Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 24 June 2018

Bulletin

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is the brightest light and the only hope for this darkened world.” - Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Sharing the Gospel,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 9.

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

1 Thes 5:18 - Gratitude

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Some grumble that roses have thorns, but be grateful that thorns have roses.

Next Speaker

Many have sacrificed a lot for us to have the gospel and to have this country and freedom.  We need to make sacrifices ourselves to keep them and honor the sacrifices of others.

“Now, I am grateful that today none of our people are stranded on the Wyoming highlands. But I know that all about us there are many who are in need of help and who are deserving of rescue.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Our Mission of Saving”, October 1991 General Conference)

“My beloved brethren and sisters, humbly and gratefully I approach this sacred assignment with a prayer in my heart that what I say will strengthen our resolve to live the principle of sacrifice as a prerequisite to a godly life, for this is a day of sacrifice.”

…

“I see father Abraham offering his son Isaac in sacrifice.

I see his great-grandson Joseph, though tempted severely in his youth, sacrificing the enticements of the world.

I see father Lehi, who left everything to come to this land of promise.

I see the founders of this republic, who pledged life, fortune, and sacred honor—some paying the pledge in full.

I see a modern Joseph sacrificing character, reputation, honor, applause, his good name, his home, lands, family, and finally his own life for the truth’s sake.

I see the early pioneers who left lands, possessions, and community, to come to these mountain valleys.

“I see the Son of God, who made the infinite, eternal sacrifice that we might, through our worthiness, live again with our Eternal Father.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, “This Is a Day of Sacrifice”, April 1979 General Conference)

Next Speaker

"It is not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves." – Sir Edmund Hillary

Ether 6:4

4 And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.

“Be of good cheer.  The future is as bright as your faith.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “Be of Good Cheer”, April 2009 General Conference)

Sunday School 

The calling of Saul to be king and his rule.

Saul was impatient waiting for Samuel to come and do the sacrifice, so he does it himself without authority and God began from then to remove him from his place. 

Saul doesn't destroy everything when commanded to. He keeps spoils of war.  At this point the Lord accelerates removing Saul. 

It is said that the stone was the size of a board ball and going at 80 miles an hour when David hit Goliath. 

We think of David as the underdog, but Goliath was only good at hand to hand and David was an expert slinger. 

Elders Quorum 

Anything we talk about should bring us back to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

In our ministering, we need to be sincere. We need to not have a structured lesson.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 17 June 2018

Bulletin

“A Father's calling is eternal, and its importance transcends time.  It is a calling for both time and eternity.“ (President Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Fathers in Israel”, October 1987)

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

I can say, “I love you”, but if my actions say something different, what does that mean?

“One day you will have a personal priesthood interview with the Savior” (President David O McKay, 1965 statement made to a group of Church Employees)

The most precious things in life are not things.

Next Speaker

“One Wednesday I paused before the elegant show window of a prestigious furniture store. That which caught and held my attention was not the beautifully designed sofa nor the comfortable-appearing chair that stood at its side. Neither was it the beautiful chandelier positioned overhead. Rather, my eyes rested upon a small sign that had been placed at the bottom right-hand corner of the window. Its message was brief: “Finishers Wanted.”

“The store had need of those persons who possessed the talent and the skill to make ready for final sale the expensive furniture that the firm manufactured and sold. “Finishers Wanted.” The words remained with me as I returned to the pressing activities of the day.

“In life, as in business, there has always been a need for those persons who could be called finishers. Their ranks are few, their opportunities many, their contributions great.” (Elder Thomas S. Monson, “‘Finishers Wanted’”, April 1972 General Conference)

Next Speaker

We should try to be self-reliant while still relying on God.

“The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.” (Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Virtue of Kindness”, April 2005 General Conference)

Mosiah 3

19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Sunday School 

1 Samuel 1:26-28,2:12-17,3,8:1-7, Mosiah 2

Eli’s sons took the best part of the offering for the self instead of taking what the leftovers, as was required. 

Eli allows his sons to continue doing evil and does not remove them from their office. Church members were beginning to stop bringing offerings and stopped coming to services because it wasn't safe to have their families around them. 

3 Nephi 9:19-20

19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

Elders Quorum

Different Types of Genealogy Research

• Direct Line Research

• This include sealed lines (blood or adoption)

• Blood lines (birth parents for those who are adopted.

• Descendancy Research

• Children of your direct line ancestors.

• Collateral Lines

• Finding siblings and parents of wives and husbands that married into your line.

Church Services This Week at Layton North Stake Conference Layton Utah 10 June 2018

Sunday Morning Session of Stake Conference

First Speaker

The stake president spoke to us. 

