The conference was held in the Ogden Tabernacle which is located next to the Ogden temple on the temple grounds.
1st Testimony - Former Stake Young Women President Who Was Just Released
She gave a departing speech of thank yous and eventually bore testimony of the atonement and of the restoration.
2nd Testimony - Former Stake Relief Society President
Testified that charity never fails.
The Children's Choir sang If the Savior Stood Beside Me
1st Youth Speaker
Alma The Elder - Abinadi had condemned the priests for not teaching the people. Alma defended Abinadi to the priests and was cast out.
The salvation of those around us is our responsibility.
Mosiah 18:9
9 Yea, and are awilling to mourn with those that bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
2nd Youth Speaker
He talked of how scouting and the preparation to receive the Duty to God award has helped him prepare for a mission. He detailed the scout law and how that applied to missionaries as well. He listed the point of the scout law from a missionary perspective.
A Scout/Missionary is:
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.
1st Adult Speaker - 2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency
He talked about the troubled times we live in and how things can feel very uncertain for us in our lives.
John 14:27
27 aPeace I leave with you, my bpeace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be ctroubled, neither let it be afraid.
Doctrine and Covenants 82:10
10 I, the Lord, am abound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no bpromise.
He talked of being obedient and the Lord will take care of us. Tithing is an exercise in obedience and receiving the Lord's blessings.
Malachi 3: 10
10 Bring ye all the atithes into the storehouse, that there may be bmeat in mine house, and cprove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not dopen you the ewindows of heaven, and pour you out a fblessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Tithing is also a principle of sacrifice and of gratitude. It is a prelude to the law of consecration. It teaches us about frugality and to serve. It teaches us to live within our means.
Children's Choir - Medley of Songs and Scriptures (Keep the Commandments/I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus)
Mosiah 2:22
22 And behold, all that he arequires of you is to bkeep his commandments; and he has cpromised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth dvary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do ekeep his fcommandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
2nd Adult Speaker - Stake RS President
"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed." (Jeffrey R. Holland, New Era October 1980 For Times of Trouble)
She said that the best place to fight the battles of this world is in the temple.
She quoted from Vaughn J. Featherstone's talk entitled "Holiness to the Lord", "The season of the world before us will be like no other in the history of mankind. Satan has and will unleash every evil, every scheme, every blatant vile perversion ever known to man in any generation. Just as this dispensation is the fullness of times, so it is also the dispensation of the fullness of evil. We and our wives and husbands, our children, and our members must find safety. There is no safety in the world; wealth cannot provide it, enforcement agencies cannot assure it, membership alone in this Church will not guarantee it. "
3rd Adult Speaker - 1st Counselor in Stake Presidency
He and the 2nd counselor both spoke of having peace no matter what is going on in the world or what is reported on the news.
Revelation Chapter 12
There is a war in Heaven and Satan and a third of the spirits choose to follow him and they are cast to earth. The battle for the souls of men continues here. Satan is overcome in the war by the atonement.
4th Speaker - Stake Young Women President
We were taught the gospel when we first heard it. We did not teach ourselves.
Be a friend to be a missionary. To have good friends we must be a good friend. If someone does not accept your missionary invitation continue to be their friend.
5th Speaker - Stake President
He shared his experience being challenged by his seminary teacher to pray about the Book of Mormon even though he felt he was a believer.
He then recited Joseph Smith's experience of praying to know the truth and the things we learned from just that one vision.
People have no trouble believing that God spoke to Adam, Moses, and Noah, but think that Joseph's story is impossible.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Adult Session Weber Heights Stake Conference Ogden Utah 10-25-08
First Councilor in the Stake Presidency
He related the story of Joseph Smith's Brother, Samuel, going on a mission. Through his entire mission he only gave away 2 Book of Mormons. He felt discouraged at time on his mission because of this and did not see the fruits his labors on his mission. One of those books was eventually shared by the man he gave it to with Brigham Young and Parley P. Pratt and their families were converted.
“Prepare well for a mission all your life, not just six months or a year before you go." (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986, p. 45)
As I was researching this quote I found that it was given in a talk at the same conference where the solemn assembly was held to sustain President Ezra Taft Benson. He was the prophet when my family joined the Church. What I hadn't realize that when we joined the Church had just been called as president of the Church a month before at General Conference. I recall many people kept mistakenly referring to President Kimball when they were trying to refer to President Benson and having to correct themselves. Much like I am doing now as I type and try to refer to President Benson and keep typing President Hinckley and how people recently have trouble making the shift from the prophet being Hinckley to being President Monson.
The speaker quoted from M. Russell Ballard's talk from the priesthood session of October 2002 General Conference where he talked of the bar being raised for those young men that can serve missions. The bar being a standard of worthiness. Elder Ballard also stated, "Consequently, if we are 'raising the bar' for your sons to serve as missionaries, that means we are also 'raising the bar' for you."
The speaker listed a few things that parents can do to prepare a missionary.
He talked of couple missionaries and their value. He also talked of the blessings that we receive at home while they are in the mission field.
He read some of the opportunities for couple missionaries that are on the Church's web site.
He quoted from Elder Russel M. Nelson's talk, Senior Missionaries and The Gospel. "No senior missionary finds it convenient to leave. Neither did Joseph or Brigham or John or Wilford. They had children and grandchildren too. They loved their families not one whit less, but they also loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him. Someday we may meet these stalwarts who helped to establish this dispensation. Then will we rejoice that we did not seek the shadows when a call to missionary service came from the prophet, even in the autumn years of our lives."
2nd Speaker - Preparing Our Families to Receive Temple Blessings
She said that a parent's "paycheck" is seeing your child enter the celestial room of the temple after having received their endowments.
President Howard W. Hunter counseled, "Let us share with our children the spiritual feelings we have in the temple."
President Hinckley said, "If there were more temple work done in the Church, there would be less . . . selfishness, less . . . contention, less . . . demeaning [of] others. The whole Church would increasingly be lifted to greater heights of spirituality, love for one another, and obedience to the commandments of God" (Teachings, 622).
The speaker stated that the temple is a place for revelation. She also said that Satan tries to keep us from going to the temple.
3rd Speaker - Wife of the President of the Ogden Mission
We get busy with the temporal things of the gospel that we sometimes miss the really great spiritual things.
D&C 19: 18
18 Which asuffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might bnot drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
How much suffering does it take to make a god tremble?
The mysteries of God are those things that can only be understood by revelation. You have to be willing to pray until you get an answer.
3th Speaker - President of the Ogden Mission
Two major things that hold missionaries back when they get to the field.
The mission president stated that we cannot tell whose heart will open and whose will remain closed. It reminded me of the first real investigator I saw on my mission. I was there with my trainer and while the zone leaders were teaching the investigator. They were trying to commit him to baptism and he didn't feel like he was ready. As I listened to the guy talk I was thinking the missionaries were wasting their time. He just didn't seem like he was going to budge. They knelt down and asked him to offer a prayer and ask Heavenly Father if he should be baptized. He said he would pray, but he didn't yet feel baptism was the way to go. As he prayed he went silent. I opened my eyes a little to see what was going on and the guy was crying. He finished the prayer and said that he would be baptized. I was shocked. It is true. You just don't know whose heart will open.
