Sunday, December 30, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 30 December 2012

I was sick today, so I got no notes, but my wife brought some notes home for me that I have included here.

Sunday School
Consider, for example, the Savior’s benediction upon his disciples even as he moved toward the pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary. On that very night, the night of the greatest suffering that has ever taken place in the world or that ever will take place, the Savior said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).


I submit to you, that may be one of the Savior’s commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful Latter-day Saints, almost universally disobeyed; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to this invitation could be any more grievous to the Lord’s merciful heart. I can tell you this as a parent: as concerned as I would be if somewhere in their lives one of my children were seriously troubled or unhappy or disobedient, nevertheless I would be infinitely more devastated if I felt that at such a time that child could not trust me to help or thought his or her interest was unimportant to me or unsafe in my care. In that same spirit, I am convinced that none of us can appreciate how deeply it wounds the loving heart of the Savior of the world when he finds that his people do not feel confident in his care or secure in his hands or trust in his commandments. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Come unto Me”, Ensign April 1998)

“I would like to urge every man and woman … and every boy and girl who is old enough to read to again read the Book of Mormon during this coming year. This was written for the convincing of the Jew and the Gentile that Jesus is the Christ. There is nothing we could do of greater importance than to have fortified in our individual lives an unshakable conviction that Jesus is the Christ, the living Son of the living God. That is the purpose of the coming forth of this remarkable and wonderful book. ((Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 44)

“No member of this Church can stand approved in the presence of God who has not seriously and carefully read the Book of Mormon” (Joseph Fielding Smith, in Conference Report, Oct. 1961, 18)

“The Book of Mormon is studied in our Sunday School and seminary classes every fourth year. This four-year pattern, however, must not be followed by Church members in their personal and family study. We need to read daily from the pages of the book that will get a man ‘nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book’ (History of the Church, 4:461)” (President Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1988, 3; or Ensign, Nov. 1988, 4).

“Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit.” (Ensign, May 1975, p. 65).

Sacrament Service
Prayers
Great prayers take a lot of effort.  We need to meditate and ponder during our prayers.

Be honest and sincere in your prayers.

We can pray at anytime and anywhere.

The Lord taught that we should pray morning and evening.

You can not have a testimony of something if you are not doing it.

Study
Set goals to live what you are learning.

Write in a journal when you study the gospel/scriptures.

Love/Service
Love leads us to action.

Study the scriptures/gospel, pray, and love everyday.

Make the effort, it will take you to the end.

The Prophet
If the prophet can do his calling, then you can fulfill your calling as _________________.

It’s all the little things that keeps evil at bay.  Little things like prayer, doing your callings at church and home, going to your meetings, reading the scriptures.

See others as they may become .

Strengthen your testimony by doing the little things.

Others see what you do and learn from your testimony.

Pray for the prophet daily and for your family.

From The Bulletin
“‘If ye love me, keep my commandments,’14 Jesus said. So we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord.  Elder Jeffrey R Holland

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 23 December 2012

Elders Quorum
Lesson based on elder Holland’s Oct 2012 conference talk.

We are saved by grace, but it requires action to partake of that grace.  We do that through repentance, a broken heart and a contrite spirit. - find scripture

Do we go back to our old life after having a spiritual conversion?  As the Savior said, do we love these more than him?  Do we love our sins, addictions, agendas more than the savior?

“There is almost no group in history for whom I have more sympathy than I have for the eleven remaining Apostles immediately following the death of the Savior of the world. I think we sometimes forget just how inexperienced they still were and how totally dependent upon Jesus they had of necessity been.”

“Quite a staggering prospect for a group of newly ordained elders.”

John 21:15-17
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon,son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him,Feed my sheep.

I don't know that I have ever fathomed the depth of this conversation.  I had always limited my perception of this conversation as a replaying that Peter had denied the Savior three times and perhaps Peter needed to ponder some on that.

When Elder Holland talked about them going fishing it made me wonder if they hadn't relaxed a bit and went back to their jobs or recreation.  Perhaps because they were overwhelmed.  Perhaps they didn't know what else to do.

