Pumpkin Seed Brittle

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for baking sheet
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds, rinsed well, dried, and toasted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 11-by-17- inch rimmed baking sheet; set aside.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar and honey. Bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until mixture is medium amber and a candy thermometer registers 280 degrees. about 6 minutes. Stir in pumpkin seeds. Cook until mixture reaches 300 degrees. about 2 minutes. Pour onto prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely. Break into pieces.

Thoughts on Visiting Teaching

When I asked Sister DeMoux if she had a favorite quote to share from Conference she replied,

"Some talks "pinch" me and cause me to ponder my dedication. This one did. I've renewed my commitment to be a visiting teacher that tries more faithfully to reach my sisters and to rely more on the Lord's guidance in what I do and say. May we watch over one another carefully."

She was referring to a quote from Sister Julie Beck's talk at the General Relief Society Meeting.

Much of the essential Relief Society work we do doesn’t happen in meetings. Let’s focus now on learning about visiting teaching. Because we follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, we value this sacred assignment to love, know, serve, understand, teach, and minister in His behalf. This is one duty we have in the Church where we are certain to have the help of the Lord if we ask for it. This is one responsibility that is certain to increase our faith and personal righteousness and strengthen our own homes and families as we become partners with the Lord. A sister in this Church has no other responsibility outside of her family that has the potential to do as much good as does visiting teaching.

Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages. In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task. Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship. We demonstrate our faith and follow a pattern established by the Lord as we report on our assignment every month. If our watchcare were primarily about reporting that every sister in the ward heard the Visiting Teaching Message printed each month in the Ensign and Liahona, it would be much more efficient to read it aloud to everyone in a sacrament meeting. Our reports are most helpful to the bishop and the Relief Society president when we inform them of the spiritual and temporal well-being of sisters and how we have been able to serve and love them.

How truly blessed we are to have such wonderful leaders, to guide us and help in our journey, as we strive to come unto Christ.

Happy Birthday!

2 - Janice Christensen
3 - Raylene Western
4 - Kim Warren
5 - Erin Woodfield
6 - Shirley Fronk
10 - Sandra Jeppesen and Leanne Morley
12 - La Dell Larkin
13 - Darlene Wood
14 - Susan Munk, Carla Nielsen and Kari Storey
16 - Margie Frazer
17 - Jacey Hulsey, Judith Olsen, Jessie Swenson and Heather Tezak
21 - Buffy Rogers
23 - Kathy Smith
24 - Sherry Fronk and Sandra Thorsted Durrant
25 - Lee Hulsey
26 - Delta Spendlove
27 - Danna Walling
30 - Patricia Fillmore
30 - Marsha Stanford
31 - Teresa Born, Elena Christensen, Michele Long and Sharon Piz

November
1 - Janice Jessop and Marilyn Smith
2 - Michele Sargent and Norma Dimond
3 - Lois Kunz
4 - Karma Spaniol
5 - Helen Badger
6 - Michele Johnson and Laura Owen
7 - Mary Stogden-Ruiz
10 - Sue Wood
19 - Julie Branz, Merisa Carter and Beverley Nelson
24 - Sharon Lundell
25 - Sarah Jackson and Jennifer Bell
26 - Carol Hale
28 - June Allen
29 - Verna Price

Pumpkin Chili

A great dish to serve on Halloween!

Ingredients:
2 T vegetable oil
½ c chopped onion
1 c chopped red bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb ground meat
2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can (8 oz) diced green chiles
½ c frozen corn
1 T chili powder
1 t cumin
Salt and pepper

Heat oil in large stock pot over med-high heat.
Add onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently 5-7 mins.
Add meat, cook until browned, drain.
Add tomatoes with juice and all other ingredients.
Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low.
Cover. Cook-stirring occasionally- for 30 mins.

Great with tortilla chips and grated cheese.

October Announcements

General Conference will be held on October 3 and 4. The morning session begins at 10AM and the afternoon session begins at 2PM.

Tri Stake Youth Dance on October 17. Dancing instructions begin at 8:30-9:30PM, Dancing from 9:30 - 11:00PM at the Stake Center.

Gospel Education Night October 21 at 7PM. North Ogden Coldwater Stake Center (770. 2100 N.). Instructor: Ron Burhley. Questions, please call Jeryldean Clark at 801-737-4467.

Stake Conference October 24 at 7:00PM and October 25 at 10:00AM, at the Stake Center.

October Visiting Teaching Message

Nurture the Rising Generation

D&C 123:11: "It is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation."

What Is My Responsibility to the Rising Generation?

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "Reserved by the Lord for this time, [the rising generation] must now be preserved . . . and prepared for their special moment in human history! They have been held back to come forth at this time, but now they need to be pushed forward to meet their rendezvous. . . .

"Youth are not unlike prospective converts. There are those critical moments when their souls begin to tilt—toward the Lord or away from Him. These moments of decision cannot always be created, but when they occur, they must not be wasted. More often than not, these moments will occur in quiet and reverent conversation with parents, grandparents, a bishop, an adult leader, or a righteous peer" ("Unto the Rising Generation," Ensign, Apr. 1985, 8, 10).

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy: "Our rising generation is worthy of our best efforts to support and strengthen them in their journey to adulthood. . . . In every action we take, in every place we go, with every Latter-day Saint young person we meet, we need to have an increased awareness of the need for strengthening, nurturing, and being an influence for good in their lives" ("Our Rising Generation," Liahona and Ensign, May 2006, 47).

How Can I Nurture the Rising Generation?

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008): "Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these His little ones. . . . Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Take care of your little ones. Welcome them into your homes, and nurture and love them with all of your hearts. They may do, in the years that come, some things you would not want them to do, but be patient, be patient. You have not failed as long as you have tried" ("Words of the Living Prophet," Liahona, May 1998, 26–27; "Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley," Ensign, July 1997, 73).

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: "To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. . . . Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women" ("Mothers Who Know," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 76, 77).

Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: "As Relief Society sisters we can help one another to strengthen families. We are given opportunities to serve in many capacities. We constantly come in contact with children and youth who may need just what we can offer. You older sisters have much good advice and experience to share with younger mothers. Sometimes a Young Women leader or a Primary teacher says or does just the thing that is needed to reinforce what a parent is trying to teach. And obviously we don't need any particular calling to reach out to a friend or neighbor" ("I Will Strengthen Thee; I Will Help Thee," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 117).