Sunday, November 08, 2009

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 11-8-09

Mosiah 7:33

33 But if ye will aturn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all bdiligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

"In Nauvoo, the Saints often gathered together to hear the Prophet Joseph Smith speak to them. Because there was no building in Nauvoo large enough to hold all the Saints, the Prophet often spoke outside. He frequently spoke in a grove located just west of the temple, where thousands could assemble. A portable platform was constructed for Church leaders and speakers, and the congregation sat on the grass or on logs or bricks. The Prophet also spoke in other locations in Nauvoo, including the unfinished temple and private homes. A visitor to Nauvoo in early 1843 reported seeing meetings held 'on the rough floor of the basement of the Temple, and then the Prophet frequently preaches.'1" (Chapter 43: “He Was a Prophet of God”: Contemporaries of Joseph Smith Testify of His Prophetic Mission p493)

I have been to the empty park and seen the foundation stones before the Nauvoo temple was rebuilt. I saw the basement being dug and footers being driven on the Internet. I've been in the Temple since it has been rebuilt, at open houses and in doing work once it was dedicated. The above paragraph made me recall these memories.

“In the work of redeeming the dead there are many tasks to be performed, and … all members should participate by prayerfully selecting those ways that fit their personal circumstances at a particular time. … Our effort is not to compel everyone to do everything, but to encourage everyone to do something” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Family History: ‘In Wisdom and Order,’ ” Ensign, June 1989, 6).

Some are close to temples. Some have computers. Some have the records or access to family members. Everyone can do some part of the work.

Daniel 12:1
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Luke 10:38-42
38 ¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named aMartha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art acareful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath achosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The one needful thing that was missing from Mary and Martha was balance.

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world's goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord's kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power." (Julie B. Beck, Mothers Who Know, October 2007 General Conference)

"The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house. Our efforts to proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead all lead to the temple." (Elder Russle M. Nelson, Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings, General Conference, April 2001)

"Spiritual preparation is enhanced by study. I like to recommend that members going to the temple for the first time read short explanatory paragraphs in the Bible Dictionary, listed under seven topics: 26 “Anoint,” 27 “Atonement,” 28 “Christ,” 29 “Covenant,” 30 “Fall of Adam,” 31 “Sacrifices,” 32 and “Temple.” 33 Doing so will provide a firm foundation." (Elder Russle M. Nelson, Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings, General Conference, April 2001)

Be prepared for church-be on time, be dressed appropriately, be rested, go with a prayer in our heart, go with a willingness to learn, read lessons before hand (you can help guide the lesson).

“The Sabbath is a day on which to take inventory—to analyze our weaknesses, to confess our sins to our associates and our Lord. It is a day on which to fast. … It is a day on which to read good books, a day to contemplate and ponder, a day to study lessons for priesthood and auxiliary organizations, a day to study the scriptures and to prepare sermons, a day to nap and rest and relax, a day to visit the sick, a day to preach the gospel, a day to proselyte, a day to visit quietly with the family … , a day for proper courting, a day to do good, a day to drink at the fountain of knowledge and of instruction, a day to seek forgiveness of our sins, a day for the enrichment of our spirit and our soul, a day to restore us to our spiritual stature, a day to partake of the emblems of [Jesus’] sacrifice and atonement, a day to contemplate the glories of the gospel and of the eternal realms, a day to climb high on the upward path toward our Heavenly Father” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 216).

3 Nephi 18:28-29
28 And now behold, this is the commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it;
29 For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and ablood bunworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul; therefore if ye know that a man is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood ye shall forbid him.

1 Nephi 2:12
12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.

Do we know the dealings of the God who created us? Do our lives show that we know? Do we murmur against the truth?

Helaman 5:41
41 And Aminadab said unto them: You must arepent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have bfaith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, andcAmulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.

If we have areas in our lives of weakness until we are stronger, until our faith grows, and until our testimonies are firm, we should cry unto the Lord.

3 Ne. 9: 22
22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laiddown my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.

Matt. 23: 37
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have dgathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye ewould not!

From the Bulletin:
"Come to the temple." If not now, come soon. Pray fervently, set your lives in order, save whatever you can in hopes that that day may come. Start now that sometimes very difficult and discouraging journey of repentance. The temple transforms the individual and makes abundantly worthwhile any efforts made to get there. For some who live at great distances from a temple, the temples will come to you before you might come to them. Keep your faith and your hope and determine that you will come --- that you will be worthy and that you will come to the temple. "Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple," booklet, taken from "The Holy Temple" by Elder Boyd K. Packer.

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