“The test of greatness is the way

One meets the eternal Everyday.” (Edmund Vance Cooke, “The Eternal Everyday,” Impertinent Poems (1907), 21.)

Alma 12:10

10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.

Doctrine and Covenants 50:24

24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

“A basketball coach claimed, ‘If you find a man on top of a mountain, he didn’t fall there.’ If you and I are to reach the summit of our divine potential, we must work each step of the way. The path may be rugged, difficult, unheralded; but it can be successfully climbed if we are willing to work with all our strength and commitment.” (Elder Rex D. Pinegar, “Decide to Decide”, October 1980)

“So is the powerful effect over time of the small and simple things we are taught in the scriptures and by living prophets. Consider the scripture study we’ve been taught to incorporate into our daily lives. Or consider the personal prayers and the kneeling family prayers that are regular practices for faithful Latter-day Saints. Consider attendance at seminary for youth or institute classes for young adults. Though each of these practices may seem to be small and simple, over time they result in powerful spiritual uplift and growth. This occurs because each of these small and simple things invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the Testifier who enlightens us and guides us into truth,” (President Dallin H. Oaks, “Small and Simple Things”, April 2018 General Conference)

“Can you see, brothers and sisters, how many small and simple things took their toll in the life of this fine young man? Like weak fibers that form a yarn, then a strand, and finally a rope, these small things combined together can become too strong to be broken. We must ever be aware of the power that the small and simple things can have in building spirituality. At the same time, we must be aware that Satan will use small and simple things to lead us into despair and misery.” (Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Small and Simple Things”, April 1990 General Conference)

“This morning I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.”

…

“If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study.

“My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “The Power of the Book of Mormon”, April 2017 General Conference)

“My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?”, October 2017 General Conference)

Doctrine and Covenants 84:19

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

“The ordinances of salvation and exaltation administered in the Lord’s restored Church are far more than rituals or symbolic performances. Rather, they constitute authorized channels through which the blessings and powers of heaven can flow into our individual lives.” (Elder David A. Bednar, “Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins”, April 2016 General Conference)

Youth Speaker

If we spent as much effort and time as we do on a school project, we would grow stronger. 

Intertwining regular life with the gospel will strengthen our testimony. 

Next Speaker

The Holy Ghost guides, directs, and comforts. 

“I am always humbled and grateful when my Heavenly Father communicates with me through His inspiration. I have learned to recognize it, to trust it, and to follow it.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Stand in Holy Places,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 84.)

2 Nephi 31

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me.

2 Nephi 32

2 Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?

3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

“Each week as we partake of the holy sacrament, we make a covenant to “always remember him,” the Lord Jesus Christ, and His atoning sacrifice. When we keep this sacred covenant, the promise is given that we “may always have his Spirit to be with [us].”

“How do we do that?

“First, we strive to live worthy of the Spirit.

…

“Second, we must be willing to receive the Spirit.

…

“Third, we must recognize the Spirit when it comes.

…

“Fourth, we must act on the first prompting.”

Next Speaker

A member of the Ogden mission presidency and his wife spoke to us. 

“Now, we would like to talk with you about the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth. And we want to invite you to be part of it!

…

“My question tonight to every one of you between the ages of 12 and 18 is this: Would you like to be a big part of the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today?” (President Russell M Nelson, “Hope of Israel”, Worldwide Youth Devotional • June 3, 2018 • Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah)

“My dear brothers and sisters, it’s time to stop comparing ourselves with others. It’s time to put away those erroneous views of ourselves and others. The truth is that we are not as hopelessly flawed as we may think, and others are not as perfect as they may appear—all except, of course, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

“The only thing that really matters is that you and I are doing exactly what we committed—even covenanted—premortally with our Heavenly Father we would do while we are here on earth.

“So, let me ask you a question: What were you born to do?” (Sister Wendy W Nelson, “Hope of Israel”, Worldwide Youth Devotional • June 3, 2018 • Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah)

“Would you like to help gather Israel during these precious latter days? Would you, who are the elect, be willing to help find the elect who have not heard the message of the restored gospel? Would you like to be among those “swift messengers” of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke?

“Now, participating in the gathering of Israel will require some sacrifice on your part. It may even require some changes in your life. It will definitely take some of your time and energy and your God-given talents. Are you interested?

“Just think of the excitement and urgency of it all: every prophet commencing with Adam has seen our day. And every prophet has talked about our day, when Israel would be gathered and the world would be prepared for the Second Coming of the Savior. Think of it! Of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, we are the ones who get to participate in this final, great gathering event. How exciting is that!

