Sacrament Service
First Speaker
JSH 1:21-22,24
21 Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers, who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement; and, conversing with him on the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them.
22 I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution; and this was common among all the sects—all united to persecute me.
24 However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.
Next Speaker
The first four events of the restoration as listed by Elder David A Bednar in “The Times of Restitution of All Things”, April 2025 General Conference.
The First Vision, The Book of Mormon, Priesthood Restored, The Church of Jesus Christ Is Organized.
Joseph Smith History 1
11 While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
12 Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.
Joseph said the scripture entered with great force. When was the last time we put in sufficient effort to have the scriptures enter into us with great force.
Joseph Smith History 1
16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
3 Nephi 11
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
DnC 84
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;
Doctrine and Covenants 76:22–24
22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
Next Speaker
“God Is Our Loving Heavenly Father
“God is our Heavenly Father, and we are His children. He created us in His image.
“God knows us personally and loves us.
“God has a glorified, perfected body of flesh and bones.
“God wants to bless us with peace and a fulness of joy that will last for eternity.
“Because God loves us, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from sin and death.” (“Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ”, Chapter 3)
John 3:16–17
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Moses 1:39
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Alma 7:11–13
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.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
"Revelation is communication from God to His children on the earth and one of the great blessings associated with the gift and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, 'The Holy Ghost is a revelator,' and 'no man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations' (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 132)." (Elder David A. Bednar, "The Spirit of Revelation", April 2011 General Conference)
"The way to receive revelation from God has not changed from the days of Adam and Eve. It has been the same for all called servants of the Lord from the beginning to the present day. It is the same for you and me. It is always done by exercising faith." (President Henry B. Eyring, "The Faith to Ask and Then to Act", October 2021 General Conference)
Fifth Sunday Meeting
"Scientific discoveries of today stagger the imagination. Nearly every day we read of almost unbelievable accomplishments. The age of the atom has only begun, and no one knows what exciting developments may yet unfold when the atomic research now in progress is completed. Its potential for good far outweighs its potential for destruction. The discoveries and inventions of this age are unequaled by any previous period in the world's history, discoveries latent with such potent power, either for the blessing or the destruction of human beings, as to make man's responsibility in controlling them the most gigantic ever placed in human hands." (President David O. McKay, "A Divine Plan for Finding Security and Peace of Mind," October 1966 General Conference)
"In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." (President Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives," April 2018 General Conference)
If you see it online, immediately assume it is fake until you get more information.
Set up a family password that they can say to verify a phone call is really them.
Technology is not bad or good. It is how we use it. Technology innovations are inspired by God to advance His work.
"Yes, it is a glorious age in which we live, but no thinking man will doubt that this age is fraught with limitless perils, as well as untold possibilities." (President David O. McKay, "A Divine Plan for Finding Security and Peace of Mind," October 1966 General Conference)
"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." (President Brigham Young, "A Boundless Field of Truth," April 1874)
Matthew 24:24 (KJV)
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:24 (JST)
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect, and the elect shall be deceived.
"My intent is not to suggest that artificial intelligence is inherently bad; it is not. Nor am I saying we should not use the many capabilities of AI in appropriate ways to learn, to communicate, to lift and brighten lives, and to build and strengthen the Church; of course we should. We should not be afraid of or attempt to hide from AI. But the righteous possibilities of this amazing technological tool can be realized only if we are aware of and guard against its perils." (Elder David A. Bednar, "Things as They Really Are 2.0," November 2024 General Conference)
Jacob 4:13
13 For behold, after ye have known a thing to be true, ye can know that it is true; and again, after ye have known a thing to be false, ye can know that it is false;
Moroni 10:5
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Doctrine and Covenants 93:24
24 And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;
2 Timothy 3:1, 5, 7
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
"Think Celestial." (President Russell M. Nelson, "Think Celestial," April 2019 General Conference)
