Elders Quorum
The lesson was based on “The Vision of Prophets regarding Relief Society: Faith, Family, Relief”, Julie B Beck, April 2012 General Conference
“I will organize the women under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood. … The Church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized.” (Quoted in Sarah Granger Kimball, “Auto-biography,” Woman’s Exponent, Sept. 1, 1883, p. 51)
The title "relief" society is instructive to its purpose.
We as fathers need to show our daughters that being a mother is a sacred thing. Not just raising children, but being a nurturer in their communities, even if they do not have children. When we hear doctrines of the world as to what women should be, especially those that conflict with motherhood, we need to we need to testify of the truth to them.
The relief society was not created as busy work. It was created because there is a real need.
Sunday School
“Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers” (Mosiah 26:1)
Mosiah 26:25-26
25 And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me.
26 And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed.
-Tthe second trump starts the second resurrection
We as humans love to have authority, but we hate to have responsibility. Thus, we love to pass judgement on others, but dread to be called to positions of responsibility in the church.
70 times 7 is an expression from Hebrew that basically means infinity plus one or to forgive completely and entirely.
Holding a grudge is like drinking poison in order to harm the person we have a grudge against
.
Disciplinary actions of the church have 3 purposes. 1 - To help a person repent. 2 - To protect the innocent. 3 - To protect the good name of the church.
Sacrament Service
Alma 5:11-14
11 Behold, I can tell you—did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi? And was he not a holy prophet? Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them?
12 And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
13 And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
Doctrine and Covenants 59:4
4 And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time—they that are faithful and diligent before me.
This scriptures seems to be tieing blessings to commandments. People generally equal restrictiveness and having something taken away from them when they are given commandments and guidelines, rather than being given more and gaining freedom.
Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-11
9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;
10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;
11 Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times;
It says we should keep our covenants everyday, but Sunday more so. This scripture says that on the sabbath we should go to the house of pray and offer up our sacraments. Additionally it says the DAY is to rest from OUR labors and pay devotion unto the most high. The entire day to rest and the entire day to pay devotion to God. Not just for the time we are in church services, but all day. Not go to church and then go play with your family, but all day pay devotions to the Most High.
How can we make the most out of the lord's day?
Sometimes we think of resting from our labors as merely letting the hay baler stand idle in the field or putting a Closed sign on the business door. Yet in today’s world, labor includes the everyday work of our lives. This could mean business activities we may accomplish from home, athletic competitions, and other pursuits that take us away from Sabbath day worship and the opportunity to minister to others. (Elder L Tom Perry, The Sabbath and the Sacrament, April 2011 General Conference)
Moroni 7:48
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.
The sabbath is a day of rest. Rest does not equal recreation.
“Whether at home or in church, your thoughts and your conduct should be always in harmony with the spirit and purpose of the Sabbath. Places of amusement and recreation, while at proper times may serve a needed end, are not conducive of spiritual growth and such places will not keep you ‘unspotted from the world’ but will rather deny you the ‘fullness of the earth’ promised to those who comply with the law of the Sabbath. You who make the violation of the Sabbath a habit, by your failure to ‘keep it holy,’ are losing a soul full of joy in return for a thimble full of pleasure.” (Harold B Lee, Decisions for Successful Living, pp. 147–48.)
“Saturday is a special day.
It’s the day we get ready for Sunday:
We clean the house, and we shop at the store,
So we won’t have to work until Monday.
We brush our clothes, and we shine our shoes,
And we call it our get-the-work-done day.
Then we trim our nails, and we shampoo our hair,
So we can be ready for Sunday!” (“Saturday:, Primary Children’s Song Book)
“We do not go to Sabbath meetings to be entertained or even solely to be instructed. We go to worship the Lord. It is an individual responsibility, and regardless of what is said from the pulpit, if one wishes to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, he may do so by attending his meetings, partaking of the sacrament, and contemplating the beauties of the gospel. If the service is a failure to you, you have failed. No one can worship for you; you must do your own waiting upon the Lord.” (Spencer W Kimball, Ensign, Jan. 1978, 4–5)
“I have noticed that an increasing number of our leaders and members do not sing the congregational songs. Perhaps they do not know them or there are not enough hymnbooks. We should sing the songs of Zion—they are an essential part of our worship.” (Elder Boyd K Packer, “Reverence Invites Revelation”, October 1991 General Conference)
“I believe He also desires us to dress appropriately. Our youth may think the old saying “Sunday best” is outdated. Still, we know that when Sunday dress deteriorates to everyday attire, attitudes and actions follow. Of course, it may not be necessary for our children to wear formal Sunday attire until the sun goes down. However, by the clothing we encourage them to wear and the activities we plan, we help them prepare for the sacrament and enjoy its blessings throughout the day.” (Elder L Tom Perry, “The Sabbath and the Sacrament”, General Conference April 2011)
People seem to get caught up in the part about “may not be necessary for our children to wear formal attire until the sun goes down.” They miss the phrase “formal Sunday attire”. Elder Perry didn’t say they should not stay in Sunday attire, he said it didn’t have to be formal. I interpret that to mean ties, suit coats, and perhaps stockings. The rest of the quote seems to indicate that The entire day should be Sunday attire. After all it is Sunday attire and it is Sunday.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 20 May 2012
Ward Council
From Handbook 2
“17.1 Where Uniformity Is Required
“To know which adaptations might be appropriate, leaders must first
understand the doctrines, ordinances, and practices that are
established by the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets
and apostles. These are to be uniform throughout the Church.
