General Conference Saturday Morning Session 4-4-09

President Thomas S. Monson - Welcome to Conference
"Because of the passing of Elder Wirthlin, there exists a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. After much fasting and prayer, we have called Elder Neil Linden Andersen to fill this vacancy."

"We now have approximately 53,000 missionaries serving in 348 missions throughout the world."

"The Perpetual Education Fund, established in 2001, continues to move forward. Since its inception, 35,600 young men and young women have been enrolled in the program and have trained to improve their skills and their employment opportunities. Thus far, 18,900 have finished that training. On average, with the 2.7 years of education they are now receiving, they are increasing their income by three to four times."

Elder Robert D. Hales - Becoming Provident Providers: Temporally and Spiritually
"Today I speak to all whose freedom to choose has been diminished by the effects of ill-advised choices of the past. I speak specifically of choices that have led to excessive debt and addictions to food, drugs, pornography, and other patterns of thought and action that diminish one’s sense of self-worth. All of these excesses affect us individually and undermine our family relationships."

"..additional debt is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses."

"Being provident providers, we must keep that most basic commandment, 'Thou shalt not covet'(Exodus 20:17). Our world is fraught with feelings of entitlement."

"...we go into debt to buy...things we do not really need." "We give away some of our precious, priceless agency and put ourselves in self-imposed servitude."

"When our boys were young, we had a family council and set a goal to take a 'dream vacation' down the Colorado River. When any of us wanted to buy something during the next year, we would ask each other, 'Do we really want to buy that thing now, or do we want to take our dream trip later?' This was a wonderful teaching experience in choosing provident living. By not satisfying our every immediate want, we obtained the more desirable reward of family togetherness and fond memories for years to come."

"...addiction is the craving of the natural man, and it can never be satisfied."

“Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted” (2 Nephi 9:51).

Sister Margaret S. Lifferth - Respect and Reverence
"...reverence for God is strengthened as we show respect for each other."

"Ask yourself these questions: Am I an example of respect in my home by the way I treat those I love the most? What is my demeanor during a sports event? If my child has a disagreement with a teacher, coach, or peer, do I listen to both sides of the issue? Do I show respect for the property of others as well as take care of my own? How do I respond to others with whom I disagree in matters of religion, lifestyle, or politics?"

"Reverence is profound respect mingled with love."(David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1967, 86.)

"Reverence Invites Revelation." (Boyd K. Packer, "Reverence Invites Revelation," Ensign, Nov. 1991, 21–23.)

"...reverence will increase if our socializing is done in the foyer and if sacrament meeting begins with the prelude music, not the opening prayer."

"Texting or reading e-mails in a Church meeting is not only irreverent, it is distracting and signals a lack of respect for those around us. So we exemplify reverence by participating in the meeting, listening to the speakers, and singing the hymns of Zion together."

Michael A. Neider - Revealed Quorum Principles
"As bearers of the holy priesthood, we should see that the sisters are not the only examples of virtue. "

"And let every man ^aesteem his brother as himself, and practise ^bvirtue and holiness before me." (Doctrine and Covenants 38:24)

"Brethren, we should be earnest students of revealed priesthood and quorum principles."

"Teaching of fundamentals is urgent. That we might better understand our task and our opportunity" (Thomas S. Monson, "Back to Basics," regional representative's seminar, Apr. 3, 1981, 2. )

"Bishops, do not overlook the strength and skill of your Aaronic Priesthood quorum and Young Women class presidencies."

Allen F. Packer - Finding Strength in Challenging Times!
"We must know—and know that we know."

"As we tugged back and forth, amid all the noise I heard a voice yelling, 'Packer, tackle him!' That was enough to bring me to my senses, so I dropped him on the spot.

I have wondered how I heard that voice above all the other noise. I had become acquainted with the voice of the coach during the practices, and I had learned to trust it. I knew that what he taught worked.

We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic."

“A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true." (Dallin H. Oaks, “Testimony,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2008, 26.)

"Testimony is to know and to feel, conversion is to do and to become.” (Dallin H. Oaks, quoted in Kenneth Johnson, “Coming to Know for Ourselves,” Ensign, July 2008, 29)

"This witness is not limited to the leaders but is available to all men, women, youth, and even little children. Having the capacity to receive personal inspiration will be necessary in the coming days."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson - The Power of Covenants
3 Nephi 27:20
20 Now this is the commandment: ^aRepent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be ^bbaptized in my name, that ye may be ^csanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand ^dspotless before me at the last day.