4th Speaker - The Stake President
He stated that through pain and suffering comes growth.
He related the story of Joseph Smith's Brother, Samuel, going on a mission. Through his entire mission he only gave away 2 Book of Mormons. He felt discouraged at time on his mission because of this and did not see the fruits his labors on his mission. One of those books was eventually shared by the man he gave it to with Brigham Young and Parley P. Pratt and their families were converted.
“Prepare well for a mission all your life, not just six months or a year before you go." (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986, p. 45)
As I was researching this quote I found that it was given in a talk at the same conference where the solemn assembly was held to sustain President Ezra Taft Benson. He was the prophet when my family joined the Church. What I hadn't realize that when we joined the Church had just been called as president of the Church a month before at General Conference. I recall many people kept mistakenly referring to President Kimball when they were trying to refer to President Benson and having to correct themselves. Much like I am doing now as I type and try to refer to President Benson and keep typing President Hinckley and how people recently have trouble making the shift from the prophet being Hinckley to being President Monson.
The speaker quoted from M. Russell Ballard's talk from the priesthood session of October 2002 General Conference where he talked of the bar being raised for those young men that can serve missions. The bar being a standard of worthiness. Elder Ballard also stated, "Consequently, if we are 'raising the bar' for your sons to serve as missionaries, that means we are also 'raising the bar' for you."
The speaker listed a few things that parents can do to prepare a missionary.
- Family Scripture Reading
- Seminary Attendance
- Teach them to do their laundry and cook simple meals
- Be a good home teacher
He talked of couple missionaries and their value. He also talked of the blessings that we receive at home while they are in the mission field.
He read some of the opportunities for couple missionaries that are on the Church's web site.
He quoted from Elder Russel M. Nelson's talk, Senior Missionaries and The Gospel. "No senior missionary finds it convenient to leave. Neither did Joseph or Brigham or John or Wilford. They had children and grandchildren too. They loved their families not one whit less, but they also loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him. Someday we may meet these stalwarts who helped to establish this dispensation. Then will we rejoice that we did not seek the shadows when a call to missionary service came from the prophet, even in the autumn years of our lives."
2nd Speaker - Preparing Our Families to Receive Temple Blessings
She said that a parent's "paycheck" is seeing your child enter the celestial room of the temple after having received their endowments.
President Howard W. Hunter counseled, "Let us share with our children the spiritual feelings we have in the temple."
President Hinckley said, "If there were more temple work done in the Church, there would be less . . . selfishness, less . . . contention, less . . . demeaning [of] others. The whole Church would increasingly be lifted to greater heights of spirituality, love for one another, and obedience to the commandments of God" (Teachings, 622).
The speaker stated that the temple is a place for revelation. She also said that Satan tries to keep us from going to the temple.
3rd Speaker - Wife of the President of the Ogden Mission
We get busy with the temporal things of the gospel that we sometimes miss the really great spiritual things.
D&C 19: 18
18 Which asuffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might bnot drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
How much suffering does it take to make a god tremble?
The mysteries of God are those things that can only be understood by revelation. You have to be willing to pray until you get an answer.
3th Speaker - President of the Ogden Mission
Two major things that hold missionaries back when they get to the field.
- Unresolved moral issues from before their mission.
- A lack of a work ethic.
The mission president stated that we cannot tell whose heart will open and whose will remain closed. It reminded me of the first real investigator I saw on my mission. I was there with my trainer and while the zone leaders were teaching the investigator. They were trying to commit him to baptism and he didn't feel like he was ready. As I listened to the guy talk I was thinking the missionaries were wasting their time. He just didn't seem like he was going to budge. They knelt down and asked him to offer a prayer and ask Heavenly Father if he should be baptized. He said he would pray, but he didn't yet feel baptism was the way to go. As he prayed he went silent. I opened my eyes a little to see what was going on and the guy was crying. He finished the prayer and said that he would be baptized. I was shocked. It is true. You just don't know whose heart will open.
4th Speaker - The Stake President
He stated that through pain and suffering comes growth.
11 For it must needs be, that there is an aopposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
He spoke of "preventative medicine" for preventing spiritual infections.
He quoted from President Packer's talk, Our Moral Environment from General Conference April 1992, "The measure of our success as parents, however, will not rest solely on how our children turn out. That judgment would be just only if we could raise our families in a perfectly moral environment, and that now is not possible."
He spoke of "preventative medicine" for preventing spiritual infections.
He quoted from President Packer's talk, Our Moral Environment from General Conference April 1992, "The measure of our success as parents, however, will not rest solely on how our children turn out. That judgment would be just only if we could raise our families in a perfectly moral environment, and that now is not possible."
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 10-19-08
Priesthood Opening
Alma 8:18 - obey and obey quickly
18 Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yea, by the way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah.
Elders' Quorum
The Elders' Quorum president asked us to encourage our home teach families to be prepared (food, finances, etc.) and help them where we can.
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith - Chapter 19: Stand Fast through the Storms of Life
We listed some of the trials in the life of Joseph Smith.
The manual paraphrased, “Let us not sorrow as ‘those without hope’ [see 1 Thessalonians 4:13]"
One in the class pointed out that we shouldn't get bogged down with what the reason is for what we go through, but just that there is a reason and God knows what it is, so have hope.
It was pointed out that looking at each other at face value we have no idea what trials we each go through every day.
Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 39: “Behold, My Joy Is Full” 173
3 Nephi 17
Alma 8:18 - obey and obey quickly
18 Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yea, by the way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah.
Elders' Quorum
The Elders' Quorum president asked us to encourage our home teach families to be prepared (food, finances, etc.) and help them where we can.
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith - Chapter 19: Stand Fast through the Storms of Life
We listed some of the trials in the life of Joseph Smith.
We read a quote from Elder Jeffery R. Holland, "Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?
"You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary.
"Now, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about anything anywhere near what Christ experienced. That would be presumptuous and sacrilegious. But I believe that missionaries and investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of that same price.
"For that reason I don’t believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed to require some effort, something from the depths of our soul.
"If He could come forward in the night, kneel down, fall on His face, bleed from every pore, and cry, 'Abba, Father (Papa), if this cup can pass, let it pass,' 16 then little wonder that salvation is not a whimsical or easy thing for us. If you wonder if there isn’t an easier way, you should remember you are not the first one to ask that. Someone a lot greater and a lot grander asked a long time ago if there wasn’t an easier way." (Missionary Work and the Atonement, Ensign March 2001)
The manual paraphrased, “Let us not sorrow as ‘those without hope’ [see 1 Thessalonians 4:13]"
One in the class pointed out that we shouldn't get bogged down with what the reason is for what we go through, but just that there is a reason and God knows what it is, so have hope.
It was pointed out that looking at each other at face value we have no idea what trials we each go through every day.
Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 39: “Behold, My Joy Is Full” 173
3 Nephi 17
1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my atime is at hand.
2 I aperceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot bunderstand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.
3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and aponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and bprepare your minds for the cmorrow, and I come unto you again.
Someone talked about what a change we could have if we pondered our Sunday lessons for next week when we got home from church and then thought on them throughout the week. What if we pondered them with our family before or after the lessons.
When we were young we were taught to ponder and commit to our standards before decisions in life presented themselves that would cross those standards.