I now wonder if part of the reason for the conversation was to emphasize what Peter and the other apostles needed to be doing.  He ate with them helped them have a successful trip, but it now seems that maybe he was getting them working on feeding the sheep.

"Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith."

Sunday School
Moroni 1-6
Moroni is in hiding because of the warring the Lamanites are doing among themselves.  They are bloodthirsty and they especially hate Nephites.

I hadn't thought about this before today, but did Moroni have a wife and children who were killed by the Lamanites?

After all of that and watching the depravity of the Lamanites, he still loves them, prays for them, writes about them being a chosen people, and details their salvation.

They knew it was true because it was according the commandments of Christ - Moroni 4

It was pointed out that priesthood meeting starts with business with the entire priesthood to go over before the lesson.  On the other hand, relief society and young women meet separate from the beginning.  This is due to the entire priesthood having responsibilities.

In our homes it is the priesthood holder's responsibility to lead.  It is not a power thing.  It is responsibility thing.  It reminds men to take responsibility for their lives.  For their family.  For their neighborhood.

When a wife lovingly expresses her expectation that her husband will take responsibility in their family, he will become stronger and his love for her will increase.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 16 December 2012

Ward Council
Doctrine and Covenants 4:2
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

Annual Histories
Doctrine and Covenants 47:3-4
3 And again, I say unto you that it shall be appointed unto him to keep the church record and history continually; for Oliver Cowdery I have appointed to another office.
4 Wherefore, it shall be given him, inasmuch as he is faithful, by the Comforter, to write these things. Even so. Amen.

Doctrine and Covenants 69:2-6
2 Wherefore, I, the Lord, will that my servant, John Whitmer, should go with my servant Oliver Cowdery;
3 And also that he shall continue in writing and making a history of all the important things which he shall observe and know concerning my church;
4 And also that he receive counsel and assistance from my servant Oliver Cowdery and others.
5 And also, my servants who are abroad in the earth should send forth the accounts of their stewardships to the land of Zion;
6 For the land of Zion shall be a seat and a place to receive and do all these things.

Doctrine and Covenants 85:1-2
1 It is the duty of the Lord’s clerk, whom he has appointed, to keep a history, and a general church record of all things that transpire in Zion, and of all those who consecrate properties, and receive inheritances legally from the bishop;
2 And also their manner of life, their faith, and works; and also of the apostates who apostatize after receiving their inheritances.

Meeting About New Youth Curriculum
Introduction to New Youth Lessons
"Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime. As parents and gospel instructors, you and I are not in the business of distributing fish; rather, our work is to help our children learn “to fish” and to become spiritually steadfast. This vital objective is best accomplished as we encourage our children to act in accordance with correct principles—as we help them to learn by doing. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God” (John 7:17). Such learning requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception." (Elder David A Bednar, Watching with All Perseverance, General Conference April 2010)

We can't just open the youth's heads and poor in what we know or our life experience.

John 21:15-17
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon,son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
"It is also the Holy Ghost, in His character as the Holy Spirit of Promise, that confirms the validity and efficacy of your covenants and seals God’s promises upon you." (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, The Power of Covenants, General Conference April 2009)

When you see that someone is having a spiritual experience or is asking a question everything needs to stop.  We need to focus on cultivating that experience.  This helps them to learn how to recognize the spirit and to grow their conversion.

Sacrament Service
A missionary who recently returned from a mission to South Carolina spoke to us.

He said he talked to thousands of people on his mission and taught hundreds and no one got more out of it than he.

Alma 43:48-50
 48 And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts—yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from bondage.
 49 And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage.
 50 And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power; and in that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lord for their freedom, the Lamanites began to flee before them; and they fled even to the waters of Sidon.

Your temptations and trials can flee from us as we have faith.  Perhaps they will not be entirely removed, but they will not stop us.

As long as we are trying our best, Christ is pleased.  He will often nudges us to increase our ability, but he is pleased as long as we grab on and continue giving everything we can.

