Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 9-28-08

Priesthood Opening
Doctrine and Covenants 4
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are ^acalled to the work;

Elders' Quorum
The lesson was based on the conference talk Daughters of God by Elder M. Russell Ballard.

Elder Ballard stated, "I surely know that there is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood.

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children."

Four Questions He Posed

1. What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?
2. What more can a husband do to support his wife, the mother of their children?
3. What can children, even young children, do? Now, you children, please listen to me because there are some simple things you can do to help your mother.
4. What can the Church do?

Some of the answers to these questions that came up in class were:

• Every member of the family needs to be involved in household responsibilities (father and children too). Hard work up front brings big payoffs. This is much like getting kids to sit still in church. Hard work for a year or two, but big payoffs as the child grows and as more kids come.
• Sometimes just listening to our wives and not trying to fix the problem is fixing it.
• Don't over schedule yourselves or your children.
• Tell each what you appreciate about each other. Husbands to wives. Wives to husbands. Parents to children. Children to parents.

Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 37: “Whosoever Will Come, Him Will I Receive” p164
The teacher asked, "If you were to give out a Book of Mormon where in it would you have them read first?" Here are some that people came up with:

• 3 Nephi 11 - Christs appearance to the people on this side of the world after his resurrection.
• The Introduction at the beginning of the Book of Mormon - Tells a little about what the book is about (Jesus' dealing with the people on the ancient American continents and the people are descendants of Israel through his son Joseph).
• Alma 7 - The Atonement.
• 1 Nephi - The people of the Book of Mormon came from Jerusalem. They are descendants of Israel.

Prophecies given through Samuel the Lamanite about Christ:

• Helaman 14:21-23 - Rocks shall be rent. Face of the earth will be changed at Savior's death.;3 Nephi 8:5-7, 17-18 - Prophecy fulfilled.
• Helaman 14:24;3 Nephi 8:8-10, 14 - Highways broken up and cities desolate.
  
• Helaman 14:20, 27;3 Nephi 8:20-21 - Darkness for three days.

The darkness for three days at His death and the night with no darkness when he was born seems to be significant. John 8:12 says that Jesus is the light of the world. When he was born there was light and when he died there was no light.

The Lord is giving us instructions on what we need to do to be prepared in this life now, what is yet coming, and in the life to come. Yet people scoff and continue to try to do it their way. Even those of us that say we believe, do many things our own way instead of doing it the Lord's way.

Sacrament Meeting
They read a letter from the first presidency on political participation.

A stake high councilman read a letter from the stake presidency - Stake center remodeled. Forest Green ward will be meeting in our building until the remodeling is completed.

Youth Speaker
She talked about the power of fasting. She said that years ago her sister was diagnosed as not being able to bear children. Their entire family fasted and now her sister has three kids.

Matthew 17:18-21

18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your ^aunbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have ^bfaith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this ^cmountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be ^dimpossible unto you.

21 Howbeit this ^akind goeth not out but by prayer and ^bfasting.

(See also Mark 9:28-29)

1st Adult Speaker
Prayer is an opportunity to speak to God and not just God but our father. Would we not think it great to be able to speak to certain famous people and yet we can speak to GOD any time we want.

James 1:5-6
5 ^aIf any of you lack ^bwisdom, let him ask of God, that ^cgiveth to all men liberally, and ^dupbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ^aask in ^bfaith, nothing ^cwavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

"Nothing wavering" and we have to act.

She used Elder Bednar's conference talk Ask in Faith on prayer in her talk. "Asking in faith requires honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence. Let me provide an illustration of what I mean and extend to you an invitation."

2nd Adult Speaker
People don't generally join the church because of something the missionaries said. They usually join because of what they see in the lives of some member.

3rd Adult Speaker
He spoke of going back to Russia last week. He served his mission there. He had been the trainer of the guy that spoke before him when he was on his mission. They are both now living in our ward as normal members.

He shared a story about talking to a lady in Russia recently when he was over there. She asked how he learned Russian. He asked if she had seen the guys in white shirts walking around. She said that she had and that she wanted to talk to them for months, but people told her they knew what they were about and that they were part of a cult.

