This Week at Church - My Notes From Church Services, Talks, Symposiums, Conferences

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah January 1-22-2012

2012-01-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

Elders Quorum
The lesson was based on President Monson’s conference talk, Stand in Holy Places
Personal revelation prayer, and living righteously.

1 Corinthians 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

You never know how or when or where your preparation daily to have the spirit is going impact another person's life and/or testimony.

Sunday School
"great and abominable church" - the churches that remained after the
apostasy happened.

1 Nephi 13:12 - Christohper Columbus
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.

1 Nephi 13:13 - Columbus, the pilgrims, and many who were subject to kings
13 And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, that it wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of captivity, upon the many waters.

The Americas were hidden from other peoples. At the time of Columbus they had no concept that it was there. Once they hypothesized the earth was round, they figured they would get to India, not find a new
land there. The Atlantic and Pacific oceans are so huge that if you didn't know the America were here, you would never guess it.

1 Nephi 13:20-29
20 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that they did prosper in the land; and I beheld a book, and it was carried forth among them.
21 And the angel said unto me: Knowest thou the meaning of the book?
22 And I said unto him: I know not.
23 And he said: Behold it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles.
24 And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God.
25 Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.
26 And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.
27 And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.
28 Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.
29 And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.

The bible is of great worth because it contains the covenants of the Lord.

The true church has more covenants of the Lord.

The true church tells us of reality and not man’s best educated guess.

Sacrament Service
The speaker proposed that any doctrine worth teaching has been set to music and included in the Church's children's songbook. He quoted the song “Search, Ponder, and Pray”.

The speaker said that Hugh Nibley said something like, "to say you have read the book of Mormon doesn't mean a thing". I could not find the quote on the Internet, but I think the point was that just going through the motions and reading just to check off that you read can leave you getting very little out of it.

As we read the scriptures we need to be continually asking questions. One good question is, out of everything that could've been included in the scriptures, why was what I am reading included?

Moroni 10:3
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

“It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ ( D&C 84:85 ), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance” (President Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 6; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7)

Seminary Broadcast
100 Years of Seminary
President Eyring's mother was a student in the first seminary class in 1912.

President Boyd K Packer, “How to Survive in Enemy Territory”,Seminary Centennial Broadcast

"I was trained by President Marion G. Romney, Counselor in the First Presidency. He once told me, ‘Do not just tell them so that they understand; teach them so that they cannot misunderstand!’ ”

“Most of the time your prayers will be silent. You can think a prayer.”

"The Word of Wisdom does not promise perfect health but that the spiritual receptors within you might be strengthened."

“"The certainty is that your body will, in due time, grow old and eventually become uninhabitable, and the spirit will be forced to leave.”

“A few of you may have felt or been told that you were born with troubling feelings and that you are not guilty if you act on those temptations. Doctrinally we know that if that were true your agency would have been erased, and that cannot happen. You always have a choice to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost and live a morally pure and chaste life, one filled with virtue.”

“The first gift that Adam and Eve received was agency: ‘Thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee.’ (Genesis 2:17)“

“It is natural to resist restraints of any kind.”

“Guilt is spiritual pain. Do not suffer from chronic pain. Get rid of it. Be done with it. Repent, and, if necessary, repent again and again and again and again until you—not the enemy—are in charge of you.”

“If you are associating with others who drag you down instead of building you up, stop and change company. You may be alone and lonely at times. The important question may be asked then, ‘When you are alone, are you in good company?’ If you are doing something that you know is wrong, stop it. Stop it now.”

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah January 1-15-2012

2012-01-15T18:40:00.002-07:00

Elders Quorum
Chapter 2 - Teachings of George Albert Smith
“I do not have an enemy that I know of, and there is no one in the world that I have any enmity towards. All men and all women are my Father’s children, and I have sought during my life to observe the wise direction of the Redeemer of mankind—to love my neighbor as myself. … You will never know how much I love you. I have not words to express it. And I want to feel that way toward every son and every daughter of my Heavenly Father.” (George Albert Smith, “After Eighty Years,” Improvement Era, Apr. 1950, 263)

Luke 10 - The story of the good Samaritan.

You can move out of a neighborhood that has a couple of bad elements, but if the good people all move, what is left and the good people who are left that maybe can't move get overwhelmed.

“What a happy world it would be if men everywhere recognized their fellowmen as brothers and sisters, and then followed that up by loving their neighbors as themselves.” (George Albert Smith, In Conference Report, Oct. 1946, 149)

Sunday School
Surely these things will be made known unto you- find scripture - wiki prayer

1 Nephi 11:26 - He descends from heaven to dwell among men.
26 And the angel said unto me again: Look and behold the condescension of God!
27 And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove.
28 And I beheld that he went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; and the multitudes were gathered together to hear him; and I beheld that they cast him out from among them.

Sacrament Service
Doctrine and Covenants 87:8
8 Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.

“The chapel, the stake house, and the temple are sacred as they contribute to the building of the most sacred institution in the Church—the home—and to the blessing of the most sacred relationships in the Church, the family” (President Boyd K Packer, That All May Be Edified, pages 234–35)

Alma 37:6
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

“...you are . . . surrounded by opportunities for service. . . . Often small acts of service are all that is required to lift and bless another.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Three Goals to Guide You,” Ensign, Nov. 2007, 120)

From The Bulletin
Ward Conference Theme:
Alma 37:7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah January 1-8-2012

2012-01-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

We talked about the new FamilySearch guide "To Turn the Hearts".