Christ is the light of the world.  We look to him for knowledge, for guidance, for direction.

Sunday, December 02, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 2 December 2012

Ward Council
The person giving the spiritual thought shared thoughts from President Thomas S Monson’s December 2012 Ensign article, Rediscovering the Christmas Spirit.

Chapter 3 of the Handbook 2:Administering the Church
This training was also given in Relief Society broadcast a few weeks ago.
Section 3.1
"This pattern—being a faithful disciple in order to help others become faithful disciples—is the purpose behind every calling in the Church."

Section 3.2.1
“‘When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren’ (Luke 22:32). When leaders are converted and are growing spiritually, they can help others become converted and grow spiritually.”

Section 3.2.2
“In councils, leaders meet under the direction of presiding officers to discuss ways to help individuals and families.”

Section 3.2.3
“Like the Savior, leaders seek to minister to individuals and families, both spiritually and temporally. They care about each person, not just about managing an organization. They reach out to new members, less-active members, and those who may be lonely or in need of comfort.”

Everyone, not just members

Elders Quorum
I had some business in my son’s deacons quorum today, so I missed most of the elders quorum lesson.

Lesson based on conference talk Beware Concerning Yourselves, by Elder Anthony D. Perkins

Sunday School
Mormon 5-9
What is the intent of the book of Mormon?
Another testament of Jesus Christ

Chapter 8 and 9 of Mormon was written by Moroni
The book of Ether was abridged by Moroni
Chapters 7, 8,9 of Moroni are letters from Mormon

Who is the Book of Mormon for?
The seed of the lamanites and the Gentiles and the unbelievingly of the Jews

Mormon 5:14-15
 14 And behold, they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and for this intent shall they go—that they may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant;
 15 And also that the seed of this people may more fully believe his gospel, which shall go forth unto them from the Gentiles; for this people shall be scattered, and shall become a dark, a filthy, and a loathsome people, beyond the description of that which ever hath been amongst us, yea, even that which hath been among the Lamanites, and this because of their unbelief and idolatry.

“...that [they] may more fully believe his gospel...”  There are many that believe the gospel.  The Book of Mormon is to strengthen their faith and help them to more fully believe.


First Presidency Christmas Devotional
President Dieter F Uchtdorf,
The Good and Grateful Receiver
People sometimes get to a point where they can’t accept a gift or a compliment without feeling embarrassment or with the feeling that they have to return a more extravagant gift.

John 13: 8-10
 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou needest not to wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Matthew 18:3
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

At this Christmas season, maybe we can see the wonderment of children and understand what it means to be a little child.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:33
 33 For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.

“...we have it within us to experience this Christmas season with the wonder and the awe of a child. We have it within us to say, “My heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God”10—the Giver of all good gifts.”

Be good and grateful receivers.

President Henry B Eyring, The Perfect Gift
The missionaries offer the gift of The Book of Mormon to everyone they meet.  This great gift that God preserved over the centuries for us.

Jesus was the perfect gift from our Heavenly Father.

President Thomas S Monson, Christmas Is Love
It is easy to lose the spirit of the season by over doing.  Too many activities.  Too much to eat.  Too many presents.

The joy of the season is not in the hurrying and scurrying and the presents.

Christmas is not tinsel and ribbons.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 25 November 2012

Elders Quorum
The lesson was on President Eyring’s conference talk, Where Is the Pavilion?

Doctrine and Covenants 121:4-6
4 O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us.
5 Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy sword avenge us of our wrongs.
6 Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever.


Elder Eyring said, “By the world’s standards, I had achieved success. But I was given by the Church the chance to leave California and go to Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. My lifetime professional objectives might have been a pavilion dividing me from a loving Father who knew better than I did what my future could hold. But I was blessed to know that whatever success I had in my career and family life to that point was a gift from God. And so, like a child, I knelt in prayer to ask what I should do. I was able to hear a quiet voice in my mind that said, ‘It’s my school.’ There was no pavilion shielding me from God. In faith and humility, I submitted my will to His and felt His care and closeness.”