“Stake presidents, bishops, and other local leaders have a sacred
obligation to maintain the uniformity and purity of the Church in all
of the categories outlined below. This need for uniformity is based on
the scriptural principle of ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism’
(Ephesians 4:5; see also Mosiah 18:21).”
Ephesians 4
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one
hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
We maintain unity in the church not because we are mindless followers, but because it binds us together. If we are wise we will cling first to our identity as Saints and not by what school we went to, what ailments we have, what our race is, what our profession is, or anything that is less than the identity of being a member of the Lord's household.
Elders Quorum
Reading the Scriptures
Reading scriptures with kids is a great way to teach them to read.
At different stages of life we get different things out of different parts of the scriptures.
“We may not possess a library of two or three thousand volumes, but we may possess at small cost a priceless library that has cost the best blood that has ever been in this world.” (President George Albert Smith, In Conference Report, Oct. 1917, 43)
Sunday School
Mosiah 18-24
We make covenants with God through ordinances.
How did Alma know how to baptize and how did he get his authority? Was he around before Noah was king? Was the church in place, while corrupted somewhat by the priests? Is there more to Abinadi's speech or ministry that we do not have in the Book of Mormon?
Sacrament Service
Mosiah 2:9
9 And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.
Mosiah 18:8-10
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses 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 first 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 baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
Our (men) most important callings in life are in this order:
1. Husband (if you are given this calling)
2. Father (if you are given this opportunity)
3. Home teacher
John 10 - parable of the good shepherd.
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
We should put God first in our lives. We should help our spouses to put God first in their lives.
From the Bulletin
President Wilford Woodruff (1807 — 1898), who served as President of the Church during some of its most difficult times, taught this about the importance of the Holy Ghost: "Every man or woman that has ever entered into the church of God, and been baptized for the remission of sins
[and received the gift of the Holy Ghost] has a right to revelation, a right to the Spirit of God, to assist them in their labors."
President Woodruff explained that "this Spirit reveals, day by day, to every man who has faith, those things which are for his benefit." This is the gift God has given to sustain us in our difficult journey through mortality when we walk by faith.
If we are to have this precious guidance, we must keep the commandments. President Woodruff taught: "The Holy Ghost will not dwell in an unholy tabernacle. If you would enjoy the full powers and gifts of your religion, you must be pure. If you are guilty of weakness, follies and sins, you must repent of them.”
From Handbook 2
“17.1 Where Uniformity Is Required
“To know which adaptations might be appropriate, leaders must first
understand the doctrines, ordinances, and practices that are
established by the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets
and apostles. These are to be uniform throughout the Church.
“Stake presidents, bishops, and other local leaders have a sacred
obligation to maintain the uniformity and purity of the Church in all
of the categories outlined below. This need for uniformity is based on
the scriptural principle of ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism’
(Ephesians 4:5; see also Mosiah 18:21).”
Ephesians 4
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one
hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
We maintain unity in the church not because we are mindless followers, but because it binds us together. If we are wise we will cling first to our identity as Saints and not by what school we went to, what ailments we have, what our race is, what our profession is, or anything that is less than the identity of being a member of the Lord's household.
Elders Quorum
Reading the Scriptures
Reading scriptures with kids is a great way to teach them to read.
At different stages of life we get different things out of different parts of the scriptures.
“We may not possess a library of two or three thousand volumes, but we may possess at small cost a priceless library that has cost the best blood that has ever been in this world.” (President George Albert Smith, In Conference Report, Oct. 1917, 43)
Sunday School
Mosiah 18-24
We make covenants with God through ordinances.
How did Alma know how to baptize and how did he get his authority? Was he around before Noah was king? Was the church in place, while corrupted somewhat by the priests? Is there more to Abinadi's speech or ministry that we do not have in the Book of Mormon?