He quoted someone that said, "If you see people throwing stones at a mango tree you know the tree is bearing good fruit."

From the Bulletin
Elder Oaks of the Quorum of Twelve shares this about sharing the restored Gospel: First, we must have a firm testimony of the truth and importance of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This includes the supreme value of God's plan for His children, the essential position of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in it, and the role of the The Church of Jesus Christ in carrying out that plan in mortality.

Second, we must have a love of God and for all of His children. In modern revelation we are told that "love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify [us] for the work" (D&C 4:5. The early Apostles of this dispensation were told that their love should "abound unto all men" (D&C 112:11).

Third, we must pray for the Lord's help directions so we can be instruments in His hands for one who is now ready -- one He would have us help today. Then, we must be alert to hear and heed the promptings of His Spirit in how we proceed.

Fourth, we begin by beginning. We should not wait for a further invitation from heaven. Revelation comes most often when we are on the move.

We must be sure we act out of love and not in any attempt to gain personal recognition or and encouraging investigators.

Leave a piece of Church literature...or send them to www.mormon.org.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the brightest light and the only hope for this darkened world. "Wherefore," as Nephi teaches, "we must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men." (2 Nephi 31:20).

Insert in the Bulletin
This fast Sunday we are preparing to start our new Sullivan Hollow Ward mission plan. Among our prayers this fast Sunday please have a special prayer and fast for the following things:

• Pray to be willing an fearless about opening your own heart and mouth to those around us,
• Pray for "collisions" with people whom the Lord wants you to talk to,
• Pray to understand the needs of those names or the people you will run into, and
• Pray to know how you can take care of those needs and how to invite them to become acquainted with the Church.
  

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 9-21-08

Announcements:

• The general Relief Society meeting will be on Saturday, September 27, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., mountain daylight time.
• General Conference will be held October 4-5. The priesthood session will be shown at our stake center.

Priesthood Opening
Mosiah 18:9-10

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—

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being ^abaptized in the ^bname of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a ^ccovenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

Elders' Quorum
Chapter 17: The Great Plan of Salvation p.206–16

1 Nephi 13 talks of many plain and precious things that were taken from the scriptures, that would become the Bible, after the apostles died. One example that was given in the lesson of things that had been altered or removed was Hebrews 6:1, which reads: "1 Therefore ^aleaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto ^bperfection; not laying again the foundation of ^crepentance from dead works, and of faith toward God

Leaving the principles of the doctrines of Christ does not let us go on unto perfection. Joseph Smith said that the work not had been removed from before the word leaving to have it read"1 Therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God."

We talked about why God gives us things without giving us everything. For example, details about the spirit world we lived in before we came to Earth. A couple of points came to my mind when as we talked about it that I include here below.

1. The Bible states "In the beginning..." This is the beginning of the Earth, not the beginning of everything. So the things that God reveals to us generally have to deal with Earth life and how we are supposed to get through it and a small bit about what is to come after this life. The things in the scriptures are generally for this finite experience.
   
2. I have not yet studied particle physics because I'm not ready yet. I have not studied all of the preparatory things I need to be able to understand those more advanced things. Perhaps as I learn more about the things I need to learn in my life and I learn more of the basic things of particle physics I may study more about advanced things. For right now, me knowing or not knowing all about particle physics does not help me achieve my life goals.
3. I am a convert to the Church. When I first joined the Church some things confused me and even shook my testimony because I didn't understand basic doctrines. Many of those things are doctrines that today I feel are very simple and easy to understand.

Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 36: “On the Morrow Come I into the World” p.160
3 Nephi 1-7
The teacher shared a story about two guys that could somehow see evil spirits. They went to this city and the one guy stated that the city must be a very righteous city since he had only seen one devil there. The other guy knew more about the city said that the city was so wicked that it only took one devil to keep it in subjection. They came upon a man that was surrounded by seven large devils. The first man stated that he must be a very wicked man. The second man who knew the man with the devils around him stated that he was the only righteous man in the city and it took seven of the strongest devils to try to tempt him and they still could not slow down his works of righteousness.