This goes well with the thoughts from previous weeks on adjusting our expectations to be able to partake of what the Lord has planned for us.  The missionary from last week, who said he he had planned to go to a foreign country for his mission and speak a foreign language and had to adjust his expectations for the Lord to give him the blessing of the mission he had planned for him in California.  The sister in stake conference that talked of people needing to reconcile what they should do and what they had planned to do.  That one more vacation now cut short due the lowered age requirement for full time missionary service.


The only thing that gets in our way is our own distractions.

Sunday School
Mormon 1-6, Moroni 9
What does it mean to be a sober child?   Not a smart alec.   Quick to observe.   Trustworthy.

Mormon is given instruction at 10 years old for something to do when he is 24.  My kids often can't remember something I told them to do five minutes ago,  let alone for 14 years.

Mormon 2:13
 13 But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.


Moroni 9: 4
 4 Behold, I am laboring with them continually; and when I speak the word of God with sharpness they tremble and anger against me; and when I use no sharpness they harden their hearts against it; wherefore, I fear lest the Spirit of the Lord hath ceased striving with them.

Sharpness can mean harsh,  but it can also mean to the point or precise.


Sacrament Service
John 14: 6
 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me


It is not easy to let our children fail,  but it may be the lesson they need to learn.


“the most important … work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee [2000], 134)

"When we make and keep gospel covenants and receive the ordinances of salvation, our children will see and be influenced to seek the blessings of this kind of obedience. We teach them principles of honesty and integrity by being honest, truthful, trustworthy, and dependable. We teach them the virtues of responsibility and accountability by being doers, not doubters, by accepting opportunities to participate and to serve, by making our word our bond."

When Nephi built the boat he had to make his tools,  trim the lumber,  and make nails or whatever fasteners they needed to hold the boat together.

We desire people to come to or come back to church because this is home much like when we want family to be with us at the holidays and do not want them to be away,  even if we have differences.

“Clearly, those of us who have been entrusted with precious children have been given a sacred, noble stewardship, for we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are” (M Russell Ballard, “Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children,” Ensign, Apr. 1994, 60)

“The Savior cherished His relationships and interactions with children. As we seek to view our children as He does, we can be filled with charity toward them. The insights we receive through prayer will help us respond appropriately to their needs and challenges. It helps to remember that parenting is a fluid, dynamic process. It can take time to see the results of our efforts. What works today may not work next year or even tomorrow. And no parent handles every situation perfectly. When we fall short, it is important to apologize and try to do better. After all, parents are growing and learning too. With the Lord’s help, parents can provide appropriate love, limits, and latitude that will enable their children to reach their full potential as sons and daughters of God.” (Love, Limits, and Latitude, Ensign August 2008)

”Every member of the Church is important to us. Indeed, every person—member or not—is important to us, but surely among the most significant of all our responsibilities is the responsibility to protect and nurture the children of the Church. . . . We care so much about you and about the children you are teaching. Prepare well to bless these little ones. Give it your best effort“ (Elder Jeffrey R Holland, ”Anchoring Children in the Scriptures,“ Primary training video)

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 18 November 2012

Ward Council
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith Chapter 2"I have only good will in my heart for mankind. I haven’t any animosity in my heart toward any living human being. I know some that I wish would behave themselves a little better than they do, but that is their loss, not mine. If I can get my arm around them and help them back on the highway of happiness by teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ, my happiness will be increased thereby. … You cannot drive people to do things which are right, but you can love them into doing them, if your example is of such a character that they can see you mean what you say."

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith Chapter 14"How I pray that we as the servants of the Lord may have charity for mankind, may have patience with those who err, and in kindness and love go forward teaching the simple principles of the gospel of our Lord to the blessing of every soul with whom we come in contact."


This does not mean that we coddle people to the point that we are afraid to teach true principles, but I find that often I try to teachpeople a lesson, rather than a principle.


I found President Smith's word instructive for me.


Elders Quorum

Teaching of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith chapter 22Our kids learn by watching us, so we need to be very deliberate about making our behavior that belongs to the type of people we want our children to become.

