Stake Priesthood Meeting
A missionary that recently returned from the Argentina Rosario mission sang to us.
Elder Halverson of the seventy spoke to us.
Exodus 1:8
8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
There was an entire generation growing up and becoming in power that did not know Joseph, the son of Israel.
We learn about those that have gone before us because of what it brings to us.
Exodus 20:5
“...visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;”
Blessings work the same way. Blessings can be answered upon the children for generations
those who do not make the sacrifice cannot enjoy this faith, because men are dependent upon this sacrifice in order to obtain this faith: therefore, they cannot lay hold upon eternal life, because the revelations of God do not guarantee unto them the authority so to do, and without this guarantee faith could not exist” (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, 68–70).
Elders Quorum
Brethren and sisters, as you prayerfully consider what you can do to increase harmony, spirituality, and build up the kingdom of God, consider your sacred duty to teach others to love the Lord and their fellow man. This is the central object of our existence. Without charity—or the pure love of Christ—whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive. (Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Great Commandment”, October 2007 General Conference)
“...with divine assistance we will find a way to solve [our problems]. It is incumbent upon us to ascertain if there is not some means whereby we may be able to do more than we have already done.” (George Albert Smith, Teachings of George Albert Smith Chapter 13)
Doctrine and Covenants 4
1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience,brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.
It says if you have the desire, not if you are a full time missionary with name tag.
What is the biggest stumbling block for people to join the church or to want to know more about it? It likely can be summed up in the word ignorance. People hear rumors from people who don't know. People ignorantly think that the commandments are restricting their freedom instead of expanding it.
Sunday School
Alma 23-29
We need to understand the fall so we can better understand the atonement.
“Because the Fall (like the Creation and the Atonement) is one of the three pillars of eternity, and because mortality, death, human experience, sin, and thus the need for redemption grow out of the Fall, we look upon what Adam and Eve did with great appreciation rather than with disdain. “ (Robert L Millet, “The Man Adam”, Esign January 1994)
The toughest thing the parents of the 2000 stripling warriors had to change in their lives was
killing, because it was part of their culture and because they lived in a warring area.
What is our toughest thing we have to change in our individual lives?
Sacrament Service
Alma 46
For thousand of years the Lord has been leading people to this land to establish a righteous people. The Jadeites, the Lehites, the Americans.
2 Nephi 1:9-10
9 Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever.
10 But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning, and having been brought by his infinite goodness into this precious land of promise—behold, I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon 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.
The commandments are not to restrict us but to make us happy.
“...freedom of choice is the freedom to obey or disobey existing laws—not the freedom to alter their consequences.” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Moral Agency,” 48)
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