Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 9 Jan 2022

Sacrament Service

First Speaker

Spiritual Fundamentals

The more we practice prayer, the better we get at it.

Next Speaker

“...we are a question-asking people because we know that inquiry leads to truth. That is the way the Church got its start—from a young man who had questions. In fact, I’m not sure how one can discover truth without asking questions. In the scriptures you will rarely discover a revelation that didn’t come in response to a question.

“Inquiry is the birthplace of testimony. ” (President Dieter F Uchtdorf,  “The Reflection in the Water” [Church Educational System fireside address, Nov. 1, 2009], LDS.org).

DnC 112:10

10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

“Though I suffered then, as I look back now, I am grateful that there was not a quick solution to my problem. The fact that I was forced to turn to God for help almost daily over an extended period of years taught me truly how to pray and get answers to prayer and taught me in a very practical way to have faith in God. I came to know my Savior and my Heavenly Father in a way and to a degree that might not have happened otherwise or that might have taken me much longer to achieve. … I learned to trust in the Lord with all my heart. I learned to walk with Him day by day.”(D. Todd Christofferson, “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread” (Church Educational System fireside, Jan. 9, 2011), lds.org/broadcasts.)

Moses 1:18

18 And again Moses said: I will not cease to call upon God, I have other things to inquire of him: for his glory has been upon me, wherefore I can judge between him and thee. Depart hence, Satan.

Next Speaker

“Those who serve with devotion, even when things don’t turn out the way they would like, are not easily discouraged, fatigued, or frustrated because the promise of peace of mind and the companionship of the Holy Spirit will never abandon them.”

…

“Those who serve will strive to ennoble, build, and lift their fellowmen; therefore, they will find the good in others, and they will not find reason or have time to become offended. They develop the virtue of praying for those who criticize. They don’t expect recognition or reward. They possess the love of Christ.”

…

“Those who serve will accept their assignments with humility, recognizing their limitations but convinced that two people can do all things they propose to do as long as one of the two people is God.” (Elder Carlos H. Amado, “Service, a Divine Quality”, April 2008 General Conference)

Elders Quorum

36 ¶ And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

The savior forgave the sins of the woman. He mentioned nothing of forgiving Simon's sins. 

Duty is done out of obligation and not necessarily out of love.

The hymn “Have I Done Any Good” names duty and love together, but as two different things.:
“Then wake up and do something more

Than dream of your mansion above.

Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,

A blessing of duty and love.”

See a need and try to do something.

When someone cuts us off in traffic, can we come up with a righteous excuse for what they did, rather than getting angry?

“Unlike you and me, Christ is capable of clearly seeing all facets of a given situation. Even knowing all our weaknesses as He does, the Savior does not rashly condemn us but continues to work with us compassionately over time, helping us to remove the beam from our eye. Jesus always looks on the heart and not on the appearance.”

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 2 Jan 2022

Sacrament Service 

Testimonies

Follow promptings from the spirit right away.  The speaker talked of not following the prompting to slow down on his new snowboard.  He didn’t listen and broke his collarbone.  I also have had experiences where I have had promptings I ignored and the consequences came shortly after.

Sunday School

The adversary doesn't always have to convince you to do something bad, often he just have to create doubt about doing good. 

The 4th article of faith is a cycle, not a list. 

Opposition gives us the opportunity to choose which side we are on. 

"Satan is the greatest imitator, the master deceiver, the arch counterfeiter, and the greatest forger ever in the history of the world. He comes into our lives as a thief in the night. His disguise is so perfect that it is hard to recognize him or his methods. He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing."

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 26 Dec 2021

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

“Suppose one day before you leave for school, one of your parents makes a true promise that you can have your favorite food when you return home! You are excited! While in school you imagine eating that food, and you can already taste it. Naturally, you share your good news with others. Looking forward to going home makes you so happy that the tests and challenges of school seem light. Nothing can take away your joy or make you doubt because of how sure the promise is! Similarly, before you noble spirits were born, you learned to see Christ’s promises in this sure way, and you tasted of His salvation. Your great faith is like muscles that get stronger and bigger the more you exercise them, but they are already inside you.” (Ahmad S. Corbitt, “You Can Gather Israel!”, April 2021 General Conference)

“Your body is a temple, a gift from God. You will be blessed as you care for your body.” (For the Strength of Youth guide)

Next Speaker

We have role models when we are young that we look up to.  When we get older, we start to see their imperfections.  When we have Jesus as our role model, there are no imperfections.

Something I Thought About

“After I moved to central Missouri, I had the opportunity to serve an older couple. Their small, old country home needed a lot of repairs, including its leaky roof. The couple, however, suffered from serious health challenges that prevented them from doing physical labor.

