SiZ (Test)

How Would You Introduce Jesus?

Reading Sista Laurel's post "<a href="http://www.sistasinzion.com/2011/07/first-fish-fry.html">The First Fish Fry</a>" made me think of this video. Comedian Steve Harvey, was invited to provide some comic relief a few years ago at MegaFest (A Christian conference.) At the end of his comedy routine he bears his testimony and thanks God and his Savior for all of his success. He says that throughout his career he has been blessed to have had the opportunity to introduce some of the biggest names in show business, and then tells how, if given the chance, he would introduce Jesus.<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ix3MHV_RfeM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />This has changed the way I look at testimony meeting. What about ya'll Brothas and Sistas? If given the chance to introduce Jesus, how would you introduce him? <a href="http://newsroom.lds.org/article/fast-sunday">Fast and Testimony</a> meeting is fast approaching will you be introducing him this month or next?<br /><br />God Is Love,<br />Sista Beehive

How Would You Introduce Jesus?

Reading Sista Laurel's post " The First Fish Fry " made me think of this video. Comedian Steve Harvey, was invited to provide ...

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

<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/AVvXsEheDTRX-wP3Sjv6cx9GQNc8fRsFfSSEZ3WS7Bb2RwIMKXZygBY2869PtVOvNh4_tVQHoR3mNClTg07nFRCvGxlWJzexFjBk0uxox3NcVlaNRgDAk029drXV5b-rd3ZL5h3O0W2C2LbpRoY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDTRX-wP3Sjv6cx9GQNc8fRsFfSSEZ3WS7Bb2RwIMKXZygBY2869PtVOvNh4_tVQHoR3mNClTg07nFRCvGxlWJzexFjBk0uxox3NcVlaNRgDAk029drXV5b-rd3ZL5h3O0W2C2LbpRoY/s320/1.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Elijah Abel, Black Mormon Pioneer</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of the priesthood to members of <a href="http://www.lds.org/">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a>, of African decent. On June 8, 1978 LDS church leaders announced that the priesthood would be extended to <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">Mormon</a> men of every race. Those who were there for that remarkable day have said that they can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news.<br /><br /><br />While many of us have heard the stories of how the world and members of the church felt on this day, few may know the story of Elijah Abel. Elder Abel was was the first black <a href="http://lds.org/manual/priesthood-and-auxiliary-leaders-guidebook/priesthood?lang=eng&query=elders">Elder</a> and <a href="http://lds.org/church/leaders/quorums-of-the-seventy?lang=eng">Seventy</a> in the LDS church and one of the few black members in the early history of  the church to receive the priesthood.<br /><br />He was born a slave on July 25, 1808, in Maryland, and it is believed that he escaped slavery into Canada by using the underground railroad. Elijah Abel was baptized in September of 1832 by Ezekiel Roberts. He was ordained an Elder on March 3, 1836 in Kirtland, Ohio by <a href="http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=041579179acbff00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD">Joseph Smith</a>, and in 1839 he was made a member of the Nauvoo Seventies Quorum.<br /><br />In 1847 Elijah Abel married Mary Ann Adams, another African-American. Their first son Moroni Abel was born in 1849, and their son Enoch and grandson Elijah, held the priesthood. Enoch Abel, was ordained an Elder on November 27, 1900 and Enoch's son, Elijah, was ordained a Priest on July 5, 1934, and an Elder on September 29, 1935.<br /><br />Elijah Abel served <a href="http://mormon.org/missionary-work/">LDS church missions</a> in New York, Ohio and Canada. He worked as a carpenter for the building of three <a href="http://lds.org/church/temples?lang=eng">LDS Temples</a>, Kirtland, Nauvoo and Salt Lake. In 1853 Elijah Abel and his family journeyed to Utah with other Latter-day Saints. He and Mary Ann managed the Farnham Hotel in Utah.<br /><br />Elijah Abel served his last <a href="http://mormon.org/missionaries/">mission</a> for the LDS church in 1884, returned home and died on Christmas day, December 25, 1884. In 2002 a monument was erected in Salt Lake City at Elijah Abel's grave site to memorialize him and his family. The monument was dedicated by LDS church leader <a href="http://lds.org/church/leader/m-russell-ballard?lang=eng&noLang=true&path=/church/leader/m-russell-ballard">Elder M. Russell Ballard</a>. His obituary in the <i>Deseret News</i>, said Elijah Abel "died in full faith of the Gospel."<br /><br />It has strengthened our testimonies to learn the the history of the pioneers of our faith, especially those of African decent. On this day there are many stories to be shared, and this is the one that has touched us today. What do you remember about that day, or why is that day significant to you?<br /><br />Oh Happy Day,<br />Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel

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...

How Would You Introduce Jesus?

The First Fish Fry

Zion's Home & Visiting Teaching Service

Mormon Nudists

You Might Be a Mormon If...

Elijah Abel: Black Mormon Pioneer

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