Primary
My daughter gave a talk today in Primary and this is what she said:
“The For the Strength of Youth had these thoughts on modesty:
“‘Your body is God’s sacred creation.’
“The way you dress ‘can show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.’
“‘The way you dress is a reflection of what you are on the inside.’
“‘Never lower your dress standards for any occasion.’
“‘If you are not sure what is appropriate, ask your parents or leaders for help.’”
Elders Quorum
The lesson was based on The Laborers in the Vineyard talk from conference by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
There is a cost the laborers at the end of the day had to pay before getting hired. They didn't know if they were going to get a job.
Those that come to Christ late have had to go through life without the spirit and have taken consequences for their not coming the Christ sooner.
Ether 12:27
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
Would we be angry if we found out Hitler made it to the celestial kingdom? Or would we be curious of how it was done? What would the Lord have had to do to instigate change in such a man?
Sunday School
Alma 12-16
Alma 10:22-23
22 Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword.
23 But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand except ye repent.
Alma 12:9
9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
Are we acting on what we are told and what are we doing with what we have been told? If we don't learn lesson 1 why would the Lord give us lesson 2. The lord gives us line upon line, little by little.
Alma 12:11
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.
Our bad choices bind us and we are lead to hell.
We are in the middle act of a three act play. If we don't understand something of act one and three act two doesn't make much sense.
The plan of redemption hinges on faith, repentance, and holy works.
We are given a plan and then are given commandments that if we follow them the plan will work.
Justice is an immutable law. Mercy fulfills the demands of justice.
Today priests are in charge of the sacrament. In the old testament the priests were in charge of the sacrifices at the temple.
Sacrament Service
A missionary that recently returned from the Texas Lubbock mission.
1 Nephi 3:7
7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go
and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the
Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall
prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he
commandeth them.
2 Nephi 2:27
27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
From the Bulletin
“...the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:540)
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 17 June 2012
Elders Quorum
Teachings of George Albert Smith, Chapter 12: An Enthusiastic Desire to Share the Gospel
The scariest time, generally, for missionaries worldwide to bring people to church is fast Sunday. In most wards you go to there are people getting up and expounding overly deep doctrine or even things that are not doctrine. There are also generally people that gets up and tells a long uncomfortable story about their life. Sometimes this is confessing sins or taking care of some sort of private business publicly.
A testimony is short and to the point. It testifies and gets out of the way for the spirit to carry that testimony to the heart of those that hear it. For further discussion on this topic see my post on Testimony (http://scripturetopics.blogspot.com/2012/04/testimony.html)
“Our Father’s children everywhere are anxious to know what they should do, but, by reason of the evil influences that have pervaded the earth, they have been deceived; honorable men of the earth are blinded to the truth. … The adversary is at work, and the only power that can neutralize his influence is the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (George Albert Smith, In Conference Report, Apr. 1922, 53)
“And Philip answered, “Why, he came from Nazareth.” And then the good man said, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said, “Come and see.” (See John 1:43–46.)
Nathanael had been taught to believe that no good could come from Nazareth, and yet he was the man whom the Savior later referred to as an Israelite without guile—a good man, but deceived because of the stories that he had heard.” (George Albert Smith, In Conference Report, Oct. 1945, 120)
Do we fail to listen to true messages we hear because of who said it? Do we feel we have to avoid living in a certain place or move because of the reputation of that place?
The Lord loves us enough to allow us to be crushed, at times, with trials to make us want to reach for something better.
Sunday School
Alma 8-12
The class member study guide had this chart in it comparing the teachings of Alma and Amulek:
The cities of Melek and Amonihah were three days apart.
Alma is chased out of the city and spit upon. After he leave an angel appears to him and tells him to rejoice. He's got to be feeling very poorly, but the angel says to rejoice. He tells him to rejoice because he has been faithful. Additionally, he needs to rejoice because the lord is sending him a companion with whom to preach the gospel.
