Sunday, February 26, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 26 February 2012

Elders Quorum
Dispensation of the fullness of times
Things that has been restored
-Priesthood
-Organization of the church
-The sealing power
-Ordinances (baptism, temple)
-The plan of salvation
-The nature of the god head and attributes of Heavenly Father

Doctrine and Covenants 13:1
1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.


Doctrine and Covenants 128:24
24 Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.

What is the offering sons of Levi give? Genealogy and temple work.  Even though only the Melchizedek
priesthood wasn't available to the, they were responsible for the temple ordinances that were available to them at that time.

In addition to the Savior are there people in our life or our family istory that have saved us in some way?

Sunday School
2 Nephi 11-25
Isaiah
1 Nephi 19:23
23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

The Book of Mormon is to come forth to the Gentile nations and what Nephi chose to highlight for them was Isaiah.

When you have the spirit you view the world and Isaiah differently.

Because the language and symbolism you have to read Isaiah slower and pay closer attention to each word or phrase.

ELDER BRUCE R. MCCONKIE, Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah, Ensign October 1973
1) Gain an over-all knowledge of the plan of salvation and of God's dealings with his earthly children.
2) Learn the position and destiny of the house of Israel in the Lord's eternal scheme of things.
3) Know the chief doctrines about which Isaiah chose to write.
4) Use the Book of Mormon: (See videos enclosed)
5) Use latter-day revelation.
6) Learn how the New Testament interprets Isaiah.
7) Study Isaiah in its Old Testament context.
8) Learn the manner of prophesying used among the Jews in Isaiah's day.
9) Have the spirit of prophecy.
10) Devote yourself to hard, conscientious study.

Ryan S. Gardner and David A. Edwards. How Can I Understand Isaiah?, New Era march 2012
1. Realize you already know a lot.
2. Know Isaiah’s main topics.
3. Take advantage of the words of latter-day scriptures and prophets.
4. Get to know Isaiah’s world.
5. Commit to study by the Spirit.


Sacrament Service
What is a patriarchal blessing?
“It is a personal revelation from your Heavenly Father, who knows your strengths, weaknesses, and eternal potential. Through your patriarchal blessing, He will help you learn what He expects of you. Your blessing may contain promises, admonitions, and warnings. As time goes on, you will recognize the power of the revelation in it.” (True to the Faith, “Patriarchal Blessings”)

Do we truly treat our patriarchal blessing as a guide for our lives?

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 19 February 2012

Elders Quorum
Gospel Principles manual chapter 7

Sunday School
2 Nephi 6-10 - mostly 2 Nephi 9

When we read Isaiah and revelation and other hard parts of scripture, we get credit for trying.

Once the Nephites move away from the Lamanites Jacob becomes the prophet and Nephi becomes essentially king.


2 Nephi 9: 10.
 10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.


The synonym for death is separation.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 12 February 2012

Elders Quorum/High Priest Group
Viewed the new video on family history work.

We are not commanded to do the work for "the" dead we are commanded to do the work for "your" dead.

When you do temple work you are getting a small glimpse of what the savior did for us by being a proxy for some to do something they can not do for themselves.

Sunday School
2 Nephi 3-5
The Covenant Made With Abraham.

  • His posterity would be numerous (see Genesis 17:5–6; Abraham 2:9; 3:14).
  • His seed, or descendants, would receive the gospel and bear the priesthood (see Abraham 2:9).
  • Through the ministry of his seed, "all the families of the earth [would] be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal" (Abraham 2:11).

We are heirs of the promises and also the obligations of the Abrahamic covenant.  A person can receive all the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant—even if he or she is not a literal descendant of Abraham—by obeying the laws and ordinances of the gospel (see Galatians 3:26–29; 4:1–7; D&C 84:33–40).

Abraham’s sons were Isaac and Ishmael.  The nations of Islam trace their lineage to Ishmael.

Isaac has a son Jacob, who becomes Israel.

Israel has 12 sons.  One is Judah, who Christ came through.  Another is Joseph.  Joseph was in captivity for a wise purpose to save his people.  This is a pattern with the descendants of Joseph. Joseph has two sons and Jacob adopts them as hid own sons.

Lehi, a descendant of Joseph has 5 sons and the sons of Ishmael and Zoram the servant of Laban.

2 Nephi 3:5
5 Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.

Sacrament Service
One of the speakers said that President Benson gave council that it was Adam's job to work for bread, not Eve.