Someone explained that pondering is preparation.
Sacrament Meeting
A missionary that just returned from a mission to Malaga Spain spoke to us.
He shared a story from what I thought he said was a talk called "Need for Factual and Spiritual Testimony" by LeGrand Richards. I did some searching for such a talk and came up blank, so if someone finds it add it to the comments here, please. Especially if it is a link to something on the internet.
The story was about a 9 year old boy that talked to a lady about the Church. She was so impressed by a child approaching her that she did not say no.
After the missionary's talk the bishop said a few words welcoming him back. He also encouraged us to welcome the missionary back and visit with him, but to do it in the hall and keep the chapel quiet, reverent, and sacred.
The last speaker was a high councilman from the stake.
He addressed why our Sunday session of stake conference will be held at three in the afternoon. This appears to be causing some grousing of some in the stake. He said that other stake conferences this time being held in the tabernacle that same day have general authorities attending to conduct business of some sort. Since we have no general authorities attending ours they are having us go later to be respectful of the general authorities' time since they are traveling.
From the Bulletin:
Sometimes in the routine of "doing things" and in "being so busy," we forget the immeasurable blessing it is to be members of the only true Church on earth. Have you ever wondered what you would be doing, who you would be, or how sad your life might be if you were without the strength and guidance of the Restored Gospel?
Because of the Restored Gospel, we stand on the shoulders of all those who have came before us and sacrificed so much. With such remarkable blessings, we also have responsibilities to "add value to" that which we have received from God and from others (see the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 for further explanation).
In my daily, personal scripture study of Thursday, I read Alma 60 in which Captain Moroni warns in vs. 21, "...do you suppose that the Lord will deliver us, while...[we] do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?" He gives us time, money, truth, etc. and expects us to continuously seek out opportunities to use them for the benefit of members and nonmembers.
I re-invite each of us to re-examine our lives. What can we EACH do in some small way to create significant improvements and to add value (Alma 37:6,7) to our situations? What needs to be taken out of and/or added into our daily PLANNED lives to make such significant impacts. Through study, pondering, prayer and planning, we each will discover what HE feels needs our attention. Let us be not just hearers of the word, but doers (James 1:22-25). -- The Bishop
Someone talked about what a change we could have if we pondered our Sunday lessons for next week when we got home from church and then thought on them throughout the week. What if we pondered them with our family before or after the lessons.
When we were young we were taught to ponder and commit to our standards before decisions in life presented themselves that would cross those standards.
Someone explained that pondering is preparation.
Sacrament Meeting
A missionary that just returned from a mission to Malaga Spain spoke to us.
He shared a story from what I thought he said was a talk called "Need for Factual and Spiritual Testimony" by LeGrand Richards. I did some searching for such a talk and came up blank, so if someone finds it add it to the comments here, please. Especially if it is a link to something on the internet.
The story was about a 9 year old boy that talked to a lady about the Church. She was so impressed by a child approaching her that she did not say no.
After the missionary's talk the bishop said a few words welcoming him back. He also encouraged us to welcome the missionary back and visit with him, but to do it in the hall and keep the chapel quiet, reverent, and sacred.
The last speaker was a high councilman from the stake.
He addressed why our Sunday session of stake conference will be held at three in the afternoon. This appears to be causing some grousing of some in the stake. He said that other stake conferences this time being held in the tabernacle that same day have general authorities attending to conduct business of some sort. Since we have no general authorities attending ours they are having us go later to be respectful of the general authorities' time since they are traveling.
From the Bulletin:
Sometimes in the routine of "doing things" and in "being so busy," we forget the immeasurable blessing it is to be members of the only true Church on earth. Have you ever wondered what you would be doing, who you would be, or how sad your life might be if you were without the strength and guidance of the Restored Gospel?
Because of the Restored Gospel, we stand on the shoulders of all those who have came before us and sacrificed so much. With such remarkable blessings, we also have responsibilities to "add value to" that which we have received from God and from others (see the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 for further explanation).
In my daily, personal scripture study of Thursday, I read Alma 60 in which Captain Moroni warns in vs. 21, "...do you suppose that the Lord will deliver us, while...[we] do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?" He gives us time, money, truth, etc. and expects us to continuously seek out opportunities to use them for the benefit of members and nonmembers.
I re-invite each of us to re-examine our lives. What can we EACH do in some small way to create significant improvements and to add value (Alma 37:6,7) to our situations? What needs to be taken out of and/or added into our daily PLANNED lives to make such significant impacts. Through study, pondering, prayer and planning, we each will discover what HE feels needs our attention. Let us be not just hearers of the word, but doers (James 1:22-25). -- The Bishop
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 10-12-08
Priesthood Opening
Mosiah 2:23
23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
The bishop shared an experience of sharing the gospel with someone while he was in a cab to the airport or he was giving someone a ride to the airport or they were giving him a ride to the airport. I was not clear on that. There was he and another person in a vehicle and they were going to the airport, of that much I am certain.
He said that it was a ten minute trip and he was able to start a conversation with them. He wasn't sure if it would go anywhere or not, but now they have been in contact with him and they want to take the missionary discussions. The want him to be involved. They live some place else, so they are going to do the discussions over Skype, which the bishop explained to those who didn't know was a way to do voice and video over the internet for free in many cases.
Elders' Quorum
Chapter 18: Beyond the Veil: Life in the Eternities 217–26
We talked of our eternity being dependent on the type of life we lead and three heavens.
John 5:29
29 And shall acome forth; they that have done good, unto the bresurrection of life; and they that have done cevil, unto the resurrection of ddamnation.
John 14:2–3
1 Corinthians 15:40–42
-Gaining a testimony of Jesus is the first step to being saved, not the only step. Our faith in Jesus is the foundation that we use to do everything else. We can use our faith to overcome our weaknesses.
Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 38: “Old Things Are Done Away, and All Things Have Become New” 168
Elder Carlos E. Asay: "A world-renowned chemist told me that salt will not lose its savor with age. Savor is lost through mixture and contamination." (in Conference Report, Apr. 1980, 60; or Ensign, May 1980, 42)
We talked about the characteristics of Christ. The instructor listed many on the board as the class suggested them.
We talked of the beatitudes and that Christ shared them with the ancient people of this continent since they would not have the record of the people in the Middle East.
The point was made that God gave us the beatitudes because His work or His mission statement is to bring to pass our eternal life as well as our immortality that we gain through no action of ours. (Moses 1:39)
The bishop talked about always having our figurative antennae up to receive messages from the Lord. This means living so that the spirit can dwell with us to speak to us and to quiet the evil forces that would work on us.
Even though Christ, as a man, was meek, humble, and so forth He also had boundaries.
The teacher suggested that your spirit hurts because it is hungry. He also suggested that that hunger could be satisfied by repentance, prayer, and scripture study.
To obtain the Lord's mercy be merciful.
Testimony Meeting
The bishop started the meeting by counseling us to not go into debt for Christmas. We should not by a bunch of Christmas presents that we can not afford, especially in the uncertain times we are living in now. I would add to that that debt is bondage that could turn on you no matter what general financial state we are in. I testify that the prophets and apostles are correct in advising us to have as little debt as possible. The principle of saving for things that you want and not buying them on credit is a true one.
