Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah May 5-30-2010

2 Kings 6:14-17

  14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

  15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

  16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

  17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his ^aeyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and ^bchariots of fire round about Elisha.

"As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7: 7-11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." (Bible Dictionary, Prayer)

3 And this is ^alife ^beternal, that they might ^cknow thee the only true ^dGod, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast ^esent. (John 17:3)

Heavenly father wants to bless us more, but we have to work and we have to ask.

Even Jesus prayed for something he wanted but in the end told the father he would do the father's will.

A big part of prayer is being patient and waiting on the Lord

Ruth 3:11

  11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a ^avirtuous woman.

Here is a list of scriptures the teacher passed out:

1. Ruth 1:1-2

2. Ruth 1:4

3. Ruth 1:7-13

4. Ruth 1:16-17

5. Ruth 2:2

6. Ruth 2:1,3

7. Ruth 2:5-7,11

8. Ruth 3:1-5

9. Ruth 3:8-15.

10. Ruth 4:17, 21-22

11. John 7: 42

12. 1 Samuel 1:11

13. 1 Samuel 1:9-12

14. 1 Samuel 1:17

15. 1 Samuel 1:18

Here is a couple of questions the teach handed out:

If your character were to be described in just a few words, what would you want those words to be?  What is one thing you can do this week to come closer to matching that desired description?

From the Bulletins:

"How can we then best prepare for the changes we must inevitably face as we progress through life?

• First, follow the Prophets

• Second, keep an eternal perspective

• Third, have faith

• Fourth, be of good cheer

In Times of change we must keep faith and remember the word of President Hinckley, "faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other". Our mortal existence is a time of testing or a time "to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them" (Abraham 3:25). In order to test our use of our God-given agency, we as mortals undergo a series of changes, challenges, trials, and temptations as we proceed through life. Only then are we properly tested. Too often we are reluctant to enter the next stage, begin the next challenge. Maybe we are too comfortable, fearful, or lacking in faith. If we remember that trees exposed to high winds grow to be stronger then those that are not we realize that every change or trial in our lives is there to strengthen us and prepare us for the future trials of our faith, deepening our roots if you will." See also: Elder Steven E. Snow, Ensign, May 2009, 81 - 83.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah May 5-23-2010

I was sick today, so all I have is the message in the bulletin.

From the Bulletin:

Why do we send missionaries around the world — about 56,000+ now? In fulfillment of multiple Biblical prophecies, missionaries from the restored Church of Jesus Christ are seeking to help people find peace, joy, truth, unity and understanding AND are helping them to grow in their relationships with Christ — HE being the author and finisher of our joy and covenants.

Peace on earth has never come by nor will ever come by the intrigue of tenuous political treaties, by continual compromise of true principles, or by seeping "political correctness." Peace — that internal rightness with God —only comes as we continually seek and abide by principles that are eternally bound to Jesus Christ and by our growing desires and actions that bind us to HIM. Though the world continues to create other blurry and seductive pathways, following Christ is the only way to true and lasting peace here and in life hereafter.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah May 5-16-2010

"It is clear that our first priority should go to spiritual learning. Reading the scriptures would come for us before reading history books. Prayer would come before memorizing those Spanish verbs. A temple recommend would be worth more to us than standing first in our graduating class. But it is also clear that spiritual learning would not replace our drive for secular learning." (Elder Henry B. Eyring, "Education for Real Life", CES Fireside for Young Adults, 6 May 2001)

What are some powers and gifts a prophet has?

• “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).
• They bring us addition light as the world needs it.
• He represents God on earth.
• He presides on earth over the high priesthood.
• He gives an authoritative voice to doctrinal disputes.

Doctrine and Covenants 138

The length of time that Moses served as prophet and the great things that the Lord did through him may have made Joshua insecure and may have made it hard for the people to accept a new prophet.

Joshua 24:15

  15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, ^achoose you ^bthis day whom ye will ^cserve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my ^dhouse, we will ^eserve theLord.

We often just see the "choose ye this day" and the "me and my house will serve the Lord", but what are they choosing if not choosing to serve the Lord.  They are choosing to server other gods, not just choosing to not serve the Lord.  Other gods are anything that keeps us from serving the Lord.

We are constantly in new stations in life and going through different situations, so each time we read the scriptures we may get something different out of them.

Doctrine and Covenants 8: 10

  10 Remember that without ^afaith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ^bask for that which you ought not.

“Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel. He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.

“I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, ‘The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.’ I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: ‘You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you’ ” (Elder Boyd K. Packer, “The Edge of the Light,” BYU Today, Mar. 1991, 22–23).

1 Corinthians 2:11
  11 For what man ^aknoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God ^bknoweth no man, ^cbut the^dSpirit of God.

If you don't know how to add you can not understand algebra.  So it is with the gospel.  Many things are hard to explain to others until they have an understanding of more basic things.

John 14:26
  26 But the ^aComforter, which is the ^bHoly Ghost, whom the Father will send in my ^cname, he shall ^dteach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah April 5-9-2010

Alma 1

How the wicked behaved:

  16 Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching ^afalse doctrines; and this they did for the sake of ^briches and honor.

How the righteous behaved:

  29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly ^arich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of ^bsilk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely ^ccloth.