LDS.org -> menu -> serving in the church -> other callings -> temple and
family history -> leader resources

Elders Quorum
We had our first lesson out of "The Teachings of George Albert Smith" manual.

George Albert Smith's health wasn't great while he was prophet.

“‘Mormonism,’ so-called, is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, consequently it is the power of God unto salvation to all those who believe and obey its teachings. It is not those who say, ‘Lord, Lord,’ who enjoy the companionship of His spirit but those who do His will [see Luke 6:46].” (George Albert Smith,
In Conference Report, Apr. 1913, 28–29)

“The world seems to think that they can come whenever they are ready. Our Father’s children do not understand that there is some preparation to be made. The adversary has so deceived them as to make them believe that no preparation is necessary, anything will do, but in this message that the Savior gave in a parable to his associates we are informed that there must be some preparation, and without that preparation no one will be permitted to partake of the more precious gifts of our Heavenly Father. That applies to the membership of this Church who have an idea that because they have been invited, and because their names appear upon the record among those who have been called, there is nothing more for them to do. … They have forgotten the Lord and are not preparing for the feast to which he has invited them.” (George Albert Smith, In Conference Report, Oct. 1930, 66–68) [See Matthew 22:1–3, 11–14.]

Sunday School
Father Lehi
1 Nephi 1,2,5,7

“This spiritually powerful, convincing testimony that Jesus Christ is indeed the promised Messiah—the anointed Son of God, sent to earth to bring about the resurrection of all men and the spiritual cleansing of those who will repent and follow Him—is framed within the history of families.
The Book of Mormon begins with a family, a father and mother, sons and daughters heeding the revelation of their prophet-father to leave their worldly goods behind and follow the counsel of the Lord. The book’s accounts are replete with parents seeking to instill in their children the promise and hope of Jesus Christ.” (ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSEN, The Book of Mormon: Strengthening Our Faith in Jesus Christ, Ensign October 2011)

The Lord seems to administer punishments to his people to get them to repent in increasing levels if they do not repent. Afflictions, bondage, captivity, destruction.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah January 1-1-2012

2012-01-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

Elders Quorum
President Monson priesthood talk from October 2011, “Dare to Stand Alone”
Doctrine and Covenants 121:36
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

“I recently read an article in the New York Times concerning a study which took place during the summer of 2008. A distinguished Notre Dame sociologist led a research team in conducting in-depth interviews with 230 young adults across America.”
...
“The interviewers asked open-ended questions about right and wrong, moral dilemmas and the meaning of life. In the rambling answers, … you see the young people groping to say anything sensible on these matters. But they just don’t have the categories or vocabulary to do so.”

“It is impossible to associate manhood with dishonesty. To be just with one’s self, one must be honest with one’s self and with others. This means honesty in speech as well as in actions. It means to avoid telling half-truths as well as untruths. It means that we are honest in our dealings—in our buying as well as in our selling. It means that an honest debt can never be outlawed, and that a man’s word is better than his bond. It means that we will be honest in our dealings with the Lord, for ‘true honesty takes into account the claims of God as well as those of man; it renders to God the things that are God’s, as well as to man the things that are man’s.’” (President David O McKay, Conference Report, April 1968, pp. 7–8.)

“Some time ago I had occasion to visit with a man from New York City. He has been in the field of finance for many years. His associates are nationwide. During the course of our conversation, he made a remark that has given me much food for thought. He said: ‘Over the years, I have had dealings with many Mormons. I have yet to run into a dishonest one.’
“I countered by saying, ‘If a Mormon truly lives his religion, he must be honest.’ However, I indicated that I was afraid there were some who did not live their religion fully, whereupon he replied, ‘I hope I never have the shattering experience of meeting a dishonest Mormon.’” (Victor L Brown, “The Meaning of Morality”, April 1971 General Conference)

“We may at times find ourselves surrounded by others and yet standing in the minority or even standing alone concerning what is acceptable and what is not. Do we have the moral courage to stand firm for our beliefs, even if by so doing we must stand alone? . . . It is essential that we are able to face—with courage—whatever challenges come our way.”

“Make no mistake about it—you are a marked generation. …
“For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the second coming of the Lord. Some individuals will fall away, but the kingdom of God will remain intact to welcome the return of its Head—even Jesus Christ.
“While this generation will be comparable in wickedness to the days of Noah, when the Lord cleansed the earth by flood, there is a major difference this time: [it is that] God has saved for the final inning some of His strongest … children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly.” (Ezra Taft Benson, “In His Steps” (Church Educational System fireside, Feb. 8, 1987); see also “In His Steps,” in 1979 Devotional Speeches of the Year: BYU Devotional and Fireside Addresses (1980), 59)

““You cannot afford to do anything that would place a curtain between you and the ministering of angels in your behalf.”

Mosiah 2:41
41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Sunday School
The instructor gave a course overview much like a college class. He said that the student study guide works as the syllabus. He said that the introduction of the student study guide does not mention using it for Sunday school, but mentions family home evening and other home uses.

