Sunday, April 24, 2011

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah April 4-24-2011


How do we perceive our children when we give them a gift and they use it poorly, don't share it, or act like they are entitled to it because of who they are or what they did?  We likely look the same to God when we blow our time and money on junk, don't share it with others, or act as if everything we have is due to our own labor or that we are entitled to have more stuff.

Tithing should become a habit and then it is less of or a non issue.

We can't see the future to know what our blessings will be, but we can see the consequences of the past and times when we have been faithful and when we have not.  We will be better off over the long term if we pay our tithes and offerings.  There will be bumps along the way where we have to hang on and keep being faithful and wait for the blessings.


John 8-9
Mark is good at telling stories.  If you like action and stories Mark is for you.
John is more the advanced gospel.

The instructor had a paperback version of the New Testament that is about the size of a paper back regular type Book of Mormon.  The NT was much thinner, even though the length and width were the same.  I’m use to seeing the big thick Bible with both testaments together.  It was interesting to see it split out.  I have seen little mini New Testaments that some of the protestants pass out, but to see one of normal size was neat.

The third Passover of the Savior’s ministry is the last week of the His life.

They were surprised at who this carpenter was that knew the scriptures so well.  Jesus responds that it is His father, not Him.


Jesus did not say to not obey the sabbath.  He said that there are proper things to do on the sabbath.


What traditions do we have in the Church that aren't doctrine (”Oh my heck”, green jello, Utah is Zion, outside of Utah is the mission field)?

What traditions do we have in our nation that sometimes get in the way of God (Halloween, Superbowl and football in general, Easter feasts)?

Lent would be an example of a Christian tradition.  Christmas could also considered a Christian tradition, as could Easter.  All of these commemorate events, but much of the tradition minimizes and even in some ways, mock the sacred events they were invented to remember.


He doesn't condemn the harlot, but tells to go and sin no more.  We are all not currently condemned and have time to sin no more.


Light of the world.  Dark brings fear.  Light makes people feel safe and even happy most times.


John 8:31-32
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.


People outside the church see us at times as being restricted by our beliefs, but in reality we are free of addictions and debt and so forth if we live according to the truth.


"Should doubt knock at your doorway, just say to those skeptical, disturbing, rebellious thoughts: ‘I propose to stay with my faith, with the faith of my people. I know that happiness and contentment are there, and I forbid you, agnostic, doubting thoughts, to destroy the house of my faith. I grant that I cannot explain the miracles of the Bible, and I do not attempt to do so, but I accept God’s word. I wasn’t with Joseph, but I believe him. My faith did not come to me through science, and I will not permit so-called science to destroy it. When I change my mind about God and His work, only the inspiration of God will change it.’" (President Thomas S. Monson, Decisions Determine Destiny, CES Fireside for Young Adults • November 6, 2005 • Brigham Young University)

“My desire today is for all of us—not just those who are "poor in spirit" but all of us—to have more straightforward personal experience with the Savior's example. Sometimes we seek heaven too obliquely, focusing on programs or history or the experience of others. Those are important but not as important as personal experience, true discipleship, and the strength that comes from experiencing firsthand the majesty of His touch.”

"This reliance upon the merciful nature of God is at the very center of the gospel Christ taught. I testify that the Savior’s Atonement lifts from us not only the burden of our sins but also the burden of our disappointments and sorrows, our heartaches and our despair.14 From the beginning, trust in such help was to give us both a reason and a way to improve, an incentive to lay down our burdens and take up our salvation. There can and will be plenty of difficulties in life. Nevertheless, the soul that comes unto Christ, who knows His voice and strives to do as He did, finds a strength, as the hymn says, ‘beyond [his] own.’15 The Savior reminds us that He has ‘graven [us] upon the palms of [His] hands.’16 Considering the incomprehensible cost of the Crucifixion and Atonement, I promise you He is not going to turn His back on us now. When He says to the poor in spirit, ‘Come unto me,’ He means He knows the way out and He knows the way up. He knows it because He has walked it. He knows the way because He is."  (Elder Jeffery R. Holland, Broken Things to Mend, April 2006 General Conference)



“As pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of any other person.” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign, May 1985, p. 11.) - This was his last address before he died.



From the Bulletin
"In all the history of the world there have been many great and wise souls, many of whom claimed special knowledge of God. But when the Savior rose from the tomb, He did something no one had ever done. He did something no one else could do. He broke the bonds of death, not only for Himself but for all who have ever lived—the just and the unjust (see John 5:28-29)." Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Dark Friday, Bright Sunday," New Era, Mar. 2008,4.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah April 4-17-2011

“If we accept salvation on the terms it is offered to us, we have got to be honest in every thought, in our reflections, in our meditations, in our private circles, in our deals, in our declarations, and in every act of our lives” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 293

Entitlement without sufficient effort is dishonest.