From the Bulletin
In the May Ensign, President Uchtdorf said that "Individually, we need to first 'follow Him,' and as we do this, the Savior will bless us beyond our own capacity to become what He wants us to be ...
"The Savior invites us to learn His gospel by living His teachings. To follow Him is to apply correct principles and then witness for ourselves the blessings that follow. This process is very complex and very simple at the same time. Ancient and modern prophets described it with three words: 'Keep the commandments'-- nothing more, nothing less...
Developing Christlike attributes in our lives is not an easy task,especially when we move away from generalities and abstractions and begin to deal with real life. The test comes in practicing what we proclaim. The reality check comes when Christlike attributes need to become visible in our lives-- as husband or wife, as father or mother, as son or daughter,in our friendships, in our employment, in our business, and in our recreation. We can recognize our growth, as can those around us, as we gradually, increase our capacity to 'act in all holiness before Him' (D&C 43:9 ).
The Scriptures describe a number of Christlike attributes we developed during the course of our lives. They include knowledge and humility, charity and love, obedience and diligence, faith and hope (D&C 4: 5-6). These personal character qualities stand independent of... our economic circumstances, our family situation, culture, race, or language.Christlike attributes are gifts from God. They cannot be developed without his help."
When the profits ceased to preach the specifics about a topic that has long been preached, the Lord then begins to preach through other means -- destructions in all varieties such as global distress, calamities, hunger, drought, floods, war, etc. If we are hesitant to respond, we will find ourselves as the unwise servants found in the parable of the 10 virgins. The 5 who were PREPARED were happy. The 5 the delay were aghast at being left out. May we be wise and consistently choose to do all that we can to be spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally prepared. -- The Bishop
Mosiah 2:23
23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
The bishop shared an experience of sharing the gospel with someone while he was in a cab to the airport or he was giving someone a ride to the airport or they were giving him a ride to the airport. I was not clear on that. There was he and another person in a vehicle and they were going to the airport, of that much I am certain.
He said that it was a ten minute trip and he was able to start a conversation with them. He wasn't sure if it would go anywhere or not, but now they have been in contact with him and they want to take the missionary discussions. The want him to be involved. They live some place else, so they are going to do the discussions over Skype, which the bishop explained to those who didn't know was a way to do voice and video over the internet for free in many cases.
Elders' Quorum
Chapter 18: Beyond the Veil: Life in the Eternities 217–26
We talked of our eternity being dependent on the type of life we lead and three heavens.
John 5:29
29 And shall acome forth; they that have done good, unto the bresurrection of life; and they that have done cevil, unto the resurrection of ddamnation.
John 14:2–3
2 In my Father’s ahouse are many bmansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
1 Corinthians 15:40–42
40 aThere are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the bcelestial is one, and the glory of the cterrestrial is another.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in acorruption; it is raised in incorruption:
-Gaining a testimony of Jesus is the first step to being saved, not the only step. Our faith in Jesus is the foundation that we use to do everything else. We can use our faith to overcome our weaknesses.
Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 38: “Old Things Are Done Away, and All Things Have Become New” 168
Elder Carlos E. Asay: "A world-renowned chemist told me that salt will not lose its savor with age. Savor is lost through mixture and contamination." (in Conference Report, Apr. 1980, 60; or Ensign, May 1980, 42)
We talked about the characteristics of Christ. The instructor listed many on the board as the class suggested them.
We talked of the beatitudes and that Christ shared them with the ancient people of this continent since they would not have the record of the people in the Middle East.
The point was made that God gave us the beatitudes because His work or His mission statement is to bring to pass our eternal life as well as our immortality that we gain through no action of ours. (Moses 1:39)
The bishop talked about always having our figurative antennae up to receive messages from the Lord. This means living so that the spirit can dwell with us to speak to us and to quiet the evil forces that would work on us.
Even though Christ, as a man, was meek, humble, and so forth He also had boundaries.
The teacher suggested that your spirit hurts because it is hungry. He also suggested that that hunger could be satisfied by repentance, prayer, and scripture study.
To obtain the Lord's mercy be merciful.
Testimony Meeting
The bishop started the meeting by counseling us to not go into debt for Christmas. We should not by a bunch of Christmas presents that we can not afford, especially in the uncertain times we are living in now. I would add to that that debt is bondage that could turn on you no matter what general financial state we are in. I testify that the prophets and apostles are correct in advising us to have as little debt as possible. The principle of saving for things that you want and not buying them on credit is a true one.
From the Bulletin
In the May Ensign, President Uchtdorf said that "Individually, we need to first 'follow Him,' and as we do this, the Savior will bless us beyond our own capacity to become what He wants us to be ...
"The Savior invites us to learn His gospel by living His teachings. To follow Him is to apply correct principles and then witness for ourselves the blessings that follow. This process is very complex and very simple at the same time. Ancient and modern prophets described it with three words: 'Keep the commandments'-- nothing more, nothing less...
Developing Christlike attributes in our lives is not an easy task,especially when we move away from generalities and abstractions and begin to deal with real life. The test comes in practicing what we proclaim. The reality check comes when Christlike attributes need to become visible in our lives-- as husband or wife, as father or mother, as son or daughter,in our friendships, in our employment, in our business, and in our recreation. We can recognize our growth, as can those around us, as we gradually, increase our capacity to 'act in all holiness before Him' (D&C 43:9 ).
The Scriptures describe a number of Christlike attributes we developed during the course of our lives. They include knowledge and humility, charity and love, obedience and diligence, faith and hope (D&C 4: 5-6). These personal character qualities stand independent of... our economic circumstances, our family situation, culture, race, or language.Christlike attributes are gifts from God. They cannot be developed without his help."
When the profits ceased to preach the specifics about a topic that has long been preached, the Lord then begins to preach through other means -- destructions in all varieties such as global distress, calamities, hunger, drought, floods, war, etc. If we are hesitant to respond, we will find ourselves as the unwise servants found in the parable of the 10 virgins. The 5 who were PREPARED were happy. The 5 the delay were aghast at being left out. May we be wise and consistently choose to do all that we can to be spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally prepared. -- The Bishop
Announcements This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 10-12-08
Ward Announcements
Saturday, October 18, 2008 - Winterize stake campsite at 8:00AM.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Blood drive at Weber Heights stake center
Stake Conference Announcements
Weber Heights Stake Temple Sessions at Ogden Temple
Thursday, October 23, 2008
9:45AM, 4:45PM, 5:10PM
Stake Conference Adult Session
Saturday October 25th, 2008 7:00PM
Weber Heights Stake Center
All adults are invited.
Priesthood Leadership Session of Stake Conference
Sunday October 26, 2008 10:00AM
Weber Heights Stake Center
For stake presidents, high councilors, bishoprics, high priest group leaders, elders quorum presidencies, stake and ward YM presidencies, ward and stake clerks and executive secretaries, mission leaders, and secretaries of all of the above organizations.
General Session of Stake Conference
Sunday October 26, 2008 3:00PM
Ogden Tabernacle
All stake members are encouraged to attend.