Parents have the primary responsibility to teach their children the gospel.
"Call your families about you, and if you have failed in the past to give them an understanding of the purposes of life and a knowledge of the Gospel of our Lord, do it now, for I say to you as a servant of the Lord, they need it now and they will need it from now on." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1937, 36)

If we create an environment where our kids can absorb good things and turn off bad things they will be stronger people when they grow up.
A class member expressed that he was considering not going to church one day and his little son told him, "but Dad, I need to go learn about Jesus."


Sunday School

3 Nephi 27-4 Nephi3 Nephi 27:1 1 And it came to pass that as the disciples of Jesus were journeying and were preaching the things which they had both heard and seen, and were baptizing in the name of Jesus, it came to pass that the disciples were gathered together and were united in mighty prayer and fasting.

3 Nephi 27:5 5 Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;


"After an encounter with the living Son of the living God, nothing is ever again to be as it was before. The Crucifixion, Atonement, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ mark the beginning of a Christian life, not the end of it." (Elder Jeffrey R Holland, The First Great Commandment, General Conference October 2012)

200 years after the savior pride enters into the Nephite people.  Costly apparel and such and they no longer had all things in common.

4 Nephi 1:29 29 And again, there was another church which denied the Christ; and they did persecute the true church of Christ, because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and they did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them.
The people divide into tribes or races again (ites)


Sacrament Service"“The more often we see the things around us—even the beautiful and wonderful things—the more they become invisible to us." (“Live in Thanksgiving Daily,” 11)
Missionary that recently returned from the California Sacramento mission spoke to us.


Moroni 7:47 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
Charity is the never ending search for another person's happiness.


John 16:23-24 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

The missionary stated that he had all sorts of ideas of exotic places he wanted to go on his mission and other languages he wanted to speak.  He said that he had big plans and none of them had to do with Sacramento California or the English language.  Afterward he says it was the best two years of his life.


Just like the talk in stake conference this missionary's talk was somewhat about adjusting our wants and expectations to open ourselves up to the blessings the lord has for us.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 11 November 2012

Elders Quorum
George Albert Smith Manual Chapter 21
It is easy to react angrily to an angry child, but it is more effective to respond with patience and kindness.  Take the time to pause and get down on their level and not hover over them.  Try to remember what it was like when we were kids.  

Sunday School
3 Nephi 22-26Isaiah 54: 2.  2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

"The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently, Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion." (President Ezra Taft Benson, “Strengthen Thy Stakes”, Ensign January 1991) 


The savior often quoted prophets to reinforce his message. 

3 Nephi 22:16 16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.


Do we really feast on the scriptures or do we just try to get through it. Are the scriptures a treasure to us? “I have had many people ask me through the years, ‘When do you think we will get the balance of the Book of Mormon records?’ And I have said, ‘How many in the congregation would like to read the sealed portion of the plates?’ And almost always there is a 100-percent response. And then I ask the same congregation, ‘How many of you have read the part that has been opened to us?’ And there are many who have not read the Book of Mormon, the unsealed portion. We are quite often looking for the spectacular, the unobtainable. I have found many people who want to live the higher laws when they do not live the lower laws” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 531–32)


William Tyndale was put to death for translating the Bible into English.


Consider the magnitude of our blessing to have the Holy Bible and some 900 additional pages of scripture, including the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Then consider that, in addition, the words of prophets spoken as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost in settings such as this, which the Lord calls scripture (see D&C 68:2–4), flow to us almost constantly by television, radio, Internet, satellite, CD, DVD, and in print. I suppose that never in history has a people been blessed with such a quantity of holy writ. And not only that, but every man, woman, and child may possess and study his or her own personal copy of these sacred texts, most in his or her own language. How incredible such a thing would have seemed to the people of William Tyndale’s day and to the Saints of earlier dispensations! Surely with this blessing the Lord is telling us that our need for constant recourse to the scriptures is greater than in any previous time. May we feast continuously on the words of Christ that will tell us all things we should do.” (Elder D Todd Christofferson, "The Blessing of Scripture", General Conference April 2010) "Scriptures...greater than at any other time" - Elder christianson - wiki a bible a bible, why do we have more scriptures 


