Sunday, June 28, 2009

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 6-28-09

Announcements
  • July 12 7am Priesthood Meeting at Sullivan Hollow meeting house.
Priesthood/Relief Society Joint Meeting
The bishop encouraged us to work on the Family Search Indexing project.

This meeting was to plan block parties to have with our neighbors.

At the close of the meeting someone read an excerpt from Elder Ucktdorf's conference talk
We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down.

Does what we are doing matter most?

Sunday School
Lesson 24: “Be Not Deceived, but Continue in Steadfastness” 134
We should recognize the deceptions of Satan that can lead us into apostasy.
  • Not recognizing the prophet as the source of revelation for the Church
  • Pride
  • Being critical of leaders’ imperfections
  • Being offended
  • Rationalizing disobedience
  • Accepting the false teachings of the world
We can remain valiant in our testimonies and avoid deception.
  • We can know clearly whom the Lord has called to lead the Church
  • We should study the scriptures and the doctrines of the Church
  • We should recognize that the things of God will always edify us
  • We should apply the Lord’s pattern for protecting ourselves from being deceived
Thomas B. Marsh took his wife's side when she was dealing dishonestly with another sister while they were sharing milk from their cows. As a result he ended up getting bitter and left the church for a time. In commenting on it President Gordon B. Hinckley stated, "What a very small and trivial thing—a little cream over which two women quarreled." (Small Acts Lead to Great Consequences, Ensign May 1984)

"After 19 years of darkness and bitterness, Thomas B. Marsh painfully made his way to the Salt Lake Valley and asked Brigham Young to forgive him and permit his rebaptism into the Church. He wrote to Heber C. Kimball, First Counselor in the First Presidency: 'I began to awake to a sense of my situation; … I know that I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight.' He then described the lesson he had learned: 'The Lord could get along very well without me and He has lost nothing by my falling out of the ranks; But O what have I lost?! Riches, greater riches than all this world or many planets like this could afford'” (quoted by James E. Faust, in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 6; or Ensign, May 1996, 7).

Sacrament Service
4th Article of Faith
We believe that the first principles and aordinances of the Gospel are: first, bFaith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, cRepentance; third, dBaptism by eimmersion for the fremission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ghands for the hgift of the Holy Ghost.

These are the first things we need to do and then endure to the end.

Concrete is made up of so much water, so much gravel, so much sand, so much cement, and so forth. If you have more or less of any of them it does not work. Much the same is true for our lives. We have things we need to do to come out right. We need prayer, study, recreation, service, and so forth, but if things are not in the right balance in our lives it doesn't work.

The Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to build. So it is with our lives. Little by little.

Num. 27: 18, 22-23

18 ¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee aJoshua the son of bNun, a man in whom is the cspirit, and dlay thine hand upon him;
• • •
22 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
23 And he alaid his bhands upon him, and gave him a ccharge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.

Deut. 34: 9
9 ¶ And Joshua the son of aNun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had blaid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel chearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

Often members sustain our leaders with our hand while the rest of our body is doing something else like correcting a kid or sleeping. Our hands go up quickly and come down just as quickly.

"In my judgment, one of the most important acts performed at the conferences of the Church is that in which we hold up our hands before the Lord to sustain the authorities of the Church and the organization thereof as it exists. But it is one of the important things that we do which rests with little weight upon some people. In other words, some people go away after holding up their hands to sustain the authorities of the Church and think no more about it, and act in many respects as though they had merely gone through a form to which they did not attach any importance whatever. I conceive this to be a wrong principle. … Those who covenant to keep the commandments of the Lord, and then violate that covenant by failing to observe those commandments, do no more than they do who raise their hands in token of a covenant to uphold and sustain the authorities of the Church and then fail to do it. The principle is the same in both cases: it is a violation of the covenant we make." (Joseph F. Smith, Deseret News: Semi-Weekly, 14 May 1895, 1)

Sustaining our leaders does not end when our hands come down.