Note From Stake Presidency Regarding Stake Conference
Brothers and Sisters of the Weber Heights Stake,
The scriptural theme for stake conference is taken from Moroni 9:6...let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have a great labor to perform, a sacred responsibility to share the gospel with our brothers and sisters. There is great joy in sharing the gospel, watching lives change for the better, seeing families receive the great saving ordinances of the temple, and watching them work together with new resolve to become eternal families. As people accept the gospel and live by its' precepts families are happier, our neighborhoods and communities improve, life is more enjoyable.
We invite you to attend our Stake Conference meetings October 25th and 26th.
Saturday, October 18, 2008 - Winterize stake campsite at 8:00AM.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Blood drive at Weber Heights stake center
Stake Conference Announcements
Weber Heights Stake Temple Sessions at Ogden Temple
Thursday, October 23, 2008
9:45AM, 4:45PM, 5:10PM
Stake Conference Adult Session
Saturday October 25th, 2008 7:00PM
Weber Heights Stake Center
All adults are invited.
Priesthood Leadership Session of Stake Conference
Sunday October 26, 2008 10:00AM
Weber Heights Stake Center
For stake presidents, high councilors, bishoprics, high priest group leaders, elders quorum presidencies, stake and ward YM presidencies, ward and stake clerks and executive secretaries, mission leaders, and secretaries of all of the above organizations.
General Session of Stake Conference
Sunday October 26, 2008 3:00PM
Ogden Tabernacle
All stake members are encouraged to attend.
Note From Stake Presidency Regarding Stake Conference
Brothers and Sisters of the Weber Heights Stake,
The scriptural theme for stake conference is taken from Moroni 9:6...let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have a great labor to perform, a sacred responsibility to share the gospel with our brothers and sisters. There is great joy in sharing the gospel, watching lives change for the better, seeing families receive the great saving ordinances of the temple, and watching them work together with new resolve to become eternal families. As people accept the gospel and live by its' precepts families are happier, our neighborhoods and communities improve, life is more enjoyable.
We invite you to attend our Stake Conference meetings October 25th and 26th.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
General Conference Sunday Afternoon Session 10-5-08
President Boyd K. Packer - President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Audio, Video)
The Test
He talked of the trials that the early members of the Church went through the requests for assistance that the Church sent to state and federal officials. He talked about that even though the government would not help them they were still patriots.
Elder Russell M. Nelson - Apostle (Audio, Video)
Celestial Marriage
He spoke of fidelity in marriage and the importance of eternal marriage, rather than "till death do us part" marriage.
All church quorums and classes are for obtaining the goal of an eternal exalted family.
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. (The Family: A Proclamation to the World)
Marriage is not only an exalting principle, but a commandment.
Each marriage starts with two handicaps, two imperfect people.
He related eternal marriage to a fine item purchased at the store. He related marriage not done by the authority of God as an item purchased that was a cheap knock off. He related infidelity in marriage to shoplifting.
William D. Oswald - Sunday School Presidency (Audio, Video)
Gospel Teaching—Our Most Important Calling
He talked about effective teachers.
He talked of the spiritual preparation that the sons of Mosiah did before teaching. They had been taught well and they themselves fasted and prayed in addition to their learning.
He shared three principles for good teaching from Moroni's first visit to Joseph Smith:
Returning Home
He talked about some of the progress of the Church in Peru.
Elder Carlos A. Godoy - Seventy (Audio, Video)
Testimony as a Process
He talked about testimony. He shared that it is not necessary to have some grand spiritual experience to gain a testimony of the gospel.
The spirit is a still small voice. It is not in the sound of the whirlwind.
Elder Quentin L. Cook - Apostle (Audio, Video)
"Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time"
He talked of his three year old talking to his mom after he and his dad had been in a car crash. He told her they had a hard time and received comfort from talking to her. We can receive the same comfort when we call home to Heavenly Father.
People will prosper in the land if they keep the commandments.
He talked of the sin of ingratitude.
President Thomas S. Monson - Prophet (Audio, Video)
Until We Meet Again
He encouraged us to be good members of our communities in the nations where we live.
He talked of taking care of those around us.
Continuous revelation is the life blood of the gospel.
The Test
He talked of the trials that the early members of the Church went through the requests for assistance that the Church sent to state and federal officials. He talked about that even though the government would not help them they were still patriots.
Elder Russell M. Nelson - Apostle (Audio, Video)
Celestial Marriage
He spoke of fidelity in marriage and the importance of eternal marriage, rather than "till death do us part" marriage.
All church quorums and classes are for obtaining the goal of an eternal exalted family.
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. (The Family: A Proclamation to the World)
Marriage is not only an exalting principle, but a commandment.
Each marriage starts with two handicaps, two imperfect people.
He related eternal marriage to a fine item purchased at the store. He related marriage not done by the authority of God as an item purchased that was a cheap knock off. He related infidelity in marriage to shoplifting.
William D. Oswald - Sunday School Presidency (Audio, Video)
Gospel Teaching—Our Most Important Calling
He talked about effective teachers.
He talked of the spiritual preparation that the sons of Mosiah did before teaching. They had been taught well and they themselves fasted and prayed in addition to their learning.
He shared three principles for good teaching from Moroni's first visit to Joseph Smith:
- Show love to those you teach and call them by name.
- Teach from the scriptures.
- Encourage the pondering of gospel truths.
Returning Home
He talked about some of the progress of the Church in Peru.
Elder Carlos A. Godoy - Seventy (Audio, Video)
Testimony as a Process
He talked about testimony. He shared that it is not necessary to have some grand spiritual experience to gain a testimony of the gospel.
The spirit is a still small voice. It is not in the sound of the whirlwind.
Elder Quentin L. Cook - Apostle (Audio, Video)
"Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time"
He talked of his three year old talking to his mom after he and his dad had been in a car crash. He told her they had a hard time and received comfort from talking to her. We can receive the same comfort when we call home to Heavenly Father.
People will prosper in the land if they keep the commandments.
He talked of the sin of ingratitude.
President Thomas S. Monson - Prophet (Audio, Video)
Until We Meet Again
He encouraged us to be good members of our communities in the nations where we live.
He talked of taking care of those around us.
Continuous revelation is the life blood of the gospel.
General Conference Sunday Morning Session 10-5-08
President Henry B. Eyring - First Councilor in the First Presidency (Audio, Video)
Our Hearts Knit as One
He spoke of unity.
He watched recently a conflict where two people started contending about what was true and it turned into contending about who was right.
He stated that the children of God have more in common than they have differences.
He talked of being judgmental. He said we are often asked what we think of a person. He say that most time the admonition of our mothers are probably best. If you can't saying anything nice then don't say anything at all.
He talked of the way that our people reach out in times of disaster. He receives praise from people on how organized the Church is. He says that it is the hearts of the people that are most helpful in being organized.
Elder Robert D. Hales - Apostle (Audio, Video)
Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship
He talked about how to respond when we are attacked for our beliefs. He asked us to reflect on how Christ responded to his accusers. At times he was silent. At times he bore his testimony.
True disciples of Christ see opportunities in the midst of opposition.
What sort of image does it give of the Church when we respond in an unChristlike way?
We should teach the principles of the Gospel and not debate them. Our heart felt testimonies are our most powerful teaching tool.
Some encounters with opposers can do nothing but bring us harm personally and it is best to walk away from such confrontations.
