Raspberry Bars Recipe

Sisters,

Here is a link to the recipe for the raspberry bars. I modified the recipe because life was crazy on Thursday and I couldn't run to the store.  The original recipe is even more delicious. I think that is why I was a little disappointed in how they turned out, because I know what they are really supposed to taste like. So if you thought mine were good, you should try the real recipe, which tastes sweeter. Here is the link.

However if you like more of a tart taste, here is what I did:

I made the crust according to the recipe. Instead of the raspberry pie filling, I mixed 5-6 cups frozen raspberries (thawed), 2 T cornstarch, and 2/3 C sugar. For the frosting, I used butter in place of the shortening and sour cream in place of the marshmallow cream and a little more confectioners' sugar. I also used a larger baking pan, I think mine is 13" x 17".

Moving Forward

Jackie gave a nice closure to chapter 4 by reminding us that we need to take what we have and keep going. We can take Eliza Snow's words to heart:

“Don’t you see that our sphere is increasing? Our sphere of action will continually widen, and no woman in Zion need[s] to mourn because her sphere is too narrow.

“God bless you, my sisters, and encourage you, that you may be filled with light, and realize that you have no interests but in the welfare of Zion. Let your first business be to perform your duties at home. But, inasmuch as you are wise stewards, you will find time for social duties, because these are incumbent upon us as daughters and mothers in Zion. By seeking to perform every duty you will find that your capacity will increase, and you will be astonished at what you can accomplish.”

Sister Snow’s personal expression of faith and optimism can serve as a guide for all Latter-day Saints. “I will go forward,” she said. “I will smile at the rage of the tempest, and ride fearlessly and triumphantly across the boisterous ocean of circumstance … and the ‘testimony of Jesus’ will light up a lamp that will guide my vision through the portals of immortality.”

Our shoulders are strong and capable. We are bright and articulate. And when we feel that our trials are too much to bear, we can appeal to the Lord. He can make our burdens lighter, and " (us) that (we will) bear up (our) with ease, and (we can) submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." Mosiah 24:15

That All May Be Edified

Lisa, our welcome Norwegian visitor, said she was overwhelmed and touched by the comments made in our February study group.  It is interesting that we all can relate to each woman's struggles and questions.    She said it makes her want to go home to Norway and set up a similar group.  (Welcome to our new Norwegian friends!)

Lisa said that while the Church and our culture both help us to want to serve and improve, we have a tendency to be overly critical of ourselves.  We don't need to compare ourselves to others or be degrading to ourselves.  We need to pat ourselves on the back that, despite our challenges, we are still here!

Doctrine and Covenants 84:110 teaches us that "the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together."  We can admire each other's strengths without thinking that each of us has to be able to do everything.  We should be grateful to have others to help us share our burdens and our responsibilities.

Thanks for coming, Lisa!

"The Mormon Question"

Judy loves to stay up-to-date in news, even though it sometimes makes her anxious.  She said that instead of getting angry about current politics, we need to do as Eliza Snow taught, and 

"continually seek guidance and comfort from the Holy Ghost, (so we) could enjoy peace even in the midst of adversity. (Eliza) said that the Holy Ghost 'satisfies and fills up every longing of the human heart, and fills up every vacuum. When I am filled with that Spirit,' she continued, 'my soul is satisfied, and I can say in good earnest, that the trifling things of the day do not seem to stand in my way at all.'" DIMK, Chapter 4

Judy thought it was interesting that chapter 4 referenced an article in the New York Times titled "The Mormon Question."  This sounds like any number of recent articles in this publication, although the article she references was written February 8, 1870.

Defending the Practice of Plural Marriage

What a hot topic this was! And still is. Daughters in My Kingdom does an excellent job of covering some of women's thoughts in chapter 4 (scroll down to Defending the Practice of Plural Marriage, about 1/3 down the page). Meri Ann shared her struggle with understanding this practice, and how a Deseret News article finally helped her to understand. The article, titled "Recent Events Highlight Confusion of Polygamy," is a well-thought out explanation to a sometimes troubling doctrinal issue.

Valerie Hudson, a scholar and author, talked about polygamy at a conference held in Utah last fall. "In the Lord's eyes," she said, "monogamy is not a sacrifice, but a blessing. But polygamy is a sacrifice. … When God does command polygamy, he understands it is a sacrifice of the joy that would be there for his children if they could live the higher law … the Lord desires all of his children to have the natural joy that comes from living the law of marriage: monogamy."

The practice of plural marriage, or polygamy, was an exception to the rule of monogamy. Meri Ann underscored the fact that an exception, although sometimes required or necessary, does not change or become the rule.

Personal Revelation

Renee shared a comforting quote from the Personal Revelation section of chapter 4:

She (Eliza R. Snow) taught that if they would continually seek guidance and comfort from the Holy Ghost, they could enjoy peace even in the midst of adversity. She said that the Holy Ghost “satisfies and fills up every longing of the human heart, and fills up every vacuum. When I am filled with that Spirit,” she continued, “my soul is satisfied, and I can say in good earnest, that the trifling things of the day do not seem to stand in my way at all. But just let me lose my hold of that spirit and power of the Gospel, and partake of the spirit of the world, in the slightest degree, and trouble comes; there is something wrong. I am tried, and what will comfort me? You cannot impart comfort to me that will satisfy the immortal mind, but that which comes from the Fountain above. And is it not our privilege to so live that we can have this constantly flowing into our souls?”

Renee also quoted Lorenzo Snow as saying:

“This is what we desire to instill into the hearts of the sisters—to be useful in their sphere and not be discouraged because of difficulties in the way, but trust in God and look to Him, and His marvelous blessings, I will promise you, will be poured out upon you.”

Trust God, be useful in your sphere, don't be discouraged.  This advice is just as relevant today as it was then.

Accepting Personal Responsibility

The Temporal Self Reliance section tells us that we need to "Accept personal responsibility for spiritual strength, health, education, employment, finances, food, and other life-sustaining necessities." Tanya related how it was easy to take care of her responsibilities when she was in school and had to complete assignments. It was easy to take care of projects and duties at work when you have a boss giving you deadlines. But now that she is a stay-at-home mother of an adorable toddler, she finds it harder to find the motivation to get things done. She said, "I'm not enough to do these things; I'm weak. I need a push to get up and going. I can see what I ought to be, and how I fall short."

Candy advised that if we can take care of the "have-to" work by a certain time, then we have more time the rest of the day to do "wants." Michele referenced Moses 5:11:

"And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."

Michele pointed out that if it were not for our mortal experience, we would not be able to have children, and we would not be able to experience joy. We are sanctified and can have joy in part because of the difficulties of having children.

So what can we do to feel more complete, more motivated? Do the best things first, and rely on the Lord for help. He knows what our needs are.