Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah May 25, 2025

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

A sister that recently returned from the Michigan Detroit Mission where she served as the mission secretary spoke to us.

Alma 1

25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.

Mosiah 5:15

15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

John 14:6

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Mosiah 18

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life

DnC 123

17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

Helaman 13

2 And it came to pass that in this year there was one Samuel, a Lamanite, came into the land of Zarahemla, and began to preach unto the people. And it came to pass that he did preach, many days, repentance unto the people, and they did cast him out, and he was about to return to his own land.

3 But behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart.

4 And it came to pass that they would not suffer that he should enter into the city; therefore he went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart.

DnC 123

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it

“The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

—Joseph Smith, 1842

“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, April 2018 General Conference)

Joseph Smith - History 1:20

It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?

Moroni 7 

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

3 Nephi 18
25 And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation.

Dream dreams and see visions to learn how to do the Lord’s work.

Next Speaker

Talk based on devotional at Ensign College 2022, President Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Clark G. Gilbert

Work to take general council and bring it to ourselves personally.

“We live in perilous times when evil is being called good and good is being called evil (2 Nephi 15:20, Isaiah 5:20). We must stand fast against the values and practices that draw us away from the Lord’s teachings and our covenants, privileges, and obligations. We can do this with love.” - President Oaks

We are anointed in the temple to never speak guile.  Thus, we should watch our behavior online, in person, and when we speak of others in our homes when they are not present.

Jesus spent time with sinners.  I am a sinner.

“The purpose of our life should be to build up the Zion of our God, to gather the House of Israel, bring in the fulness of the Gentiles, restore and bless the earth with our ability and make it as the Garden of Eden, store up treasures of knowledge and wisdom in our own understandings, purify our own hearts and prepare a people to meet the Lord when he comes”.  (Discourses of Brigham Young, 88)

Elders Quorum 

The lesson was based on Sister Tamara W. Runia - “Your Repentance Doesn’t. Burden Jesus Christ : It Brightens His Joy” and Elder Patrick Kearon - “ Receive His Gift”

We should be a good giver and a good receiver. 

“Our Heavenly Father has innumerable gifts of light and truth prepared to shower down on each of us, His treasured children. They flow from our Bounteous Giver like a wellspring in the wilderness from His benevolent heart.” - Elder Kearnon

James 1:17

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

“Sometimes I have to remember, like a Post-it note on my forehead, that the commandments are the path away from pain. And repentance is too.” - Sister Runia

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah May 18, 2025

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

A missionary that returned seven months ago from the Texas Dallas East and South Mission spoke to us.  The mission covered parts of Texas and Louisiana.

1 Peter 5

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

“Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord. It is willingness to give Him the honor for what is accomplished. It is being teachable (see Doctrine and Covenants 136:32). Humility includes gratitude for God’s blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His help. He helps those who are humble” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ [2023], 131).

Being teachable means being ready and willing to be taught.

DnC 136

32 Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;

3 Nephi 11

11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

The Savior died for us, but he also lived for us and does live for us.

DnC 19

16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

Next Speaker

“Brothers and sisters, we live to die and we die to live—in another realm. If we are well prepared, death brings no terror. From an eternal perspective, death is premature only for those who are not prepared to meet God.” (Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Now Is the Time to Prepare”, April 2005)

Examples of humility:

• Putting the needs of another person before one’s own.

• Not drawing attention to oneself.

• Acknowledging that one is not always right.

“The greatest, most capable, most accomplished man who ever walked this earth was also the most humble.” (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “On Being Genuine”, April 2015 General Conference)

Elders Quorum 

DnC 46:3-5

3 And inasmuch as ye have not lands, let them buy for the present time in those regions round about, as seemeth them good, for it must needs be necessary that they have places to live for the present time.

4 It must needs be necessary that ye save all the money that ye can, and that ye obtain all that ye can in righteousness, that in time ye may be enabled to purchase land for an inheritance, even the city.

5 The place is not yet to be revealed; but after your brethren come from the east there are to be certain men appointed, and to them it shall be given to know the place, or to them it shall be revealed.

3 Nephi 18

22 And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not;

The law of consecration was one of the first things to be shifted to home centered and church supported. 