Why do missionaries generally go in pairs like Alma and Amulek? Safety, compensate for each others' weaknesses, give more than one witness of the message.
Zeezrum takes Amulek’s words out of context and tries to use them against him.
God saves us from our sins, not in our sins.
If we continue in our sins we make the atonement of null effect, other than that we will be resurrected.
In chapter 12 Zeezrom changes in that now he asks questions he actually wants answers to rather just to trip him up.
Sacrament Service
One speaker spoke on helping our families stand in holy places.
Three focuses on standing in holy places are temple, home, and church
“We unavoidably stand in so many unholy places and are subjected to so much that is vulgar, profane, and destructive of the Spirit of the Lord that I encourage our Saints all over the world, wherever possible, to strive to stand more often in holy places. Our most holy places are our sacred temples. Within them is a feeling of sacred comfort. We should seek to be worthy to take our families to the temple to be sealed together for eternity. We should also search for the records of our kindred dead so that they too can be sealed to us in one of the temples.” (James E Faust, Standing in Holy Places, April 2005 General Conference)
We solidify our relationship with our spouse by attending the temple together.
“I encourage you to establish your own goal of how frequently you will avail yourself of the ordinances offered in our operating temples. What is there that is more important than attending and participating in the ordinances of the temple? What activity could have a greater impact and provide more joy and profound happiness for a couple than worshipping together in the temple?” (Elder RIchard G Scott, Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need, April 2009 General Conference)
“If every man in this church who has been ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood were to qualify himself to hold a temple recommend, and then were to go to the house of the Lord and renew his covenants in solemnity before God and witnesses, we would be a better people. There would be little or no infidelity among us. Divorce would almost entirely disappear. So much of heartache and heartbreak would be avoided. There would be a greater measure of peace and love and happiness in our homes. There would be fewer weeping wives and weeping children. There would be a greater measure of appreciation and of mutual respect among us. And I am confident the Lord would smile with greater favor upon us.” (President Gordon B Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1995, 53)
“In the peace of these lovely temples, sometimes we find solutions to the serious problems of life. Under the influence of the Spirit, sometimes pure knowledge flows to us there. Temples are places of personal revelation. When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart for answers. These answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, “What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children about the Temple”, Ensign Aug 1985)
“Our chapels are dedicated to the Lord as holy places. We are told we should go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments upon His holy day. 11 Partaking of the sacrament is a solemn and sacred privilege. In our chapels we are instructed in principles of the gospel, children are blessed, members are confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost, and testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel are borne. A convert in Texas said, when she walked through the chapel door, there was a feeling of holiness that she had never before experienced in her life.
“We must try harder to be a holy people. We live in the fulness of times. So much has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. This places upon us a special relationship to the Lord. We are the beneficiaries, guardians, and caretakers of these responsibilities under the delegation, authority, and direction of President Hinckley, who holds all the keys. As children of the Lord we should strive every day to rise to a higher level of personal righteousness in all of our actions. We need to guard constantly against all of Satan’s influences.” (President James E Faust, Standing In Holy Places, April 2005 General Conference)
Help children be reminded of family birthdays and other important dates.
Another speaker spoke on father.
The dictionary defines father as "male parent". A father is much more than a male parent, just as a mother does not just mean a female parent. One can operate in a father role without having children and one can operate as a father with regard to children that are not our children by law or by blood.
Make our conduct that which will allow us to be guided in our decisions and lives by the spirit of the Lord.
Teachings of George Albert Smith, Chapter 12: An Enthusiastic Desire to Share the Gospel
The scariest time, generally, for missionaries worldwide to bring people to church is fast Sunday. In most wards you go to there are people getting up and expounding overly deep doctrine or even things that are not doctrine. There are also generally people that gets up and tells a long uncomfortable story about their life. Sometimes this is confessing sins or taking care of some sort of private business publicly.