He introduced the book of Mormon as the textbook for the year.

He recommended the October 2011 Ensign from last year that was dedicated entirely to the Book of Mormon as a good resource for this year’s class.

Moroni 10:34
34 And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.
This is the final exam, when we meet Moroni at the judgement bar of Christ.

The instructor said that President Benson’s talk on The Book of Mormon - Keystone of Our Religion, given October 1986 and referenced in the October 2011 Ensign was especially good.

Doctrine and Covenants 84::section heading, 54-57
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, 22 and 23 September 1832 (see History of the Church,1:286–95). During the month of September, elders had begun to return from their missions in the eastern states and to make reports of their labors. It was while they were together in this season of joy that the following communication was received. The Prophet designated it a revelation on priesthood.

54 And your minds in times past have been darkened because ofunbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—
55 Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
56 And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.
57 And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—

“Has the fact that we have had the Book of Mormon with us for over a century and a half made it seem less significant to us today? Do we remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon? In the Bible we have the Old Testament and the New Testament. The word testament is the English rendering of a Greek word that can also be translated as covenant. Is this what the Lord meant when He called the Book of Mormon the ‘new covenant’? It is indeed another testament or witness of Jesus. This is one of the reasons why we have recently added the words “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” to the title of the Book of Mormon.”
…
“...the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. This was the Prophet Joseph Smith’s statement. He testified that “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion” (Introduction to the Book of Mormon). A keystone is the central stone in an arch. It holds all the other stones in place, and if removed, the arch crumbles.

“There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony.” (President Ezra Taft Benson)

Reading is thinking guided by lines and squiggles.

We gain a testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet by reading the Book of Mormon. We gain a testimony of Christ by reading the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon was written for our day.

“It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ ( D&C 84:85 ), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance” (President Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 6; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7 ).

Sacrament Service
As we set goals and work to fulfill those goals we grow closer to Christ's commandment of "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

Moses 1:39 - God has set forth what his goal is.
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

“I feel that goal-setting is absolutely necessary for happy living. But the goal is only part of the desired procedures. We need to know which roads to take to reach the goal. … [People] need to make commitments with themselves by writing down their goals and keeping a record of the fulfillment of their achievements” (Bishop John H. Vandenberg, in Conference Report, Apr. 1966, 94; or Improvement Era, June 1966, 534).

Goals give us purpose and direction in our life.

Changing the world happens one person at a time.

A smoker cannot quit smoking until he decides he is done smoking and then acts to stop. The same is true for adding good habits. We can not do some good habit until we decide that we are going to do it and take steps to do so.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah December 12-18-2011

2011-12-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

Elders Quorum
Elder oaks conference talk - Teachings of Jesus
“When you consider all of the things the Savior has done for us, don’t you have many reasons to come back to church to worship and serve Him?”

Ask yourself how the savior is the light and life of the world.

Sunday School
Revelation
We are in the sixth seal
Seal 1 - creation/fall
Seal 2 - Noah and the floor
Seal 3 - the reign of the judges/the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Seal 4 - the reign of the kings/division of the land
Seal 5 - apostasy/dark ages
Seal 6 - the restoration/the last days
Seal 7 - the millennium

2 Timothy 3:1-4
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

In a perilous situation is it smart to go without the tools we need to survive?

The book of Revelation speaks of the beast with 12 horns. It is the twelve tribes of Israel.

When the first seal is opened a white horse comes forth. The earth was pure at the opening of the first seal.

At the opening of the second seal the red horse comes forward. Satan was loosed on the earth after the fall At that time of the flood the world was very violent. The flood was to cleanse it.

The third seal brings forth a black horse. This was famine and hunger. During this seal the law become pressing down on the people.

The fourth seal brought forth a pale horse. The kingdoms become divided and there is death and war.

Speaking of the war in Heaven, ““That war, so bitter, so intense, has gone on, and it has never ceased. It is the war between truth and error, between agency and compulsion, between the followers of Christ and those who have denied Him.” (President Gordon B Hinckley, in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 55)

“The elders of Israel are now issuing the invitations to the marriage supper of the Lord; those who believe and obey the gospel thereby accept the invitation and shall sit in due course … at the marriage feast” (Elder Bruce R McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 3:563–64).

The invitation is given to all men and accepted at baptism.

“Each day the forces of evil and the forces of good enlist new recruits. Each day we personally make many decisions showing the cause we support.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, “In His Steps,” Ensign, Sept. 1988, 2)

Sacrament Service
A couple that just returned from a mission to Nauvoo spoke to us.

One of the missionaries talked about a Jewish lady that came to visit Nauvoo. The Jewish lady talked about how our two peoples shared some of the same persecutions.

In Jesus' day Herod built a temple for the Jews, but it was for a status symbol for Herod and not for the work of the Lord.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah December 12-11-2011

2011-12-11T20:11:00.001-07:00

Priesthood Opening
The Church has a mentoring program for assisting people with finding employment. At first when I heard about this program I thought of a mentor as someone that has years and years of experience in something or a degree in something who would guide someone in doing what they do.