Sacrament Service
Mosiah 2:9
9 And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.
Mosiah 18:8-10
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses 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 first 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 baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
Our (men) most important callings in life are in this order:
1. Husband (if you are given this calling)
2. Father (if you are given this opportunity)
3. Home teacher
John 10 - parable of the good shepherd.
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
We should put God first in our lives. We should help our spouses to put God first in their lives.
From the Bulletin
President Wilford Woodruff (1807 — 1898), who served as President of the Church during some of its most difficult times, taught this about the importance of the Holy Ghost: "Every man or woman that has ever entered into the church of God, and been baptized for the remission of sins
[and received the gift of the Holy Ghost] has a right to revelation, a right to the Spirit of God, to assist them in their labors."
President Woodruff explained that "this Spirit reveals, day by day, to every man who has faith, those things which are for his benefit." This is the gift God has given to sustain us in our difficult journey through mortality when we walk by faith.
If we are to have this precious guidance, we must keep the commandments. President Woodruff taught: "The Holy Ghost will not dwell in an unholy tabernacle. If you would enjoy the full powers and gifts of your religion, you must be pure. If you are guilty of weakness, follies and sins, you must repent of them.”
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 13 May 2012
Elders Quorum
George Albert Smith manual - chapter 9
“I was trained at the knee of a Latter-day Saint mother. One of the first things I remember was when she took me by the hand and led me upstairs. In the room there were two beds, the bed in which my parents slept, and a little trundle bed over on the other side. I can remember it as if it were yesterday. When we got upstairs, she sat down by my little trundle bed. She had me kneel in front of her. She folded my hands and took them in hers, and taught me my first prayer. I will never forget it. I do not want to forget it. It is one of the loveliest memories that I have in life, an angelic mother sitting down by my bedside and teaching me to pray.”
Even if our prayers sometimes feel lame, we should still pray everyday. If we make it a habit not all prayers will be golden, but the will get better at it over time. If we don't make it happen and
only prayer when we have a solid prayer to give then you will have much fewer solid prayers than if it was a habit to do it daily whether a perfect prayer or not. Empty prayers often times become good prayers as we are delivering them..
Sunday School
Mosiah 12-17
Part of the reason we have the scriptures is so that we can learn from others mistakes. Have we learned from them or do we still choose to learn by making the same mistakes ourselves?
The priests of King Noah pulled out Isaiah to try trip up Abinadi and they end up being hoisted on their own petard.
The law of Moses was a temporary thing.
Mosiah 13:28-31
28 And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses.
29 And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law; for they were a stiff necked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their God;
30 Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him.
31 But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types of things to come.
Galatians 3:24
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
As children get older some of our rules change for them. Even for different children with different personalities, challenges, and so forth we have to adapt the rules. The same with the Law of Moses and
the Lord.
Sacrament Service
My daughter gave a mother's day talk about her mother.
She talked about my wife's epilepsy and my wife's attitude toward it.
One of the other speakers talked about his wife and some of the struggles she has gone through recently.
John 15:13
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
‘One cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God.” (President Thomas S Monson, “Behold Thy Mother”, Esign April 1998)
One speaker talked about the power of a mother's example.
The 2000 stripling warriors - mama's boys
Alma 56:48
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
From the Bulletin
"We are living in a great season for all women in the Church. Sisters, you are an essential part of our Heavenly Father's plan for eternal happiness; you are endowed with a divine birthright. You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Influence of Righteous Women," Ensign, Sept. 2009, 7–8
George Albert Smith manual - chapter 9
“I was trained at the knee of a Latter-day Saint mother. One of the first things I remember was when she took me by the hand and led me upstairs. In the room there were two beds, the bed in which my parents slept, and a little trundle bed over on the other side. I can remember it as if it were yesterday. When we got upstairs, she sat down by my little trundle bed. She had me kneel in front of her. She folded my hands and took them in hers, and taught me my first prayer. I will never forget it. I do not want to forget it. It is one of the loveliest memories that I have in life, an angelic mother sitting down by my bedside and teaching me to pray.”
Even if our prayers sometimes feel lame, we should still pray everyday. If we make it a habit not all prayers will be golden, but the will get better at it over time. If we don't make it happen and
only prayer when we have a solid prayer to give then you will have much fewer solid prayers than if it was a habit to do it daily whether a perfect prayer or not. Empty prayers often times become good prayers as we are delivering them..
Sunday School
Mosiah 12-17
Part of the reason we have the scriptures is so that we can learn from others mistakes. Have we learned from them or do we still choose to learn by making the same mistakes ourselves?
The priests of King Noah pulled out Isaiah to try trip up Abinadi and they end up being hoisted on their own petard.