A testimony is short and to the point. It testifies and gets out of the way for the spirit to carry that testimony to the heart of those that hear it. For further discussion on this topic see my post on Testimony (http://scripturetopics.blogspot.com/2012/04/testimony.html)
“Our Father’s children everywhere are anxious to know what they should do, but, by reason of the evil influences that have pervaded the earth, they have been deceived; honorable men of the earth are blinded to the truth. … The adversary is at work, and the only power that can neutralize his influence is the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (George Albert Smith, In Conference Report, Apr. 1922, 53)
“And Philip answered, “Why, he came from Nazareth.” And then the good man said, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said, “Come and see.” (See John 1:43–46.)
Nathanael had been taught to believe that no good could come from Nazareth, and yet he was the man whom the Savior later referred to as an Israelite without guile—a good man, but deceived because of the stories that he had heard.” (George Albert Smith, In Conference Report, Oct. 1945, 120)
Do we fail to listen to true messages we hear because of who said it? Do we feel we have to avoid living in a certain place or move because of the reputation of that place?
The Lord loves us enough to allow us to be crushed, at times, with trials to make us want to reach for something better.
Sunday School
Alma 8-12
The class member study guide had this chart in it comparing the teachings of Alma and Amulek:
| Doctrine | Amulek’s Witness | Alma’s Witness |
| The Atonement | Alma 11:40 | Alma 12:33–34 |
| Repentance | Alma 11:40 | Alma 12:24 |
| Judgment | Alma 11:41 | Alma 12:14 |
| Resurrection | Alma 11:41–42 | Alma 12:24–25 |
The cities of Melek and Amonihah were three days apart.
Alma is chased out of the city and spit upon. After he leave an angel appears to him and tells him to rejoice. He's got to be feeling very poorly, but the angel says to rejoice. He tells him to rejoice because he has been faithful. Additionally, he needs to rejoice because the lord is sending him a companion with whom to preach the gospel.
Why do missionaries generally go in pairs like Alma and Amulek? Safety, compensate for each others' weaknesses, give more than one witness of the message.
Zeezrum takes Amulek’s words out of context and tries to use them against him.
God saves us from our sins, not in our sins.
If we continue in our sins we make the atonement of null effect, other than that we will be resurrected.
In chapter 12 Zeezrom changes in that now he asks questions he actually wants answers to rather just to trip him up.
Sacrament Service
One speaker spoke on helping our families stand in holy places.
Three focuses on standing in holy places are temple, home, and church
“We unavoidably stand in so many unholy places and are subjected to so much that is vulgar, profane, and destructive of the Spirit of the Lord that I encourage our Saints all over the world, wherever possible, to strive to stand more often in holy places. Our most holy places are our sacred temples. Within them is a feeling of sacred comfort. We should seek to be worthy to take our families to the temple to be sealed together for eternity. We should also search for the records of our kindred dead so that they too can be sealed to us in one of the temples.” (James E Faust, Standing in Holy Places, April 2005 General Conference)
We solidify our relationship with our spouse by attending the temple together.
“I encourage you to establish your own goal of how frequently you will avail yourself of the ordinances offered in our operating temples. What is there that is more important than attending and participating in the ordinances of the temple? What activity could have a greater impact and provide more joy and profound happiness for a couple than worshipping together in the temple?” (Elder RIchard G Scott, Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need, April 2009 General Conference)
“If every man in this church who has been ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood were to qualify himself to hold a temple recommend, and then were to go to the house of the Lord and renew his covenants in solemnity before God and witnesses, we would be a better people. There would be little or no infidelity among us. Divorce would almost entirely disappear. So much of heartache and heartbreak would be avoided. There would be a greater measure of peace and love and happiness in our homes. There would be fewer weeping wives and weeping children. There would be a greater measure of appreciation and of mutual respect among us. And I am confident the Lord would smile with greater favor upon us.” (President Gordon B Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1995, 53)
“In the peace of these lovely temples, sometimes we find solutions to the serious problems of life. Under the influence of the Spirit, sometimes pure knowledge flows to us there. Temples are places of personal revelation. When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart for answers. These answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, “What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children about the Temple”, Ensign Aug 1985)
“Our chapels are dedicated to the Lord as holy places. We are told we should go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments upon His holy day. 11 Partaking of the sacrament is a solemn and sacred privilege. In our chapels we are instructed in principles of the gospel, children are blessed, members are confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost, and testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel are borne. A convert in Texas said, when she walked through the chapel door, there was a feeling of holiness that she had never before experienced in her life.