We talked about Samuel the Lamanite prophesying about the signs that would be given to signify the birth of Christ.

3 Nephi 1:5-7, 9

5 But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were ^aspoken by Samuel, the Lamanite.

6 And they began to ^arejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.

7 And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass.
9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the ^aunbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be ^bput to death except the ^csign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.

The nonbelievers were:

1. Telling the people that the time had past.
2. Creating a great uproar that the prophesies were not true.
3. Condemning the believers to be put to death if the sign didn't come by a certain date.

We should endure to the end even when the opposition feels overwhelming. We should fall back on our foundation of the things that we have already struggled with and know to be true. Once we have a testimony of something that the spirit has shared with us we should not let others make us forget where we have been and what we have learned from our experiences.

Even though the signs had been given and they were wonderous still Satan was able to get people to teach the people that the signs were not a sign from God, but there was some other explanation.
3 Nephi 1
22 And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be ^alyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those ^bsigns and wonders which they had seen; but notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the ^cmore part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.

The harder you work at collecting light and knowledge when you have it, the more you can see during the dark times.

Sacrament Meeting
First Speaker
A missionary that just returned from a mission to Eugene Oregon.

He talked of being of service to others.

He quoted from Elder Jeffery R. Holland's talk “Witnesses unto Me”.

"As the resurrected Jesus concluded His earthly ministry, He gave this paramount charge to His Apostles and those who would follow them:

'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' 1

'Ye shall receive power, … and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.' 2"

He talked about being a missionary through living the gospel.
"Above all else we can live the gospel. Surely there is no more powerful missionary message we can send to this world than the example of a loving and happy Latter-day Saint life. The manner and bearing, the smile and kindness of a faithful member of the Church brings a warmth and an outreach which no missionary tract or videotape can convey."

It is our job to create an atmosphere where the spirit can teach. Serving others is a good way to create such an atmosphere.

Matt. 25: 40
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have ^adone it unto one of the ^bleast of these my ^cbrethren, ye have done it unto me.

Second Speaker
He spoke of enduring to the end.

1. 2 Ne. 32: 9
   9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must ^apray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall ^bpray unto the Father in the ^cname of Christ, that he will ^dconsecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the ^ewelfare of thy soul.
2. Ancient battles lasted we hand to hand combat and lasted for many hours or even all day. If you lacked endurance, no matter your skill with the sword, you would lose.

Do we apply the gospel as a matter of process or as a matter of dedication?

From the Bulletin:
"How do you involve God?" You ask. - Unknown

In happy moments, praise God.
In difficult moments, seek God.
In quiet moments, worship God.
In painful moments, trust God.
And in every moment, thank God. - Anonymous

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency: "The purpose of God’s creations and of His giving us life is to allow us to have the learning experience necessary for us to come back to Him, to live with Him in eternal life. That is only possible if we have our natures changed through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, true repentance, and making and keeping the covenants He offers all of His Father’s children through His Church." (Education for Real Life, Ensign, October 2002, 16).

We can make things so much easier.
Elder L. Tom Perry, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated "First, we need to be obedient to the laws of the Lord. This is one of the first lessons taught to Adam and Eve: obedience brings faith. It brings forth the blessings of heaven. Disobedience brings forth heartache and despair. (D&C 82:10)

Following the law of obedience comes the requirement to give of ourselves in service to our Father in Heaven's children. Sacrificing what we have to benefit our brothers and sisters is the crowning test of the gospel. One of the purposes of the mortal experience is to see if we will follow the Savior's counsel to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33).

Standards Night Weber Heights Stake 9-14-08

A member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, who was baptized in our stake building 40 years ago, and her husband spoke to us. In Indiana we didn't ever run into any members of The Choir.

First Speaker
She quoted Mosiah 5:15, which I think she said it the youth's theme for the year.
15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in ^agood works, that Christ, the ^bLord God Omnipotent, may ^cseal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who ^dcreated all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

She said that before she moved to Utah she hadn't heard of Mormons, but once she did she envisioned the Amish. Which maybe be do to our pioneer history.

