Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Dec 29, 2024

Sacrament Service

First Speaker

An elder from Salem, OR that just got transferred into our ward spoke to us.

Mosiah 2:17

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

3 Nephi 27:27 - “What manner of men”

27 And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.

Alma 31 

5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

3 Nephi 5

13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

Next Speaker

Make our lives point to Christ like a child would point to a picture of Christ and say, “Jesus”.

Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

DnC 31

13 Be faithful unto the end, and lo, I am with you. These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen.

Proverbs 2

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

DnC 84

18 And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

5th Sunday Meeting

“Making a covenant with God changes our relationship with Him forever. It blesses us with an extra measure of love and mercy.10 It affects who we are and how God will help us become what we can become. We are promised that we, also, can be a “peculiar treasure” unto Him (Psalm 135:4).” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant”, October 2022 Liahona)

“Every man and every woman who participates in priesthood ordinances and who makes and keeps covenants with God has direct access to the power of God. We take the Lord’s name upon ourselves as individuals. We also take His name upon us as a people. Being passionate about using the correct name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a vital way that we as a people take His name upon us.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant”, October 2022 Liahona)

3 Nephi 20

26 The Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant --

“The moral and spiritual power that our people need right now and for the days ahead is the power of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We gain access to Their power by making and keeping covenants with Them.” (President Russell M. Nelson, General Conference Leadership Meeting—April 2024)

The new and Everlasting Covenant includes:

Baptism, confirmation, priesthood, endowment, and sealing.

“President Nelson taught, quote, ‘Learning to keep covenants begins with helping our children, youth, and adults understand how important it is to keep promises,’” (D. Todd Christofferson, Covenants and Our Relationship with God, November 20, 2024 Utah Area Meeting)

“We also increase the Savior’s power in our lives when we make sacred covenants and keep those covenants with precision.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives”, April 2017 General Conference)

“Keeping the covenant of baptism is the first step in binding ourselves to God so the Holy Ghost can cleanse, strengthen, and change our nature for the better.” (President Kevin W. Pearson, “The Power of Sacred Covenants”, November 20, 2024 Utah Area Broadcast)

“Each person who makes covenants in baptismal fonts and in temples—and keeps them—has increased access to the power of Jesus Christ … [to lift] us above the pull of this fallen world.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the world and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 96, 97)

“A covenant is a pledge that we should prepare for, clearly understand, and absolutely honor. Making a covenant with God is different than casually making a promise. First, priesthood authority is required. Second, a feeble promise does not have the connecting strength to lift us …. We make a covenant only when we intend to commit ourselves quite exceptionally to fulfilling it. We become covenant children of God and inheritors of His kingdom, especially when we identify ourselves completely with the covenant.” (Dale G. Renlund, “Accessing God’s Power through Covenants,” Liahona, May 2023, 35– 36)

“Persons who have been endowed in a temple are responsible to wear a temple garment, an article of clothing not visible because it is worn beneath outer clothing. It reminds endowed members of the sacred covenants they have made and the blessings they have been promised in the holy temple. To achieve those holy purposes we are instructed to wear temple garments continuously, with the only exceptions being those obviously necessary. Because covenants do not ‘take a day off,’ to remove one’s garments can be understood as a disclaimer of the covenant responsibilities and blessings to which they relate. In contrast, persons who wear their garments faithfully and keep their temple covenants continually affirm their role as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Covenants and Responsibilities,” Liahona, May 2024, 96–97)

“During the initiatory, the member is instructed to wear the temple garment.

“The garment is a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ. It is also a reminder of temple covenants. When members keep their covenants, including the sacred privilege to wear the government as instructed, they will have greater access to the Savior’s mercy, protection, strength, and power.” (General Handbook: Serving in !e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 27.2, Gospel Library)

“By making and keeping temple covenants, we learn more about the Lord’s purposes and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost. We receive direction for our lives. We mature in our discipleship so that we do not remain perpetual unknowing children.” (Dale G. Renlund, “Accessing God’s Power through Covenants,” 36)

“The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple. Everything taught in the temple through instruction and through the Spirit increases our understanding of Jesus Christ,” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 93)

DnC 132:19

19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Dec 22, 2024

Sacrament Service

We only had the Christmas program today and no 2nd hour class.

Hymns can be called singing prayers.

“Usually the ‘learned shall not read [these things], for they have rejected them’ (2 Nephi 27:20). The reference suggests a mind-set of many of the learned of the world, who, by and large, if they know of it do not take the Book of Mormon seriously. Even when they read it, it is with a mind-set which excludes miracles, including the miracle of the book’s coming forth by the ‘gift and power of God.’ Their flawed approach diverts them from scrutinizing the substance. Sometimes, as has been said, certain mortals are “so afraid of being taken in that they cannot be taken out” of their mind-sets. 

“Obviously those with the anti-miracle mind-set discount the Book of Mormon because they cannot see the plates from which it was translated.” (Neal A Maxwell, “Not My Will, But Thine” (1988), 25.)