2 Nephi 28:8
 8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

If you have to justify what you are doing you should step back and reevaluate.

As a young man I served a mission to Brazil. It was a marvelous experience. One of the wonders of the world in that great country is Iguaçu Falls. In the flood season, the volume of water spilling over the brink is the largest in the world. Every few minutes, millions of gallons of water cascade into the chasm below. One part of the falls, where the deluge is the heaviest, is called the Devil’s Throat.
There are some large rocks standing just above, before the water rushes down into Devil’s Throat. Years ago, reckless boatmen would take passengers in canoes to stand on those rocks and look down into the Devil’s Throat. The water above the falls is usually calm and slow moving, and the atmosphere tranquil. Only the roar of the water below forewarns of the danger lurking just a few feet away. A sudden, unexpected current could take a canoe into the rushing waters, over the cliff, and down into the Devil’s Throat. Those foolish enough to leave the canoes to stand on these treacherous wet rocks could so easily lose their footing and be swept away into the swirling currents below.
I recognize that some of you think of yourselves as daredevils, ready to take on almost any challenge. But some of these excursions for excitement will inevitably take you down into the Devil’s Throat. The only safe course is to stay well away from the dangers of the Devil’s Throat.” (James E Faust, The Devil’s Throat, April 2003 General Conference)

When we are completely honest, we cannot be corrupted. We are true to every trust, duty, agreement, or covenant, even if it costs us money, friends, or our lives. Then we can face the Lord, ourselves, and others without shame” (Gospel Principles, “Honesty”)

“Let every man’s life be so that his character will bear the closest inspection, and that it may be seen as an open book, so that he will have nothing to shrink from or be ashamed of” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 252)



Matthew 18:15-17
 15 ¶ Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

If you have a problem with someone, go to them and work it out.  If that doesn’t work, bring some witnesses to the problem and talk to him again.  Witnesses can give a different perspective and help you explain your position.  If that does not work then take him to the authority whether that be Church or the courts, depending on the issue.  At the time of Matthew 18 I think I recall that for the most part the courts were the church.  If there is still a problem, then you are going to have to avoid dealings with that person as much as possible.

Matthew 18:21-22
  21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Seven in the scriptures generally mean completeness.  We would would likely translate seventy times seven into modern terms to say infinity plus one.

Matthew 18:24 - ten thousand talents = roughly 400 million dollars

Matthew 18:28 - an hundred pence = roughly 85 dollars.

The man owed so much and was forgiven and then held his brother accountable for so little.

The great sins that we have committed in our lives are forgiven if we repent.  The few things that a person might do against us should be forgiven.

This forgiveness is charity.  The pure love of Christ that we have been given and we reflect to others.

Doctrine and Covenants 64:10
10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.

The savior holds the right or keys to hold others accountable and we do not.

Because you have wronged me I am going to carry this grudge that is going to keep me from being happy for the next ten years to punish you.

“Around us we see members of the Church who have become offended. Some take offense...unable to get past the mistakes of others. They do not leave it alone. They fall into inactivity.

“That attitude is somewhat like a man being hit by a club. Offended, he takes up a club and beats himself over the head with it all the days of his life.” (President Boyd K. Packer, Guided by the Holy Spirit, General Conference April 2011)

Occasionally we have business dealings or family members that wrong us.  How do we deal with that?  It is about our heart.  We may have to pursue legal actions and avoid doing further business with a person, but we can still forgive in our hearts and let the legal system do their job.

Mary and Martha  - stop worry about what other people are doing or not doing.

Martha’s self-importance, expressed through her judgment of her sister, occasioned the Lord’s rebuke, not her busyness with the meal” (“‘Simon, I Have Somewhat to Say unto Thee’: Judgment and Condemnation in the Parables of Jesus,” in Brigham Young University 1990–91 Devotional and Fireside Speeches [1991], 116)


Moroni 7:16
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

The world lowers the standard of what is acceptable.  The lord's stay the same and his guidance for us to be able to keep those standards become more strict.