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah May 11, 2025

Sacrament Service

Mother's Day

First Speaker

“Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us.” (Sister Sheri L. Dew, “Are We Not All Mothers?”, October 2001 General Conference)

Eve mothered all of mankind through her choices and not just through being our ancestor who gave birth to us.

Heavenly Father has entrusted women to make a difference in the lives of all of His children and not just the ones that she births and/or raises.

Hymn:  As Sisters in Zion

“Satan has declared war on motherhood. He knows that those who rock the cradle can rock his earthly empire. And he knows that without righteous mothers loving and leading the next generation, the kingdom of God will fail.” - Dew

“More than ever before we need women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity, as the Relief Society declaration proclaims. We need women who can hear and who will respond to the voice of the Lord, women who at all costs will defend and protect the family. We don’t need women who want to be like men, sound like men, dress like men, drive like some men drive, or act like men. We do need women who rejoice in their womanhood and have a spiritual confirmation of their identity, their value, and their eternal destiny. Above all, we need women who will stand up for truth and righteousness and decry evil at every turn” (Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Women of Righteousness”, From a devotional address given at Brigham Young University on 13 March 2001)

Motherhood is so much more than bearing and raising children.

Next Speaker

‘There are some lines attributed to Victor Hugo which read:

‘“She broke the bread into two fragments and gave them to her children, who ate with eagerness. ‘She hath kept none for herself,’ grumbled the sergeant.

‘“‘Because she is not hungry,’ said a soldier.

‘“‘No,’ said the sergeant, ‘because she is a mother.’”’ (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Because She Is a Mother’”, April 1997 General Conference)

2 Nephi 31:19

19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

Primary

I subbed in the nine year olds’ class.

 

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah May 4, 2025

Sacrament Service 

Testimonies

We play a part in a grand orchestra in the work of the Lord.

Repentance is not begging God to take us back.  He is already waiting to take you back, He is just waiting for us to ask and be willing to change.

Sunday School 

Some questions we discussed:

• How do we prepare to hear the spirit? 

• Why do we have commandments?

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah April 27, 2025

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

“When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us.” (Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Covenants”, October 2011 General Conference)

“You're falling into a trap that I want everybody in this room to avoid.  And that is: ‘God must not love me if I suffer.  I must be being penalized if I suffer.’  Can you see the danger of thinking that way?  Every person I know in this book [The Bible] suffers.  Peter who was crucified upside down. James the first Christian martyr from the New Testament. Paul beheaded.  Now does God like Peter and James and John and Paul and Isaiah and Ezekiel and Jeremiah and Daniel?  Prophets of captivity. Prophets of persecution. Prophets of trouble and trials of every kind. Who suffered more than anyone in time or eternity that we know of?  The living Son of the Living God. The only perfect child who ever lived.  Don't ever, please, please, do not fall victim to the temptation to say, ‘well I guess God doesn't love me’, because what on Earth would that say about His love for His Only Begotten Son?” (Elder Jeffery R Holland, From a Q & A session in 2012)

Next Speaker

DnC 35

24 Keep all the commandments and covenants by which ye are bound; and I will cause the heavens to shake for your good, and Satan shall tremble and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish;

Matthew 19

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

The footnotes suggest that "perfect" in this context means committed.

Mosiah 18

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life

{

Reminds me a bit of the sacrament prayers and being “willing” to take upon us the name of the Son.

}

“Before the earth was created, God established covenants as the mechanism by which we, His children, could unite ourselves to Him.” (Elder Dale G. Renlund, “Accessing God’s Power through Covenants”, April 2023 General Conference)

“My dear brothers and sisters, here is my promise. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world’s mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God’s magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys”, April 2024 General Conference)

1 Nephi 14 

14 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

Next Speaker

We live, and are going to continue to live in challenging times.  God already knew and planned for it.

Romans 8

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Elders Quorum 

Lesson based on Gary E. Stevenson - Days Never to Be Forgotten and Jorge M. Alvarado - Embrace the Lord’s Gift of Repentance

Things are going to move quickly in the next 10 years. 

Ezekiel 47 talks about water flowing from the temple and healing the land.