“Our Heavenly Father has reserved many of His most noble spirits—perhaps, I might say, His finest team—for this final phase. Those noble spirits—those finest players, those heroes—are you!

“I testify that the gathering is now, and it is real. In the year I was born, the total membership of the Church was less than 600,000 people, with no members in South America. Today there are more than 16 million members worldwide, with nearly 3 million members in South America.” (President Russell M Nelson, “Hope of Israel”, Worldwide Youth Devotional • June 3, 2018 • Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah)

“our youth need to learn to be masters of technology, and not become slaves to it.” (President Russell M Nelson, California Devotional Broadcast, Feb 27, 2022)

When you turn a device on you should have a purpose. When you have fulfilled that purpose, turn them off. 

Next Speaker - Elder James R Rasband 

We’ll be judged by the desires of our hearts

Moroni 7

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Focus on who people are and not how we can use them.

Church Services This Week at Layton North Stake Conference Layton Utah 9 June 2018

Adult Session of Stake Conference

From the Bulletin

“A hallmark of the Lord's true and living Church will always be an organized, directed effort to minister to the individual children of God and their families.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Ministering with the Power and Authority of God”, April 2018 General Conference)

First Speaker

Councilor in the Stake Presidency

2 Timothy 3

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Moses 7

60 And the Lord said unto Enoch: As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfil the oath which I have made unto you concerning the children of Noah;

61 And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve;

“I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. (See D&C 1:14–16; D&C 84:49–53.) It is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world. (See Ether 8:18–25.)

“I testify that the church and kingdom of God is increasing in strength. Its numbers are growing, as is the faithfulness of its faithful members. It has never been better organized or equipped to perform its divine mission.

“I testify that as the forces of evil increase under Lucifer’s leadership and as the forces of good increase under the leadership of Jesus Christ, there will be growing battles between the two until the final confrontation. As the issues become clearer and more obvious, all mankind will eventually be required to align themselves either for the kingdom of God or for the kingdom of the devil. As these conflicts rage, either secretly or openly, the righteous will be tested. God’s wrath will soon shake the nations of the earth and will be poured out on the wicked without measure. (See JS—H 1:45; D&C 1:9.) But God will provide strength for the righteous and the means of escape; and eventually and finally truth will triumph. (See 1 Ne. 22:15–23.)”

As time moves on, the standards of the Church and the ideas of the world will become further and further apart. If we are not mindful we will find ourselves aligning with the world.

There were two discussions about how ministering should work. The first was how it works individually and the second was about how to use councils. 

Next Speaker

Mission President’s wife spoke to us.

Alma 7:7

7 For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all—for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people.

Next Speaker

Sister Rasband spoke to us. 

Find joy in our trials. 

Next Speaker

Elder James R Rasband spoke to us. 

Awaken the shepherds of Israel. 

Jesus was the God shepherd and the sheep knew his voice. Do those we minister to know our voice and our love? 

Mosiah 18

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

Mosiah 3:19

19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

When have you experienced real joy?

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 3 June 2018

 Bulletin

“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, April 2018 General Conference)

Sacrament Service 

Romans 8:16

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

“I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?”, October 2017 General Conference

Sunday School 

Ruth

Ruth 1:8, 16

8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Ruth 2:2

2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Ruth 2:5-7

5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

Ruth 3:1-5

1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

Ruth 3:9-11

9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

“This is all true; and these Elders have  preached to you, in your various homes and tongues, those principles which God revealed from heaven, and you were influenced by dreams and visions and by the Spirit of the Lord to give heed to their words, for, like the words of the Apostle of old, they came to you, ‘not in word only, but in power, in rich assurance and in demonstration of the Spirit of the Lord,’ and you realized it and rejoiced in it, and you were led to cry, ‘Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigns. Thanks be to the God of Israel who has counted us worthy to receive the principles of truth.’ These were the feelings you had and enjoyed in your far distant homes. And your obedience to those principles tore you from your homes, firesides and associations and brought you here, for you felt like one of old, when she said, ‘Whither thou goest I will go; thy God shall be my God, thy people shall be my people, and where thou diest there will I be buried.’ And you have gathered to Zion that you might be taught and instructed in the laws of life and listen to the words which emanate from God, become one people and one nation, partake of one spirit, and prepare yourselves, your progenitors and posterity for an everlasting inheritance in the celestial kingdom of God.” (In Journal of Discourses, 14:189.)

Kinsman is the same word as redeemer in Hebrew. 

Ruth 4:9

9 ¶ And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.

Ruth was bold in preparing herself and asking Boaz for her redemption. We must be prepared and bold in asking the Savior for redemption. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goel

Elders Quorum 

What is missionary work? 

What is ministering work?