Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 26 March 2017

Bulletin

Dnc 135:3

3 Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

Work and self reliance and using time wisely.

DnC 60

13 Behold, they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congregations of the wicked; wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, thus: Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known.

Second Speaker

There is a five year gap between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

“The invention of the printing press was a key to promoting individual freedom and thought, paving the way for religious freedom and promoting the faith and devotion of lay people like Columbus. With a Bible of his own, Columbus now had instant access to the scriptures, and his personal study of them increased the influence of the Holy Ghost in his life. With this newfound source of freedom and independence in place, it is no wonder that other events that changed the course of history began to take place, including the beginning of the Protestant Reformation only twenty-five years after Columbus’s first voyage.”

(Arnold K. Garr, “Christopher Columbus: Man of Destiny,” in Window of Faith: Latter-day Saint Perspectives on World History, ed. Roy A. Prete (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2005), 291–310.)

“Not only have these religious reformers been inspired to do a work in preparing for the advent of the kingdom of God upon the earth; but others have been raised for the same purpose. Columbus was inspired to penetrate the ocean and discover this Western continent, for the set time for its discovery had come; and the consequences which God desired to follow its discovery have taken place—a free government has been established on it. The men who established that Government were inspired of God—George Washington, Thomas  Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and all the fathers of the Republic were inspired to do the work which they did. We believe it was a preparatory work for the establishment of the kingdom of God.” (George Q Cannon, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ Taught By the Latter-Day Saints—Celestial Marriage”, Journal of Discourses Volume 14)

1 Nephi 13:12

12 And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.

“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.”(Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “The Blessing of Scripture”, April 2010 General Conference)

Joshua 24:15

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

The gospel allows us all to have shortcomings and yet the foundation is concrete.

Third Speaker

Ephesians 1:7

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Christ himself received grace for grace.

DnC 93:13, 20

13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;

20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.

Making covenants are an indication that we are ready to receive more grace.

Sunday School 

“When we arrived in Kirtland [in September 1833], if any man that ever did gather with the Saints was any poorer than I was—it was because he had nothing. … I had two children to take care of—that was all. I was a widower. ‘Brother Brigham, had you any shoes?’ No; not a shoe to my foot, except a pair of borrowed boots. I had no winter clothing, except a homemade coat that I had had three or four years. ‘Any pantaloons?’ No. ‘What did you do? Did you go without?’ No; I borrowed a pair to wear till I could get another pair. I had travelled and preached and given away every dollar of my property. I was worth a little property when I started to preach. … I had traveled and preached until I had nothing left to gather with; but Joseph said: ‘come up;’ and I went up the best I could.” (Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, 11:295)

There is a spiritual gathering of Israel as well as a physical gathering.  The spiritual gathering is temple and missionary work. The physical gathering is sometimes everyone in the Church around the world to one place. Other times it is to gather into stakes. Some gather in one place and at other times regather in another place to strengthen themselves or other Saints and neighbors.  As new members are gathered spiritually then they are gathered to the stake.

What were the blessings for gathering at the Ohio.
DnC 39:14-15
14 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou art not called to go into the eastern countries, but thou art called to go to the Ohio.
15 And inasmuch as my people shall assemble themselves at the Ohio, I have kept in store a blessing such as is not known among the children of men, and it shall be poured forth upon their heads. And from thence men shall go forth into all nations.

One day it will be very difficult again to remain a member of the Church. 

Elders Quorum 

The lesson was based on President Russell M. Nelson’s October 2016 conference talk.

Men are that they might have joy and have it more abundantly.

Generally people don't understand how to be happy. Generally people don't understand the difference between pleasure, happiness, and joy. 

“Life is filled with detours and dead ends, trials and challenges of every kind. Each of us has likely had times when distress, anguish, and despair almost consumed us. Yet we are here to have joy?

“Yes! The answer is a resounding yes! But how is that possible? And what must we do to claim the joy that Heavenly Father has in store for us?” - From President Nelson’s talk.

God does not have joy simply because his situation is better. He has joy because he knows how to have joy. 

“...we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.“ - From President Nelson’s talk.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 19 March 2017

From the Bulletin

Joseph Smith History 1:17

17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

Sacrament Service

A sister that recently returned from a mission to Tonga spoke to us.