“In 2034, thousands of dignitaries, visitors, and athletes from around the world will flood the streets of Salt Lake City, the stage for the Winter Olympic Games. There is perhaps no greater demonstration of worldwide unity than that embodied in the Olympic Games. The eyes of the world will be upon the Church and its members, affording a multitude of opportunities to volunteer, serve, and share glad tidings through kind deeds—an event never to be forgotten.

“These upcoming moments will provide members of the Church everywhere with increased opportunities to share the glad tidings of the gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed, a decade never to be forgotten.” (Elder Stevenson)

“reach out in compassion to care for those in need. Your generation is unusually mindful of the less fortunate. Whenever disaster strikes and Church members rush to help clear away debris and comfort the afflicted, it seems the majority wearing ‘Helping Hands’ T-shirts are teenagers and twentysomethings. It is in your nature “to bear one another’s burdens” and ‘comfort those that stand in need of comfort.’ By doing this we ‘fulfil the law of Christ.’”

“As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase. I invite you to take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God”, April 2025 General Conference)

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah April 20, 2025

Sacrament Service 

Easter

First Speaker

Luke 8

46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

Doctrine and Covenants 121:45

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

“In the Lord’s own words, charity and virtue open the way to having confidence before God!

...

“Now, let us speak of virtue. The Lord tells us to garnish our thoughts unceasingly with virtue. Imagine the boost you will receive to any positive thought when you enhance it with virtue. Virtue makes everything better and happier! On the other hand, imagine what will happen when you add virtue to an impure thought, a cruel thought, or a depressing thought. Virtue will drive away those thoughts. Virtue will free you from anxious, troublesome thoughts.

“Brothers and sisters, as the world grows more wicked, we need to grow increasingly pure. Our thoughts, words, and actions need to be unfailingly virtuous and filled with the pure love of Jesus Christ towards all men. The great opportunity before us is to become the people God needs us to be.

“Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God”, April 2025 General Conference)

Matthew 11

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

“The covenant path is all about our relationship with God” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant”, October 2022 General Conference)

John 16

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Next Speaker

2 central doctrines of Easter.

1. The atonement.  2.  The joy of the resurrection.

Alma 7

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Alma 7

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

1 Corinthians 15

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah April 13, 2025

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

A young man that recently returned from a mission to Fresno, California spoke to us.

How do I know if I have faith?  I act on it.

If one has faith in Christ, they will act on it.

Faith is belief in action.

2 Nephi 31:20

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Moroni 7 

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

“As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase. I invite you to take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God”, April 2025 General Conference)

Next Speaker

DnC 4

1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

A marvelous work has come and is going forth among the children of men.

“My dear brothers and sisters, do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.” (“The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again”, October 2024 General Conference)

We are perhaps baptized by immersion because we should be all in.

“When we say yes to serving, we are saying yes to Jesus Christ. And when we say yes to Christ, we are saying yes to the most abundant life possible.” (Elder Steven D. Shumway, “Participate to Prepare for Christ’s Return”, April 2025 General Conference)

Elders Quorum 

Lesson was based on Ronald A. Rasband “Behold I Am the Light Which Ye Shall Hold Up” and Emily Belle Freeman - Live Up to Your Privileges

“We sustain our living prophet at general conference, and the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Authorities, and Officers of the Church. To sustain means to hold up another person, to give them our attention, to be faithful to their trust, to act upon their words. They speak by inspiration of the Lord; they understand the current issues, the moral decline of society, and the adversary’s increasing efforts to thwart the Father’s plan. In holding up our hands, we are committing our support, not just for that moment but in our daily lives.” - Rasband

“Sustaining includes holding up our stake presidents and bishops, quorum and organization leaders, teachers, and even camp directors in our wards and stakes. Closer to home, we hold up our wives and our husbands, children, parents, extended family, and neighbors.” - Rasband

“Brothers and sisters, we need to do more lifting and less murmuring, more upholding the word of the Lord,” - Rasband

DnC 10

5 Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.

We can conquer Satan. 

The light of Christ and the light of the Holy Ghost is brighter the closer we are to them. 

Dnc 121:34-36

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.