From the Bulletin

"Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: "Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present .and the greater the measure of obedience to God's laws the greater will be the endowment of faith" (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed [1964 264). If we desire more faith, we must be more obedient. When we teach our children by example or precept to be casual or situational in obeying God's commandments, we prevent them from receiving this vital spiritual gift. Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things.
Desire is a particle of faith that develops within us as we experience divine truth. It is like spiritual photosynthesis. The influence of the Holy Ghost, acting on the Light of Christ within every human being, produces the spiritual equivalent of a chemical reaction—a stirring, a change of heart, or a desire to know. Hope develops as particles of faith become molecules and as simple efforts to live true principles occur.
As patterns of obedience develop, the specific blessings associated with obedience are realized and belief emerges. Desire, hope, and belief are forms of faith, but faith as a principle of power comes from a consistent pattern of obedient behavior and attitudes. Challenging times require greater spiritual power. Consider carefully the Savior's promise: "If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me" (Moroni 7:33). Elder Kevin W. Pearson Of the Seventy

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah April 4-10-2011

I found out that one of the high priests in our ward has a grandpa that is the Malan of Malan's peak and basin.  This brother said that his middle name is in fact Malan.


Duties of a Home Teacher
  • Teaching
    •  Counsel with the head of the household to find out what their needs are.
    •  Be aware of events (baptism, priesthood ordination)
  • Encourage the family to teach each other, read the scripture, and pray.
  • Find out needs the family have


If we don't have a good relationship with our home teaching families then how will they be comfortable to tell us of a need they have.

Delegation has two purposes
-Help heavenly father accomplish more than what one person he has assigned can get done.
-Help people grow.

In the church delegation is not asking someone for a favor, it is making an assignment.


Matthew 16-17
Christ means anointed one.  In bible times kings and prophets were anointed.

Matthew 16:16-19
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Peter means rock.  The rock is revelation and Peter is named that to signify that the keys of authority of revelation is being given to him.

“In 1976 an area general conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Following the closing session, President Spencer W. Kimball desired to visit the Vor Frue Church, where the Thorvaldsen statues of the Christus and of the Twelve Apostles stand. He had visited there some years earlier and wanted all of us to see it, to go there.
To the front of the church, behind the altar, stands the familiar statue of the Christus with His arms turned forward and somewhat outstretched, the hands showing the imprint of the nails, and the wound in His side very clearly visible. Along each side stand the statues of the Apostles, Peter at the front to the right and the other Apostles in order.
Most of our group was near the rear of the chapel with the custodian. I stood up front with President Kimball before the statue of Peter with Elder Rex D. Pinegar and Johan Helge Benthin, president of the Copenhagen stake.

In Peter’s hand, depicted in marble, is a set of heavy keys. President Kimball pointed to those keys and explained what they symbolized. Then, in an act I shall never forget, he turned to President Benthin and with unaccustomed firmness pointed his finger at him and said, “I want you to tell everyone in Denmark that I hold the keys! We hold the real keys, and we use them every day.”” (The Twelve, President Boyd K. Packer, April 2008 General Conference)


Church Handbook of Instructions - Priesthood Keys

The person who has the keys does not choose a successor.  They do not give their keys to someone else when they are released.  The presiding authority that holds the keys to call people in that position passes those keys.



It is interesting to me that here in Utah it is always just family that do the baby blessings.  In Indiana one usually either has no family who were members or their family were living elsewhere, so generally people they are close with in the ward are asked to stand in the circle.

The bishop is planning temple trips to use all the temples in Utah while the Ogden temple is remodeled.  I haven't heard the term temple trip used here as we just take a few minutes to the temple, do the work, and take few minutes to drop all the kids at their homes.  I think it will be good for our stake to get perspective by traveling to other temples and especially our ward as we try for the ones farther away.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
We must teach with charity (love).

Teaching when compared to scouting: the uniforms, knots, and hikes are just excuses to get together.  The important thing is to love the boys.

3 Nephi 17:6-10 - Pray to know the needs of those we teach and for guidance on how to fulfill those needs.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.
7 Have ye any that are  sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.
9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.
10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.

The Book of Mormon is often said to be many things, a story of pride, an example of the rise and fall of civilizations, a testimony of Christ, but it is also the story of families and fathers teaching them (Lehi, Alma, Alma the younger, and even Helaman).

“Charity is a gift that you can receive as you pray to be filled with love, as you give service, and as you look for the good in others.” (TEACHING, NO GREATER CALL: A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR GOSPEL TEACHING, LESSON 4: SEEKING THE GIFT OF CHARITY)

We are all to be prophets within our own stewardship.


From the Bulletin
"My brothers and sisters, I thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel, for the love and care you show to one another, and for the service you provide in your wards and branches and stakes and districts. Thank you, as well, for your faithfulness in paying your tithes and offerings and for your generosity in contributing to the other funds of the Church." "We face many challenges in the world today, but I assure you that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us. He loves each of us and will bless us as we seek Him through prayer and strive to keep His commandments." President Thomas S. Monson, General Conference April 2nd & 3rd 2011.