While being mentored by someone who does what you do or aspire to do is a good thing, I think there is another important definition that is important.

A mentor, I think, is someone that encourages us to pursue our goals and helps us find ways to accomplish them. A mentor takes an interest in a person’s goals and helps them evaluate mold those goals.

As I have thought about mentoring I have thought about how we could be of more service to our families, extended families, home teaching families, our friends, and our neighbors by being a mentor to them.

Sometimes the encouragement is as a cheerleader and sometimes it is through researching their needs and giving them input.

Elders Quorum
Exhaltation
Degrees of glory that we can obtain based on how we want to live our lives:
Celestial - Like the sun - Is hot and bright and gives light and warmth to millions of miles.
Terrestrial - Like the moon - Gives some light on a dark night, but has some dark spots and is cold.
Telestial - like the stars - one can see their light but they don't really light anything up and they give no warmth.

“In order to obtain the exaltation we must accept the gospel and all its covenants; and take upon us the obligations which the Lord has offered; and walk in the light and the understanding of the truth; and ‘live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God’” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:43).

Exhalation, being like god, happens not because we want God's power or comforts, but because we love like he does and are dedicated to duty as much as he is.

Moroni 7:6
6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.

Sunday School
The book of Revelation
What does revelation mean? Revealing something that was hidden.

It was given by revelation, so it can only be understood by revelation.

It is possible that at the time that the revelation was given to John, Peter was dead and John may be the chief apostle or president of the church.

Revelation 1:4
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Joseph Smith’s translation of Revelation 1:4
4 Now this is the testimony of John to the seven servants who are over the seven churches in Asia. Grace unto you, and peace from him who is, and who was, and who is to come; who hath sent forth his angel from before his throne, to testify unto those who are the seven servants over the seven churches.

These are the bishops of those units of the church.

Jesus “I am alpha and omega” is similar to saying He is or covers everything
from a to z.

Revelation 2:1-2
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

The seven candle sticks are the churches or containers of the light. When he refers to candle stick he likely means the holder of the candle and not the wax and wick.

The stars are the leaders or bishops of the churches.

Are we supposed to understand the book of revelation? Yes, that is why the lord revealed it.

Revelation 4:4
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Doctrine and Covenants 77:5
5
Q. What are we to understand by the four and twenty elders, spoken of by John?
A. We are to understand that these elders whom John saw, were elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry and were dead; who belonged to the seven churches, and were then in the paradise of God.

The elders had belonged to the seven children and had died. Perhaps former bishops or stake presidents or elders quorum presidents.

Revelation 5:Heading
“John sees the book sealed with seven seals”

These are dispensations of time - past, present, and future.

Sacrament Service
One of the women in the young women presidency that didn't speak last week
shared her scripture hero. She chose Mary the mother of Jesus.

She talked of the strength of Mary's testimony and of her dedication to obedience.

"Everyone who has served a mission can testify of the tremendous happiness that comes of service to others.” (President Gordon B Hinckley, “I Believe”, Ensign August 1992)

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.
Service of your fellow beings - find scripture

The boy scout slogan is "do a good turn daily" It isn't the size of the good turn that matters. It is the good and the daily that matters.

“Heaven knows there are so very, very, very many people in this world who need help. Oh, so very . . . many. Let's get the cankering, selfish attitude out of our lives, my brothers and sisters, and stand a little taller and reach a little higher in the service of others." (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 597)

From the Bulletin
“lt is not enough merely to speak of Jesus Christ or proclaim that we are His disciples. It is not enough to surround ourselves with symbols of our religion. Discipleship is not a spectator sport.
...We cannot receive the blessings of the gospel merely by observing the good that others do.” President Dieter F. Uchtciorf, The Way of the Disciple, Ensign, May 2009, 76 — 77.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah December 12-4-2011

2011-12-04T20:27:00.000-07:00

Elders Quorum

The lesson was based on “The Privilege of Prayer” by Elder J. Devn Cornish given in the Sunday Afternoon session of the October 2011 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Why do we have to ask for the things we need or want? Why do we need to exercise to be healthy? That is how life works. God knows what we need to grow. Thinking and praying about our needs and wants and
keeping God in it is the way we grow.

"The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them." (“Prayer”, Bible Dictionary)

We can't always see through foresight. We usually have to follow God's pattern and then view the results of our obedience to how things work with hindsight.

Do not pray like you are leaving a message. Take time to pause and listen.

Prayers are not always answered the way we want. Sometimes we are required to go through the trial as a part of our growth process. Sometimes the things we want will get in the way of better things God
has for us. If we pray for a certain job maybe it will keep us from pursuing a better one He has for us

Sunday School
1, 2, and 3 John
This John is the one who wrote the book of Revelation. He is also the one called beloved. He was also in the first presidency after Christ died (Peter, James, and John). He is also the John that never died and is
still ministering today. He also wrote the gospel of John.

Doctrine and Covenants 7:1-3
1 And the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you.
2 And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee.
3 And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people.

Luke wrote a missionary tract. John wrote advanced stuff to the saints. Matthew wrote a missionary tract, but specifically to the Jews.

John did not introduce himself in his epistles. Paul generally introduced himself.