Bishop Keith B. McMullin - Second Councilor in the Presiding Bishopric (Audio, Video)
God placed in Adam and Eve the ability to create children in their image.
We would do well to not speak of the Savior as if He is the friend next door.
Elaine S. Dalton - Young Women General President (Audio, Video)
A Return to Virtue
Perhaps it was important for the saints to finish the Nauvoo temple and have their temple work done before they left since they were going to be many that would die in the trek. Perhaps the people needed the strength of having their families with them forever.
Lohanti was coaxed out of his high strong hold and then poisoned by degree. Are we being coaxed away from our standards and poisoned by degree.
She talked of women being enticed to be focused on themselves and their clothes and appearance rather than the things of God. Men being enticed to focus on themselves through pornography rather than the things of God.
Now is the time to become more fit for the kingdom.
D&C 121: 45
45 Let thy abowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let bvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy cconfidence wax strong in the dpresence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the edews from heaven.
Elder M. Russle Ballard - Apostle (Audio, Video)
The Truth of God Shall Go Forth
“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540).
He detailed some of the points of the growth of the Church since it was organized. In 2004 we reached one million members in Mexico.
Today Brazil has over one million members.
We have had over one million missionaries called since the Church we organized.
President Thomas S. Monson - Prophet (Audio, Video)
Finding Joy in the Journey
He reflected on how he joined the quorum of the twelve when there were 14 men more senior to him. One by one they returned home and when President Hinckly died he found that he had become the senior apostle.
He talked about doing our best with today and not procrastinating.
"You pile up enough tomorrow's, and you will find you've collected a lot of empty yesterdays" - Professor Harold Hill - The Music Man
He encouraged us to expressed gratitude.
Our Hearts Knit as One
He spoke of unity.
He watched recently a conflict where two people started contending about what was true and it turned into contending about who was right.
He stated that the children of God have more in common than they have differences.
He talked of being judgmental. He said we are often asked what we think of a person. He say that most time the admonition of our mothers are probably best. If you can't saying anything nice then don't say anything at all.
He talked of the way that our people reach out in times of disaster. He receives praise from people on how organized the Church is. He says that it is the hearts of the people that are most helpful in being organized.
Elder Robert D. Hales - Apostle (Audio, Video)
Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship
He talked about how to respond when we are attacked for our beliefs. He asked us to reflect on how Christ responded to his accusers. At times he was silent. At times he bore his testimony.
True disciples of Christ see opportunities in the midst of opposition.
What sort of image does it give of the Church when we respond in an unChristlike way?
We should teach the principles of the Gospel and not debate them. Our heart felt testimonies are our most powerful teaching tool.
Some encounters with opposers can do nothing but bring us harm personally and it is best to walk away from such confrontations.
Bishop Keith B. McMullin - Second Councilor in the Presiding Bishopric (Audio, Video)
God placed in Adam and Eve the ability to create children in their image.
We would do well to not speak of the Savior as if He is the friend next door.
Elaine S. Dalton - Young Women General President (Audio, Video)
A Return to Virtue
Perhaps it was important for the saints to finish the Nauvoo temple and have their temple work done before they left since they were going to be many that would die in the trek. Perhaps the people needed the strength of having their families with them forever.
Lohanti was coaxed out of his high strong hold and then poisoned by degree. Are we being coaxed away from our standards and poisoned by degree.
She talked of women being enticed to be focused on themselves and their clothes and appearance rather than the things of God. Men being enticed to focus on themselves through pornography rather than the things of God.
Now is the time to become more fit for the kingdom.
D&C 121: 45
45 Let thy abowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let bvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy cconfidence wax strong in the dpresence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the edews from heaven.
Elder M. Russle Ballard - Apostle (Audio, Video)
The Truth of God Shall Go Forth
“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540).
He detailed some of the points of the growth of the Church since it was organized. In 2004 we reached one million members in Mexico.
Today Brazil has over one million members.
We have had over one million missionaries called since the Church we organized.
President Thomas S. Monson - Prophet (Audio, Video)
Finding Joy in the Journey
He reflected on how he joined the quorum of the twelve when there were 14 men more senior to him. One by one they returned home and when President Hinckly died he found that he had become the senior apostle.
He talked about doing our best with today and not procrastinating.
"You pile up enough tomorrow's, and you will find you've collected a lot of empty yesterdays" - Professor Harold Hill - The Music Man
He encouraged us to expressed gratitude.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
General Conference Priesthood Session 10-4-08
Elder Richard G. Scott - Apostle
Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well
Few men that have lived on earth have had the priesthood. Do we feel what a privilege it is? Faith and obedience are the keys to having power in the priesthood.
Healing, counciling, and consoling are things that come through the priesthood.
Are your private personal thoughts conducive to the spirit? Do you watch what comes into your mind and body?
He asked many more questions that were very probing about our lives.
He counseled that husband and wife should be equal partners. He asked bishops and stake presidents if they gave the same credence to the words of wives and they do to husbands when they counsel with a couple that are having marital struggles.
He said that women are to be respectful of her body and cultivate her mind. Many women in the church feel depressed that they are not doing enough. Husbands and sons should show frequent gratitude for our wives and mothers.
He stated that one should not have to lose their priesthood to more fully appreciate it.
Elder Jay E. Jensen - Seventy
Arms of Safety
Alma 34: 16
16 And thus amercy can satisfy the demands of bjustice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of cjustice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal dplan of eredemption.
He quoted President Boyd K. Packer, "For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.” (“The Touch of the Master’s Hand”, Ensign May 2001)
Elder James J. Hamula - Seventy
Winning the War against Evil
Revelation 12
Isa. 14: 12
12 How art thou afallen from bheaven, O cLucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the dnations!
He quoted President Boyd K Packer, "Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now." (An Evening with President Boyd K. Packer: The One Pure Defense)
A good shield for today's world is soberness. The scriptures talk of the value of young men that are sober. To here a still small voice, you must also be still and not have a life filled with noise.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - 2nd Councilor First Presidency
Lift Where You Stand
He shared a story about moving a large piano. One of the brother in the group after many failed attempts to move the piano gave this suggestion, "Stand close together and lift where you stand." The same is true for moving the Lord's kingdom forward.
When we stand to be judged will he look at our positions in the world or the Church and overlook the way we have dealt with our wives and children and how we cared for those we had responsibility over through our home teaching assignments.
He shared the story of the stone cutter on the Salt Lake Temple that lost his leg and still walked every week 22 miles to and from the temple site from his home.
Recognition is rarely an indication of the value of our service. None of the 2000+ stripling warriors are named in the scriptures. When we care more about the kingdom of God than our own prestige we can accomplish so much more.
He said that we know the countless stories of President Monson taking care of people. It would be great if he could take care of everyone in the Church, but that is not his responsibility.
It is all of the priesthood's responsibility.
We cannot and should not lift a piano alone.
President Henry B. Eyring - 1st Counselor in the First Presidency
O Ye That Embark
Our power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough to compensate for the increased service we will be asked to give.
2 Kings 6:15–17
President Thomas S. Monson - Prophet
To Learn, to Do, to Be
He talked of economic problems, jobs lost, businesses failing, and investments being in jeopardy. He encouraged us to make sure that our home teaching families are not going hungry. He also encouraged us to be prudent and to be wise in the use of our funds.
