Sunday, March 20, 2011

Church Services This Week at Weber Heights Stake Conference General Session Ogden Utah March 3-20-2011

A challenge we have in our day is that we know our children's friends’ parents less and less, because they don't call to ask where there children are.  They call their children directly.

Children are bombarded by media and other children that they are not good enough.

"Some fathers don't think they have the right to ask worthiness questions of their children. They think that is the purview of the bishop alone. Fathers, not only do you have the right to know the worthiness of your children, you have the responsibility. It is your duty to know how your children are doing with regards to their spiritual well-being and progression. You need to monitor carefully the issues and concerns they share with you. Ask specific questions of your children regarding their worthiness, and refuse to settle for anything less than specific answers" (Elder M. Russell Ballard, The Greatest Generation of Missionaries, October 2002 General Conference)

Moses 1:39
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

Moses 4:3-4
3 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;
4 And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.

When we get a drivers license often we think of the freedom we gain, but we also take on tremendous responsibility.  As we come to the point of being able to go to the temple we have the freedom to go to the temple, but we also take on more responsibilities and covenants.

There has been much talk in this stake conference about not slacking while the Ogden temple is remodeled and our closest temple is a few towns away.

Don't just text your parents or children. Learn to talk to them.

"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God." (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:134–35.)

2 Nephi 2:25
25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

“I wish to discuss our search for happiness. Having lived quite a few years now, I have concluded that since we don’t always desire that which is good, having all our desires granted to us would not bring us happiness (see Alma 41:3–7). In fact, instant and unrestrained gratification of all our desires would be the shortest and most direct route to unhappiness. The many hours I have spent listening to the tribulations of men and women have persuaded me that both happiness and unhappiness are much of our own making.” (President James E. Faust, "Our Search for Happiness", Ensign, Oct. 2000, 2)

“‘What is the price of happiness?’ One might be surprised at the simplicity of the answer.

The treasure house of happiness is unlocked to those who live the gospel of Jesus Christ in its purity and simplicity. Like a mariner without stars, like a traveler without a compass, is the person who moves along through life without a plan. The assurance of supreme happiness, the certainty of a successful life here and of exaltation and eternal life hereafter, come to those who plan to live their lives in complete harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ—and then consistently follow the course they have set” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 259).

Just as physically we are what we eat, spiritually we are what we choose.

JST:Matthew 1:22 - Compare Matthew 24:24
22 For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant.

Revelation should be happening throughout the church within our stewardship.

John 10:27
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Jacob 4:13
13 Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the  truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really  are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.

It doesn't matter if you fall off the straight and narrow path to the right or to the left.  It doesn't matter I you are liberal or conservative if you fail to stay on course.

The straight and narrow path can be difficult because it is uphill to higher ground and a higher place.

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