She shared stories about Mormon kids being rude to her when she moved to Utah and when they found out that she wasn't a member of the Church. It reminded me a bit of the story my dad often tells about coming to Utah as a kid and visiting Mormon relatives when he was Catholic.

The speaker expressed to the youth that she couldn't share much with them because the youth of the Church already know the standards of the Church. She said they know because they have been taught and when they don't live the standards they can feel it.

She shared a story about missing several flights on one trip due to many many problems. They, after much frustration, finally ended up in a terminal waiting for the flight that eventually went through for them. Behind them they could hear a man going on to another man about negatives things that he "knew" about the Mormons. They realized that after everything that had happened to them, they ended up exactly where they needed to be. Her husband stood up and walked over to them. He let them both know that he was a bishop and he assured them that he would answer any questions about the Church that they might have and that if they wanted to know if any principle of the Church was true that their Heavenly Father would tell them if they prayed and asked Him.

Second Speaker
He talked of someone that came up to him when he was in a restaurant between meetings when he was away on business. The guy asked if he could sit with him. He then asked if he was a Mormon. He told the guy that he was. The man then said, "Well you aren't a question then are you?" He then asked the man what a Christian was. The man listed off several things that he felt Christians believed. He confirmed to the man that he believed most of that as well. The man then said that Christians believed that they are saved by grace. He told the man that we also believed in grace, but that we also had obey God and follow the Savior.

He shared another story with us about how he was in Paris on September 11, 2001 when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center. He said that those outside the United States had no idea the extent of what was going on here. He didn't know what he would find when he got home.

He talked of protecting ourselves from temptations. He said that even at his age he is tempted dozens of times a day to do something wicked. He says that sometimes he says "no" verbally and sometimes just to his own mind. He said no matter who you are you must determine to always say no to wickedness, because Satan is actively seeking to destroy us and the more we say no the easier it gets. When we do not say no it is harder to say no the next time.

Stake President
He talked of texting on cell phones during church. He stated that it is rude and inappropriate to do it in Sacrament Meeting or Sunday School or any Church meeting. He said that there are missionaries that are being sent home because they can't stand to be out of contact with their friends by texting. They don't focus on the work and they are being consumed by texting.

He talked about MP3 players. He said that we should be careful not to always have ear phones on. He said that it locks you out of the rest of the world and is rude. He also counseled to be cautious of what we put on those MP3 players.

He talked of pornography being a real problem. He called it the plague of the 21st century. He said that pornography is more addictive than cocaine. He said that drugs eventually leave your body, but those pictures can be drawn up by your mind at any time.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 9-14-08

Priesthood Opening
2 Corinthians 9:6-8

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall ^areap also sparingly; and he which ^bsoweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he ^apurposeth in his heart, so let him give; not ^bgrudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a ^ccheerful ^dgiver.

8 And God is able to make all ^agrace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Elders' Quroum
Joseph Smith Manual Chapter 16: Revelation and the Living Prophet
Doctrine and Covenants 1 was given later than some of the other sections to be used as a preface to The Book of Commandments. It tells the purpose of the book. The printing press for the book was destroyed by a mob and the book was never published. Several of the pages were rescued by members of the Church as they were scattered by the mob. The rescued pages as well as additional revelations were later published as the Doctrine and Covenants.

Great work, sacrifice, and courage have gone into the books of scriptures that we have. Are we often casual about having them, reading them, and respecting them?

Doctrine and Covenants contains doctrine of the Church for its administration and setup. It also contains covenants and ordinances for us and how to perform those ordinances such as baptism and the sacrament.

The scriptures tell us that the Church is built upon revelation.
Amos 3:7
7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, ^abut he ^brevealeth his ^csecret unto his servants the ^dprophets.

Acts 1:2
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given ^acommandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

Matthew 16:17-18
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon ^aBar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not ^brevealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this ^arock I will build my ^bchurch; and the gates of ^chell shall not ^dprevail against it.