Ezek. 36: 26
26 A anew bheart also will I cgive you, and a new dspirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony eheart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Learn what we should learn. Do what we should do. Be what we should be.
Philip. 3: 13
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
President Monson shared this:
President Stephen L Richards, who served as a counselor to President David O. McKay, declared, "The Priesthood is usually simply defined as 'the power of God delegated to man.' " He continues: "This definition, I think, is accurate. But for practical purposes I like to define the Priesthood in terms of service, and I frequently call it 'the perfect plan of service.' . . . It is an instrument of service . . . and the man who fails to use it is apt to lose it, for we are plainly told by revelation that he who neglects it 'shall not be counted worthy to stand.' "
President Monson stated regarding the priesthood, "The man who fails to use it stands at risk to lose it."
"When one becomes a holder of the priesthood, he becomes an agent of the Lord. He should think of his calling as though he were on the Lord’s errand." (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places (1974), 255.)
The Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it.
3 Ne. 27: 27
27 And know ye that aye shall be bjudges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what cmanner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even das I am.
What type of man was He? He was the good shepherd. He served others. He took care of others.
Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well
Few men that have lived on earth have had the priesthood. Do we feel what a privilege it is? Faith and obedience are the keys to having power in the priesthood.
Healing, counciling, and consoling are things that come through the priesthood.
Are your private personal thoughts conducive to the spirit? Do you watch what comes into your mind and body?
He asked many more questions that were very probing about our lives.
He counseled that husband and wife should be equal partners. He asked bishops and stake presidents if they gave the same credence to the words of wives and they do to husbands when they counsel with a couple that are having marital struggles.
He said that women are to be respectful of her body and cultivate her mind. Many women in the church feel depressed that they are not doing enough. Husbands and sons should show frequent gratitude for our wives and mothers.
He stated that one should not have to lose their priesthood to more fully appreciate it.
Elder Jay E. Jensen - Seventy
Arms of Safety
Alma 34: 16
16 And thus amercy can satisfy the demands of bjustice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of cjustice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal dplan of eredemption.
He quoted President Boyd K. Packer, "For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.” (“The Touch of the Master’s Hand”, Ensign May 2001)
Elder James J. Hamula - Seventy
Winning the War against Evil
Revelation 12
7 And there was awar in heaven: bMichael and his cangels fought against the dragon; and the ddragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in aheaven.
Isa. 14: 12
12 How art thou afallen from bheaven, O cLucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the dnations!
He quoted President Boyd K Packer, "Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now." (An Evening with President Boyd K. Packer: The One Pure Defense)
A good shield for today's world is soberness. The scriptures talk of the value of young men that are sober. To here a still small voice, you must also be still and not have a life filled with noise.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - 2nd Councilor First Presidency
Lift Where You Stand
He shared a story about moving a large piano. One of the brother in the group after many failed attempts to move the piano gave this suggestion, "Stand close together and lift where you stand." The same is true for moving the Lord's kingdom forward.
When we stand to be judged will he look at our positions in the world or the Church and overlook the way we have dealt with our wives and children and how we cared for those we had responsibility over through our home teaching assignments.
He shared the story of the stone cutter on the Salt Lake Temple that lost his leg and still walked every week 22 miles to and from the temple site from his home.
Recognition is rarely an indication of the value of our service. None of the 2000+ stripling warriors are named in the scriptures. When we care more about the kingdom of God than our own prestige we can accomplish so much more.
He said that we know the countless stories of President Monson taking care of people. It would be great if he could take care of everyone in the Church, but that is not his responsibility.
It is all of the priesthood's responsibility.
We cannot and should not lift a piano alone.
President Henry B. Eyring - 1st Counselor in the First Presidency
O Ye That Embark
Our power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough to compensate for the increased service we will be asked to give.
2 Kings 6:15–17
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
President Thomas S. Monson - Prophet
To Learn, to Do, to Be
He talked of economic problems, jobs lost, businesses failing, and investments being in jeopardy. He encouraged us to make sure that our home teaching families are not going hungry. He also encouraged us to be prudent and to be wise in the use of our funds.
Ezek. 36: 26
26 A anew bheart also will I cgive you, and a new dspirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony eheart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Learn what we should learn. Do what we should do. Be what we should be.
Philip. 3: 13
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
President Monson shared this:
President Stephen L Richards, who served as a counselor to President David O. McKay, declared, "The Priesthood is usually simply defined as 'the power of God delegated to man.' " He continues: "This definition, I think, is accurate. But for practical purposes I like to define the Priesthood in terms of service, and I frequently call it 'the perfect plan of service.' . . . It is an instrument of service . . . and the man who fails to use it is apt to lose it, for we are plainly told by revelation that he who neglects it 'shall not be counted worthy to stand.' "
President Monson stated regarding the priesthood, "The man who fails to use it stands at risk to lose it."
"When one becomes a holder of the priesthood, he becomes an agent of the Lord. He should think of his calling as though he were on the Lord’s errand." (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places (1974), 255.)
The Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it.
3 Ne. 27: 27
27 And know ye that aye shall be bjudges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what cmanner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even das I am.
What type of man was He? He was the good shepherd. He served others. He took care of others.
General Conference Saturday Afternoon Session 10-4-08
This was the first time I remember seeing a children's choir be the choir for a session of conference. Although some say I am crazy and this is done all the time. It was kind of interesting.
I'm still getting use to seeing the new First Presidency. Maybe it is because Elder Eyring was just new to the first presidency. Maybe it is because Elder Uchtdorf was fairly new to the Quorum of the Twelve when he was called into the first presidency.
He talked about opposition and dealing with and enduring it with a good attitude. He said that some think that the leaders of the Church are free from pains and trials. He assured everyone that everyone on the stand has drunk deeply from the cup of disappointment at times in their life.
He shared a story about his daughter waiting for a blind date. She went out to the car with her date that seemed to everyone to be a little old. She went to the car and shortly after came back red faced and related that he was there to pick up another daughter to babysit his and his wife's children.
He stated that the Savior will be with us in our trials and come to our aid. He may not remove the trial, but he will make it lighter for us to bear.
Adam and Eve's biggest concern was not the trials they would face, but their separation from God. God knew this would be hard for them and their children. He sent them prophets. At times of special need angels appeared to the children of Adam and Eve.
He expressed that occasionally the angels show themselves, but there are always angels near watching over us.
He said that at times we may feel due to global or personal issues that we are distanced from God. He testified that God will not give up on trying to save all of us and that angels are all around us.
He spoke of being as a child. Children sometimes give some of the greatest gospel answers. He also talked of being able to explain gospel principles well enough that a child would understand them.
At eight years of age a child can have sufficient understanding to make a covenant with God and be baptized.
He talked of the captain that refused to obey Elijah's instructions to be clean because of how foolish it sounded. His servant asked him if the prophet had commanded him some great thing would he not do it and yet he would not do this simple thing. He agreed and went and did it and was healed and made clean.
He gave his testimony of several things about the Savior and the Holy Ghost.
A popular philosophy of men is to do things our own way and don't let anyone tell you what to do. The said that he is the way and the life. The only way.
Life is hard, but not the gospel.
Jesus is the Christ, may we have the good sense to follow him.
