Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 26 May 2013

Sunday School

Lesson 19

Abraham 3:22-28, Moses 4:1-4,Doctrine and Covenants 29:46-50

John Johnson was likely the most wealthy man in the church.

Doctrine and Covenants 29 was a vision.

If we don't understand God's plan for his children then the things of life don't make sense.

"... on many important subjects our assumptions-our starting points or major premises-are different from many of our friends and associates.  They are also different from many assumptions currently used in the media and in other common discourse.  For example, because Latter-day Saints know our Heavenly Father’s plan for His children, we know that this mortal life is not a one-act play sandwiched between an unknowable past and an uncertain future.  This life is like the second act in a three-act play.  Its purpose is defined by what is revealed about our spiritual existence in Act 1 and our eternal destiny in Act 3.  Because of our knowledge of this Plan and other truths that God has revealed, we start with different assumptions than those who do not share our knowledge.  As a result, we reach different conclusions on many important subjects that others judge only in terms of their opinions about mortal life."

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"Peter did not savor “the things that be of God, but those that be of men” when he argued that Jesus would not be killed in Jerusalem.  By reasoning from the wisdom of men he reached the wrong conclusion.  If, on that occasion, Peter had reasoned from “the things that be of God”-from the Plan that required the Savior to die-he would not have been chastened.  Then, he would have had what the scriptures describe as the “mind of The Lord” or the “mind of Christ” (Romans 11:34; 1 Corinthians 2:16; D&C 102:23; also see 2 Nephi 9:39), which includes the ability to understand and think clearly about the application of eternal gospel truths and teachings to the various circumstances we face in mortality."

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" we must help our youth avoid being deceived and persuaded by reasoning and conclusions based on its false premises."

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" Where do we look for the premises with which we begin our reasoning on the truth or acceptability of various proposals?  We anchor ourselves to the word of God, as contained in the scriptures and in the teachings of modern prophets.  Unless we are anchored to these truths as our major premises and assumptions, we cannot be sure that our conclusions are true.  Being anchored to eternal truth will not protect us from the tribulation and persecution Jesus predicted (Matthew 13:21), but it will give us the peace that comes from faith in Jesus Christ and the knowledge that we are on the pathway to eternal life. "(Elder Dallin H Oaks, As He Thinketh in His Heart, Church Educational System Evening with a General Authority devotional on February 8, 2013)

We talk about conclusions, but we have to start at the assumption that bring us to that conclusion.  If we correct our assumptions we will get a different conclusion.

We are in a three act play.  It makes less sense if we only focus on one or two of the acts.

Act 1 - Premortal Life

Act 2 - Mortal Life

Act 3 - After Life

By understanding that there are three acts we understand Father better.  We understand Jesus better.  It also takes the mysticism out of Satan.  We understand Satan no power over us, except what we give him.

First death is physical death or death as we know it in mortality.

Second death is judgement and separation from God if we do not follow the plan.

Is it random chance that people die when they do.

Sacrament Service"One of my wife’s mottoes has been ‘In order to contend, you need two people, and I will never be one of them.’" ( ELDER ENRIQUE R. FALABELLA, The Home: The School of Life, General Conference april 2013)

3 Nephi 11:29

29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

Matthew 22:36-40

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

“In a time when many perceive truth as relative, a declaration of absolute truth is not very popular, nor does it seem politically correct or opportune. Testimonies of things how “they really are” (Jacob 4:13) are bold, true, and vital because they have eternal consequences for mankind. Satan wouldn’t mind if we declared the message of our faith and gospel doctrine as negotiable according to circumstances. Our firm conviction of gospel truth is an anchor in our lives; it is steady and reliable as the North Star.” ( President Dieter F Uchtdorf, The Power of a Personal Testimony, General Conference October 2006)

Be tolerant in the context of absolute truth.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 19 May 2013

Elders Quorum

Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow chapter 10

Hosannah - “A word from Hebrew that means “please save us” and is used in praise and supplication.