1 John 1:6-7
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we walk in ignorance after receiving the holy ghost then we are foolish and need to change our lives. If we stumble through our lives without feeling the guidance of the Holy Ghost, then we are lying to ourselves and pretending to be right with God.

Live the gospel as conspicuously as you can. Keep the covenants your children know you have made. Give priesthood blessings. And bear your testimony! Don’t just assume your children will somehow get the drift of your beliefs on their own. (Elder Jeffrey R Holland, “A Prayer for the Children”, General Conference April 2003)

From the Bulletin

“Our personal testimony is a protective shield, and like an iron rod it is guiding us safely through darkness and confusion."

“A testimony motivates us to choose the right at all times and in ail circumstances. It motivates us to draw nearer to God, allowing Him to draw nearer to us (see James 4:8)".

“Just as the Lord knew Nephi, God knows us and loves us. This is our time; these are our days. We are where the action is. Our firm personal testimony will motivate us to change ourselves and then bless the world.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Power of a Personal Testimony, October 2006.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Curtains, Contentment, and Christmas”

"Christmas and some of the cherished traditions of the season remind us that we, like the Wise Men of old, should seek the Christ and lay before Him the most precious of gifts: a broken heart and a contrite spirit."

"We cannot offer Him the gift of perfection in all things because this is a gift beyond our capacity to give—at least for now. The Lord does not expect that we commit to move mountains. But He does require that we bring as gifts our best efforts to move ourselves, one foot in front of the other, walking in the ways He has prepared and taught."

“[The Savior’s gifts to us] may be the most one-sided gift exchange in the history of the universe.”

My thoughts: The best gift exchange are ones that are one sided. The gifts I enjoy most are the ones that are given me with nothing expected in return. The giving I enjoy most are given without receiving anything in
return.

President Henry B. Eyring, “The Gifts of Christmas”
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.

Helaman 14:3-4
3 And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
4 Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.

President Thomas S Monson, “Because He Came”
"The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things."

"...when we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning.."

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah November 11-27-2011

2011-11-27T17:21:00.000-07:00

Elders Quorum
Grace
Ether 4:12
12 And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.

The instructor gave a comparison of a fruit tree to parts of the gospel.
Roots/Hope - anchors us - it is critical that a tree remain anchored
The Condition of the Soil/Humility - much like the parable of the sower- the condition we are living.

Matthew 13:4-8
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirty fold.
The Trunk/Knowledge - the trunk or structure of the tree
Growth/Faith - the growth of tree or the fact that it is growing
Fruit/Charity - fruit - the love of god
Grace - the sun, the rain, the nutrients, wind
Repentance - the act of the root and branches reaching for the sun or water or better soil.

Without the roots and leaves and such the tree can't take in the things it needs. Without the nutrients and sun the roots are worthless.

Wind is like our trials. Wind flexes the tree and stimulates growth.

God loves us unconditionally, but good things don't come without effort. Why are there conditions on getting light when I flip a light switch? The power must be connected
to the house. The wiring has to be sound. The switch has to be functional. Even though the electricity is there and flows freely, if we are not equipped to receive it then it does not function for us. The same is true for Grace or the Atonement. If we have not done anything to reach out to that grace it can not operate in us.

Sunday School
Jude and the Peters
Jude is the brother of James. Likely the brother of James that wrote the epistle of James and was the leader of the church at Jerusalem.

Jude 1:3,9
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

3 Nephi 11:29
29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

Both of these scriptures are true, so we must reconcile to find the meaning and not just jump to a conclusion by looking at one alone. Many verses in the scripture need to be reconciled together to understand the doctrine.

Verse 9 says that Michael contended without railing accusation. It must be possible to contend without being contentious.

Peter uses Babylon as a code word for Rome.

Some dispute that Peter wrote the epistles of Peter, since the Greek is too good for a fisherman. But prophets at times have scribes or spokes persons. Also, prophets do grow and learn a lot beyond their profession and schooling over the course of being a prophet. Joseph Smith knew much more about Hebrew at the end of his life than he did when he was called when he was a farmer who possessed only an elementary education.

Isaiah 8:13-15
13 Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

How is Jesus a stone of stumbling and rock of offense? Some are offended at the standards the Savior sets and they cause them to stumble and not accept the Gospel.

We should be chaste and also not partake of drugs (alcohol, nicotine, heroine, marijuana...). This makes a strong foundation for us and yet others stumble because of these standards saying that it restricts them from doing what they want.

1 Peter 2:19-20
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

What glory is there if you get trouble because of things you did that were wrong? We should take our lumps patiently. If you are being good and you suffer because of it and you take it patiently then God is pleased.

1 Peter 3:14
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

1 Peter 4:5-6
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

2 Peter 1:3-4
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:5-7
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Doctrine and Covenants 4:5-6
5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

Sacrament Service
The young women's presidency and one of the young women talked about their scripture heroes that they had talked about this last week at the night of excellence.

One spoke about what a good friend Rebeca was.

One talked of Hannah and the things that Hannah would've done differently and similarly with her sabbath in comparison to the person giving the talk.