  30 And thus, in their ^aprosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were ^bnaked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon ^criches; therefore they were ^dliberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no ^erespect to persons as to those who stood in need.

"The object of prayer is not to change the will of God..." - (Bible Dictionary, Prayer)

We pray in the name of Jesus because he is our mediator or access to the father.  We also end in his name as etiquette, much like saying goodbye before you hang up the phone.

“The worst fear I have about this people is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and His people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution and be true. But my greatest fear is that they cannot stand wealth” (quoted in Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, 48).

Deut 8:4

  4 ^aThy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

Apparently the clothes of the Israelites did not wear out during that forty years, in spite of all their travel and the length of time.
"Most men worry about succeeding in their life’s work and spend much time and effort at their profession. But I’ve learned that the way to put one’s professional life in order is to put one’s personal life in order. How can we be adequate at anything professionally without being adequate as men, husbands, and fathers first? And yet, we often shortchange those who mean most to us, thinking that because of our special training and special knowledge, others have a greater claim on our time and concern than our own families. I fully recognize that the work my wife did in my home was more important to me than any work I did." (Elder James E. Faust, "Brethren, Love Your Wives", Ensign July 1981)

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah May 5-9-2010

Alma 1

How the wicked behaved:

  16 Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching ^afalse doctrines; and this they did for the sake of ^briches and honor.

How the righteous behaved:

  29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly ^arich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of ^bsilk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely ^ccloth.

  30 And thus, in their ^aprosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were ^bnaked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon ^criches; therefore they were ^dliberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no ^erespect to persons as to those who stood in need.

"The object of prayer is not to change the will of God..." - (Bible Dictionary, Prayer)

We pray in the name of Jesus because he is our mediator or access to the father.  We also end in his name as etiquette, much like saying goodbye before you hang up the phone.

“The worst fear I have about this people is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and His people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution and be true. But my greatest fear is that they cannot stand wealth” (quoted in Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, 48).

Deut 8:4

  4 ^aThy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

Apparently the clothes of the Israelites did not wear out during that forty years, in spite of all their travel and the length of time.
"Most men worry about succeeding in their life’s work and spend much time and effort at their profession. But I’ve learned that the way to put one’s professional life in order is to put one’s personal life in order. How can we be adequate at anything professionally without being adequate as men, husbands, and fathers first? And yet, we often shortchange those who mean most to us, thinking that because of our special training and special knowledge, others have a greater claim on our time and concern than our own families. I fully recognize that the work my wife did in my home was more important to me than any work I did." (Elder James E. Faust, "Brethren, Love Your Wives", Ensign July 1981)

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah May 5-2-2010

Alma 37:37

  37 ^aCounsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for ^bgood; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the ^cmorning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Continue in Patience - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Patience
Several commandments are commandments of patience.

• Chastity
• Sabbath
• Stay out of debt
• Be selective with the media we partake of
• Raising children

Doctrine and Covenants 98:2

  2 ^aWaiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.

Proverbs 20:22

22 Say not thou, I will ^arecompense evil; but ^bwait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

Psalms 27:14

 14 ^aWait on the Lord: be of good ^bcourage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: ^cwait, I say, on the Lord.

Psalms 37:7-9

  7 Rest in the Lord, and wait ^apatiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

  8 ^aCease from ^banger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

  9 For evildoers shall be ^acut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the ^bearth.

Psalms 25:5

  5 ^aLead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I ^bwait all the day.

Isaiah 40:31

  31 But they that ^await upon the Lord shall ^brenew their ^cstrength; they shall mount up with wings as ^deagles; they shall ^erun, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Hosea 12:6

  6 Therefore ^aturn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

1 Nephi 21:23

  23 And ^akings shall be thy ^bnursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that ^cwait for me.

What would god be like without patience?

In whatever we want to receive we have to do our part.  Not just pray.  Not just throw it on a credit card.

It appears that Balaam did not want to go against the commands of God, but he also wanted early rewards from the wicked.  He ended up getting caught in the middle and was killed.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah May 5-2-2010

Alma 37:37

  37 ^aCounsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for ^bgood; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the ^cmorning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Continue in Patience - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Patience
Several commandments are commandments of patience.

• Chastity
• Sabbath
• Stay out of debt
• Be selective with the media we partake of
• Raising children

Doctrine and Covenants 98:2

  2 ^aWaiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.

Proverbs 20:22

22 Say not thou, I will ^arecompense evil; but ^bwait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

Psalms 27:14

 14 ^aWait on the Lord: be of good ^bcourage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: ^cwait, I say, on the Lord.

Psalms 37:7-9

  7 Rest in the Lord, and wait ^apatiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

  8 ^aCease from ^banger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

  9 For evildoers shall be ^acut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the ^bearth.

Psalms 25:5

  5 ^aLead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I ^bwait all the day.

Isaiah 40:31

  31 But they that ^await upon the Lord shall ^brenew their ^cstrength; they shall mount up with wings as ^deagles; they shall ^erun, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Hosea 12:6

  6 Therefore ^aturn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

1 Nephi 21:23

  23 And ^akings shall be thy ^bnursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that ^cwait for me.

What would god be like without patience?

In whatever we want to receive we have to do our part.  Not just pray.  Not just throw it on a credit card.

It appears that Balaam did not want to go against the commands of God, but he also wanted early rewards from the wicked.  He ended up getting caught in the middle and was killed.