It is a law in Tonga to observe the sabbath.  No swimming on the sabbath.  No shops can open.

Matthew 22:36-39

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Moroni 7:48

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

“Charity, like faith, leads to action.” (Preach My Gospel, Chapter 6)

Moroni 8:16

16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.

When we have Christ like love we worry about others instead of ourselves.

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.

A high councilman spoke to us on family history work and Elijah.

“This restoration was accompanied by what is sometimes called the Spirit of Elijah—a manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family. Hence, people throughout the world, regardless of religious affiliation, are gathering records of deceased relatives at an ever-increasing rate.”(Elder Russell M. Nelson, “A New Harvest Time”, April 1998 General Conference)

He talked about the New Family History Center in Layton.

The high councilman that spoke also talked a bit about the history of Francis Peak that is east of Kaysville.  I think it is the one with the two white spheres on top of it.  He said that someone he met, a neighbor or something, said that it was named after one of his ancestors.

Sunday School 

Dnc 4

We shouldn't wait until we have all the knowledge of everything to share the gospel and the doctrines of the Church. 

As members of the Church, don't shelter ourselves from others. 

Avoid contention. Use mildness and meekness when we teach. 

Open your mouth and it will be filled. 

Elders Quorum 

My lesson on Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B Hinckley, Chapter 6, “How Mighty a Thing Is Prayer”

This is what I prepared and then things went another way.

{

First paragraph of From the Life of President Hinckley 

“‘None of us can really make it alone,’ said President Gordon B. Hinckley. ‘We need help, the kind of help that can come in answer to prayer.’ President Hinckley practiced this principle in the decisions he faced as President of the Church. Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said of him: ‘He is a bright man with extraordinary judgment, but when he comes up against an insoluble problem, he goes to his knees.’”

What do you think about that?

How long does it take us to realize we have an insoluble problem and take it to the Lord?

Next Paragraph

“President Hinckley and his wife, Marjorie, also practiced this principle in their home. Their son Richard said: ‘I can’t remember a day when we didn’t have family prayer. When it was his turn, Dad prayed very sincerely but never with a theatrical or emotional air. We learned much about the depth of his faith by listening to him pray. He addressed God with great reverence, as he would perhaps a wise and revered teacher or mentor, and he referred to the Savior with deep feeling. As a child I knew they were real persons to him—that he loved and revered them.’ 3 Marjorie observed: ‘I think family prayer had a great deal to do with the way our children responded to us. Even though Gordon didn’t preach to them, they heard everything we wanted them to hear in family prayer.’ 4”

I find it tough to not rush through family prayer.  What are your experiences with that?

2nd paragraph under section 1 on Page 109

“Never forget who you are. . . . You are in very deed a child of God. . . . He is your Eternal Father. He loves you. You can go to Him in prayer. He has invited you to do so. . . . What a wonderful thing this is. He is the Greatest of All. He is the Creator and Governor of the universe. And yet He will listen to your prayer! 9”

Do we really believe that we are a personal child of God or does it not seem real as there are billions of us here on Earth?

Have you felt the power of the Creator and Governor of the universe taking time to make miracles in your life?

Further down in that section he says:

“I offer a plea that each of us will seek to live closer to the Lord and to commune with Him more frequently and with increased faith.”

Last paragraph before section 2 on page 110

“The marvelous thing about prayer is that it is personal, it’s individual,

it’s something that no one else gets into, in terms of your

speaking with your Father in Heaven in the name of the Lord Jesus

Christ. Be prayerful. Ask the Lord to forgive your sins. Ask the Lord

for help. Ask the Lord to bless you. Ask the Lord to help you realize

your righteous ambitions. . . . Ask the Lord for all of the important

things that mean so much to you in your lives. He stands ready to

help. Don’t ever forget it.13”

Since prayer is personal, I will now ask all of you to think about something personal about pray to share publically right now.

First paragraph under section 2 on page 110

“There needs to be a new emphasis on honesty, character, and

integrity in our time. Only as we build again into the fiber of our

lives the virtues that are the essence of true civilization will the pattern

of our times change. The question that confronts us is, Where

shall we begin?”

This is how we become men.  We constantly strengthen our character and integrity and continually rededicate ourselves to that work.  So where do we begin?  How do we start that process and what does that process look like?

