Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah September 9-26-2010

Doctrine and Covenants 78:18
 18 And ye cannot abear all things now; nevertheless, be of good bcheer, for I will clead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the driches of eeternity are yours.

Lesson material was taken from Elder Jeffery R. Holland’s April 2010 conference talk, “Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul”

“Most days we all find ourselves assaulted by immoral messages of some kind flooding in on us from every angle. The darker sides of the movie, television, and music industry step further and further into offensive language and sexual misconduct. Tragically, the same computer and Internet service that allows me to do my family history and prepare those names for temple work could, without filters and controls, allow my children or grandchildren access to a global cesspool of perceptions that could blast a crater in their brains forever.”

The phrase “blast a crater in their brains forever” might seem a bit inflammatory, but the things you hear and see can stay in your mind for a very long time much like a crater takes a long, long time to fill in through natural forces.

Lust vs Love

• Characteristics of Lust

• Selfish
• Right now
• Easy to find
• Cheap
• Fleeting - does not endure
• Leads to regret
• Immature
• Distracting
• Insatiable
• Erodes trust

• Characteristics of Love

• Selfless - giving of self
• Eternal
• Mature
• Takes work to find and maintain
• When displayed in our countenance we are more successful in life
• Builds trust from those around us

• Protection again lust

• Take a stand when foul things are around us.
• Remember the sacrament prayer - "Most people in trouble end up crying, ‘What was I thinking?’ Well, whatever they were thinking, they weren’t thinking of Christ. Yet, as members of His Church, we pledge every Sunday of our lives to take upon ourselves His name and promise to ‘always remember him.’”
• Make the decision quick and before hand.

2 Nephi 4:28
28 Awake, my soul! No longer adroop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the benemy of my soul.

The teacher handed out this list of scriptures and quotes to go with the lesson:
1. Isaiah 22:22
2. Revelation 3:7-8
3. 2 Nephi 9:41
4. 2 Nephi 9:45
5. Isaiah 24:21-22
6. D&C 138:32
7. Isaiah 42:5-7
8. D&C 138:29-37
9. Isaiah 25:6-7
10. Moses 7:26
11. Isaiah 25:7-9
12. Isaiah 25:8
13. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
14. Alma 11:43-44
15. Quote: The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "When the voice calls for the dead to arise, ... what would be the first joy of my heart? To meet my father, my mother, my brother, my sister; and when they are by my side, I embrace them and they me" (Teachings of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 295-96).
16. Mosiah 3:17
17. Helaman 5:12
18. D&C 50:44

What is spirit prison?  “...a temporary place in the postmortal world for those who died without a knowledge of the truth or those who were disobedient in mortality.” (Gospel Topics, Hell)

A feast - I think of it like being presented with more food than you can consume in one session and yet are well fed.  The same it is with the temple, scripture study, or general  conference.

I go to Golden Coral and I am presented with more than I can eat.  I enjoy it more if I focus on a few items each time I go and don't try to eat it all at once.  Yet at the same time a feast is very focused on consuming and enjoying the material you do choose.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah September 9-19-2010

2 Nephi 25:23-26
 23 For we labor diligently to write, to apersuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by bgrace that we are saved, after all we can cdo.
 24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we akeep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.
 25 For, for this end was the alaw given; wherefore the law hath become bdead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.
 26 And we atalk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we bprophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our cchildren may know to what source they may look for a dremission of their sins.

• What is faith?
  Faith is a principle of action.  Belief is the first step of that, without acting on that belief that faith is dead and no more.

When we have faith we exercise that faith move.

• Why should we have faith in Christ?
  Faith produces results.  Christ is perfect, so faith in Christ produces perfection as we exercise our faith in him.  It may take a long time to attain, but little by little we get closer and closer to perfection.

• How can we increase our faith?
  We increase faith by exercising it.  Just like we increase muscle or brain power by exercising it.
• What are blessings of faith in Christ?
  Things work much better when you use them correctly.  Christ is our model for how to live life correctly.  When we do so life works much better.

The teacher passed out this list of scriptures to go with the lesson.
1. Doctrine and Covenants 45:32
2. Doctrine and Covenants 87:8
3. Doctrine and Covenants 101:22
4. 3 Nephi 23:1
5. Isaiah 4:5-6
6. Isaiah 4:5
7. 2 Nephi 14:5
8. Isaiah 2:2-3
9. Isaiah 5:26-29
10. Isaiah 6:1-4
11. Isaiah 6:5
12. Isaiah 6:6-7
13. Isaiah 6:8
14.     Abraham 3:27
15. 2 Nephi 11:8

Isaiah 2:2-3
 2 And it shall come to pass in the alast days, that the bmountain of the Lord’s chouse shall be destablished in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all enations shall flow unto it.
 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us ago up to the bmountain of the Lord, to the chouse of the God of Jacob; and he will dteach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of eZion shall go forth the flaw, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Let’s not confuse the word establish to mean that Zion is only “in the top of the mountains”.  Let us also not ignore the phrase “in the mountains” because Zion exists where ever there is a stake organized.  Zion was indeed established in the mountains and it has spread forth to begin to fill the whole earth.

Memorize yours and your spouse's patriarchal blessing, so you can ponder it frequently, even in the temple.

Why is it called the mountain of the Lord?  One reason could be because the prophets of the Lord use to go to the mountains when there was no temple.