“On a hot day in July, my good friend Dallas Martin and I were up on the roof putting down new shingles. We were uncomfortable and dripping with sweat. Suddenly, Dallas stopped nailing, stood up, and looked at me.

“‘Do you realize how blessed we are to be the ones capable of being up here doing this work and not the ones inside who can’t?’ he asked.

“His question hit me like a bolt of lightning. It was literally a life-changing moment. My whole perspective on service took on new meaning. I realized how blessed I was to be able to do all the things that I could do.

“At that moment, I felt that Dallas and I were not simply helping because of a sense of duty but were helping with a sense of gratitude. The Lord had blessed us with the ability to truly be His hands. With that realization, it was easy for me to feel love for those we were helping.” (December 2021 Liahona)

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 19 Dec 2021

Sacrament Service 

Christmas Program

Youth Sunday School - 12 and 13 year olds

What is it like to watch a toddler?  They are always getting into danger that you have to get them out of.  Often they scare you to death, because they are about to get hurt or break something.  Do you sometimes overreact, because they are getting into trouble so quickly?  Do you think at your age, your parents still feel scared for you?  Do they still see things you are heading for that are dangerous and they panic?  Maybe even overreact?

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 12 Dec 2021

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker - Missionary that recently returned from a mission to California and Brazil

Pray with a notebook, so you can write down revelation.

Receive revelation through scripture study.

Receive revelation through constant listening.

1 Nephi 2:15

15 And my father dwelt in a tent.

Nephi’s father dwelling in a tent is probably significant because he was a wealthy man, who probably had a very comfortable house.  He gave us everything he owned to follow the Lord and go dwell in a tent.

Next Speaker

Make connecting to the Savior a habit.  Something that is hard to quit that you do without thinking.

Relief Society

Trying to be 1% better means better than yourself, not 1% better than your neighbor does. It also doesn't mean completing 1% of a goal. It is just about being 1% better than what you were before. 

They talked about some things from Elder Holland. It made me think that it appears to me that Elder Holland has gotten better at speaking over the years. He seems to be more confident and more composed. So even apostles can improve little by little. 

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 5 Dec 2021

Sacrament Service

Testimonies

We don’t gain or lose a testimony all at once.  It is a process.

Sunday School

Dnc 137-138

137:7-9

7 Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;

8 Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;

9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.

Joseph F Smith is the son of Hyrum Smith. He was five years old when his father was murdered. He was the prophet during World War I and the Spanish flu. The Spanish flu killed at least ten times more people than covid has. 

Joseph F Smith said that the eyes of his understanding were opened. Have you had an experience like that? What is that experience like?

Matthew 27:52-53
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

"Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received." (Elder Richard G. Scott, “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead”, October 2012 General Conference)

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Sister Michelle D. Craig

“God has given each of us gifts. You may not feel gifted, but you have spiritual gifts from God so you can bless others and draw closer to Him,”

"I have come to see the sacred power of God’s ‘less conspicuous gifts’”

"We sometimes hold back and fail to appreciate or share our gifts, fearing that they are not as polished, perfect, or pretty as we would like. When we fail to appreciate these less conspicuous gifts, we miss a chance to lift His children—and we miss a chance to feel God’s love." 

“Don’t let God’s gifts to you, even His less conspicuous ones, go unused or unappreciated.  Take the gifts He has given you from off the shelf.  If you have stored them out of self-doubt, shake off the dust and try.”

“The gifts we each have from our Heavenly Father are meant to be used and shared; our voices meant to be heard.”

Elder W. Mark Bassett

"“The message of the Restoration is the message of Christmas,”" 

"One of the most cherished titles of the Savior is ‘Prince of Peace,’" 

"We the children of God are called to be peacemakers" 

2 Nephi 25:26

26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Elder Dale G. Renlund

“We are not asked to bring the Savior gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to qualify for this beautiful spiritual gift. We are asked to give of ourselves.”

“And now my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved” (Omni 1:26).

“...the babe in Bethlehem, who had ‘increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man,’ was his salvation, that the Son of God had grown up, and atoned for his sins.”

“This knowledge is better and longer lasting than any gift that Jultomten (Santa Claus) could ever bring you, because it can transform you.”

President Henry B Eyring

Hebrews 1:1–2

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

John 5:30

30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

2 Nephi 9:21-22

21 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

22 And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.

Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8

7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 28 Nov 2021

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

3 Nephi 1:4-15

Second Speaker

John 2 - The time they ran out of wine at the wedding feast.

It was not Jesus’ time to do miracles yet, but his mom’s faith made an exception.