From the Bulletin
"I encourage you to reach out to those you serve and to love them. When you really love those you serve, they will not find themselves in that dreaded "Never, Never Land" — never the object of concern, never the recipient of needed aid. It may not be your privilege to open gates of cities or doors of palaces, but true happiness and lasting joy will come to you and to each one you serve as you take a hand and reach a heart. Should you become discouraged in your efforts, remember that sometimes the Lord's timetable does not coincide with ours.

As we succeed, as we bring a woman or man, a girl or boy back into activity, we will be answering a wife's or sister's or mother's fervent prayer, helping fulfill a husband's or brother's or father's greatest desire. We will be honoring a loving Father's direction and following an obedient Son's example (see John 12:26; D&C 59:5). And our names will forever be honored by those whom we reach." President Thomas S. Monson, Sugar Beets and the Worth of a Soul, Ensign, July 2009, 6 -7 .


Sunday, June 21, 2009

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 6-21-09

Priesthood Opening
Alma 5:38
38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good ashepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not bhearken unto the voice of the cgood shepherd, to the dname by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.

Elders' Quorum
Chapter 35: Redemption for the Dead 401–11
Those who die with a knowledge of the gospel are not automatically damned. Those who do know better will not necessarily get a second chance in the hereafter.

Sunday School
Lesson 23: “Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith” 127
D&C 88:118
118 And as all have not afaith, seek ye diligently and bteach one another words of cwisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best dbooks words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.

2 Timothy 3:6-7
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly awomen laden with sins, led away with divers blusts,
7 Ever alearning, and never able to come to the bknowledge of the ctruth.

Sacrament Service
D&C 103
8 But inasmuch as they akeep not my commandments, and hearken not to observe all my words, the kingdoms of the world shall prevail against them.
9 For they were set to be a alight unto the world, and to be the bsaviors of men;
10 And inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are as asalt that has lost its savor, and is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.

"Those of us who have served missions have seen the miracle in the lives of some we have taught as they have come to realize that they are sons and daughters of God. Many years ago an elder who served a mission in the British Isles said at the end of his labors, “I think my mission has been a failure. I have labored all my days as a missionary here and I have only baptized one dirty little Irish kid. That is all I baptized.”

Years later, after his return to his home in Montana, he had a visitor come to his home who asked, “Are you the elder who served a mission in the British Isles in 1873?”

“Yes.”

Then the man went on, “And do you remember having said that you thought your mission was a failure because you had only baptized one dirty little Irish kid?”

He said, “Yes.”

The visitor put out his hand and said, “I would like to shake hands with you. My name is Charles A. Callis, of the Council of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am that dirty little Irish kid that you baptized on your mission.” 15

That little Irish boy came to a knowledge of his potential as a son of God. Elder Callis left a lasting legacy for his large family. Serving as a mission president for 25 years and in his apostolic ministry for 13 years, he blessed the lives of literally thousands. I feel privileged to have known this great Apostle of the Lord when I was a young man." (Elder James E. Faust, Them That Honour Me I Will Honour, April 2001 General Conference)

"Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness." (Bible Dictionary, Temple)

From the Bulletin
Happy Father's Day

We, the people of the Sullivan Hollow 2nd Ward are so very fortunate to live where we live.

We live in a land foreordained by our HEAVENLY FATHER to be a land that currently still remains free for us to believe and practice what we will. With that freedom comes the blessed opportunity to fashion our future and to be accountable and blessed for all the good choices that we think, say and do.

We live in a land where, under inspiration of our First Father (God), our FOUNDING FATHERS sacrificed, in some cases, nearly all that they had in order to bring us the germinating kernels of this free country.

We have the FATHER of our ETERNAL LIVES, Jesus Christ, to thank for all that He did in the atonement to bring us peace and joy and eventually eternal life and exaltation. As we live in accordance with the commandments, He has made our eternal options endless. In truth, if Jesus had not sacrificed himself for us and literally purchased our lives through the ransoming affect of the atonement (thereby Jesus becoming the "Father" of our eternal lives), we would be forever doomed.

And then, there are our EARTHLY FATHERS. They are just "Dads". Thank goodness for just "Dads!!"

