Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 29 March 2020

Church at Home

Eldred G. Smith, Peace, General Conference April 1972

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Isaiah 9:6

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Matthew 5:9

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

“A key to peace, then, is service. Christ said: ‘But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.’ (Matt. 23:11.)

“Have you ever been aware that all the use of priesthood is service to someone else? Haven’t you always had a good feeling of peace within when you have been fulfilling your priesthood duty?

“Peace, then, comes from service.”

Doctrine and Covenants 59:23

23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.

Isaiah 32:17

17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

“If each person would have peace within his soul, then there would be peace in the family. If there is peace in each family, then there is peace in the nation. If there is peace in the nations, there is peace in the world.”

“Is this not the ultimate of service? To become as God is, then, we must eliminate enmity, greed, and selfishness, and all our efforts must be in service to others. The Lord said: “… he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” (D&C 59:23.)” 

“When the Savior comes again—and he will come—he will bring peace only as we will accept and follow his teachings of service to others and eliminate enmity and unrighteousness.”

“His kingdom is already here on earth and is growing rapidly to prepare for his coming. Yes, he shall surely come and bring peace to the earth, but only as we are willing to follow his teachings. This is his work, and his kingdom, which is the only way to world peace and eternal peace.”

Jean B. Bingham, Extraordinary Daughters of God, March 2020 Ensign

“Reaching out in small and simple ways can bless our families and others in extraordinary ways.”

“Know that your Heavenly Father will provide all that you need to become extraordinary as a daughter of God.”

“Unlike in the world, in His kingdom there is no winner’s platform that has room only for one or two. Each of His daughters has been taught and prepared and gifted premortally with marvelous potential to become a queen in the celestial kingdom.”

Alma 7:11–13

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

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

Mosiah 4:9

9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

“No matter where we live, the makeup of our family, the size of our bank account, or how long we have been a member of the Church, we can each be a powerful influence for good. Living with integrity at home and in the community, using a gentle voice and kind words with a challenging child or difficult co-worker, demonstrating your standards by your modest way of dressing, and reaching out of your comfort zone to become acquainted with those who live around you are just some of the many simple actions we can take that will influence others to also rise to a higher plane.”

“Relief Society is more than a class on Sunday. As President Faust taught, it is a divinely established sisterhood. It is a place of learning. It is an organization whose basic charter is caring for others as expressed in our motto, ‘Charity Never Faileth.’”

“Exaltation is our goal; discipleship is our journey.” (President Dieter F Uchtdorf, It Works Wonderfully, General Conference October 2015)

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 22 March 2020

Church at Home

Elder William W. Parmley, “Come Follow Me”, General Conference October 2003

“To believers everywhere, the three most powerful behavioral words He spoke were ‘Come, follow me’”

Mark 12:30–31

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

“The Savior’s example of the reciprocal love between Him and His Father was always evident. Frequent, long, and heartfelt prayers by the Savior have set a powerful example for us to follow. The Father’s love for His Son was ever apparent, particularly at the time of His baptism by John”

“There are many ways to help the homeless, including the contribution of time, goods, and money to humanitarian groups, soup kitchens, or agencies that deal with these problems. Nevertheless, it seems to me that we must also show mercy unto them.”

“Jesus both taught and exemplified many personal qualities which we should consider as we try to follow Him. These qualities include love, meekness, humility, compassion, thirsting after righteousness, being prayerful, merciful, and pure in heart.”

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 15 March 2020

Church at Home

The Lord has blessed us to be pretty healthy this winter. He has also so far blessed us to have the things we need during this craziness with the coronavirus. I want to be sure we show gratitude to him by not cutting our home Sacrament meeting too short. 

I think we are being prepared for more that is coming and I think we need to take advantage of this time and practice. 

In the 70s the Lord gave us FHE for us to learn a little about teaching our families at home. He also counseled us to have food storage to prepare for hard times like losing a job or natural disasters like tornadoes, floods, or viruses. 

He gave us home and visiting teaching to teach it to others. 