Many churches believe that these scriptures refer to Peter being the rock the Church was built on. Peter was a man and had his weakness and also ended up dying as we all do. Also scripture tells us that the Church's foundation was apostle and prophets. These apostles and prophets are secured with the rock of revelation.

Let's dissect the language in Matthew 16:17-18. Perhaps reading it this way will make it more clear.
"...flesh and blood hath not ^brevealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, ...Peter, ...upon this ^arock I will build my ^bchurch; and the gates of ^chell shall not ^dprevail against it.

It doesn't say you are the rock, but "this is the rock". Saying "Thou art Peter" is perhaps a reminder that he had been called by God by revelation.

Revelations are suited to a people's condition. Former revelations cannot totally serve all of our needs today. Noah needed more than what God previously gave to other prophets in order to build the ark and preserve the people.

Moses needed more than God's previous instructions in order to lead Israel out of Egypt and after they were out of Egypt and to preserve the people.

Today we need more than God's previous instruction in order to preserve us today. We still need his previous instructions, but there are things timely to our condition that we need guidence on as a people.

Revelation is the foundation in that that is what helps us be tied to Christ and his will. His will is communicated on every level of the Church. The prophet and apostles guide the entire Church by revelation. Stake presidents and bishop's guide their wards by revelation. Home teachers should teach and serve the families that they have responsibility over by revelation. Father's should guide their families by revelation.

The family is the basic foundation of the Church and society. If the family is falls apart then so does the Church and society.

Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 35: “Repent and Return unto the Lord”
Helaman 13:1-4 - Samuel the Lamanite comes among the people.

The Lord doesn't necessarily remove the the Spirit from us when we harden our hearts as much as we distance ourselves from the influence of the Spirit or shut ourselves off from it. This is much like when we shut ourselves off from the influence of light when we close our eyes or shut ourselves off from the influence of sound by plugging our ears.

“Repentance means more than simply a reformation of behavior. Many men and women in the world demonstrate great will-power and self-discipline in overcoming bad habits and the weaknesses of the flesh. Yet at the same time they give no thought to the Master, sometimes even openly rejecting Him. Such changes of behavior, even if in a positive direction, do not constitute true repentance...

“… True repentance is based on and flows from faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way. True repentance involves a change of heart and not just a change of behavior (see Alma 5:13)” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 71).

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).

In games there are rules and when you try to change or make up the rules during the game then chaos ensues. Life is much like that. The rules have been defined and when we try to make our own rules it doesn't work and we are not happy.

Trials are like a weight room or like training for a triathlon. If we don't give up we are stronger and more prepared for the blessings God has prepared for us and was trying to prepare us for.

Sacrament Meeting
We sang hymn 191 "Behold the Great Redeemer Die". I noticed the last line of verse 6 "To do His will and live His praise." This was a phrase that interested me. Some feel that praise is shouting and clapping. The phrase made me think about how we praise God and what the symbol of Him is. It is our lives. Living righteously praises Him. Our lives then become symbols of Him.

Youth Speaker
They based their comments on the Education section of the For the Strength of Youth manual.

---

“Learn wisdom in thy youth” (Alma 37:35).

The Lord wants you to educate your mind and improve your skills and abilities. Education will help you to be an influence for good in the world. It will help you better provide for yourself, your loved ones, and those in need.

Be willing to work diligently and make sacrifices to obtain learning. Education is an investment that brings great rewards. You live in a competitive world where a good education opens the doors of opportunity that may otherwise be closed to you.

Maintain an enthusiasm for learning throughout your life. Find joy in continuing to learn about yourself, other people, and the world around you. Study the words of the Lord, and continue learning about your Heavenly Father’s plan. Make seminary an important part of your total education.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:77–80

---

1st Adult Speaker
Have you ever regretted keeping the commandments of God and following the prophets? Many have had regrets by not following, even if they don't recognize that that is why they are unhappy.

2nd Adult Speaker
Remarks were based on J.E. Jensen's article - "The Power of Diligent Learning" in the 9-2008 Ensign.