The law of Moses was a temporary thing.
Mosiah 13:28-31
28 And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses.
29 And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law; for they were a stiff necked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their God;
30 Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him.
31 But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types of things to come.
Galatians 3:24
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
As children get older some of our rules change for them. Even for different children with different personalities, challenges, and so forth we have to adapt the rules. The same with the Law of Moses and
the Lord.
Sacrament Service
My daughter gave a mother's day talk about her mother.
She talked about my wife's epilepsy and my wife's attitude toward it.
One of the other speakers talked about his wife and some of the struggles she has gone through recently.
John 15:13
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
‘One cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God.” (President Thomas S Monson, “Behold Thy Mother”, Esign April 1998)
One speaker talked about the power of a mother's example.
The 2000 stripling warriors - mama's boys
Alma 56:48
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
From the Bulletin
"We are living in a great season for all women in the Church. Sisters, you are an essential part of our Heavenly Father's plan for eternal happiness; you are endowed with a divine birthright. You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Influence of Righteous Women," Ensign, Sept. 2009, 7–8
Sunday, May 06, 2012
Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 6 May 2012
Ward Council
Gratitude
Elder Paul B Pieper, To Hold Sacred, General Conference April 2012
“Daily reflecting upon and recording the impressions that come from
the Spirit serve the dual purposes of helping us (1) to recognize our
personal encounters with the divine and (2) to preserve them for
ourselves and our posterity. Recording them is also a formal
recognition and acknowledgment of our gratitude to God,”
Doctrine and Covenants 59:21
21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath
kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey
not his commandments.
Section 13 of Handbook 2, Activities- 13.1, Purposes of Church Activities and 13.2.1, Responsibility for Planning Activities
Elders Quorum
Section 7 of Handbook 2 - Melchizedek Priesthood
7.4 - Home Teaching
The summary of this section of the handbook is to love them.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:99
99 Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
Alma 36:12-24
12 But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins.
13 Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelledagainst my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments.
14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
15 Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.
17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
22 Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there.
23 But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God.
24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 1:8
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Luke 2:40
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Life is a growing process.
Isaiah 28:9-10
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Growth is brought by small steps.
Moroni 10:3-5
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Dnc 121:45-46
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.
“You and I hold priesthood authority that has been returned to the earth in this dispensation by heavenly messengers, even John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John. And therefore every man who receives the Melchizedek Priesthood can trace his personal line of authority directly to the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope we are grateful for this marvelous blessing. I pray we will be clean and worthy to represent the Lord as we exercise His sacred authority. May each of us qualify for priesthood power.” (Elder David A Bednar, ‘The Powers of Heaven”, General Conference April 2012)
Sunday School
The instructor said that to teach is to draw forth what is already there.
Halfway through class I went and visited the youth Sunday school.
They were talking about Jacob 5 and the Allegory of the Olive Tree just like the adult class had last week.
Gratitude
Elder Paul B Pieper, To Hold Sacred, General Conference April 2012
“Daily reflecting upon and recording the impressions that come from
the Spirit serve the dual purposes of helping us (1) to recognize our
personal encounters with the divine and (2) to preserve them for
ourselves and our posterity. Recording them is also a formal
recognition and acknowledgment of our gratitude to God,”
Doctrine and Covenants 59:21
21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath
kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey
not his commandments.
Section 13 of Handbook 2, Activities- 13.1, Purposes of Church Activities and 13.2.1, Responsibility for Planning Activities
Elders Quorum
Section 7 of Handbook 2 - Melchizedek Priesthood
7.4 - Home Teaching
The summary of this section of the handbook is to love them.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:99
99 Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
Alma 36:12-24
12 But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins.
13 Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelledagainst my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments.
14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
15 Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.
17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
22 Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there.
23 But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God.
24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 1:8
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Luke 2:40
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Life is a growing process.
Isaiah 28:9-10
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Growth is brought by small steps.
Moroni 10:3-5
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Dnc 121:45-46
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.
“You and I hold priesthood authority that has been returned to the earth in this dispensation by heavenly messengers, even John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John. And therefore every man who receives the Melchizedek Priesthood can trace his personal line of authority directly to the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope we are grateful for this marvelous blessing. I pray we will be clean and worthy to represent the Lord as we exercise His sacred authority. May each of us qualify for priesthood power.” (Elder David A Bednar, ‘The Powers of Heaven”, General Conference April 2012)
Sunday School
The instructor said that to teach is to draw forth what is already there.
Halfway through class I went and visited the youth Sunday school.
They were talking about Jacob 5 and the Allegory of the Olive Tree just like the adult class had last week.
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