"Our access to [moral and spiritual] power is through our covenants with [God]. A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God"

"Divine covenants make strong Christians."

Elder Henry B. Eyring - Adversity
"Particularly when the comfortable times have gone on for a while, the arrival of suffering or the loss of material security can bring fear and sometimes even anger."

"The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of Their infinite love. God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life."

Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8,10
“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
“Thou art not yet as Job;”

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 12-14-08

Observations
We are new to Utah. In Indiana when it dumps snow on you there is a lot of grumbling about the mess it has made and how hard it is to get around and how cold it is. Today it dropped enough snow to make the roads slippery and driveways a little treacherous. As I listened to people at church I heard no complaints, but I heard a lot of gratefulness for the moisture. I guess we are behind for the season. It appears that winter is the time we get our moisture into the ground and into the reservoirs. Although I do seem to recall seeing them dumping water down the river out of the reservoir in the fall this year. I have a lot to learn about the area here.

Priesthood Opening
Isaiah 1:15-19

15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many ^aprayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of ^bblood.

16 ¶ ^aWash you, make you ^bclean; put away the ^cevil of your doings from before mine eyes; ^dcease to do evil;

17 ^aLearn to do ^bwell; seek ^cjudgment, ^drelieve the oppressed, ^ejudge the fatherless, plead for the ^fwidow.

18 Come now, and let us ^areason together, saith the Lord: though your ^bsins be as scarlet, they shall be as ^cwhite as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19 If ye be ^awilling and ^bobedient, ye shall eat the ^cgood of the land:

The bishop said that this is the season for giving. He said to keep our eyes open for people that we have means to give to.

Elders' Quorum
Chapter 22: Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths 261–270
"A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge..." (History of the Church, 4:588; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Apr. 10, 1842, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff. )

Ignorance generally leads to dependence. With knowledge we become independent. With knowledge we are able to lift others and help them become independent.

The BYU motto is Enter to learn, go forth to serve.

Joseph loved knowledge for its righteous power.

It is not wisdom to gain knowledge all at once, but little by little that we may comprehend it.

Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 46: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled” 202
Faith and hope are an anchor. It holds us holds us in place. No one can take our faith and hope, but we can give them away.

Ether 12:5-6

5 And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they ^asaw them not.

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that ^afaith is things which are ^bhoped for and ^cnot seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no ^dwitness until after the ^etrial of your faith.

What does it mean to have no witness until a trial of our faith.
-We only reach or search for the light when it is sometimes dark.
-Loss of job
-Health problems
-A doctrine issue that is new to us that we come upon.

Brother of Jared was mighty in writing.

Ether 12:26-27

26 And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: ^aFools ^bmock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.

Sacrament Service
First Speaker
Joshua 24:23-24

23 Now therefore put away, said he, the strange ^agods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.

24 And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.

He talked of him and his wife being prompted that they need to move and go to school in a different town. He said he feels a little like Lehi who was commanded to leave everything behind, take his family, and go. This brother doesn't know where they are going to live or where he is going to work.

Even though we did a much longer move recently and was very nerve racking coming to a new state and finding a house long distance, we did have a job waiting for us.

Second Speaker
A returned missionary that just got back from the South Side of Chicago.

The only thing we have that is our own is our agency.

Gifts we can give to God
-Time - Prayer, scripture study, serving others
-Our weaknesses and burdens-
-Matt 11:28,30

28 ¶ ^aCome unto me, all ye that ^blabour and are heavy laden, and I will give you ^crest.

30 For my yoke is ^aeasy, and my burden is light.

-Ether 12: 27
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.

-A soul (missionary work) -
-D&C 18: 10
10 Remember the ^aworth of ^bsouls is great in the sight of God;

Third Speaker - Stake High Councilman
He talked of his admiration for Christmas movies. He referenced a few of them.
-The Grinch - "No one should be alone on Christmas" -
-Matt. 25: 40, 45

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have ^adone it unto one of the ^bleast of these my ^cbrethren, ye have done it unto me.