DnC 90:15 - 15 And set in order the churches, and ^astudy and ^blearn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with ^clanguages, tongues, and people.

We are spiritual beings, so we would do better to learn by the Spirit.

Pray formally and informally for yourself and your teachers.

She talked of having a sick child and praying before going to doctor appointments that she would learn what she needs to learn from the doctor and staff to be able to care for her child.

3rd Adult Speaker
Referenced "Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions." Deseret Book (1998) by Joseph Fielding McKonkie's . There was a quote like "Designated as Safety" from the book and I haven't been able to find what was significant about it. If someone finds the entire quote let me know.

From the bulletin:

• "This life is not so much a time for getting and accumulating as it is a time for giving and becoming. Mortality is the battlefield upon which justice and mercy meet. But they need not meet as adversities, for they are reconciled in the Atonement of Jesus Christ for all who wisely use Today." (Lance B. Wickman, "Today", Ensign, May 2008)
• Opportunities often come in disguise and in work clothes. When we present ourselves as ready to act. HE WILL answer our prayers. Let us pick your priorities carefully. They determine our levels of earthly happiness and our eternal destiny. (Our bishop)
• President Howard W. Hunter said, "Without temptation, sickness, pain, and sorrow, there could be no goodness, virtue, appreciation for well-being, or joy. The law of opposition makes freedom of choice possible; therefore, our Heavenly Father has commanded his children, 'Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you' (Moses 6:33). He has counseled us to yield to his spirit - and resist temptation" ("God Will Have a Tried People," Ensign, May 1980, 25).
• President Thomas S. Monson said, "As we love the temple, touch the temple, and attend the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we come to these holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we shall be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation." (Be Your Best Self [1979], 56).
• Attitude is contageous. Let's be sure ours is worth catching. (Unknown)
  

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 9-7-08

My Son's Primary Talk

We learn from the scriptures to forgive others. Matthew 5:44 tells us to love our enemies. The Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:12 asks God to forgive us as we forgive others. Mark 11:25 tells us that when we pray we should forgive and God will forgive us.

Joint Priesthood/Relief Society/Priests/Laurels Meeting

The bishop spoke to us. Below are some of the points I captured that he covered.

Even if we are not sinning in a major way we have need to constantly repent. We should ponder ways that we are not helping God's work move forward. We should repent and ask Him how we can do more or do it better.

2 Nephi 31:20 - We should feast upon the words of Christ. Is it a feast if we just go to church once a week and that is the extent of our exposure to God's word? Or even if we just read a few verses everyday without pondering the meaning?

Taking notes helps us to articulate and understand what we are feeling. He noted that it is difficult for him when he receives revelation in the shower since he has no place to write it down.

The weight of the Church is carried by the individual members.

You were born to succeed not born to fail.

Handout from the Bishop's Lesson

Being a Wise and Fruitful Servant

Sullivan Hollow 2nd Bishopric
Introduction
Heavenly Father gives us "Principles, Processes, Promises and Power (due to obedience)." Please look for them in this presentation adn materials. Please make this a matter of personal study, reflection, goal setting and action planning. Do better things in better ways because of this material. Please discuss this as a family in Family Home Evening (FHE).

The literal promise from the Lord is that your lives will be more fulfilling, the Lord will bless you in ways that He has been unable to but now can, revelation will be more frequent and in a more abundant way will be yours, your abilities to do things will be enhanced, the trials of life will be easier to handle, and so forth. With such immeasurable gifts, could we not humbly search through and decide to do just a bit better each day in our lives to have such great blessings.

A. Doctrine and Principles

1. Read Moses 1:39. For what purpose does Heavenly Father live?
   


2. Why are we so involved in this same purpose? (To become like He is, we must practice and do what He is Doing. This is acheived as we study, learn, do, fail/succeed/grow, and do more and more with consistently and exactness. This is achieved as we strive to DO what THEY do -- line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little.)
   


