Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 12-20-09

Alma 59:11-12

  11 And now, when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah was ^alost he was exceedingly sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the hands of their brethren.

  12 Now this was the case with all his chief captains. They doubted and marveled also because of the wickedness of the people, and this because of the success of the Lamanites over them.

"God is responsible for the work accomplished by Joseph Smith—not Joseph Smith. The Lord is responsible for it, and not man." (Joseph F. Smith, Deseret Evening News, July 14, 1917, p. 9)

People are sometimes put off by how often we speak of Joseph Smith.  Even though the Lord did a lot of the foundation work, that we often need to review, through Joseph Smith, it was God's work and God's church.

Matthew 7:15-20

  15 ¶ Beware of ^afalse prophets, which come to you in ^bsheep’s clothing, but ^cinwardly they are ravening ^dwolves.

  16 Ye shall ^aknow them by their ^bfruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

  17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth ^agood ^bfruit; but a ^ccorrupt tree bringeth forth ^devil fruit.

  18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

  19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good ^afruit is ^bhewn down, and cast into the fire.

  20 Wherefore by their ^afruits ye shall know them.

"In this same period he established an organization which … has withstood every adversity and challenge and is as effective today in governing a worldwide membership … as it was in governing a membership of 300 in 1830." (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant,” Ensign, Dec. 2005, pp. 4–6.)

President Monson's talk from the First Presidency Christmas Devotional 2008 was referenced.

Alma 1:4-5

  4 And he also testified unto the people that ^aall mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they ^bneed not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had ^ccreated all men, and had also ^dredeemed ^eall men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.

  5 And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him ^amoney

The false doctrine Nehor teaches the people cited in this scripture discounts the fullness of the atonement and the sacredness for it to just be dispensed to those who are trying.  Also note that those that found his preaching pleasing paid him and provided for his support.

We only need to drop the last syllable from the spirit of Christmas and it becomes the spirit of Christ.