-A Christmas Carol - Scrooge goes to his nephew and asks if he can have Christmas dinner with him. Instead of scorning Scrooge for having been so mean to him he forgives him and takes him right in. -
- Doctrine and Covenants 64:10
10 I, the Lord, will ^aforgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to ^bforgive all men.

-It's a Wonderful Life - The main character has a wonderful life, but doesn't know it.
-Doctrine and Covenants 84:33,38

33 For whoso is ^afaithful unto the obtaining these two ^bpriesthoods of which I have spoken, and the ^cmagnifying their calling, are ^dsanctified by the Spirit unto the ^erenewing of their bodies.

38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s ^akingdom; therefore ^ball that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

- We give Him our will and He gives us all he has.

From the Bulletin:
The Best Christmas Ever - By President Thomas S. Monson

Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interesting in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the "spirit of Christmas" we need only to drop the last syllable, and it becomes the "Spirit of Christ." In the early 1930's Margaret Kisilevich and her sister Nellie gave a Christmas gift to their neighbors, the Kozicki family, which was remembered by them all their lives and which has become an inspiration to their families.

Home to Margaret back then was Two Hills, Alberta, Canada - a farming community. Margaret and Nellie decided to invite the Kozicki family, by the way of the children, for Christmas dinner. They also decided not to tell anyone in their family of the invitation. Their father was th first to notice a team of horses and a sleigh packed with 13 people coming down their lane. He, being a horse lover, could recognize a team from a long distance. He asked his wife, "Why are the Kozicki coming here?" Her response to him was, "I don't know." The adults ate first and then the plates and cutlery were washed, and the children ate in shifts. It was a glorious feast, made better by the sharing of it. After everyone had eaten, they sang Christmas carols together, and then the adults settled dow for another chat Margaret and Nellie took the children into the bedroom and pulled from under the beds several boxes filled with hand-me-downs they had been given by their mother's merchant friends. It was was heavenly chaos, with an instant fashion show and everyone picking whatever clothes and footwear they wanted. Early in the afternoon, before it got too cold and dark with the setting sun, Margaret's family bid farewell to their friends, who left well fed, well clothed, and well shod.

If we are to have the very best Christmas ever, we must listen for the sound of sandaled feet. We must reach out for the Carpenter's hand. With every step we take in His footsteps, we abandon a doubt and gain a truth.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 9-14-08

Priesthood Opening
2 Corinthians 9:6-8

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall ^areap also sparingly; and he which ^bsoweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he ^apurposeth in his heart, so let him give; not ^bgrudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a ^ccheerful ^dgiver.

8 And God is able to make all ^agrace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Elders' Quroum
Joseph Smith Manual Chapter 16: Revelation and the Living Prophet
Doctrine and Covenants 1 was given later than some of the other sections to be used as a preface to The Book of Commandments. It tells the purpose of the book. The printing press for the book was destroyed by a mob and the book was never published. Several of the pages were rescued by members of the Church as they were scattered by the mob. The rescued pages as well as additional revelations were later published as the Doctrine and Covenants.

Great work, sacrifice, and courage have gone into the books of scriptures that we have. Are we often casual about having them, reading them, and respecting them?

Doctrine and Covenants contains doctrine of the Church for its administration and setup. It also contains covenants and ordinances for us and how to perform those ordinances such as baptism and the sacrament.

The scriptures tell us that the Church is built upon revelation.
Amos 3:7
7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, ^abut he ^brevealeth his ^csecret unto his servants the ^dprophets.

Acts 1:2
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given ^acommandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

Matthew 16:17-18
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon ^aBar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not ^brevealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this ^arock I will build my ^bchurch; and the gates of ^chell shall not ^dprevail against it.

Many churches believe that these scriptures refer to Peter being the rock the Church was built on. Peter was a man and had his weakness and also ended up dying as we all do. Also scripture tells us that the Church's foundation was apostle and prophets. These apostles and prophets are secured with the rock of revelation.

Let's dissect the language in Matthew 16:17-18. Perhaps reading it this way will make it more clear.
"...flesh and blood hath not ^brevealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, ...Peter, ...upon this ^arock I will build my ^bchurch; and the gates of ^chell shall not ^dprevail against it.

It doesn't say you are the rock, but "this is the rock". Saying "Thou art Peter" is perhaps a reminder that he had been called by God by revelation.