“Christ is the Creator, the Healer. What He made, He can fix. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the gospel of repentance and forgiveness (see 2 Ne. 1:13; 2 Ne. 9:45; Jacob 3:11; Alma 26:13–14; Moro. 7:17–19).” (President Boyd K Packer, “I Will Remember Your Sins No More”, General Conference April 2006)

Alma 34:32-33
32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

One chose Enos and spoke on his feelings about his family and what his personal prayers were like. His prayers were probably sincere and not rush.

Another studied Ruth an Hannah. They talked of how Ruth and Hannah handled adversity.

“...meaningful morning prayer is an important element in the spiritual creation of each day—and precedes the temporal creation or the actual execution of the day. Just as the temporal creation was linked to and a continuation of the spiritual creation, so meaningful morning and evening prayers are linked to and are a continuation of each other.” (Elder David A Bednar, “Pray Always”, General Conference November 2006)

“Service to others deepens and sweetens this life while we are preparing to live in a better world. It is by serving that we learn to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves! In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves!” (President Spencer W Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Service to Others”, Ensign March 1981)

From the Bulletin
Divine guidance and inspiration are promised to those who ‘feast upon the words of Christ’ and ‘liken all scriptures’ unto themselves.” Elder Spencer J. Condie, Claim the Exceeding and Precious Promises, Ensign, Nov. 2007, pg.16.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah November 11-20-2011

2011-11-20T16:53:00.004-07:00

Ward Council
Someone gave a thought from Elder Carl B Cook, It Is Better to Look Up, General Conference October 2011
Mosiah 4:9
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

“We will come to realize that most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance—and if it is, the Lord will help us. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction.”

Our bishop said that Elder cook was his bishop and stake president when he was growing up.

Elder David A Bednar, The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn, General Conference October 2011

He doesn't ask the young men if they are going on a mission. He asks if they are worthy to go to the temple and if they will be next year and the year after.

There is a new Facebook app ("Relative Finder") to find a common relationship with famous people or other people that use the app. The app ties into your Family Search data to do the comparison.

Elders Quorum
The Final Judgement
Doctrine and Covenants 76:51-52 - Those who inherit the celestial kingdom
51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—
52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;

If one does not prepare oneself for the celestial kingdom then it would be unfair to put them in a situation they are not prepared for. It would also be irresponsible to give someone responsibilities that they are not trained and prepared for. Should one be allowed to be a surgeon if they did not choose to do the preparatory work?

The kingdom you receive is not just a reward, but it is also a responsibility.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:23-25
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;

We also go where we are comfortable. Would someone in torn jeans, covered in dirt, smoking a cigar be comfortable at a formal gathering? Would those around them be comfortable? Why would someone that has filled their life with filth want to be in the celestial kingdom where purity is the norm?

D&C 88: 24.
24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.

Sunday School
The epistles in the Bible after Hebrews are named after who wrote them.

James
James 1:1
1 JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James is a little bit like several unrelated random quotes.

James 1:5
5 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.

You don't have to rely only on a preacher, priest, or bishop to tell us how god can help us.

James 1:6
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 1:13-15 - Temptation is part of the plan.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Temptations are like birds. We can't keep the birds from flying over us or dropping their waste on us, but we can prevent them from landing on us and hanging around.

James 1:23
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

D&C 44:6
6 Behold, I say unto you, that ye must visit the poor and the needy and administer to their relief, that they may be kept until all things may be done according to my law which ye have received. Amen.

D&C 59:9
9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the
house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;

Faith without works is dead. But works without faith are also empty.

James 4:17
17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

If we wait for assignments to go and do what needs doing, we are in sin.

Sacrament Service
A missionary serving here from Georgia spoke to us.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 ¶ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Moroni 7:33 - Wiki Faith, Power, prayer
33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.

Elder Robert D Hales, Waiting upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done, General Conference October 2011
“What, then, does it mean to wait upon the Lord? In the scriptures, the word wait means to hope, to anticipate, and to trust. To hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffering, keeping the commandments, and enduring to the end.
“To wait upon the Lord means planting the seed of faith and nourishing it ‘with great diligence, and … patience.’17
“It means praying as the Savior did—to God, our Heavenly Father—saying: ‘Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.’18 It is a prayer we offer with our whole souls in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
“Waiting upon the Lord means pondering in our hearts and ‘receiv[ing] the Holy Ghost’ so that we can know ‘all things what [we] should do.’19
“As we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we discover that ‘tribulation worketh patience’20 and we learn to ‘continue in patience until [we] are perfected.’21
“Waiting upon the Lord means to ‘stand fast’22 and ‘press forward’ in faith, ‘having a perfect brightness of hope.’23
“It means ‘relying alone upon the merits of Christ”24 and “with [His] grace assisting [us, saying]: Thy will be done, O Lord, and not ours.’25
“As we wait upon the Lord, we are ‘immovable in keeping the commandments,’26 knowing that we will ‘one day rest from all [our] afflictions.’27
“And we ‘cast not away … [our] confidence’28 that ‘all things wherewith [we] have been afflicted shall work together for [our] good.’29”

Cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving for the blessing of life and for the marvelous gifts and privileges each of us enjoy. The Lord has said that the meek shall inherit the earth. (See Matt. 5:5.) I cannot escape the interpretation that meekness implies a spirit of gratitude as opposed to an attitude of self-sufficiency, an acknowledgment of a greater power beyond oneself, a recognition of God, and an acceptance of his commandments. This is the beginning of wisdom. Walk with gratitude before him who is the giver of life and every good gift. (President Gordon B Hinckley, “With All Thy Getting Get Understanding”, Ensign August 1988)

Gratitude is a step beyond gratefulness.

