Sunday, August 25, 2019

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 25 Aug 2019

Sacrament Service 

Bulletin

"We are not placed on this earth to walk alone." - President Monson


First Speaker

Mark 12

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.


If we don’t love ourselves much, then it can be hard to know how to love others.


There is a difference between being obsessed with yourself and loving yourself.


Next Speaker

John 13

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.


“Many years ago, when I was called as a bishop, I had a desire for the bishopric to visit those who were less active in the Church and see if there was anything we could do to bring the blessings of the gospel into their lives.


“One day we visited a man in his 50s who was a respected mechanic. He told me the last time he had been to church was when he was a young boy. Something had happened that day. He had been acting up in class and was being noisier than he should when his teacher became angry, pulled him out of class, and told him not to come back.”

...

“The things you say, the tone of your voice, the anger or calm of your words—these things are noticed by your children and by others. They see and learn both the kind and the unkind things we say or do. Nothing exposes our true selves more than how we treat one another in the home.” (Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Virtue of Kindness”, April 2005 General Conference)


Next Speaker

Moses 7

13 And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.

14 There also came up a land out of the depth of the sea, and so great was the fear of the enemies of the people of God, that they fled and stood afar off and went upon the land which came up out of the depth of the sea.

15 And the giants of the land, also, stood afar off; and there went forth a curse upon all people that fought against God;

16 And from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them; but the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness.

17 The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord, which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.

18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.


Acts 4

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.


Elders Quorum 

The lesson was based on Elder Rasband’s, April 2019 General Conference talk.

If you have a fortress, it takes a lot of work to build, but it must be continually maintained with hard work as well.


"Brothers and sisters, we are at war with Satan for the souls of men. The battle lines were drawn in our pre-earth life. Satan and a third of our Father in Heaven’s children turned away from His promises of exaltation. Since that time, the adversary’s minions have been fighting the faithful who choose the Father’s plan." 


"Our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our homes, our families, and our membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be our personal fortresses of protection surrounding us and shielding us from the power of the evil one."


Our fortress is what we allow in our homes or communities. A fortress is brought down when we bring enemies inside. 


“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,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 96.)


We need to pay attention to what the prophet prophesies. Do we just say, the prophet taught or do we say that he prophesied. 


We should be cautious not to have a culturally motivated testimony. 


"When we build a fortress of spiritual strength, we can shun the advances of the adversary, turn our backs on him, and feel the peace of the Spirit. We can follow the example of our Lord and Savior, who, when tempted in the wilderness, said, ‘Get thee behind me, Satan.’  We each have to learn by the experiences of life how to do that." 


Be faithful, but also careful and thoughtful in our faithfulness. Don't let our zealousness for our faith make us miss things. 


Sunday, August 18, 2019

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 18 Aug 2019

Sacrament Service

Bulletin

“Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil. And I have learned to conclude all my prayers with “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10; see also Luke 11:2; 3 Nephi 13:10).” (President Boyd K. Packer, “Prayer and Promptings”, October 2009 General Conference)


First Speaker

Someone who recently returned from the Kentucky Louisville Mission spoke to us.  He also served some of his mission at the Family Search Center in Layton.


“It is so important that you young men and you young women get all of the education that you can. … Education is the key which will unlock the door of opportunity for you. It is worth sacrificing for. It is worth working at, and if you educate your mind and your hands, you will be able to make a great contribution to the society of which you are a part, and you will be able to reflect honorably on the Church of which you are a member. My dear young brothers and sisters, take advantage of every educational opportunity that you can possibly afford, and you fathers and mothers, encourage your sons and daughters to gain an education which will bless their lives.” (President Gordon B Hinckley, “Inspirational Thoughts,” Ensign, June 1999, 4.)


Next Speaker

Wisdom is the righteous application of knowledge.


Abraham 3:25

25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;


Moses 5

12 And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters.


Conversion brings a desire to learn.


When the early saints struggled to survive, they still established schools.