At the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrated the Lord’s deliverance of Israel into the promised land, people chanted the words of Psalm 118 and waved palm branches. At the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the multitudes cried “Hosanna” and spread palm branches for Jesus to ride upon, thus demonstrating their understanding that Jesus was the same Lord who had delivered Israel anciently (Ps. 118:25–26; Matt. 21:9, 15; Mark 11:9–10; John 12:13). These people recognized Christ as the long-awaited Messiah. The word Hosanna has become a celebration of the Messiah in all ages (1 Ne. 11:6; 3 Ne. 11:14–17). The hosanna shout was included in the dedication of the Kirtland Temple (D&C 109:79) and is now a part of the dedication of modern temples.”  (Hosannah, The Guide to the Scriptures)

We learn to understand God little by little through the ordinances of the temple.

The temple is a place of revelation.  This is why we are counseled to make our home like the temple, so it can be a place of revelation like the temple.

We should not wait for opportunities to be pleasant.

Focus on the musts, pay attention to the shoulds, and forget the coulds.

Sunday School

Lesson 18

Doctrine and Covenants 88,95,109,110; Our Heritage 33-36

Section 88 defines what a solemn assembly is.

The temple took a long time to build and the Lord was not upset about that.  He just wanted it being worked on.  Similar to our lives.  We are not perfect, but so long as we are working as hard as we can to make ourselves better the Lord is pleased.

No ordinances were done in the Kirtland temple, but it was a place when very significant things for the restoration happened there.

Sacrament Service

One of the young women spoke on gratitude.  She shared with us the gratitude section of for the strength of youth.

"...no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it." (President Dieter F Uctdorf, Of Regrets and Resolutions, General Conference October 2012)

A young man that is preparing to leave for his mission to Mexico spoke to us.

Matthew 7:24-25

24 ¶Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeththem, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

If the youth prepare well by learning the Scripture mastery scriptures they will already have them in their mind when they go on their missions.  They will learn more on their mission and have even more in their mind as they start their own families.

If they do not prepare well in seminary they will have to spend time learning on their mission that which they did not in seminary.

Doctrine and Covenants 11:21

 21 Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.

A stake high councilman spoke to us.

Elder Holland said that the priesthood wearing white shirts to administer the sacrament is symbolic of our baptism when we were pure.  It also foreshadows the young men going to the temple making covenants there.

“If we keep our covenant that we will always remember him, we can always have his Spirit to be with us (see D&C 20:77, 79). That Spirit will testify of him, and it will guide us into truth.”

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“As we covenant that we will always remember our Savior, we must not forget Jehovah’s command to Israel:

“But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself” (Lev. 19:34; see Ex. 22:21; Deut. 10:19).”

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“May we always remember, as we covenant to do...” (Dallin H Oaks, Always Remember Him, General Conference April 1988)

The atonement was done not just for our sins, but for when we are sick, have doubts or are sad.

“...pain in this world is not evidence that God doesn’t love you.” (Elder Jeffrey R Holland, “This Do in Remembrance of Me”, General Conference October 1995)

Matthew 26:36-39

36 ¶Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, andbegan to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 12 May 2013

Elders Quorum

Chapter 9 Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow

The instructor talked about family reunions.  We talked about why we have them.  We talked about traditions people have with their family reunions and things we do regularly for and with our families.

Everyone has the same opportunity for eternal life no matter their opportunity for the things of this world.

"Wives, be faithful to your husbands. I know you have to put up with many unpleasant things, and your husbands have to put up with some things as well. Doubtless you are sometimes tried by your husbands, on account perhaps of the ignorance of your husbands, or perchance at times because of your own ignorance. …

“… I do not say but that your husbands are bad—just as bad as you are, and probably some of them are worse; but, never mind: try to endure the unpleasantnesses which arise at times, and when you meet each other in the next life you will feel glad that you put up with those things.

“To the husbands, I say: Many of you do not value your wives as you should. … Be kind to them. When they go out to meeting, you carry the baby at least half the time. When it needs rocking, and you have not much to do, rock it. Be kind when sometimes you have to make a little sacrifice to do so; feel kind anyway, no matter what the sacrifice" ( From the manual)

Sunday School

Lesson 17 -Tithing and Fasting

Doctrine and Covenants 117, 119, 120, 59

When tithing was first being done in the last days it was not just 10 percent, but included all offerings.

Doctrine and Covenants 117:4

 4 Let them repent of all their sins, and of all their covetous desires, before me, saith the Lord; for what is property unto me? saith the Lord.

These days when the church builds buildings they are not financed.  To me this seems like an example for our own lives.  Even though the financial geniuses of the world advise us to use credit to make more money with that credit.  I think the example of the Lord is to be free of the bondage of debt.