“We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!
“It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.” (Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day
Washington, D.C. March 30, 1863)

“In all great modern discoveries in science, in the arts, in mechanics, and in all the material advancement of our age, the world says, ‘We have done it.’ The individual says, ‘I have done it,’ and he gives no honor and credit to God.” (“Gratitude and Thanksgiving”, PRESIDENT MARION G. ROMNEY, Ensign November 1982)

“This morning there was an immense crowd at the reception room waiting for admission. … One hundred twenty-one persons received ordinances” (History of the Church, 7:565).
“Such has been the anxiety manifested by the saints to receive the ordinances [of the Temple], and such the anxiety on our part to administer to them, that I have given myself up entirely to the work of the Lord in the Temple night and day, not taking more than four hours of sleep, upon an average, per day, and going home but once a week.
“Elder Heber C. Kimball and the others of the Twelve Apostles were in constant attendance but in consequence of close application some of them have had to leave the Temple to rest and recruit their health” (History of the Church, 7:567).

“Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.” (Elder Richard G Scott, “The Power of Scripture”, General Conference October 2011)

Gospel truths do not expire like old technology.

One of the speakers talked about the large number of temples we have near by. He then said that he has lived in the mission field and in places it take hours to get to the nearest temple.

Where does the mission field begin? The Utah boarder or is there some distance that one has to drive down I-80 before we hit the mission field?

From the Bulletin
“Do we want our homes to be happy? If we do, let them be the abiding place of prayer, thanksgiving, and gratitude.” President George Albert Smith, Conference Report, April 1944, p.32

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah November 11-13-2011

2011-11-13T09:26:00.003-07:00

Elders Quorum
Chapter 45 Gospel Principles - The Millennium
“Because of the destruction of the wicked at the Savior’s Second Coming, only righteous people will live on the earth at the beginning of the Millennium. They will be those who have lived virtuous and honest lives. These people will inherit either the terrestrial or celestial kingdom.”

“There will be two great works for members of the Church during the Millennium: temple work and missionary work.”

Due to the large amount of missionary work, many that were Terrestrial at the beginning of the millennium will likely be Celestial before everything is done. Especially, since the wicked who cause confusion and contention will be gone.

Those who have not made temple covenants might be those who are Terrestial. Those who have made the covenants and have not been true to them will likely not be numbered in the righteous and are clearly not
celestial, but are they terrestrial or telestial?

People will still have habits and traditions that they do not know are inconsistent with the will of God and those could still get in the way of them accepting truth.

Sunday School
Mark 6:7
7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Luke 10: 1.
1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

D&C 42: 6.
6 And ye shall go forth in the power of my Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two, in my name, lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, declaring my word like unto angels of God.

Why two by two?

-In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Corinthians 13: 1 - 1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.)-Safety

-Keeps us in check, so we don't go off on tangents

D&C 84: 106.
106 And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also.

“I was an inexperienced priest in a large ward. My bishop called me on the phone one Sunday afternoon. When I answered, he said, “Do you have time to go with me? I need your help.” He explained only that he wanted me to go as his companion to visit a woman I did not know, who was without food and who needed to learn how to manage her finances better.
“Now, I knew that he had two seasoned counselors in his bishopric. Both were mature men of great experience. One counselor was the owner of a large business, who later became a mission president and a General Authority. The other counselor was a prominent judge in the city.
“I was the bishop’s newly called first assistant in the priests quorum. He knew that I understood little about welfare principles. I knew even less about financial management. I had not yet written a check; I had no bank account; I hadn’t even seen a personal budget. Yet, despite my inexperience, I sensed that he was deadly serious when he said, ‘I need your help.’
“I have come to understand what that inspired bishop meant. He saw in me a golden opportunity to prepare a priesthood holder. I am sure that he did not foresee in that untrained boy a future member of the Presiding Bishopric. But he treated me that day, and all the days I knew him over the years, as a preparation project of great promise.” (President Henry B Eyring, “Preparation in the Priesthood: ‘I Need Your Help’”, General Conference October 2011)

Titus and Timothy had been junior companions of Paul at some point on his missions and he writes to them with encouragement when they are leaders in parts of the church.

Titus 1:5
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Titus ordains a bunch of elders in remote places. Why? He is setting up branches and wards.

Titus 1:7-9
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy,temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Lover of hospitality could perhaps mean that those that have a more solitary personalty should develop a greater for people and for being around people.

Titus 2:6
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

1 Timothy 1:4
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

“Endless genealogies” - this is not speaking against doing genealogy. It is speaking to the practice at the time of people trying to create a lineage for themselves to make themselves more important.

1 Timothy 4:12
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Be a good example to those around you in the way you speak, in how you serve others, in how you live.

Have a good reputation, so when there is trouble people would never consider you as being part of it. If someone accused you of saying something mean, people that know you should be able to say that is not who you are and not believe it.