Matthew 15 - The time Jesus healed the daughter of a gentile woman.

He wasn’t there for anyone but the Jews, at that time, but her faith made an exception.

3 Nephi 17

4 But now I go unto the Father, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.

5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.

6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.

He had to go and other work to do for the Father, but their father made Him stay a little longer.

Elders Quorum

The lesson was based on The Things of My Soul By Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"The things of our souls are often clarified and deepened by asking questions."

Who do we go to when we have questions? Ministering brothers and sisters. Strong members of the ward. 

How do we know when we know the Lord? The Holy Ghost needs to bear witness to us. Look to the prophets and apostles as a reflection of him. 

I heard these two quotes in class today:

“I would die for every person in my unit and I don't even like some of them.“

“I love a lot of people, but there are far fewer of them that I'd want to go boating with.”

You don't have to want to go boating with someone to love them.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 21 Nov 2021

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

Mosiah 18:17, 19–22

17 And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church.

19 And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.

20 Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.

21 And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.

22 And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of God.

“I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one” (D&C 35:1–2).

“Unity requires effort. It develops when we cultivate the love of God in our hearts and we focus on our eternal destiny. We are united by our common, primary identity as children of God and our commitment to the truths of the restored gospel. In turn, our love of God and our discipleship of Jesus Christ generate genuine concern for others. We value the kaleidoscope of others’ characteristics, perspectives, and talents. If we are unable to place our discipleship to Jesus Christ above personal interests and viewpoints, we should reexamine our priorities and change.” (Elder Dale G. Renlund, “The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity”, October 2021 General Conference)

Next Speaker

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

“It is easy to be grateful for things when life seems to be going our way. But what then of those times when what we wish for seems to be far out of reach?

“Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.”

Job 1:20-22

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

“And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (D&C 78:19.)

Sunday School 

We take upon us the name of the Lord. We are the vessels of the Lord.  We carry the oil for the bridegroom's marriage. 

"In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." (President Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, April 2018 General Conference)

What is the Babylon in your life that gets between you and the holy ghost? What gets between you and personal revelation. 

"The adversary is clever. For millennia he has been making good look evil and evil look good. His messages tend to be loud, bold, and boastful.

“However, messages from our Heavenly Father are strikingly different. He communicates simply, quietly, and with such stunning plainness that we cannot misunderstand Him." (President Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him”, April 2020 General Conference)

"The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we need to guide us in our mortal journey. When it is crisp and clear and essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for the purpose of this message, it is inspiration." (Elder Richard G. Scott, “How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life”, April 2012 General Conference)

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 14 Nov 2021

Sacrament Service 

Primary Program

Elders Quorum 

The lesson was based on Elder Holland's conference talk. 

Is it possible that the rich young ruler didn't know how to do what the Lord was asking? Perhaps he was scared to death of how he would survive without his riches. Maybe he was born into wealth and is fearful because he hasn’t learned how to survive without great wealth.  What are we scared of? 

When you feel contention, think of higher and holier things.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 7 Nov 2021

Sacrament Service

While this life is about having trials and adversity to make us grow, learn, and progress.  We don’t have to despair.  Just like adversity is part of the plan, so is hope, salvation, and joy.  The more we understand about God’s plan, the more we can have hope and joy during our trials and adversity.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 31 Oct 2021

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

Find rest in your covenants.

Second Speaker

If someone could offer you relief right now, what would that look like?  How can you give relief to someone else?

Joint RS/EQ/Youth

2 Tim 1-spirit of fear

Invite all to come unto Christ, no matter what organization you are a part of.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 24 Oct 2021

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

The only way that money can bring happiness is to give it away.  

It takes courage to continue on after being corrected, criticized, or offended. 

“In general conference last year, Elder M. Russell Ballard warned against the deterioration of family relationships that can result when we spend excess time on ineffective activities that yield little spiritual sustenance. He cautioned against complicating our Church service ‘with needless frills and embellishments that occupy too much time, cost too much money, and sap too much energy. … The instruction to magnify our callings is not a command to embellish and complicate them. To innovate does not necessarily mean to expand; very often it means to simplify. … What is most important in our Church responsibilities,’ he said, ‘is not the statistics that are reported or the meetings that are held but whether or not individual people—ministered to one at a time just as the Savior did—have been lifted and encouraged and ultimately changed.’ (“O Be Wise,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2006, 18–20.)” (Elder Dallin H Oaks, “Good, Better, Best, October 2007 General Conference)

Be grateful that you mean something to somebody. Especially be grateful for meaning something to Heavenly Father.

Create appreciation. 

Adversity is here for us.

True character is learned through adversity.

Second Speaker

Isaiah 2:2-3

2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16

13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:

14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—

15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.