Last paragraph on page 110 through fifth paragraph on page 111

“I submit that a return to the old pattern of prayer, family prayer in the homes of the people, is one of the basic medications that

would check the dread disease that is eroding the character of our society. We could not expect a miracle in a day, but in a generation we would have a miracle. . . .

“There is something in the very posture of kneeling that contradicts the attitudes described by Paul: ‘proud . . . heady, highminded.’

“There is something in the very practice of father and mother and children kneeling together that evaporates others of those qualities he described: ‘disobedient to parents, . . . without natural affection.’

“There is something in the act of addressing Deity that offsets a tendency toward blasphemy and toward becoming lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. [See 2 Timothy 3:1–4.]

“The inclination to be unholy, as Paul described it, to be unthankful, is erased as together family members thank the Lord for life and peace and all they have. And as they thank the Lord for one another, there is developed within the family a new appreciation, a new respect, a new affection one for another. . . .

“In remembering together before the Lord the poor, the needy, and the oppressed, there is developed, unconsciously but realistically, a love for others above self, a respect for others, a desire to serve the needs of others. One cannot ask God to help a neighbor in distress without feeling motivated to do something oneself toward helping that neighbor. What miracles would happen in the lives of the children of the world if they would lay aside their own selfishness and lose themselves in the service of others. The seed from which this sheltering and fruitful tree may grow is best planted and nurtured in the daily supplications of the family. . . .”

Have you found any of this to be true in your family with your family prayers?

Paragraph that start on the bottom of page 111 and goes 

“I was touched . . . by the heartbreaking statement of a young [missionary]. He said, ‘I have been here for months. I can’t learn the language. I dislike the people. I am depressed by day and weep at night. I wanted to die. I wrote my mother and pleaded for an excuse to return home. I have her reply. She says: “We’re praying for you. There is not a day passes that all of us do not kneel together in the morning before we eat and in the evening before we retire and plead with the Lord for his blessing upon you. We have added fasting to our prayer, and when your younger brothers and sisters pray they say, ‘Heavenly Father, bless Johnny . . . and help him to learn the language and do the work he was called to do.’”’ 

“This young man then went on to say through his tears, ‘I will try again. I will add my prayers to theirs and my fasting to their fasting.’ “

“Now, four months later, I have a letter from him in which he says, ‘A miracle has happened. The language has come to me as a gift from the Lord. I have learned to love the people in this beautiful land. God be thanked for the prayers of my family.’”

Drawing on the powers of heaven.

}

This is what we ended up talking about:

Before class started I felt like I should ask the class for synonyms for the word prayer.  Words or phrases that aren’t necessarily dictionary definitions for prayer, but definitions that are what prayer is synonymous with to us personally.

We also talked about speaking with respect in our prayers is critical for them to be productive.

Someone brought up not bringing trivial things into your prayers.  Then we had a discussion to explore if there was value in the trivial.  There were some thoughts that as long as respect is present there was nothing trivial.  Additionally, some expressed that there could be value in praying for the trivial in that it may be something that is weighing on us and there is value in talking it out with Father.  Perhaps, he will help us get to the bottom of what is really bothering us or perhaps the discussion with Him will lead to something else we are not expecting, but our heartfelt prayer allowed the conversation to get started.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 12 March 2017

 Bulletin

Isaiah 41:10

10 ¶ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Sacrament Meeting 

Youth Speaker

“Everyone is responsible for his or her desires” - For the Strength of Youth

Matt 25 - Talents

Moroni 7:15-19

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

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.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.

19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.

DnC 58:27

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

First Adult Speaker

Blessing definition - God's favor and protection.

“Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.”

…

“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (The Family A Proclamation to the World)

Second Adult Speaker

We try to justify our behavior by putting the responsibility on God.

God generally doesn’t put things right in front of our face.  He often makes us pay attention and ponder.

“As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sacred covenants are to be revered by us, and faithfulness to them is a requirement for happiness. Yes, I speak of the covenant of baptism, the covenant of the priesthood, and the covenant of marriage as examples.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Happiness—the Universal Quest,” Ensign, Oct. 1993, 4.)

“...marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”

…

“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.” (The Family Proclamation)

Sunday School 

Teaching the Savior's Way 

Key words for teaching in the Savior's way: invite, humble, flexible, testimony, recognize, act.