“We must try harder to be a holy people. We live in the fulness of times. So much has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. This places upon us a special relationship to the Lord. We are the beneficiaries, guardians, and caretakers of these responsibilities under the delegation, authority, and direction of President Hinckley, who holds all the keys. As children of the Lord we should strive every day to rise to a higher level of personal righteousness in all of our actions. We need to guard constantly against all of Satan’s influences.” (President James E Faust, Standing In Holy Places, April 2005 General Conference)
Help children be reminded of family birthdays and other important dates.
Another speaker spoke on father.
The dictionary defines father as "male parent". A father is much more than a male parent, just as a mother does not just mean a female parent. One can operate in a father role without having children and one can operate as a father with regard to children that are not our children by law or by blood.
Make our conduct that which will allow us to be guided in our decisions and lives by the spirit of the Lord.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 10 June 2012
Elders Quorum
Home teaching isn't just about visiting. We need to challenge our home teaching families to make their lives better.
President George Albert Smith related the gift of the holy ghost to the clicking in the radio in an old airplane that tells you when the plane gets off course.
The teacher mentioned the book Putting on the armor of God.
God doesn't leave us alone to interpret the scriptures. He is
constantly giving us the opportunity for revelation. He is constantly
giving us direction from modern prophets.
“Salvation cannot come without revelation [and I am not now speaking about the revelation that gave the dispensation in which we live—I am speaking of personal revelation to individuals]; it is vain for anyone to minister without it.” (Bruce R McConkie, Teachings, p. 160.)
Sunday School
Alma 4-7
Alma the younger is the chief judge, high priest, and military leader. He was very busy.
Alma chapter 7:10
10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
If you are going to describe to people outside Utah or outside the United States that your home town is Taylorsville you would probably clarify it as near Salt Lake City. You might even leave out Taylorsville entirely and just say from Salt Lake City.
If the savior had not been born there, who would ever have known where Bethlehem was?
Sacrament Service
What prevents us from doing missionary work?
Our former Bishop's son, who just returned from a mission to Milan, Italy, spoke to us.
Stake Employment Specialists Meeting
“When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how eloquent the oration.” (Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf, Two Principles for Any Economy, October 2009 General Conference)
Home teaching isn't just about visiting. We need to challenge our home teaching families to make their lives better.
President George Albert Smith related the gift of the holy ghost to the clicking in the radio in an old airplane that tells you when the plane gets off course.
The teacher mentioned the book Putting on the armor of God.
God doesn't leave us alone to interpret the scriptures. He is
constantly giving us the opportunity for revelation. He is constantly
giving us direction from modern prophets.
“Salvation cannot come without revelation [and I am not now speaking about the revelation that gave the dispensation in which we live—I am speaking of personal revelation to individuals]; it is vain for anyone to minister without it.” (Bruce R McConkie, Teachings, p. 160.)
Sunday School
Alma 4-7
Alma the younger is the chief judge, high priest, and military leader. He was very busy.
Alma chapter 7:10
10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
If you are going to describe to people outside Utah or outside the United States that your home town is Taylorsville you would probably clarify it as near Salt Lake City. You might even leave out Taylorsville entirely and just say from Salt Lake City.
If the savior had not been born there, who would ever have known where Bethlehem was?
Sacrament Service
What prevents us from doing missionary work?
- Fear
Doctrine and Covenants 38:30
30 I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
- We don't know what to do
Our former Bishop's son, who just returned from a mission to Milan, Italy, spoke to us.
