1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$(-7 + (-3)^2) \div 1 - 4$$ using the order of operations. 2. **Recall the order of operations:** Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (left to right), Addition and Subtraction (left to right). 3. **Evaluate the exponent:** $$(-3)^2 = 9$$ because squaring a negative number results in a positive number. 4. **Substitute back:** $$(-7 + 9) \div 1 - 4$$ 5. **Simplify inside the parentheses:** $$-7 + 9 = 2$$ 6. **Rewrite the expression:** $$2 \div 1 - 4$$ 7. **Perform division:** $$\frac{\cancel{2}}{\cancel{1}} = 2$$ 8. **Subtract:** $$2 - 4 = -2$$ **Final answer:** $$-2$$