3. How do we understand and fully gain the abilities He wishes us to acquire
   a. Study, pray, serve
   
   b. Do His will
   
   c. Constantly repent, change, and grow
   
   d. D&C 58:26 -- "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is commanded in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward."
   
   e. Alma 37:6, 7 -
   6 Now ye may suppose that this is afoolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by bsmall and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
   7 And the Lord God doth work by ameans to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very bsmall means the Lord doth cconfound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.
   
   f. 2 Nephi 31:20 -
   20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of bhope, and a clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eeternal life.
   
   g. Mosiah 2:41 -
   41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out cfaithful to the end they are received into dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
   


4. The Lord measures success - your interview with Jesus on Judgement Day. This is a quote from President David O. McKay, former President and Prophet of the Church.
   
   a. What did you do with the talents that I gave to you?
   b. How have you treated your spouse?
   c. Tell me how you treated your children, name by name.
   d. What callings you had in the Church are immaterial; tell me about how you fulfilled your Church assignments, especially that of a home teacher?
   e. Tell me about your contributions to the communities in which you lived.

B. Processes

1. Elder Oaks brief history
   "Life has some strange turns. When I was a young man I thought I would serve a mission. I graduated from high school in June 1950. Thousands of miles away, one week after high school graduation, a North Korean army crossed the 38th parallel, and our country was a twar. I was 17 years old, but as a member of the Utah National Guard I was soon under orders to prepare for mobilization and active service. Suddenly, for me and for many other young men of my generation, the full-time mission we had planned was not to be.
   
   "Another example: After I served as president of Brigham Young University for nine years, I was released. A few months later the govenor of the state of Utah appointed me to a 10-year term on the supreme court of the state. I was then 48 years old. My wife June and I tried to plan the rest of our lives. We served 20 years on the state supreme court. Then, at the end of two ten year terms, when I would be nearly 69 years old, I would retire from the supreme court, and we would submit our missionary papers and serve a mission as a couple.
   
   "Four years after we made that plan I was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles--something we never dreamed would happen. Realizing then that the Lord had different plans and different timing than we had assumed, I resigned as a justice of the supreme court. But this was not the end of the important differences. When I was 66, my wife June died of cancer. Two years later I married Kristen McMain, the eternal companion who now stands at my side.
   
   How fundamentally different my life is than I had sought to plan! My professional life has changed. My personal life has changed. But the commitment I made to the Lord--to put Him first in my life and to be ready for whatever He would have me do--has carried me through these changes of eternal importance."
   


2. Choosing the Lord as Priority #1
   Wise are those who make this commitment: I will put the Lord first in my life and I will keep Him commandments. The performance of that commitment is within everyone's control. We can fulfill that commitment without regard to what others decide to do, and that commitment will anchor us no matter what timing the Lord directs for the most important events in our lives.
   
   Commit yourself to put the Lord first in your life, keep His commandments, and do what the Lord's servants ask you to do. Then your feet are on the pathway to eternal life. You do not know what will happen. Do your best on what is fundamental and personal and then trust in the Lord and His timing.
   


3. How Do These Principles Apply to ME as a Child of God?
   

C. How Do I Put the Lord First

1. Since the Lord reveals to us line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, NONE of us knows when He is going to reveal matters to us. WHEN we present ourselves continuously as ready and willing vessels, the Lord will reveal His will and blessings to us MORE FREQUENTLY and in LARGER MEASURES.


2. How do we present ourselves as ready and willing vessles to the Lord?
   a. prayer, scripture study
   b. service to others
   c. repentance and forgiving others
   d. being actively and continuously engaged as a student of God by asking questions like "what am I to learn from this scripture, this situation, this discussion, etc.?"
   e. being actively engaged as a student of God by taking notes during personal prayer, scripture study, meetings, etc. No mind is sharper than the dullest pencil. He will give us more as we record His messages. Who/what is more important? A shopping list or what your Heavenly Father has to share? Why do we not constantly seek to take notes in HIS settings?
   f. other ways:
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   g. For leaders--plan, do, (evaluate, adjust), delegate, coach, and ask for follow-up
   
   Elder Ballard in "O Be Wise", stated "...divide the work and delegate responsibility. There is a difference between being responsible for getting the work done and doing the work yourself. For example, gone should be the days when the elders quorum president feels he needs to personally finish the home teaching visits that others have missed. The same is true for Relief Society presidents with respect to visiting teaching. Not only is this unwise; it isn't home or visiting teaching. Home teaching isn't about numbers or reporting visits to a home; visits and numbers are just a measuring stick. Home teaching is about love of people and service to and watchcare over our Heavenly Father's children.
   
