Church Services This Week at Ridge Crest Ward Northridge Stake Layton Utah 12 July 2015

Sacrament Service

A missionary who just returned from the Spain Madrid mission spoke to us.

Father in Heaven wants us to return and live with him, but he gives us the choice.

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.

Father expects us to be mature in the way we live our lives.

There is little growing in the comfort zone and little comfort in the growing zone.

Sunday School

My lesson on What spiritual truths can I learn from the ordinances of the gospel?

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What did we learn about last week?

What did you learn about in your personal study this week?

Here's some questions I thought of while studying this week: Is it possible to have joy and sadness at the same time? Is it possible to have joy while in pain?

The dictionary defines joy as:

The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation:

Is it possible to have joy and sadness at the same time? Is it possible to have joy while in pain?

From last general conference Elder José A. Teixeira said,

“Brothers and sisters, today more than in any other time, we have at our disposal exceptional opportunities and resources to deepen our understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ and of His Atonement. Using these resources appropriately will help us live a fruitful life filled with joy.”

“The more we understand the extraordinary role of Christ in our lives, the more conscious we become of our purpose here in mortality, which is to have joy. That joy, however, does not preclude us from experiencing trials and difficulties, even some so great and complex that they may lead us to think that happiness is not possible in such circumstances.”

Perhaps that underlying joy get covered up a little, but it keeps us from hiring bottom or falling into despair, depression, or hopelessness. Perhaps faith, hope and joy feed each other and keep each other alive within us as we go through trials. Perhaps we build our faith which give us how, which gives us joy which gives us desire to obtain more faith. What do you think?

Have you had any gospel discussions this week with friends or family you would like to share?
 
What spiritual truths can I learn from the ordinances of the gospel?

From the manual :

"Ordinances are sacred, formal acts performed under priesthood authority. Ordinances symbolize gospel truths and teach us about Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Ordinances also teach us about who we are and remind us of our duty to God. Learning about the symbolism in the ordinances helps us understand the gospel more completely and strengthens our faith in Jesus Christ."

Let's break down what they are talking about here.

How do ordinances teach us about gospel truths?

What are some examples of ordinances that teach us gospel truths?

How do ordinances teach you about who you are?

How do ordinances remind you of your duty to God?

Let's talk about some of the ordinances and what they tell us about these things.

Sacrament Ordinance

Luke 22:19-20

19 ¶And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

That was a quick summary of the Sacrament. He gives the bread, which is a symbol of him body and we eat to remember him. He gives the cup of wine as a symbol of his blood which was shed for us. He calls it a new testament.

Do any of you have thoughts on this scripture?

3 Nephi 18:1-11

1 And it came to pass that Jesus commanded his disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him.
2 And while they were gone for bread and wine, he commanded the multitude that they should sit themselves down upon the earth.
3 And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, he took of the bread and brake and blessed it; and he gave unto the disciples and commanded that they should eat.
4 And when they had eaten and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitude.
5 And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, he said unto the disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name.
6 And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you.
7 And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
8 And it came to pass that when he said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it.
9 And it came to pass that they did so, and did drink of it and were filled; and they gave unto the multitude, and they did drink, and they were filled.
10 And when the disciples had done this, Jesus said unto them: Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you.
11 And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.

Who knows where the Sacrament prayers are in the scriptures?

Doctrine and Covenants 20:77,79

So going back to the questions about ordinances, let's apply them specifically to baptism.

How does not Sacrament teach us about gospel truths?

How does the Sacrament teach you about who you are?

How does the Sacrament remind you of your duty to God?

Baptism covenant

Mosiah 18:8-10

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
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

Doctrine and Covenants 20:37

37 And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.

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Elders Quorum

The lesson was based on Rosemary M Wixom, Returning to Faith, April 2015 General Conference.

What does the world consider a real man?

When does your wife find your most attractive?

Men should take the lead in spiritual things in the home.

Your two hands are of equal value, but how would it be to tie your shoe with two right hands?

Your two feet are of equal value, but how would it be to dance with two left feet?

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 10-19-08

Priesthood Opening
Alma 8:18 - obey and obey quickly
18 Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yea, by the way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah.