He talked of the city of Enoch and the Zion the established. He contrasted it with the city of Babylon of the time.
Doctrine and Covenants 115:5-6
5 Verily I say unto you all: aArise and shine forth, that thy blight may be a cstandard for the dnations;
He also shared the attempts of the early saints of this dispensation to establish Zion. The Lord stated that they failed due to their selfishness.
He asked if we are free from contention.
He quoted from President Monson's talk from last conference (Looking Back and Moving Forward).
"In the private sanctuary of one’s own conscience lies that spirit, that determination to cast off the old person and to measure up to the stature of true potential. In this spirit, we again issue that heartfelt invitation: Come back. We reach out to you in the pure love of Christ and express our desire to assist you and to welcome you into full fellowship. To those who are wounded in spirit or who are struggling and fearful, we say, Let us lift you and cheer you and calm your fears. Take literally the Lord’s invitation, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'”
"In the private sanctuary of one’s own conscience lies that spirit, that determination to cast off the old person and to measure up to the stature of true potential. In this spirit, we again issue that heartfelt invitation: Come back. We reach out to you in the pure love of Christ and express our desire to assist you and to welcome you into full fellowship. To those who are wounded in spirit or who are struggling and fearful, we say, Let us lift you and cheer you and calm your fears. Take literally the Lord’s invitation, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'”
I think I captured the quote he shared correctly, "Let us once and for all establish our residence in Zion and give up our summer cottage in Babylon" - Neal A. Maxwell
Elder Christofferson stated, “As we pursue the cause of Zion, each of us should prayerfully consider whether we are doing what we should and all that we should, in the Lord’s eyes, with respect to the poor and the needy.”
Prayer
Principles to make prayer more meaningful:
- Council with God in all our doings.
-The scriptures tell us to pray always. The scriptures tell us to ask sincerely and in faith and we will receive.
-God is our Father and we are His children.
-Prayer is the spiritual creation of the day before the temporal execution. - Express heartfelt gratitude in our prayers.
- Pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart, including our enemies.
Alma 37: 36
36 Yea, and acry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy bdoings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy cthoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
Evening prayer is a continuation of our morning prayer and a preparation for a our morning prayer the next day.
3 Nephi 17:17
17 And no atongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
General Conference Saturday Morning Session 10-4-08
He talked of having dedicated three temples since last conference. He talked of some of the celebrations accompanying those dedications of those temples.
He said that one of the celebrations depicted the history of the church in Brazil. He said that they depicted Elder Neal A Maxwell and his companion that had been missionaries there in the 1930s.
There will be five new temples Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Cordoba, Argentina; the greater Kansas City area; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Rome, Italy
Talked of retreating to Waldon Pond at times with his ill wife. He then talked about Henry David Thoreau had moved out there and the things that he did out there. He planted a garden to support himself. He enjoyed the pond, but also spent a lot of time in the city and invited others to come to his cabin. He talked about the needs the poet had out there and related them to needs that we have.
Food - He talked about keeping the Word of Wisdom in taking care of our bodies. He quoted from The Strength of Youth Manual on taking care of our bodies.
Clothing - He talked about a necessity of life is clothing. He talked about being modestly dressed. He said that today's styles often try to make three outfits out of the material for one.
Shelter -He talked about living within our means. Having the house we need and not the one that is as big as the neighbors. "Live without income, stay out of debt, save for a rainy day."
Fuel - He talked of problems with fuel that we have today, but left it to others in government and society to talk about the details of it. He talked of the necessity of spiritual fuel.
He said that the poet was asked at the end of his life if he had made peace with God. He replied that he had realized that they had ever quarreled.
Sister Silvia H. Allred - First Councilor in the Relief Society General Presidency (Audio, Video)
Go Ye Therefore
Go Ye Therefore
She talked of baptism.
John 3: 5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be aborn of bwater and of the cSpirit, he cannot denter into the kingdom of God.
John 3: 5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be aborn of bwater and of the cSpirit, he cannot denter into the kingdom of God.
She talked about the missionaries teaching her family when she was young. Her family stopped listening except her and her seventeen year old sister.
She talked of the joy of missionary work and her experience in serving a mission. She also talked of her children serving missions and the missions that she and her husbands have been on.
Our life is a journey. We don't know everything at the beginning or even at the end, but we grow as we go.
1 Ne. 11: 17
17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
He said that Faith is not only a feeling. It is also a decision
He talked of how his father was baptized and it was the first baptism for the missionaries that taught him. He was in Brazil. His wife did not get baptized with him right away. He had vices of drinking and smoking. His father's mother was greatly opposed to his decision.
He talked about the power of the Book of Mormon to change lives. He talked about asking God in great faith that He will answer and He will answer.
Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-10
9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself aunspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of bprayer and offer up thy csacraments upon my dholy day;
10 For verily this is a aday appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;
He talked of the sacrament. He said that it makes sacrament the most sacred meeting in the Church.
He talked of preparing ourselves to partake in the ordinance of the sacrament. We bring a broken heart and contrite spirit.
The savior commanded the people to end the practice of sacrificing animals and offer a broken heart and contrite spirit. How offensive this must have been to the unbelievers and those that believed in the previous religious traditions that had been built upon the previous revealed word of the Lord.
If we are going to the beach our clothing, including our footwear will indicate it. The same should be true of when we go to participate in the sacrament.
He talked of those to not be involved in behaviors that get in the way of others. He talked of not texting, talking on a cell phone, talking to others, reading books or magazines.
Sacrament meeting music is for worship and not for performance.
I think this is an occasion when the gospel should be presented, when we should be called upon to exercise faith, and to reflect on the mission of our Redeemer, and to spend time in the consideration of the saving principles of the gospel, and not for other purposes. Amusement, laughter, light-mindedness, are all out of place in the sacrament meetings of the Latter-day Saints. We should assemble in the spirit of prayer, of meekness, with devotion in our hearts. I know of no other place where we can gather where we should be more reflective and solemn and where more of the spirit of worship should be maintained. [Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:342]
3 Nephi 18:11-13
11 And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in aremembrance of my bblood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
12 And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my arock.
All that participate in this sacred ordinance stand on holy ground.
Appropriate dress especially applies to those that administer the ordinance. Nothing they wear should distract others from this sacred ordinance.
"May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and onto your missions." - Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘This Do in Remembrance of Me’,” Ensign, Nov 1995, 67
There seemed like there was a lot more singing during this session of conference. At one point there was a song, announcement of the program and then another song. I don't think I have ever seen two songs in a row before.
President Deiter F. Uchtdorf - 2nd Councilor in First Presidency (Audio, Video)
The Infinite Power of Hope
He related another story about his childhood and the World War II. His mother had left the train they were on to find food for her children. When she got back she found that the train was not there. She prayed that Father would help her find her children. She eventually found the train and it had been moved around the rail station.The Infinite Power of Hope
Faith hope and charity are the legs of a three legged stool.
Even after witnessing the destruction of his people Moroni still had hope.
Lack of faith, Being caught in despair, and not caring for our fellow man can lead us to temptation.
Because God has kept his promises in the past we can know that we can trust him in the present and in the future.
We cultivate hope just like we learn to walk...one step at a time.
As we grow each of the legs of the stool the others grow as well.
Present circumstances will give way to future blessings if we are faithful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)