He gave us the Proclamation on the Family in 1995. reinforcing that parents are responsible for teaching their children.

“HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”

Later He focused our home and visiting teaching into ministering. 

Then he gave us Come Follow Me to learn even more about teaching our families at home, on our own. 

Now we have this shut down to give us opportunity to ponder what is coming and remind us to do those things God has already shown us through his prophets. This also gives us opportunity to practice more intently and more focused holding meetings and teaching at home and ministering outside of church. 

We read together the section from the new handbook of how the Sacrament is to be administered.

After the sacrament we watched a statement from President Nelson about the COVID-19 virus.

He said, “These unique challenges will pass in due time.”

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“...I see evidence of his hand in this holy work in so many ways.

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“So, during these uncertain times, be comforted by this promise from the Savior, He said, ‘I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say.’.  I promise you that joy is always within the reach of everyone who will hear him and obey his laws.

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“...look for opportunities to serve those around you near and far.”

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“temporary changes in our normal routine may allow additional time to experience may help us experience how precious home-centered gospel study can be.”

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“That gospel provides certain hope and help to a troubled world.”

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”And I promise that you will receive comfort and peace as you continue to hear Him.”

We then watched a talk from Neal A Maxwell from October 1982 General Conference, “Be of Good Cheer”.

“My brothers and sisters, we are living in a time in which we shall see things both wonderful and awful. There is no way that we can be a part of the last days and have it otherwise. Even so, we are instructed by our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus Christ, to “be of good cheer.” (D&C 61:36; D&C 78:18.)”

“‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33; italics added.)”

“It was the same on another occasion when, of a night, the resurrected Jesus stood by an imprisoned Paul, instructing Paul to be of good cheer. (Acts 23:11.) Once again, the circumstances of the moment included Paul’s having been struck publicly on the mouth by order of Ananias. Forty individuals were plotting his death. He faced a trial for sedition. Why, therefore, should he be of good cheer? Because, Jesus announced, though in bad circumstances, Paul would soon take the good news of the gospel to Rome!”

“Instead, Jesus calls upon us to have a deliberate trust in God’s unfolding purposes, not only for all humankind but for us individually. And we are to be of good cheer in the unfolding process.”

“As with Paul, however, we may be perplexed, but we are not in despair. (See 2 Cor. 4:8.) For if we are prepared spiritually, we need not fear. (See D&C 38:30.)”

“Much sifting will occur because of lapses in righteous behavior which go unrepented of. A few will give up instead of holding out to the end. A few will be deceived by defectors. Likewise, others will be offended, for sufficient unto each dispensation are the stumbling blocks thereof! A few will stumble because, in their preoccupation with the cares of the world, they do not have oil in their lamps. And, again and again, those who refuse to eat their spiritual spinach will come off second when they wrestle with the world. Some, because of the scorn of the world, will grow ashamed and let go of the iron rod. (See 1 Ne. 8:28.) A few who have not been Saints, but merely tourists passing through, will depart from the path. A few, failing to be of good cheer, will even charge God foolishly. (See Job 1:22.)”

“Meanwhile, He who knows the path perfectly has promised, ‘Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours … and the riches of eternity.’ (D&C 78:18.)”

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 8 March 2020

Sacrament Service 

Bulletin

"Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home." (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Things That Matter Most”, October 2010 General Conference)

First Speaker

Gratitude and Service

We should see other people through God’s eyes.

Next Speaker

A journey takes effort and will likely change you.

Mark 2:5

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Act 4:2

2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Do right for our fellow beings and to God.

Next Speaker

2 Nephi 28:30

30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

Isaiah 54:3-5

3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

Elders Quorum 

Are we committed? What does it mean to be committed? 

You work at things you are committed to. 

Alma 24

13 Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our swords that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; for perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins.

Bad habits allow Satan to bind us. We think of addictions being the things that Satan binds people with, but bad habits also give him power over us. 