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 6-14-09

Announcements
  • June 27 - 10-11:30am - Primary activity at Sullivan Hollow ward building.
  • July 4 - 4th of July breakfast for the neighborhood at Sullivan Hollow ward building.
  • Tuesday June 16 - 9am-9pm - Disney Train at Union Station in Ogden, promoting Disney’s A Christmas Carol which open in November.
    http://iutah.tv/event/view/147645
    http://www.theunionstation.org/
    http://www.disneynewsarchive.com/blog/2009/05/disney-rolls-out-nationwide-christmas.html
    http://www.uptake.com/blog/attractions/disney-christmas-carol-holiday-travel_4055.html
  • July 12 - Priesthood meeting @Sullivan Hollow ward building.
Priesthood Opening
The bishop said that ward's only stay cohesive is if we have social and service activities. He recommended that we each plan with our LDS neighbors.

Elders' Quorum
Chapter 34: The Power of Forgiving 390–400
Mercy is a principle that we all should be practicing. "Justice delivers what we deserve; mercy delivers a charity we do not deserve." (Elder Lance B. Wickman, “'Friends Again at Last': Justice and Mercy in the Warming Glow of Charity", Ensign June 2000)

“Ever keep in exercise the principle of mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother on the first intimations of repentance, and asking forgiveness; and should we even forgive our brother, or even our enemy, before he repent or ask forgiveness, our heavenly Father would be equally as merciful unto us.” (As referenced in Chapter 34 of Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith originally from History of the Church, 3:383; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on July 2, 1839, in Montrose, Iowa; reported by Wilford Woodruff and Willard Richards.)

Why do we find it hard to forgive others? Perhaps because we do not have the love we ought to for mankind in general. If our children wrong or offend us, how quickly do we forgive them? Contrast that with how slowly we forgive others for similar offenses.

We find it difficult to sacrifice our feelings in order to be right or in order to hold a grudge. If we are one with Christ we will forgive as He would forgive personal offenses against himself.

Sunday School
Lesson 22: The Word of Wisdom: “A Principle with Promise” 121
The food Pyramid was created in 1980. The Word of Wisdom, which is very similar in the parts about food, was given by God as a code of health by God in 1833.

We could perhaps use the pyramid model to create a plan for how to use our time to be spiritually healthy. For example, we could put junk uses of time at the top, smallest part of the pyramid like we do for junk food on the food pyramid.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Know ye not that ye are the atemple of God, and that the bSpirit of God dwelleth cin you?
17 If any man adefile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is bholy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 6: 19
19 What? know ye not that your abody is the btemple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your cown?

D&C 89: 4

4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of bconspiring men in the last days, I have cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—

Some thoughts on D&C 89:4 and the rest of the section as well:
  • Cigarette companies place warnings on their product advising that it causes cancer. They sell products to get off of their other products because they are so addictive.
  • We tend to focus on the cigarette and alcohol companies as the conspiring men, but we should recall that the word of wisdom is not just for abstaining from Cigarettes and alcohol. It is also not just about abstaining for coffee and tea, but also about our diet. There is great marketing effort put into getting us to eat junk.
The things that we are counseled to not put in our bodies have legitimate used. For example, tobacco for bruises.

“Drunken with strong drink, men have lost their reason; their counsel has been destroyed; their judgment and vision are fled. … Drink has brought more woe and misery, broken more hearts, wrecked more homes, committed more crimes, filled more coffins, than all the wars the world has suffered” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1942, 8).

D&C 49:21
21 And wo be unto man that asheddeth blood or that bwasteth cflesh and hath no need.

D&C 89:12-17
12 Yea, aflesh also of bbeasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used csparingly;
13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be aused, only in times of winter, or of cold, or bfamine.
14 All agrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
15 And athese hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.
16 All grain is good for the afood of man; as also the bfruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

Sacrament Service
Article of Faith 11
"We claim the aprivilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the bdictates of our own cconscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them dworship how, where, or what they may."

Isaiah 41:29
29 Behold, they are all avanity; their works are nothing: their molten bimages are wind and confusion.

How are our idols of today (TV, movies, cars, sports) a wind and confusion?

D. Todd Christofferson's talk from last conference was referenced.

God sets the terms of our covenants. If we keep those covenants we are blessed and benefit from those covenants.