“...as revealed by the Lord, the use of tithing is determined by a council comprised of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric. The Lord specifically states that the council’s work be directed “by mine own voice unto them.” 16 This council is called the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes.

It is remarkable to witness this council heed the Lord’s voice. Each member is aware of and participates in all the council’s decisions. No decision is made until the council is unanimous. All tithing funds are spent for the purposes of the Church, including welfare—care for the poor and needy—temples, buildings and upkeep of meetinghouses, education, curriculum—in short, the work of the Lord.” (Elder Robert D Hales, Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings, General Conference October 2002)

Doctrine and Covenants 78:13-14

 13 Behold, this is the preparation wherewith I prepare you, and the foundation, and the ensample which I give unto you, whereby you may accomplish the commandments which are given you;

 14 That through my providence, notwithstanding the tribulation which shall descend upon you, that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world;

The lord gives us commandments for how to treat and manage a few things that we may be prepared to be rulers over many things.

Sacrament Service

Proverbs 22:6

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Mosiah 27:14

 14 And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.

All women are endowed with the stewardship of motherhood.  All have this responsibility and capability whether they have children or not.

Your efforts will impact the lives of others more than you will know.

“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1942, 7, 11–12.)

The scriptures say "and it came to pass" not "and it came to stay".  Trials pass.  Kids grow and leave home.

Look at the world through a child's eyes and the blessings and wonder.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 5 May 2013

Sunday School

Elders Quorum

This last general conference had a lot of focus on missionary work.

The lesson today focused on President Uchtdorf's priesthood session talk.  Four Titles.

Heavenly Father knows us personally.  He knows each of our family members personally.  He know their needs and our needs before we do.

"We have all seen a toddler learn to walk. He takes a small step and totters. He falls. Do we scold such an attempt? Of course not. What father would punish a toddler for stumbling? We encourage, we applaud, and we praise because with every small step, the child is becoming more like his parents.

“Now, brethren, compared to the perfection of God, we mortals are scarcely more than awkward, faltering toddlers. But our loving Heavenly Father wants us to become more like Him, and, dear brethren, that should be our eternal goal too. God understands that we get there not in an instant but by taking one step at a time.

“I do not believe in a God who would set up rules and commandments only to wait for us to fail so He could punish us. I believe in a Heavenly Father who is loving and caring and who rejoices in our every effort to stand tall and walk toward Him. Even when we stumble, He urges us not to be discouraged—never to give up or flee our allotted field of service—but to take courage, find our faith, and keep trying."

By comparison we are much less than our Heavenly Father, yet he cherishes us, just as we cherish our toddling children.

"We who have been ordained to the priesthood of God are called to practice ‘the healer’s art.’"

An art is something that one practices and gets better at. Something we work to make more beautiful.  When we give priesthood blessings we must constantly learn to do better at listening to the spirit and understanding the spirit.

We can also learn to listen to our home teaching families.  Sometimes that is the biggest act of service that they need.

A healer is not just one that gives priesthood blessings.  A healer is one the mourns with those who mourn.

Sunday School

Lesson 16 - Sacrament and Sabbath

Those in the stakes of Zion are under the same command as those in Zion.

All the sacrifices in the Old Testament were to teach about the sacrifice of the savior.

Today the sacrifice we are to offer is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  These are our sacrifices for sin and also to teach about the Savior..

"How can we have the Spirit of the Lord to guide our choices so that we will remain ‘unspotted from the world’ (D&C 59:9) and on the safe path through mortality? We need to qualify for the cleansing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We do this by keeping His commandment to come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and in that wonderful weekly meeting partake of the emblems of the sacrament and make the covenants that qualify us for the precious promise that we will always have His Spirit to be with us (see D&C 20:77)." (Elder Dallin H Oaks, Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament, Ensign October 2008)

The most important meeting in the Church is sacrament meeting.

Doctrine and Covenants 59:10

10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;

To keep ourselves unspotted from the world is to limit how much of the world is in our homes.

Throughout the week we spend time pursuing means to gain security in the work.  Throughout the week we pursue entertainment.

How holy do we keep sacrament meeting?

Testimony Meeting

When we pray for protection it does not always come without a trial.  Just because we have a trial doesn't mean we weren't protected.  Often our trials could be a lot worse.

Truth is independent of belief.