We must develop divine attributes in order to feel peace.

Alma 7

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

“None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak His name in reverence and wonder. I worship Him as I worship His Father, in spirit and in truth. I thank Him and kneel before His wounded feet and hands and side, amazed at the love He offers me.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “In These Three I Believe”, July 2006 Ensign)

“And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations” (Title Page of the Book of Mormon)

Acts 1

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

“Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again”, October 2024 General Conference)

Luke 12

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

DnC 82

3 For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.

The above two scriptures sound a lot like:  “With great power comes great responsibility” - Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Dec 15, 2024

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

Christmas is in the hearts of people.

Christmas is sometimes thought of as being for children.  It should have deeper meaning the older we get.

Next Speaker

The speaker referred to her style of speaking as dodderage.  I had never heard of that.  I have heard doddering as an adjective, but never dodderage as a noun.

Without Christmas we would have no Easter and could not live with our deceased loved ones again.

Next Speaker

It doesn’t have to be a big production to make a big difference at Christmas.

Sunday School 

How do we know if it is the spirit or us? 

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Dec 8, 2024

Sacrament Service
First Speaker
“My friends, my fellow disciples on the road of mortal life, our Father’s beautiful plan, even His “fabulous” plan, is designed to bring you home, not to keep you out. No one has built a roadblock and stationed someone there to turn you around and send you away. In fact, it is the exact opposite. God is in relentless pursuit of you. He ‘wants all of His children to choose to return to Him,’ and He employs every possible measure to bring you back.” (Elder Patrick Kearon, “God’s Intent Is to Bring You Home”, April 2024 General Conference)

DnC 12:8
8 And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.
The scriptures are full of people who no one thought could change and yet changed

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.

Next Speaker
“Our loving Father oversaw the Creation of this very earth for the express purpose of providing an opportunity for you and for me to have the stretching and refining experiences of mortality, the chance to use our God-given moral agency to choose Him, to learn and grow, to make mistakes, to repent, to love God and our neighbour, and to one day return home to Him.” (Elder Patrick Kearon, “God’s Intent Is to Bring You Home”, April 2024 General Conference)

We set our GPS to a place.  God directs us to a person, one by one.
Testimony is not sufficient to protect us.  Conversion is necessary.

Elders Quorum
Lesson was based on the conference talk, “I Am He” by Karl D. Hirst.
Time can erode initiative, so do not allow moments to pass by when you feel inspired. 

Matthew 22
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.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

I cannot fulfill a duty to all humanity, but I can fulfill my duty to my neighbor.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Dec 1, 2024

Sacrament Service

Testimonies

Someone shared that President Eyring came to their home when their son had cancer.

There were several testimonies of healing and also of having faith to accept if the answer is that they will not be healed.

There were multiple testimonies of personal witnesses that the testimony givers has received of modern day prophets and apostles.

Sunday School

I was in Nursery with my granddaughter.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Nov 24, 2024

Sacrament Service

First Speaker

Ephesians 1:15:16

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

The Lord’s daily miracles have not ceased.  Why should we stop giving thanks?

Alma 37:36-37

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Next Speaker

“Perhaps focusing on what we are grateful for is the wrong approach. It is difficult to develop a spirit of gratitude if our thankfulness is only proportional to the number of blessings we can count. True, it is important to frequently “count our blessings”—and anyone who has tried this knows there are many—but I don’t believe the Lord expects us to be less thankful in times of trial than in times of abundance and ease. In fact, most of the scriptural references do not speak of gratitude for things but rather suggest an overall spirit or attitude of gratitude.” (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Grateful in Any Circumstances”, April 2014 General Conference)

Many are miserable because they have no gratitude.

Doctrine and Covenants 46

7 But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.

Gratitude helps us look beyond our everyday problems.

Next Speaker

“I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don’t sing and bells don’t ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result.” 

...

“How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can’t—at least not in the moment. I don’t think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don’t think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.”

(Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Come What May, and Love It”, October 2008 General Conference)

“Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, ‘who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.’ Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival”, October 2016)

Grateful people are generally more successful at life.

Mosiah 24

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

Elders Quorum

The lesson was based on the talk from last General Conference, Holiness to the Lord in Everyday Life - Gerrit W Gong

God only wants what's best for us. 

Your covenants are not with those who harm you. You should not let them bind you. Your binding covenants are with God. 

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Nov 17, 2024

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

Work to build charity.

Remember to pray, repent, and never give up.

Please share your testimonies.

Next Speaker

“no identifier should displace, replace, or take priority over these three enduring designations:

“Child of God

“Child of the covenant

“Disciple of Jesus Christ

“Any identifier that is not compatible with those three basic designations will ultimately let you down.” - President Nelson on Facebook

“My tears of sorrow have flowed along with wishes that I could have done more for our daughter and for our President. If I had the power of resurrection, I would have been tempted to bring them back. Though one of the ordained Apostles, each of whom is entrusted with all the keys of the kingdom of God, I do not hold keys of the Resurrection. Jesus Christ holds those keys and will use them for Emily, for President Hunter, and for all people in the Lord’s own time.” (Elder Russell M Nelson, “Children of the Covenant”, April 1995 General Conference)

Pay attention to things in the Book of Mormon that are happening today.