Stand in holy places - hymn Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth - 298

Mosiah 18:9
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—


“One work colleague who was not a member of our Church said to me, ‘Why do you continue to go to a church that puts so much emphasis on marriage and families?’ My simple answer to her was, ‘Because it is true!’ I can be just as single and just as childless outside of the Church. But with the Church and gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, I found happiness and I knew I was on the path the Savior would have me follow. I found joy and many opportunities to serve, to love, and to grow.” (Barbara Thompson, “Mind the Gap”, General Relief Society Meeting September 2010)

From the Bulletin
“Integrity means always doing what is right, regardless of the immediate consequences. it means being righteous from the very depth of our soul, not only in our actions but, more importantly, in our thoughts and in our hearts. Personal integrity implies such trustworthiness that we are incapable of being false to a trust or covenant.
We all have within us the ability to know what is right and good. Having received the Spirit of Christ to know good from evil, we should always choose the good. We need not be misled, even though fraud, deception, deceit, and duplicity often seem to be acceptable in our world. Lying, stealing, and cheating are commonplace. Integrity, a firm adherence to the highest moral and ethical standards, is essential to the life of a true Latter-day Saint.
The consummate reward of integrity is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost (see 121146). The Holy Ghost does not attend us when we do evil. But when we do what is right, he can dwell with us and guide us in all we do.
Let us strive for personal, practical integrity in every endeavor, regardless of how mundane or inconsequential it may seem. The small matters accumulate to shape the direction of our lives.
Integrity, a firm adherence to the highest moral and ethical standards, is essential to the life of a true Latter-day Saint.” Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Priceless Integrity” 

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Church Services This Week at Ogden South Coordinating Council of Stakes Meeting Ogden Utah 7 February 2012

There were 11 stakes at this meeting.  It was impressive to see a council of stake presidents on the stand.  We didn’t often see a large groups of stake presidents together when we lived in Indiana.

Lynn L. Summerhays announced for a brother Toponce to open the back curtains.  One of my brother’s companions on his mission was a Brandon Toponce.  I couldn't see him.

The building appeared to have two chapels connected in the middle by a gym or two.  I had never seen something that like.  They opened the curtains from chapel to chapel.

Testimony comes in the baring of it.

God wants his thoughts to be our thoughts, so if you have a thought it shouldn't matter if a thought you have to do good is His or yours.

Faith in the Lord is an action that produces power.


3 Nephi 14:20
 20 Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.


Captain Moroni was a man of action.  The adversary can only be thwarted by people of action.


“ Often I have heard him say, ‘I don’t know how to get anything done except getting on my knees and pleading for help and then getting on my feet and going to work.’” (Elder Russel M Nelson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 16 )


When we get a prompting it is often inconvenient.  Nonetheless, faith is action that produces power.


True doctrine changes character.


Every time we meet with Elder Summerhays he seems to focus on trying to show us how to recognize the spirit and act upon it.  This time he topped after each thought or two that he shared and asked for someone
to share what they were thinking and feeling.

It is not a program it is doctrine.  

“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior” (Elder Boyd K Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17)

Each morning pray to know who you need to show love to today.  Elder Summerhays testified that that prayer will never go unanswered.

Success is in the effort, not in the outcome.

Sunday, February 05, 2012

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 5 February 2012

Ward Council
2 Nephi 28:30
30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.


We covered section 3.4 Leadership Purposes from Handbook 2:Administering the Church

Joint Melchizedek/Aaronic Priesthood Meeting
Roles and Responsibilities of Relief Society
The ward relief society president taught the lesson.  She read the following talks in preparation for the lesson.
http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=13577&x=64&y=6

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/what-i-hope-my-granddaughters-and-grandsons-will-understand-about-relief-society?lang=eng
 

Help them understand that they are a covenant daughter of God.
Help them understand the power that comes from being a covenant daughter of God.
Help them understand the blessings that come as being a covenant daughter of God.

She passed out a list of objectives for each month this year.

January
Focus: Becoming a Holy Person

Objective: Help the sisters understand what is means to be a holy person and identify one area they can work on for the year.
July
Focus: Body As a Temple
Objective: Encourage sisters to care for their bodies as temples.
February
Focus: VT Invite the Sisters to Stand in Holy Places Through Family History Work

Objective: Help sisters gain the vision of preparing a family name to take to the temple in June.
August
Focus: Home as a Temple

Objective: Teach sisters that the next to the temple, the home is the most sacred place and help the sisters take steps to making it so.
March
Focus: Moving from Testimony to Conversion

Objective: Help the sisters understand that conversion is deeper then testimony, requires action, and brings meaning and purpose into our lives.
September
Focus: Worthy Friends a Key to Holiness

Objective: Encourage the sisters to get to know the new sisters in the ward and also give them tools to develop a greater emotional strength.
April
Focus: Being Covenant Daughters

Objective: Encourage the sisters to remember their covenants and commit to living them more
October
Focus: Lioness At The Gate

Objective: Help the sisters identify ways they can protect their homes from worldly influences and make them a holier phase.
May
Focus: Always Remember Him

Objective: Identify ways to make the Sabbath a Holy Day.
November
Focus: Gratitude the Mark of a Holy Person

Objective: Help the sisters increase their practice of being grateful.
June
Focus: The Temple-—A Place of Strength

Objective: Help as many sisters participate in temple ordinances for their own family members and recognize the power and strength that comes into their lives as a result.
December
Focus: Our Offering to the Savior

Objective: Help the sisters review how they have stood in holy places during the year and the effect it has had on them personally and with their families.




