Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 11-9-08

Priesthood Opening
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.

Elders' Quorum
Chapter 20: A Heart Full of Love and Faith: The Prophet’s Letters to His Family 238–247
Joseph Smith said in a letter to his wife regarding their son, "Tell little Joseph he must be a good boy; Father loves him with a perfect love. He is the eldest and must not hurt those that are smaller than him, but comfort them."

Joseph Smith was overwhelmed and yet he took the time to consider and write to each of his children individually.

We discussed how long it took to travel during the early days of the church and to communicate with people they were away from.

We should be content with what God has given us in our lives. That doesn't mean we don't try to excel and do our best, but we should not waste time envying other or coveting things we do not have.

We should follow the Savior's example, "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, ^aremove this cup from me: nevertheless not my ^bwill, but thine, be done."

If we focus on others' needs, our own trials will become easier.

Sunday School
Lesson 41: “He Did Expound All Things unto Them” 181
The teacher handed out the words of a primary song for us to consider.

Search, Ponder, and Pray
1. I love to read the holy Scriptures,
And, ev' ry time I do,
I feel the Spirit start to grow within my heart –
A testimony that they're true.

Chorus
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I'll know the Scriptures are true.

2. So, prayerfully I'll read the Scriptures
Each day my whole life through.
I'll come to understand.
I'll keep the Lord's command
And live as He would have made it.

Chorus

Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I'll know the Scriptures are true.

Why do we want our kids to read the scriptures? Much the same reasons as God wants us to read them.

• To get direction.
• To have less contention.
• To get to know the Savior.
  

3 Nephi 22:2
2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy ^astakes;

Tent - Gospel
Stakes - Congregations/Groups of Congregations
Enlarge tent - Proclaim the gospel
Strengthen thy stakes - Perfect the saints

What can we do to make our stakes a refuge?

• Search, ponder, pray
• Strengthen our homes
• Fulfill and magnify callings

"We treasure the word of God not only by reading the words of the scriptures but by studying them. We may be nourished more by pondering a few words, allowing the Holy Ghost to make them treasures to us, than to pass quickly and superficially over whole chapters of scripture."
(November 1997 Ensign P84 Elder Eyring “Feed My Lambs”)

Sacrament Meeting Primary Program
The children sangs songs and gave scriptures for the meeting.

From the Bulletin
Angel at the sales counter:
“You can have anything you want.”
“I would like you to end world hunger, violence...”
“Oh, my good friend, we sell the seeds of blessings and not the fruits.”

Simple Statements:
Alma 37:6, 7
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Helaman 5:12

If life “stinks” for you, please stop living in survival mode and develop a concerted plan of living the Gospel with exactness and consistency. Though it may bring some pride – appealing satisfaction, let go of anger and judging. Take on Alma 7:11, 12. Cut out the bad: control the good: and focus on and maximize the important. Then, and only THEN, will we feel the power of God surging through and guiding our lives. Try as we may find it, THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.
The Bishop

This week, in addition to your DAILY scripture study and prayers, if you have access to www.LDS.org please read” The Inexhaustible Gospel”by Elder Neil A. Maxwell. Please pray and make notes about what Heavenly Father would like you to do with what you learned there.
The Bishop