Sacrament Service
"Satan uses media to deceive you by making what is wrong and evil look normal, humorous, or exciting. He tries to mislead you into thinking that breaking God’s commandments is acceptable and has no negative consequences for you or others." (“For the Strength of Youth”)  

Doctrine and Covenants 121:45
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

2 Nephi 28:20-21
20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. 21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnalsecurity, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

From the Bulletin

Moral discipline is learned at home. While we cannot control what others may or may not do, [we] can certainly stand with those who demonstrate virtue in their own lives and inculcate virtue in the rising generation.We must declare the essential need to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before Him...Each must be persuaded that service and sacrifice for the well-being and happiness of others are far superior to making one’s own comfort and possessions the highest priority.(D Todd Christofferson, “Moral Discipline,” General Conference October 2009) 

Fireside
Yeah Samake, mayor of Ouelessebougou, Mali, Africa spoke to us.  It was a very interesting talk.  My two oldest kids and I shook his hand.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Church Services This Week at Weber Heights Stake Conference Ogden Utah 27 October 2012

Stake Conference Adult Session
Doctrine and Covenants 14:7  7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.
The first speaker talked of the lowering of the age requirements for full-time missionaries.
The speaker said that Elder Bednar said that preparation for missionary service begins in primary.
3 Ne. 27: 20  20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

We repent and then are baptized when we are worthy.  Next we repent and then partake of the sacrament.
Our goal is to overcome sin and the desire to sin.
The second speaker also spoke of the lower if the age requirement for missionaries.  She talked of people needing to reconcile what they should do and what they had planned to do.  A couple of the speakers expressed that in retrospect they could see that the age requirement change has been coming for a while.

One of the speakers talked of pornography being one of the biggest tools that Satan is using to prevent our young people from serving missions.

Alma 5:14  14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

You have the choice to deny the law of gravity, but you do not have the choice to avoid the consequences of it.

Doctrine and Covenants 130:20  20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated“...do the best within our reach and give the best of ourselves in pursuit of what has been promised to us?” (Elder Jorge F. Zeballos, “Attempting the Impossible”, General Conference October 2009)
If you want the world to know that you love the gospel, you have to love your neighbor as yourself.

John 14:23  23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The stake president said that it made him sad to think that there are children that enter the primary room and are not greeted by their teacher because they are late or don't show up at all.


Stake Conference Sunday Morning SessionYoung Women Theme WE ARE DAUGHTERS of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. WE WILL “STAND as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:Faith • Divine Nature • Individual Worth • Knowledge • Choice and Accountability • Good Works • Integrity • and VirtueWE BELIEVE as we come to accept and act upon these values, WE WILL BE PREPARED to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

Josh. 5: 15.  15 And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Exodus 3:5  5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground."put off thy shoes" - temple

Alma 46:8 8 Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one.

D&C 115: 5.  5 Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;

The new mission president of the Utah Ogden mission and his wife spoke to us.
The Book of Mormon is the story of a family over many generations.

2 Ne. 31: 20.  20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Ether 12:4  4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.
One speaker talked about singing in the choir in the priesthood session of general conference.

Moroni 8:1212 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!

We've been promised that we will have trials, so we should not be surprised when they come.

Ether 12:6 6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Glass, pottery, and steel can not be made without intense heat.  Great people can not be made without trials.


Teach our members that if they have a good, miserable day once in a while, or several in a row, to stand steady and face them. Things will straighten out.


“There is great purpose in our struggle in life.” (Elder Boyd K Packer, Solving Emotional Problems in the Lord's Own Way, General Conference April 1978)

As we read the scriptures we should look for the characteristics of the father, son, and holy ghost

Jesus walked on water during the 4th watch.  The 4th watch is between three and six in the morning.
How many of us have felt it has been taking to the 4th watch before we are delivered from our trials.

The casual reader will never grasp the depth of the scriptures.