD_tKpVwf7ayWLYNYsrWpYLTKUHfuFiN3GoZfl-K-P6Y9S1ZiTNPR6Ag9nx-AmbLqHCkW3mYbRY0QR-OyAKBPvkepG_G76IIqeU9qoaKT2-UuCBp920dbnsNXSc/s320/1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><p>Before we heard about <a href="http://www.sistasinzion.com/2009/10/kutv-mormon-nudists-news-story.html">this</a> KUTV news story on <a href="http://mormon.org/">Mormon</a> nudists we had no idea that such a community existed. Of course the idea of Mormon nudists piqued our interest, not because we are tempted to try it, but because of how contrary the concept seems with the <a href="https://lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth/dress-and-appearance?lang=eng">modesty teachings</a> of the <a href="http://lds.org/">LDS</a> faith. </p><br /><br />Since we don't personally know anyone who is a Mormon nudist/naturist, we decided to check out <i>LDS Skinny-Dipper Connection</i>, a website dedicated to "...faithful members of <a href="http://lds.org/">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> throughout the world who have a wholesome interest in social nudity under appropriate circumstances." There are no pictures on the website. While the site contains a lot of information about how these Mormon members reconcile teachings of the LDS faith with their desire to be nude, we were still unable to find answers to <i>our</i> most pressing questions about Mormon nudism.<br /><br />~ A common tip for those who might be nervous about public speaking is for them to picture their audience naked. When giving a talk, if everyone is already naked, then what do you picture?<br /><br />~ If you are <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=f0862f2324d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">home teaching</a> or <a href="http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4691-1,00.html">visiting teaching</a> a reluctant family or sister, does showing up naked make them more or less likely to let you in to share the message that month?<br /><br />~ When out and about and naked, where are our keys supposed to go?<br /><br />~ When playing nude sports...there are just so many questions here we can't even wrap our brains around it?<br /><br />~ Does getting naked make the stretch marks go away?<br /><br />~ Since your clothes are already off, do you put your clothes on to let your spouse know you would like some alone time with them?<br /><br />~ Sunburns, bug bites, splinters, frost bite, sports injuries, poison ivy, these all seem so deadly when naked?<br /><br />Look, we don't foresee the LDS church coming out with a list of "appropriate circumstances" where "social nudity" is okay any time soon...or ever. To each their own, God be with you naked Saints, but we Sistas plan on keeping our clothes on.<br /><br />Modest is the hottest,<br />Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel

Mormon Nudists

Before we heard about this KUTV news story on Mormon nudists we had no idea that such a community existed. Of course the idea of Mormon nu...

You Might Be a Mormon If...

Finish this sentence! We know you've got some good ones.

Elijah Abel: Black Mormon Pioneer

Elijah Abel: Black Mormon Pioneer

Elijah Abel, Black Mormon Pioneer Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of the priesthood to members of The Church of Jesus Ch...