The University of Deseret was started by Brigham Young, which eventually became the University of Utah.


2 Nephi 9

28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.


The Parable of the Talents

  • It doesn’t matter what blessings or capabilities or advantages that we have been given.  What makes the difference is our using what we have been given to the fullest.


“It is not enough just to live, just to survive. It is incumbent on each of us to equip ourselves to do something worthwhile in society—to acquire more and more light, so that our personal light can help illuminate a darkened world. And this is made possible through learning, through educating ourselves, through progressing and growing in both mind and spirit.” (President Gordon B Hinckley, Standing for Something, 67.)


“Beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential. Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties. Statistics reveal that at some time, because of the illness or death of a husband or because of economic necessity, you may find yourself in the role of financial provider. Some of you already occupy that role. I urge you to pursue your education—if you are not already doing so or have not done so—that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such.


“Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning, and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “Three Goals to Guide You”, October 2007 General Conference)


“Education is yours to obtain. No one else can gain it for you. Wherever you are, develop a deep desire to learn. For us as Latter-day Saints, gaining an education is not just a privilege, it is a religious responsibility. The glory of God is intelligence (see D&C 93:36). Indeed, our education is for the eternities.”

...

“Education is the difference between wishing you could help other people and being able to help them.” (Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Will You Choose to Increase in Learning?”, From a Church Educational System devotional given on September 8, 2013.)


The hope of charity is ours.


DnC 101

64 That the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest is come, and my word must needs be fulfilled.


DnC 136

31 My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.


Sunday School

Dnc 132:19-20

19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.


20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.


If you stop progressing, you are damned. If you keep progressing, you will eventually know everything. It might take eons, which is hard to fathom with a lifetime here of 80 - 100 years, but it is true. 


All the laws of God hang off of loving God and neighbor. 


Being judgemental can cause others to stumble.

 

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Church Services This Week at Elkhart 2nd Ward South Bend Stake Elkhart Indiana 11 Aug 2019

Sacrament Service 

First speaker

"Your success and happiness, both now and in the eternities, depend largely on your responses to the difficulties of life."(“True to the Faith A Gospel Reference”)


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


Matthew 26:36

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.


Luke 22

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.


84:88

88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.


Matthew 11

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.


“Please remember this one thing. If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right” (Howard W Hunter, “‘Fear Not, Little Flock,’” 1988–89 Devotional and Fireside Speeches, Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1989, p. 112).


DnC 127

2 And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.


Next Speaker

2 Corinthians 5:18 - the ministry of reconciliation

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.


18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;


19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.


To reconcile with others we need to find common ground. 


Elders Quorum

The lesson was based on Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s April 2019 General Conference talk, “Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart”.

“Members of the Church of Jesus Christ—both in past times as well as in ours—have enthusiastically and joyfully shared the gospel with friends and acquaintances. Their hearts are aflame with the testimony of Jesus Christ, and they sincerely want others to experience the same joy they have found in the Savior’s gospel.”


"The first great commandment is to love God. It is a primary reason why we are on this earth." 


“I am not asking that you stand on a street corner with a megaphone and shout out Book of Mormon verses. What I am asking is that you always look for opportunities to bring up your faith in natural and normal ways with people—both in person as well as online. I am asking that you ‘stand as witnesses’ of the power of the gospel at all times—and when necessary, use words.”


Sunday, August 04, 2019

Church Services This Week at Elkhart 2nd Ward South Bend Stake Elkhart Indiana 4 Aug 2019

Sacrament Service

Testimonies

Jesus was not only the Savior, but he was also a missionary. 


Sunday School

Paul was a pharisee.


Luke was likely a missionary companion of Paul based on the word we bring used in Acts when telling Paul's story and since Luke is the author of Acts. 


Paul saved the jailer's life by not running when the prison fell. He was ready to kill himself and if not his bosses would've killed him if the prisoners escaped. 


God doesn't need buildings or a church organization, but we do.