From the Bulletin
"With all of our uniqueness, we all have some things in common. We are all in the probationary test of mortality. And, wherever we live, that test will become increasing difficult. We are in the last dispensation of time. God's prophets have seen these times for millennia. They saw that wonderful things were to happen. There was to be a restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The true Church was to be brought back with prophets and apostles. The gospel was to be taken to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Most marvelous of all, the true Church and its members are to become worthy for the coming of the Savior to His Church and to His purified disciples.

But the true prophets also saw that in the last days Satan would rage. There would be wars and rumors of wars. That would inspire fear. The courage of many would fail. There would be great wickedness. And Satan would deceive many.

Yet, happily, many would not be overcome. And many would not be deceived."

'"The Holy Ghost Is the Key.... For all of us there will be at least three requirements. None of them can be gained and retained from a single experience. All of them must be constantly renewed.... First, receiving the Holy Ghost takes faith in our Heavenly Father and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.... A second requirement for frequent companionship and direction from the Holy Ghost is to be clean.... A third requirement for the companionship of the Holy Ghost is pure motive. If you want to receive the gifts of the Spirit, you have to want them for the right reasons."
Elder Henry B Eyring, "Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times", Ensign, June 2007, 18 — 24.

Sunday, June 07, 2009

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 6-7-09

Priesthood Opening
Doctrine and Covenants 33:16
16 And the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your ainstruction; and the power of my bSpirit cquickeneth all things.

Elders Quorum
"Those handcart pioneers who said they came to know God in their extremities ..." (Elder Bruce C. Hafen, The Atonement: All for All, General Conference April 2004)
As we are beat upon in our daily lives we also learn to know God.
Brigham Young sent help. When those around us are beat upon, we are to be there for them.

After we have a time consuming calling or get old, we don't pull back our level of service. We are to endure to the end.

The Lord has paid large debts for us as we are slothful at times and sin. We should give liberally to our fellow men with our time and talents. It is a small thing compared to the debts that have been paid for us and blessings we will continue to receive.

Sunday School
Lesson 21: “Looking Forth for the Great Day of the Lord to Come” 115
“How do you prepare for the Second Coming? Well, you just do not worry about it. You just live the kind of life that if the Second Coming were to be tomorrow you would be ready. Nobody knows when it is going to happen. … Our responsibility is to prepare ourselves, to live worthy of the association of the Savior, to deport ourselves in such a way that we would not be embarrassed if He were to come among us. That is a challenge in this day and age” (Church News, 2 Jan. 1999, 2, President Gordon B. Hinckley)

Watch for the signs of the second coming -"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30)
  • Gospel restored and sent to all nations.
  • Elijah and other prophets return. Keys of priesthood restored.
  • Iniquity will abound.
  • Plagues
Testimony Meeting

From the Bulletin
Tomorrow's joy OR tomorrow's despair [emphasis added] has it roots in decisions we make today. Perhaps some people think to themselves: 'I know I need to change some things in my life. Maybe later, but not now.' Those who stand at the threshold of life always waiting for the right time to change are like the man who stands at the bank of a river waiting for the water to pass so he can cross on dry land. Today is the man who stands at the bank of a river waiting for the water to pass so he can cross on dry land. "Today is the day of decision." (Josh. 24:15) [from Joseph B Wirthlin, "Three Choices", Ensign, November 2003, 78.]

If we are truly serious about our eternal inheritance and having blessings here and now, we must obey God's guidance (commandments, prophets, etc.) here, now and continuously. Even with what little we do in comparison to all that is given by HIM to us, it must be this way because love cannot be one-sided, or as in human relationships, the relationship will not exist for very long. This is why Jesus says in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Obedience is the way we show and reciprocate His love toward us. It's just that simple.

The Lord goes on further to state that as we obey Him, He will bless us. Indeed, by eternal law. He is required to bless us. (D&C 82:10) Much like planting seeds in fertile soil and obeying the laws of nature, we eventually reap the fruits of our labors even though we do so little in comparison to what God does to nourish the plants to maturity.

If we wish to have specific blessings, we must keep the commandments associated with those blessings. (D&C 130:20, 21) It is all very simple.


The Bishop