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 1 March 2020

Sacrament Service 

Bulletin 

"God generously manifests to us those things we are seeking - just as soon as he perceives we are ready." - Sister Wendy Watson Nelson

Testimonies

Don’t judge someone that is at a different spiritual level than you, whether that level is greater or lesser than your own.

Don’t judge those who are at a different physical capability than you.

Sunday School 

How will we be judged or if the books? How we used them. How we measure up to them. 

Do we struggle too much without referencing the handbook (the scriptures)?

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 23 February 2020

Sacrament Service

Bulletin

"One of the most important ways to clothe yourselves in the armor of God is to make sure that prayer - earnest, sincere, consistent prayer - is part of your daily lives." - Elder M Russell Ballard

First Speaker

Ephesians 6

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The armor of God needs to be like a body part.  We would not leave our hand at home because we don’t need it.

Next Speaker

Reasons to put on the whole armor of God as talked about in Ephesians.

Mosiah 24

10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.

11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.

12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

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

Alma 36

16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

Enos 1

2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.

3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.

4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.

7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?

8 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.

DnC 109:22

22 And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;

“But 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 2019 General Conference)

Next Speaker

Genesis 28:14

14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Jeremiah 16:14-15

14 ¶ Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;

15 But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.

“John added, “‘I think our tendency is just to bring brownies rather than figure out how to walk into that moment with honesty and love.’” (President Bonnie H. Cordon, “Becoming a Shepherd”, October 2019 General Conference

Elders Quorum 

The lesson was based on President Dallin H. Oaks's talk - Trust in the Lord

The teacher recommended the National geographic special "One Strange Rock". 

"A few question their faith when they find a statement made by a Church leader decades ago that seems incongruent with our doctrine. There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all  members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find." (Elder Neil L. Andersen, Trial of Your Faith, October 2012 General Conference)

Face to Face with President and Sister Oaks

The new program is to helo us in four sections to help us grow physically, socially, spiritually, and intellectually.  God cares about us in each of these areas.

2 Nephi 2:25

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

If you have a goal, do it.  If it is hard, do it anyway.  With God anything is possible.

The Lord never shouts, he whispers.

Personal revelation only comes through personal action.

An effective goal is something I want to do and no one is forcing us to do it.  Then we are responsible to yourself and the goal is to help you and make you better.  You are responsible and it is for your good.

Some goals you never finish. Some goals have a definite completion.

These things that we learn in this program are teaching and preparing us for other parts of life, as well as for us now.

Discover, Plan, Reflect, and Act

Part of growth is encountering opposition.

Parents and leaders can help, but there are some things you have to do on your own.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 16 February 2020

Sacrament Service 

Bulletin

"We should remember that saying 'I love you' is only the beginning. We need to say it, we need to mean it, and most importantly, we need consistently to show it." - Elder David A Bednar

First Speaker

Why Latter-day Saints Build Temples - article on the church’s website.

“The temples, with ‘Holiness to the Lord’ inscribed on them, are among the most sacred of all places on the earth. They stand as evidence of God’s love to all His children, past and present.”

“When Jacob traveled from Beersheba toward Haran, he had a dream in which he saw himself on the earth at the foot of a ladder that reached to heaven where the Lord stood above it. He beheld angels ascending and descending thereon, and Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord there were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessing— blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord” (Marion G. Romney, “Temples—The Gates to Heaven,” Ensign, Mar. 1971, p. 16).

DnC 14

7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

Jacob’s ladder is about covenants and about enduring to the end.

Next Speaker

“Most of all, I think eternal marriage cannot be achieved without a commitment to make it work. Most of what I know about this I have learned from my companion. We have been married for almost 47 years now. From the beginning she knew what kind of marriage she wanted.” (Elder F. Burton Howard, “Eternal Marriage”, April 2005 General Conference)

Sunday School 

2 Nephi 6-10

Remembrance 

• As we deal with our children we should remember how we felt when they were born. 

• As we deal with our questions about the gospel, we need to constantly remember what God has already shown us and how we felt. 

The scattering and gathering of Israel are much like death and resurrection. The body is scattered and then gathered back together.