Sacrament Service
Ephesians 4:29
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Matthew 15:11,18
11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Courtship after marriage is more important after marriage than it is before marriage.

3 Nephi 11:29
29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

There is no other arrangement that meets the divine purposes of the Almighty. Man and woman are His creations. Their duality is His design. Their complementary relationships and functions are fundamental to His purposes. One is incomplete without the other. (President Gordon B Hinckley, “The Women in Our Lives”, October 2004 General Conference)

From the Bulletin

“Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.

As a husband and wife are each drawn to the Lord (see 3 Nephi 27:14), as they learn to sen/ed and cherish one another, as they share life experiences and grow together and become one, and as they are blessed through the un`ting of their distinctive natures, they begin to realize the fulfillment that our Heavenly Father desires for His Children. Ultimate happiness, which is the very object of the Father’s plan, is received through the making and honoring of eternal marriage covenants.” Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah November 11-6-2011

2011-11-06T18:35:00.002-07:00

Elders Quorum
The lesson was based on President Monson's priesthood general conference session talk - Dare to Stand Alone

Doctrine and Covenants 121:36
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

“We live in a time when we are surrounded by much that is intended to entice us into paths which may lead to our destruction. To avoid such paths requires determination and courage.”

“Those who conducted the interviews emphasized that the majority of the young people with whom they spoke had ‘not been given the resources—by schools, institutions [or] families—to cultivate their moral intuitions.’” (David Brooks, “If It Feels Right … ,” New York Times, Sept. 12, 2011, nytimes.com)

If we keep paying for substandard media, content creators will keep producing it.

“Navy boot camp was not an easy experience for me...
“I shall ever remember when Sunday rolled around after the first week. We received welcome news from the chief petty officer. Standing at attention on the drill ground in a brisk California breeze, we heard his command: ‘Today everybody goes to church—everybody, that is, except for me. I am going to relax!’ Then he shouted, ‘All of you Catholics, you meet in Camp Decatur—and don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!’ A rather sizeable contingent moved out. Then he barked out his next command: ‘Those of you who are Jewish, you meet in Camp Henry—and don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!’ A somewhat smaller contingent marched out. Then he said, ‘The rest of you Protestants, you meet in the theaters at Camp Farragut—and don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!’
"Instantly there flashed through my mind the thought, ‘Monson, you are not a Catholic; you are not a Jew; you are not a Protestant. You are a Mormon, so you just stand here!’ I can assure you that I felt completely alone. Courageous and determined, yes—but alone.
“And then I heard the sweetest words I ever heard that chief petty officer utter. He looked in my direction and asked, ‘And just what do you guys call yourselves?’ Until that very moment I had not realized that anyone was standing beside me or behind me on the drill ground. Almost in unison, each of us replied, ‘Mormons!’ It is difficult to describe the joy that filled my heart as I turned around and saw a handful of other sailors.”

How easy would it have been for President Monson to walk away and be part of the other groups? Or would it have been easy at all? Would it have been easy if he was fighting the spirit the whole way?

Sunday School
Philippians, Colossians, Philemon
-When, where and who?
These were written by Paul while a prisoner in Rome. He was under house arrest.

Paul found out about what was going on in Philippi because he received a visit from Epaphroditus while he is on house arrest.

Often we are not just called to callings, but also called to places where we live or work.

Phillipians 1:23-24
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Another visitor come to Paul and he sent them back to Colosi with a letter. This is where we get the book of Colosians

Philemon is not a city. He is a person. Just like there is no Lando system, but Lando is a guy.

-What were the issues, problems or whatever?
Philippians 2:12-13
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Work out salvation? Is this the same Paul that also told us the law does not save us?

The problem with the other people were that they were stuck on being saved by the law of Moses. This group was focusing on being saved and not having to put forth any of our own effort.

Philemon has a slave that runs away. The slave comes to Paul and Paul sends the slave back with a letter to Philemon.

-How does this apply to me?
Philippians 2:5-9
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Is it blasphemy to take it literally that we are children of God and can grow to be like him? Is it robbery? Are we not joint heirs with Christ?
Romans 8:16-18
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

If we inherit infinity divided by the number of people on earth, it is still infinity

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Article of Faith 13
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

The stake president said in stake conference that we should live to always have the Spirit with us. He pointed out that we would not want to go for our patriarchal blessing when the patriarch is having a bad day.

Colossians 3::9-10
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Who is the old man versus the new man? Before baptism versus after baptism. Youth versus grownup. Sinner versus repentant.

Ephesians 5:25
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Testimony Meeting
Be aware of the spirit. Be aware of when it is not with us. Be aware of when we are wasting time.

If you were invited to a meeting in the temple chapel where children were allowed to be there, would you take crackers for them to eat?

You can do anything you set your mind too. Everything that you set your mind too is not necessarily something you should do.

From the Bulletin
“I bear my testimony to you that this work is true, that our Savior lives, and that He guides and directs His Church here upon the earth. I leave with you my witness and my testimony that God our Eternal Father lives and loves us. He is indeed our Father, and He is personal and real. May we realize and understand how close to us He is willing to come, how far He is willing to go to help us, how much He loves us, and how much He does and is willing to do for us.” President Thomas S. Monson, “Until We Meet Again”, Ensign, November 2011, p.109.