Isaiah 5:26-29
 26 ¶ And he will lift up an aensign to the nations from far, and will bhiss unto them from the cend of the earth: and, behold, they shall dcome with speed swiftly:
 27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
 28 Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses’ hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:
 29 Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young alions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the bprey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.

The word hiss in the scriptures sometimes mean a whistle or a way to get someone's attention.



Sacrament Service
Missionary who just returned from the Florida Jacksonville mission spoke to us.

Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–6
 4 Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give aheed unto all his words and bcommandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all choliness before me;
 5 For his aword ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
 6 For by doing these things the agates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of bdarkness from before you, and cause the heavens to cshake for your dgood, and his name’s eglory.



“The living prophet is more vital to us than the Standard Works.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)

“The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)

“The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or diplomas to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

Sometimes there are those who feel their earthly knowledge on a certain subject is superior to the heavenly knowledge which God gives to his prophet on the same subject. They feel the prophet must have the same earthly credentials or training which they have had before they will accept anything the prophet has to say that might contradict their earthly schooling. How much earthly schooling did Joseph Smith have? Yet he gave revelations on all kinds of subjects. We haven’t yet had a prophet who earned a doctorate degree in any subject. We encourage earthly knowledge in many areas, but remember if there is ever a conflict between earthly knowledge and the words of the prophet, you stand with the prophet and you’ll be blessed and time will show you have done the right thing.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)



“The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.”  (President Ezra Taft Benson, Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)



“The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)



From the Bulletin
"You might ask yourself, 'Do I see the calling of the prophets and apostles as sacred? Do I treat their counsel seriously, or is it a light thing with me?" President Gordon B. Hinckley, for instance, has counseled us to pursue education and vocational training; to avoid pornography as a plague; to respect women; to eliminate consumer debt; to be grateful, smart, clean, true, humble, and prayerful; and to do our best, our very best." Do your actions show that you want to know and do what he teaches? Do you actively study his works and the statements of the Brethren? Is this something you hunger and thirst for? If so, you have a sense of the sacredness of the calling of prophets as the witnesses and messengers of the Son of God." Elder D.Todd Christofferson, "A Sense of the Sacred," CES fireside for young adults, Nov. 7. 2004.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah September 9-12-2010

1 Nephi 1:12  12 And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the aSpirit of the Lord.

Priesthood authority

Joseph wasn't looking to start a church when he prayed to god.  He was trying to know which he should join.

What some differences between the ancient church and the modern church?

• All of us have access to print and to read the scriptures in our homes and on the go.

• The words of the prophet and apostles can be accessed around the world in a timely manner if not instantly.

Amos 3:7  7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, abut he brevealeth his csecret unto his servants the dprophets.

The teacher handed out this list of scriptures:

1. Amos 5:6
2. Joel 2:28
3. Amos 3:6-7
4. Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-38
5. Doctrine and Covenants 21:4-5
6. Doctrine and Covenants 21:6
7. Amos 7:10-13
8. Amos 7:14-17
9. Amos 8:11-13
10. Joseph Smith – History 1:41
11. Joel 2:28-32

Amos was an obedient, humble, and bold.  Do we often think of humility and boldness being contained within one person?

President Hinckley’s conference talk from Saturday morning October 2001, Living in the Fulness of Times,  was referenced in the lesson.

President Hinckley said, “The era in which we live is the fulness of times spoken of in the scriptures, when God has brought together all of the elements of previous dispensations. From the day that He and His Beloved Son manifested themselves to the boy Joseph, there has been a tremendous cascade of enlightenment poured out upon the world. The hearts of men have turned to their fathers in fulfillment of the words of Malachi. The vision of Joel has been fulfilled wherein he declared:

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

“And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

“And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call” (Joel 2:28–32)

“There has been more of scientific discovery during these years than during all of the previous history of mankind. Transportation, communication, medicine, public hygiene, the unlocking of the atom, the miracle of the computer, with all of its ramifications, have blossomed forth, particularly in our own era. During my own lifetime, I have witnessed miracle after wondrous miracle come to pass.”

Moroni 10:32

 32 Yea, acome unto Christ, and be bperfected in him, and cdeny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and dlove God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be eperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of Go

Doctrine and Covenants 50:24-25
 24 That which is of God is alight; and he that breceiveth clight, and dcontinueth in God, receiveth more elight; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

 25 And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the atruth, that you may chase darkness from among you;

13th Article of Faith   
13 aWe believe in being bhonest, true, cchaste, dbenevolent, virtuous, and in doing egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we fhope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to gendure all things. If there is anything hvirtuous, ilovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Philipians 4: 8
 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are atrue, whatsoever things are bhonest, whatsoever things are cjust, whatsoever things are dpure, whatsoever things are elovely, fwhatsoever things are of good report; if there be any gvirtue, and if there be any praise, hthink on these things.

Proverbs 31:10-13  10 ¶ Who can find a avirtuous bwoman? for her price is far above rubies.
 11 The heart of her husband doth safely atrust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her ahands.

The defiinition for the word virtue on dictionary.com is moral excellence; goodness; righteousness.

From the Bulletin: "Now is the time for us to join in rescuing and preserving that which is 'virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.' As we allow virtue to garnish our thoughts unceasingly and we cultivate virtuous traits in our personal lives, our communities and institutions will be improved, our children and families will be strengthened, and faith and integrity will bless individual lives." Bishop H. David Burton, "Let Virtue Garnish Your Thoughts,"  Ensign, Nov 2009,78.