No, Thank You! I'm Mormon

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblSCAjsCEiIluAS1rbtOWU7yvTlmdPxHOPaM297yw0kBz5OE0fmh_sbyY6HhGbKjH-2mxKIaexIsB6osbLGmkaV6Ftsag51iNlSv8_a5W0n_mVohYQiG660k9xhSYqd0gSvfQD8hLU5w/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblSCAjsCEiIluAS1rbtOWU7yvTlmdPxHOPaM297yw0kBz5OE0fmh_sbyY6HhGbKjH-2mxKIaexIsB6osbLGmkaV6Ftsag51iNlSv8_a5W0n_mVohYQiG660k9xhSYqd0gSvfQD8hLU5w/s400/1.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1958 "Be Honest With Yourself" LDS advertisement.</td></tr></tbody></table>As Sistas in Zion scenario: Dick and Jane are guests at a dinner party at the home of Bob and Betty. Betty has prepared a lovely tray of cocktails which Bob is graciously offering to his guests. Dick and Jane are members of <a href="http://www.lds.org/">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a>,and Bob is unaware that Dick and Jane do not drink alcohol.<br /><br /><br />Being a gentleman, (ladies first!) Bob offers Jane a drink. Before Jane can even respond Dick yells, "No! We do not drink alcohol. We are <a href="http://www.mormons.org/">Mormons</a> and we believe in the <a href="http://lds.org/study/topics/word-of-wisdom?lang=eng">Word of Wisdom</a>." Dick then knocks the drink out of Bob's hand spilling red wine on the new tie which Bob's children lovingly handpicked from the Sears Roebuck Catalogue, and gave to him for Father's Day.<br /><br />Betty, the ever prepared hostess, retrieves a bottle of club soda to offer as a drink to her sober dinner guests and use on the spilled red wine before any stains set. Bob tells Dick "not to worry" and that "Betty is a whiz at getting stains out." Bob apologizes to Dick and Jane for being unaware of Mormon customs and assures them that any offense was unintentional. Bob and Betty excuse themselves so that they can get Bob out of his soiled shirt and into a freshly pressed one, which Betty wisely had on hand in case of instances such as these.<br /><br />While Bob and Betty are away Jane gives Dick a stern look. Dick tells Jane that he is "uncomfortable staying at a dinner party where "<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/tg/word-of-wisdom?lang=eng">strong drink</a>" is being served." When Bob and Betty return, Dick and Jane make a polite excuse and swiftly leave the dinner party. Bob and Betty discuss how they "never took Dick and Jane for such strange people," and decide that it must be their being Mormon that makes them so peculiar. Betty regrets inviting them over for dinner and hopes to heaven she can get the wine out of Bob's tie, because the children would be so disappointed.<br /><br />Have you ever been with an LDS friend in a social setting and they act so awkwardly in a situation in which a simple "no, thank you" would be enough? You're at a restaurant and they hand you the wine list and this friend has to go into a long explanation about why you don't need it.  Someone asks if you have a lighter and instead of just saying no, there's a weird stutter filled answer, or they are always complaining because there's a coffee pot in the break room. Do you ever find yourself in the situation of apologizing for the social awkwardness of Mormon friends, or are you the person that finds it difficult to navigate these social scenes?<br /><br />In the 1950s the LDS church launched an advertisement campaign entitled "<a href="http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2010/03/01/be-honest-with-yourself-the-background/">Be Honest With Yourself</a>." Although the ad may be dated we think the following advice is still quite relevant:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblSCAjsCEiIluAS1rbtOWU7yvTlmdPxHOPaM297yw0kBz5OE0fmh_sbyY6HhGbKjH-2mxKIaexIsB6osbLGmkaV6Ftsag51iNlSv8_a5W0n_mVohYQiG660k9xhSYqd0gSvfQD8hLU5w/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblSCAjsCEiIluAS1rbtOWU7yvTlmdPxHOPaM297yw0kBz5OE0fmh_sbyY6HhGbKjH-2mxKIaexIsB6osbLGmkaV6Ftsag51iNlSv8_a5W0n_mVohYQiG660k9xhSYqd0gSvfQD8hLU5w/s320/1.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"</span>No, Thank You!</span></i></div><blockquote>How should you answer the person who invites you to “take a cigarette” or “have a drink” – or do anything which is against your conscience or contrary to the teachings of your Heavenly Father?<br /><br />What should you say? How much do you need to explain or apologize? When, if ever, should you compromise just a little for the sake of appearances?<br /><br />The answer is easy. Just say “No – no, thank you.” Don’t waver. Don’t worry about how others may think or act. Be your own natural, honest self. Everyone admires sincerity.<br /><br />If the invitation to indulge in something you don’t believe in comes from a host or hostess while you are a guest, your answer will come even easier. The obligation of courtesy is not that of the guest but of the host.<br /><br />The gracious host will never press you, never question your right to be yourself in matters of conscience. He will admire you for your forthright stand.<br /><br />It’s natural to want to be liked by the crowd. But compromising with principles is always wrong, often dangerous.<br /><br />What is right? What is wrong? Fortunately, there are ways for members of the Church to recognize right from wrong. Read the Scriptures; listen to the teachings of your Church leaders. And listen, also, to the whisperings of that “still, small voice.” When it whispers “It’s wrong; don’t do it!” – say firmly, honestly, finally: “No, thank you – no!”<br /><br />BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"</span></blockquote>Sidenote: Is it just us, or does anyone else looking at this picture think Dick should be less worried about the drink and more worried about why Jane and Bob are gazing into each others eyes? We're just sayin.<br /><br />God be with you,<br />Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel

No, Thank You! I'm Mormon

1958 "Be Honest With Yourself" LDS advertisement. As Sistas in Zion scenario: Dick and Jane are guests at a dinner party at the ho...

The First Fish Fry

Zion's Home & Visiting Teaching Service

Mormon Nudists

You Might Be a Mormon If...

Elijah Abel: Black Mormon Pioneer

No, Thank You! I'm Mormon

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