Stake Employment Specialists Meeting
“When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how eloquent the oration.” (Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf, Two Principles for Any Economy, October 2009 General Conference)
Sunday, June 03, 2012
Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 3 June 2012
Ward Council
Doctrine and Covenants 68:6
6 Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.
Handbook 2 section 12:intro-2
Sunday School Responsibilities
Elders Quorum
THe lesson was based on President Thomas S. Monson General Conference priesthood session talk - Willing and Worthy to Serve
“The Holy Priesthood is the channel through which God communicates and deals with man upon the earth; and the heavenly messengers that have visited the earth to communicate with man are men who held and honored the priesthood while in the flesh; and everything that God has caused to be done for the salvation of man, from the coming of man upon the earth to the redemption of the world, has been and will be by virtue of the everlasting priesthood.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff (2004), 38)
“The priesthood … is … the power of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, and act legitimately; not assuming that authority, nor borrowing it from generations that are dead and gone, but authority that has been given in this day in which we live by ministering angels and spirits from above, direct from the presence of Almighty God.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 139–40; emphasis added)
“What is priesthood? … It is the government of God, whether on the earth or in the heavens, for it is by that power, agency, or principle that all things are governed on the earth and in the heavens, and by that power that all things are upheld and sustained. It governs all things—it directs all things—it sustains all things—and has to do with all things that God and truth are associated with.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor (2001), 119)
Words to describe Priesthood
-endless
-gods power
-heavenly messengers
-tool
-action
-government
-sustaining
-service
-privilege - See “Your Potential, Your Privilege” by President Deiter F Uchtdorf from April 2011 General Conference
-love
-duty
Doctrine and Covenants 130:5
5 I answer, Yes. But there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it.
Nothing significant happens in the church until love becomes our motivation.
Duty isn't enough to sustain us. We must change our character to be motivated by love in addition to our sense of duty.
Sunday School
Mosiah 28-29, Alma 1-4
At this point Alma the elder is the leader of the church and Mosiah, the son of King Benjamin, is king.
Sacrament Service
Most times miracles come when things are hard. If they came when things are easy they would just be happenings or common place.
Doctrine and Covenants 68:6
6 Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.
Handbook 2 section 12:intro-2
Sunday School Responsibilities
Elders Quorum
THe lesson was based on President Thomas S. Monson General Conference priesthood session talk - Willing and Worthy to Serve
“The Holy Priesthood is the channel through which God communicates and deals with man upon the earth; and the heavenly messengers that have visited the earth to communicate with man are men who held and honored the priesthood while in the flesh; and everything that God has caused to be done for the salvation of man, from the coming of man upon the earth to the redemption of the world, has been and will be by virtue of the everlasting priesthood.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff (2004), 38)
“The priesthood … is … the power of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, and act legitimately; not assuming that authority, nor borrowing it from generations that are dead and gone, but authority that has been given in this day in which we live by ministering angels and spirits from above, direct from the presence of Almighty God.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 139–40; emphasis added)
“What is priesthood? … It is the government of God, whether on the earth or in the heavens, for it is by that power, agency, or principle that all things are governed on the earth and in the heavens, and by that power that all things are upheld and sustained. It governs all things—it directs all things—it sustains all things—and has to do with all things that God and truth are associated with.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor (2001), 119)
Words to describe Priesthood
-endless
-gods power
-heavenly messengers
-tool
-action
-government
-sustaining
-service
-privilege - See “Your Potential, Your Privilege” by President Deiter F Uchtdorf from April 2011 General Conference
-love
-duty
Doctrine and Covenants 130:5
5 I answer, Yes. But there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it.
Nothing significant happens in the church until love becomes our motivation.
Duty isn't enough to sustain us. We must change our character to be motivated by love in addition to our sense of duty.
Sunday School
Mosiah 28-29, Alma 1-4
At this point Alma the elder is the leader of the church and Mosiah, the son of King Benjamin, is king.
Sacrament Service
Most times miracles come when things are hard. If they came when things are easy they would just be happenings or common place.
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