   "Assignments should be made, responsibilities should be delegated, and members should be allowed to fulfill their stewardship as best they can. Counsel, advise, persuade, motivate—but don't do the work for them."
   
   Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated in his talk, "Good, Better, Best", "To our hundreds of thousands of home teachers and visiting teachers, I suggest that it is good to visit our assigned families; it is better to have a brief visit in which we teach doctrine and principle; and it is best of all to make a difference in the lives of some of those we visit. That same challenge applies to the many meetings we hold—good to hold a meeting, better to teach a principle, but best to actually improve lives as a result of the meeting."
   
   h. Elder Ballard in "O Be Wise", also stated "...we need to thoughtfully allocate our resources of time, income, and energy.
   
   "The key, it seems to me, is to know and understand your own capabilities and limitations and then to pace yourself, allocating and prioritizing your time, your attention, and your resources to wisely help others, including your family, in their quest for eternal life. "
   
   i. Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated in his talk, "Good, Better, Best", the following, "We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.
   
   "We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it."
   
   j. EXAMPLE of Planning, Priorities, and Progress
   
   Rocks, Pebbles, Sand and Water
   
   For "Planning, priorities, progress, and promises" to work, this takes CONSTANT VIGILANCE for most people until it becomes a HABIT. Then, will still applying the habit consistently, we become unconsciously competent.
   
   k. Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated in his talk, "Good, Better, Best" he continued: "I ask you men, particularly, to pause and take stock of yourselves as husbands and fathers and heads of households. Pray for guidance, for help, for direction, and then follow the whisperings of the Spirit to guide you in the most serious of all responsibilities, for the consequences of your leadership in your home will be eternal and everlasting."
   
   HOW?
   (1) By being a more active and seeking learner and participant.
   
   (2) By planning monthly, weekly, daily, even hourly.
   
   (3) By focusing on eternally significant priorities first PLUG IN PRIORITIES BEFORE ALL ELSE.
   

Sunday School

Book of Mormon - Lesson 34: “How Could You Have Forgotten Your God?” p150
The Book of Mormon has patterns. One of those patterns is the Pride Cycle. Righteousness and prosperity => Pride and Wickedness => Destruction and Suffering => Humility and Repentance

When you have more money you often buy nicer things which can lead to forgetting that less nice things were useful and many time adequate. This can lead to being prideful about what we have.

Repenting frequently keeps us righteous and prospering.

Many stay prideful and suffering and spiral in destruction.

Handout from Sunday School:
NEPHITES LAMANITES
Dwindled in unblief (verse 34). Grew in the knowledge of God (verse 34).

Grew in wickedness and sin (verse 34). Walked in truth and righteousness before God (verse 34).

Lost the guidance of the Spirit Received the Spirit

Built up and supported the Gadianton robbers (verse 38). Preached the word of God to the Gadianton robbers (version 37).

Testimony Meeting

From the bulletin:
"Foyers are built into our chapels for the greet and chatting that are typical of people who love one another. However, when we step into the chapel, we must - each of us must - wath ourselves lest we be guilty of intruding when someone is struggling to feel delicate spiritual communications."
Elder Boyd K. Packer, Reverence Invites Revelation Ensign November 1991.

"Knowledge encourages obedience, and obedience enhances knowledge.

"A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true. Such facts include the nature of the Godhead and our relationship to its three members, the effectiveness of the Atonement, and the reality of the Restoration.

"A testimony of the gospel is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. It is not a sermon. President Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to others, our testimony is ended."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Testimony, Ensign May 2008, 26, 29