Elders Quorum 

When you make a goal, write down where you started. You may not see much progress day to day, but if you compare to where you started you will see large gains. 

Stake Leadership Meeting

Don't get released with your leadership still in you. Pass it on to those you serve. 

"My beloved younger brothers and sisters, you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation!" (President Russell M Nelson, “Hope of Israel”, Worldwide Youth Devotional • June 3, 2018 • Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah)

D&C 138:55-57

55 I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.

56 Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.

57 I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.

“We need to let the young people lead, particularly those who have been called and set apart to serve in class and quorum presidencies. Priesthood authority will have been delegated to them. They will learn how to receive inspiration in leading their class or quorum.” (President Russell M Nelson in introducing the Children and Young Effort 2019)

When adults do the work for young people that have been set apart to lease, we are taking away their ability to learn and grow. We are inserting our will in place of the Revelation the youth should be receiving through their calling. 

The youth have the same areas of responsibilities as the elders quorum and relief society.

“We underestimate their ability and overestimate their experience” (Elder Jeffrey R Holland, “You Can Teach in the Savior’s Way” [worldwide leadership training meeting, Nov. 5, 2016], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

"If you issued the call and gave no training or did not watch to see that the training was enough, you failed them and the Lord. Even with that training, the path will become difficult for them. You know that, and so you must watch and listen to see when they need strengthening." (President Henry B Eyring, “Watch Over and Strengthen”, April 2000 General Conference)

Luke 2:52

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

We can't be afraid to let the youth fail in smaller tasks so they can learn. 

As we look at who is not attending, also be mindful of who is attending. 

Mosiah 26:1

1 Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers.

Handbook Section 1.2

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 17 Oct 2021

Sacrament Service

First Speaker 

Being part of organized religion can help us to feel loved by others. 

Matthew 7:1-5
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Next Speaker 

"The long-standing objective of the Church is to assist all members to increase their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and in His Atonement, to assist them in making and keeping their covenants with God, and to strengthen and seal their families. In this complex world today, this is not easy." (President Russell M Nelson, “Opening Remarks”, October 2018 General Conference- 

"...a strategy he referred to as ‘the aggregation of marginal gains.’ This entailed implementing small improvements in everything. That meant constantly measuring key statistics and targeting specific weaknesses." (Elder Michael A. Dunn, “One Percent Better”, October 20212 General Conference)

Luke 2:52

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Next Speaker 

Their talk was based on "The Need for a Church", by President Dallin H. Oaks, October 2021 General Conference.

"Some say that attending church meetings is not helping them. Some say, “I didn’t learn anything today” or “No one was friendly to me” or “I was offended.” Personal disappointments should never keep us from the doctrine of Christ, who taught us to serve, not to be served." - From President Oaks’ talk.

Rather than get offended, try to learn. 

“we do not go to Sabbath meetings to be entertained or even solely to be instructed. We go to worship the Lord. It is an individual responsibility. … If the service is a failure to you, you have failed. No one can worship for you; you must do your own waiting upon the Lord.”

"We don't go to church to be entertained"(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball (2006), 173–74.)

Dnc 8419-22

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

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

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

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

"We cannot wish our way into the presence of God. We are to obey the laws upon which those blessings are predicated." (Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Now Is the Time to Prepare”, April 2005 General Conference)

Sunday School

Having stakes gives us strength to pool resources. 

"My brothers and sisters, we have just participated in a solemn assembly, a practice that can be traced back to the Bible when ancient Israel gathered to feel the Lord’s presence and celebrate His blessings. We are privileged to live in a time when this ancient practice has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I urge you to record in your personal journal what you felt regarding this most sacred occasion in which you have taken part." (President M Russell Ballard, “Precious Gifts from God”, April 2018 General Conference)

“Brothers and sisters, we can rejoice—even shout, ‘Hosanna!’—that the Lord’s mouthpiece, a prophet of God, is in place and that the Lord is pleased that His work is being done in the way that He has divinely prescribed.” (Elder Gary E Stevenson, “The Heart of a Prophet”, April 2018 General Conference)

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 10 Oct 2021

Sacrament Service

Testimonies

The Lord is good at rewarding effort.

Covenants are for our good and growth.

Life would be so much harder without the knowledge of the atonement and the enabling power it provides.

Elders Quorum

The lesson was based on  “Lovest Thou Me More Than These?”  By President M. Russell Ballard.

John 21:10,11,15

10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

15 ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Matthew 22:37-39

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

38 This is the first and great commandment.

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

1 Nephi 10:19

19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.

Consider our actions and behaviors and determine if they truly bring us lasting Joy.