When you hit challenges, pray immediately and be grateful for whatever you can and look hard to find more things to be grateful for. 

Pride is an obstacle to teaching.

Comparison is the thief of joy. If we compare ourselves to others whether we are better or worse than them, then we lose our joy. 

What does it mean to be a humble instrument?

What instruments do we use in sacrament meeting and which do we not? We use violins, flutes, pianos.  We don't use drums, guitars, trumpets, and such. 

See yourself as a teacher at all times.  The more diligently you strive to live like Jesus Christ, the more you will be able to teach like him. 

Elders Quorum 

Chapter 5 - Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  Gordon B Hinckley 

How do we teach our daughters their worth?

“If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:605.)

Men and women are equal, but not the same. Water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen, two very different elements. You can't make water out of three oxygen atoms. The same with salt. Salt is made of sodium and chlorine. Very different elements, but both necessary to make salt. When one is not present it breaks down the salt.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 5 March 2017

Sacrament Service 

Bulletin

“If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness, we will never know joy. The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and sensations, but they will never experience joy! Joy is a gift for the faithful. It is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival”, October 2016, General Conference)

Testimonies 

Sunday School 

“The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that 6 April 1830 was the day on which the Church of Jesus Christ in this dispensation was to be organized (see D&C 20:1). Notices were sent to believers and friends, and some 56 men and women gathered at the log home of Peter Whitmer Sr. in Fayette, New York. Six men were chosen by the Prophet to assist in the organization “agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God” (D&C 20:1).

“The Prophet recorded: ‘Having opened the meeting by solemn prayer to our Heavenly Father, we proceeded, according to previous commandment, to call on our brethren to know whether they accepted us as their teachers in the things of the Kingdom of God, and whether they were satisfied that we should proceed and be organized as a Church according to said commandment which we had received. To these several propositions they consented by a unanimous vote.’”(“Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”, Chapter 2)

“This day of organization was, in effect, a day of commencement, the graduation for Joseph from ten years of remarkable schooling. It had begun with the incomparable vision in the grove in the spring of 1820, when the Father and the Son appeared to the fourteen-year-old boy. It had continued with the tutoring from Moroni, with both warnings and instructions given on multiple occasions. Then there was the translation of the ancient record, and the inspiration, the knowledge, the revelation that came from that experience. There was the bestowal of divine authority, the ancient priesthood again conferred upon men by those who were its rightful possessors—John the Baptist in the case of the Aaronic Priesthood, and Peter, James, and John in the case of the Melchizedek. There were revelations, a number of them, in which the voice of God was heard again, and the channel of communication opened between man and the Creator. All of these were preliminary to that historic April 6.”(“150-Year Drama: A Personal View of Our History,” Ensign, Apr. 1980, pp. 11–12.)

Daniel 2:44

44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

First conference of the church June 9,1830.

Dnc 27 - The revelation that said that it didn't matter what was used for the sacrament as long as it was done properly and by authority from God. 

Someone suggested that the church was protected from the civil war by being moved outside the United States before that war was thought possible. She also suggested that the church was protected from the turbulent 60s by being in the west and being a little naive. 

Elders Quorum 

“Mounting Evidence for the Book of Mormon” by Daniel C Peterson 

“What is more, although the Prophet’s critics found his claim of gold plates ridiculous, we now know that the writing of religious texts on metal plates (sometimes on gold) was an authentic ancient practice. Indeed, the ancient practice now is known to have occurred in the same era and place from which Book of Mormon peoples came. In fact, with the Copper Scroll and other materials from the Dead Sea, we have an almost exact parallel: like the ancient Nephite plates, these materials were sealed up in a hillside prior to military disaster to preserve them for a future time.”

If we had the gold plates would it help our testimonies or add more confusion. 

Jeffrey R Holland’s talk, “Safety For the Soul”

3 Nephi 27:13-19

13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.

18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.

19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

if you accept the gospel, the gospel meaning the good news, then you are prepared to receive more of the things that are necessary to return to God. Things such as baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. The good news means that Jesus is the Christ, that he suffered for our sins, that he died for us and that he was resurrected. 

“The Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the ‘fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ’ (D&C 20:9). That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed. Rather, it means that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation” (President Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6).