Alma 19:6
6 Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark aveil of bunbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the clight which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had dovercome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God—
The bishop asked us to evaluate some things in our lives.
- Get rid of sins. Confess anything that needs to be and stop carrying around the extra weight.
- Assess your desires.
- How do you spend your time?
Elders' Quorum
Chapter 21: The Second Coming and the Millennium 248–60
Section 88 contains information about the last days.
Everyone must get answers from the Lord individually for us to act collectively effectively.
In the last days Judah must be restored. Jerusalem must be rebuilt and the temple there. Water must flow from the temple and heal the dead sea.
“Judah must return, Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and the temple, and water come out from under the temple, and the waters of the Dead Sea be healed [see Ezekiel 47:1–9]." (Bottom of P252)
Just because one of our neighbors suffer in the last days doesn't mean they are sinning and we ourselves are not immune from what is coming.
We have to have personal testimony for us to make it through what is coming. Family members may die. We may be afflicted.
The Lord will not come until all the things the prophets have said has been fulfilled.
Sunday School
Lesson 42: “This Is My Gospel” 185
“Others refer to us as Mormons. I do not mind if they use that title. However, sometimes we are prone ourselves to say ‘Mormon Church.’ I do not think it best for us to do so” (“The Peaceable Followers of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 1998, 64). Jesus named His Church.
3 Nephi 27:7-8
7 Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.
Someone shared a story of people helping after Hurricane Katrina. A member of the Church introduced themselves as being a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to one of the people in the area. The person responded, "Your church and the Mormons have been so much help."
We should endure to the end. We are worse off to have been baptized and made covenants to God and then not continue faithful to the end than if we had not been baptized and not have known. Of course some may then argue that they don't want to take on the responsibility of being baptized. Once you know you are responsible for choosing to be baptized or not.
Someone noted that there is a bus advertisement from an atheist group that states something like, "Why do we need God? Be good for goodness sake." Ever so slowly our society is replacing Christ with Santa Clause. Santa Clause doesn't require anything of you and just drops toys on you. There is the naughty and nice list, but what are these criteria? Do we ever hear of coal being doled out? Even the most spoiled kids get gifts from "Santa".
Remember the basics: Prayer, scripture study, family home evening. If these things are getting done then the bigger things start fall into place. If these things are not getting done, then cut some things out of your schedule and drop back to the basics.
Sacrament Service
They read the first presidency letter on the Updated version of Mormon.org.
They stated that lds.org was designed for the needs of members of the church and mormon.org was designed for those not of our faith.
The bishop stated that airing our tires and putting gas in our cars may seem boring, but we don't get far without doing those things. The same is true of the basics of the gospel.
Youth Speaker
She talked about the Proclamation on the Family and its importance. She also talked about the things her family does together.
First Adult Speaker
She just returned from a mission to New Jersey.
3 Nephi 13:33
33 But aseek ye first the bkingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Tithing is used for the building up of the kingdom of God. It is something we give back to God. It is a privilege.
Mal. 3: 10
10 Bring ye all the atithes into the storehouse, that there may be bmeat in mine house, and cprove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not dopen you the ewindows of heaven, and pour you out a fblessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Test him to see if he will bless you.
Tithing is one of the biggest expressions of our faith. Money is hard to come by and necessary for our survival these days. Even when people paid in chickens and such they were giving the things they needed for life. and had to trust that He would care for them.
There was a flute and piano duet of Come Follow Me
Second Adult Speaker
Often we prepare talks and lessons for us more than for those we teach.
Salt
- Kill Germs
- Preserves Food
- Flavors Food
- If it loses its savor it is good for nothing and can't do those things anymore.
- Only loses its savor through contamination, otherwise it would stay functional forever.
Things that invite to do good is of God.
Still small voice is something we feel more than we hear.
From the Bulletin:
Stand Close and Lift Where You Stand
In a message to instruct the brethren that we are all responsible an accountable fo moving the Lord's (our) work forward, President Uchtdorf compared this great work in the Gospel to that of moving a large grand piano. When the brethren in a LDS building in Germany could not carry the grand piano from the chapel to the cultural hall, a wise brother suggested that the brethren "Stand Close And Lift Where You Stand." When they did, the piano moved almost effortlessly.
So, brothers and sisters, let us get a little closer together - watching out to reach other in home and visiting teaching, etc. - and left one another in the area we are called to STAND (not sit). Without the consistent closeness and support of each other, we will never move our "grand piano" of challenges forward either.
The Benfeit of Helping Others
We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own. (Ben Sweetland)
The Bishop
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