“My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival”, October 2016 General Conference)

Sunday School 

Why call him the brother of Jared?  Maybe because his name was long, but perhaps also because Jared was a leader in the community. Perhaps the brother of Jared was also a leader, but had a different stewardship.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Nov 10, 2024

Sacrament Service 
Primary Program
Elders Quorum 
The lesson was based on the talk from last General Conference, Sacred Scriptures—the Foundations of Faith - David A. Bednar
Have faith and keep going. Things will work out. Generally many will work out in this life, if we have faith, but everything will work out after this life if we have faith. 

The Book of Mormon is written for our day. Our day began with the translating of the BOM in the 1800s and continues on through all of the latter days.

Church Services This Week at Devotional for Young Adults at BYU Idaho Nov 3, 2024

Elder David A Bednar, “Things are They Really Are 2.0”

“An important aspect of the fulness that is available to us today is a miraculous progression of innovations and inventions that have enabled and accelerated God’s work of salvation and exaltation: from trains to telegraphs to radios to automobiles to airplanes to telephones to transistors to televisions to computers to satellite transmissions to the internet to artificial intelligence—and to an almost endless list of technologies and tools that bless our lives. All of these advancements are part of the Lord hastening His work in the latter days.”

“Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind, has been given by direct revelation from God, though but few acknowledge it. It has been given with a view to prepare the way for the ultimate triumph of truth, and the redemption of the earth from the power of sin and Satan. We should take advantage of all these great discoveries, the accumulated wisdom of ages, and give to our children the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge, to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work.” (Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, 9:369.)

“In 1966, President David O. McKay prophesied scientific discoveries that “stagger the imagination” would make possible the preaching of the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people. And further: ‘Discoveries latent with such potent power, either for the blessing or the destruction of human beings as to make men’s responsibility in controlling them the most gigantic ever placed in human hands. … This age is fraught with limitless perils, as well as untold possibilities.’”

“Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life?

“Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways?” (David A. Bednar, “Things as They Really Are,” Ensign, June 2010.)

“AI also has the potential to obscure our true identity as sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father, distract us from the eternal truths and righteous work necessary for spiritual growth, engender pride and a diminished acknowledgment of our dependence upon God, and distort or replace meaningful human interaction.”

“When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

“But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.” (2 Nephi 9:28–29.)

“I invite you to review and study the AI guiding principles developed and distributed by the Church earlier this year.”

“We have not been blessed with moral agency to do whatever we want whenever we will. Rather, according to the Father’s plan, we have received moral agency to seek after and act in accordance with eternal truth.”

“[Lucifer’s] intent was that all of Heavenly Father’s children become objects that could only be acted upon.”

“The very purpose of the Creation and of our mortal existence is to see if you and I will choose and act to become what the Lord invites us to become.”

“Now beware. The ease of use, perceived accuracy, and rapid response time that characterize artificial intelligence can create a potentially beguiling, addictive, and suffocating influence on the exercise of our moral agency.”

“Therefore, faithful disciples of Christ are workers anxiously engaged because ‘the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves.’”

“work is essential for our spiritual progression.”

“Ours is a gospel of work—purposeful, unselfish and rendered in the spirit of the true love of Christ. Only thus may we grow in godly attributes. Only thus may we become worthy instruments in the hands of the Lord.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson (2014), 266–67.)

“I wonder how many sacrament meeting messages and Sunday School, priesthood, and Relief Society lessons next Sunday will have been generated from AI. A simple command spoken into your digital device, wait a few seconds or minutes, and you have what you need. But do you really have what you need?”

“We undoubtedly can generate and produce fabulous content for a sacrament meeting talk with AI. But the objective is not merely producing or presenting impressive content; rather, it is working and becoming what God intends and yearns for us to become.”

“The law of the harvest is true—yesterday, today, and forever.”

“We must strive to become agents who exercise faith in the Savior and act and shun becoming objects that merely are acted upon.”

“To be clear, we do not earn or qualify for God’s blessings solely by or through our individual works. God’s will and timing determine how and when we receive His tender mercies. But you and I have the spiritual obligation to work, create, and learn for ourselves.”

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Nov 3, 2024

Sacrament Service

Testimonies

Are we more concerned with obeying to avoid consequences that obeying to avoid becoming something we would not want to be.  Similar to Dr Jeckel.

Our testimony of Christ can bridge all of our differences.

4 Nephi 1

15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.

17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

Sunday School 

What does it mean that Mormon was a sober child?  What does it mean that he was quick to observe? 

We as humans can't miraculously feed 5000,but we can bring a little bread and fish. God can take those bread and fish and feed a multitude.