Elders' Quorum
The Elders' Quorum president asked us to encourage our home teach families to be prepared (food, finances, etc.) and help them where we can.

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith - Chapter 19: Stand Fast through the Storms of Life
We listed some of the trials in the life of Joseph Smith.

We read a quote from Elder Jeffery R. Holland, "Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?

"You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary.

"Now, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about anything anywhere near what Christ experienced. That would be presumptuous and sacrilegious. But I believe that missionaries and investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of that same price.

"For that reason I don’t believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed to require some effort, something from the depths of our soul.

"If He could come forward in the night, kneel down, fall on His face, bleed from every pore, and cry, 'Abba, Father (Papa), if this cup can pass, let it pass,' 16 then little wonder that salvation is not a whimsical or easy thing for us. If you wonder if there isn’t an easier way, you should remember you are not the first one to ask that. Someone a lot greater and a lot grander asked a long time ago if there wasn’t an easier way." (Missionary Work and the Atonement, Ensign March 2001)

Even Christ asked if there was not an easier way.

The manual paraphrased, “Let us not sorrow as ‘those without hope’ [see 1 Thessalonians 4:13]"

One in the class pointed out that we shouldn't get bogged down with what the reason is for what we go through, but just that there is a reason and God knows what it is, so have hope.

It was pointed out that looking at each other at face value we have no idea what trials we each go through every day.

Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 39: “Behold, My Joy Is Full” 173
3 Nephi 17

1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my ^atime is at hand.

2 I ^aperceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot ^bunderstand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.

3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ^aponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and ^bprepare your minds for the ^cmorrow, and I come unto you again.

Someone talked about what a change we could have if we pondered our Sunday lessons for next week when we got home from church and then thought on them throughout the week. What if we pondered them with our family before or after the lessons.

When we were young we were taught to ponder and commit to our standards before decisions in life presented themselves that would cross those standards.

Someone explained that pondering is preparation.

Sacrament Meeting
A missionary that just returned from a mission to Malaga Spain spoke to us.

He shared a story from what I thought he said was a talk called "Need for Factual and Spiritual Testimony" by LeGrand Richards. I did some searching for such a talk and came up blank, so if someone finds it add it to the comments here, please. Especially if it is a link to something on the internet.

The story was about a 9 year old boy that talked to a lady about the Church. She was so impressed by a child approaching her that she did not say no.

After the missionary's talk the bishop said a few words welcoming him back. He also encouraged us to welcome the missionary back and visit with him, but to do it in the hall and keep the chapel quiet, reverent, and sacred.

The last speaker was a high councilman from the stake.

He addressed why our Sunday session of stake conference will be held at three in the afternoon. This appears to be causing some grousing of some in the stake. He said that other stake conferences this time being held in the tabernacle that same day have general authorities attending to conduct business of some sort. Since we have no general authorities attending ours they are having us go later to be respectful of the general authorities' time since they are traveling.

From the Bulletin:
Sometimes in the routine of "doing things" and in "being so busy," we forget the immeasurable blessing it is to be members of the only true Church on earth. Have you ever wondered what you would be doing, who you would be, or how sad your life might be if you were without the strength and guidance of the Restored Gospel?

Because of the Restored Gospel, we stand on the shoulders of all those who have came before us and sacrificed so much. With such remarkable blessings, we also have responsibilities to "add value to" that which we have received from God and from others (see the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 for further explanation).

In my daily, personal scripture study of Thursday, I read Alma 60 in which Captain Moroni warns in vs. 21, "...do you suppose that the Lord will deliver us, while...[we] do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?" He gives us time, money, truth, etc. and expects us to continuously seek out opportunities to use them for the benefit of members and nonmembers.

I re-invite each of us to re-examine our lives. What can we EACH do in some small way to create significant improvements and to add value (Alma 37:6,7) to our situations? What needs to be taken out of and/or added into our daily PLANNED lives to make such significant impacts. Through study, pondering, prayer and planning, we each will discover what HE feels needs our attention. Let us be not just hearers of the word, but doers (James 1:22-25). -- The Bishop