There is safety in being a Saint. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ today are known as Latter-day Saints. In addition to being the Lord’s designation of those who belong to His Church, this appellation also serves as His invitation to a better way of life. (Bishop Keith B. McMullin, “An Invitation with Promise“, Ensign May 2001)


Even if you are serving in primary and don't get to go to your quorum and rs meetings you are still a member of that sisterhood and brotherhood.


The three purposes of Relief Society as stated by Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society president, in the talk “Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society” in the November 2008 Ensign.

Increase in faith and personal righteousness.
Strengthen families and homes.
Serve the Lord and His children.


“Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.” (President Gordon B Hinckley, “Our Responsibility to Our Young Women”, Ensign September 1988) - Wiki Womanhood, Eve, creation


“When sisters meet for Relief Society meetings during the week, they have the opportunity to learn and accomplish the charitable and practical responsibilities of the Relief Society. This is where they learn and practice skills that will help them increase their faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and provide service to those in need. These meetings are meant to be instrumental in teaching the skills and responsibilities of womanhood and motherhood in the Lord’s plan. It is here that women learn and apply principles of provident living and spiritual and temporal self-reliance, and they also increase in sisterhood and unity as they teach one another and serve together.” (Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society Meeting, September 2009)

Every relief society meeting, even if not held on Sunday, is as important for the sisters of the ward to be there as it is for the brethren to be to all of their priesthood meetings, no matter when they are held.

Mosiah 10:10
 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

What have ye against doing your visiting teaching or home teaching?


“When the Savior organized His Church in New Testament times, “women were vital participants in [His] ministry.” 1 He visited Martha and Mary, two of His most dedicated followers, in Martha’s home. As Martha listened to Him and served Him according to the custom of their time, He helped her see that she could do more than that. He helped Martha and Mary understand that they could choose “that good part,” which would not be taken from them. 2 This gentle comment served as an invitation to participate in the Lord’s ministry. And later in the New Testament, Martha’s strong testimony of the Savior’s divinity gives us some insight into her faith and discipleship. 3
...
I hope my granddaughters will understand that the Lord inspired the Prophet Joseph Smith to organize the women of the Church “under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood” 7 and to teach them “how [they] would come in possession of the privileges, blessings and gifts of the Priesthood.” 8
...
[The first Relief Society] presidency was called by revelation, sustained by those they would lead, and set apart by priesthood leaders to serve in their callings, thus being “called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority.” 9 Being organized under the priesthood made it possible for the presidency to receive direction from the Lord and His prophet for a specific work.
...
“...our Heavenly Father needs us to follow a higher path and demonstrate our discipleship by sincerely caring for His children.”

“With so much need for relief and rescue in the lives of sisters and their families today, our Heavenly Father needs us to follow a higher path and demonstrate our discipleship by sincerely caring for His children. With this important purpose in mind, leaders are now taught to ask for reports about the spiritual and temporal well-being of sisters and their families and about service rendered. 18 Now visiting teachers have the responsibility to ‘sincerely come to know and love each sister, help her strengthen her faith, and give service.’ 19
“As committed disciples of the Savior, we are improving in our ability to do the things He would do if He were here. We know that to Him it is our caring that counts, and so we are trying to concentrate on caring about our sisters rather than completing lists of things to do. True ministry is measured more by the depth of our charity than by the perfection of our statistics.” (Julie B Beck, “What I Hope My Granddaughters (and Grandsons) Will Understand about Relief Society”, October 2011 General Conference)

Teach your wives and daughters the importance of RS.


Sunday School
2 Nephi 1-2
2 Nephi contains the teachings of Lehi, Nephi, Isaiah, and Jacob


“You, too, may be tempted to stop there, but do not do it! Do not stop reading! Move forward through those difficult-to-understand chapters of Old Testament prophecy, even if you understand very little of it. Move on, if all you do is skim and merely glean an impression here and there. Move on, if all you do is look at the words. …
“… The Lord had a purpose in preserving the prophecies of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, notwithstanding they become a barrier to the casual reader.
“Those who never move beyond the Isaiah chapters miss the personal treasures to be gathered along the way” (Elder Boyd K Packer, in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 76–77; or Ensign, May 1986, 61).