Revelations are suited to a people's condition. Former revelations cannot totally serve all of our needs today. Noah needed more than what God previously gave to other prophets in order to build the ark and preserve the people.

Moses needed more than God's previous instructions in order to lead Israel out of Egypt and after they were out of Egypt and to preserve the people.

Today we need more than God's previous instruction in order to preserve us today. We still need his previous instructions, but there are things timely to our condition that we need guidence on as a people.

Revelation is the foundation in that that is what helps us be tied to Christ and his will. His will is communicated on every level of the Church. The prophet and apostles guide the entire Church by revelation. Stake presidents and bishop's guide their wards by revelation. Home teachers should teach and serve the families that they have responsibility over by revelation. Father's should guide their families by revelation.

The family is the basic foundation of the Church and society. If the family is falls apart then so does the Church and society.

Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 35: “Repent and Return unto the Lord”
Helaman 13:1-4 - Samuel the Lamanite comes among the people.

The Lord doesn't necessarily remove the the Spirit from us when we harden our hearts as much as we distance ourselves from the influence of the Spirit or shut ourselves off from it. This is much like when we shut ourselves off from the influence of light when we close our eyes or shut ourselves off from the influence of sound by plugging our ears.

“Repentance means more than simply a reformation of behavior. Many men and women in the world demonstrate great will-power and self-discipline in overcoming bad habits and the weaknesses of the flesh. Yet at the same time they give no thought to the Master, sometimes even openly rejecting Him. Such changes of behavior, even if in a positive direction, do not constitute true repentance...

“… True repentance is based on and flows from faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way. True repentance involves a change of heart and not just a change of behavior (see Alma 5:13)” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 71).

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).

In games there are rules and when you try to change or make up the rules during the game then chaos ensues. Life is much like that. The rules have been defined and when we try to make our own rules it doesn't work and we are not happy.

Trials are like a weight room or like training for a triathlon. If we don't give up we are stronger and more prepared for the blessings God has prepared for us and was trying to prepare us for.

Sacrament Meeting
We sang hymn 191 "Behold the Great Redeemer Die". I noticed the last line of verse 6 "To do His will and live His praise." This was a phrase that interested me. Some feel that praise is shouting and clapping. The phrase made me think about how we praise God and what the symbol of Him is. It is our lives. Living righteously praises Him. Our lives then become symbols of Him.

Youth Speaker
They based their comments on the Education section of the For the Strength of Youth manual.

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“Learn wisdom in thy youth” (Alma 37:35).

The Lord wants you to educate your mind and improve your skills and abilities. Education will help you to be an influence for good in the world. It will help you better provide for yourself, your loved ones, and those in need.

Be willing to work diligently and make sacrifices to obtain learning. Education is an investment that brings great rewards. You live in a competitive world where a good education opens the doors of opportunity that may otherwise be closed to you.

Maintain an enthusiasm for learning throughout your life. Find joy in continuing to learn about yourself, other people, and the world around you. Study the words of the Lord, and continue learning about your Heavenly Father’s plan. Make seminary an important part of your total education.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:77–80

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1st Adult Speaker
Have you ever regretted keeping the commandments of God and following the prophets? Many have had regrets by not following, even if they don't recognize that that is why they are unhappy.

2nd Adult Speaker
Remarks were based on J.E. Jensen's article - "The Power of Diligent Learning" in the 9-2008 Ensign.

DnC 90:15 - 15 And set in order the churches, and ^astudy and ^blearn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with ^clanguages, tongues, and people.

We are spiritual beings, so we would do better to learn by the Spirit.

Pray formally and informally for yourself and your teachers.

She talked of having a sick child and praying before going to doctor appointments that she would learn what she needs to learn from the doctor and staff to be able to care for her child.

3rd Adult Speaker
Referenced "Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions." Deseret Book (1998) by Joseph Fielding McKonkie's . There was a quote like "Designated as Safety" from the book and I haven't been able to find what was significant about it. If someone finds the entire quote let me know.

From the bulletin:

• "This life is not so much a time for getting and accumulating as it is a time for giving and becoming. Mortality is the battlefield upon which justice and mercy meet. But they need not meet as adversities, for they are reconciled in the Atonement of Jesus Christ for all who wisely use Today." (Lance B. Wickman, "Today", Ensign, May 2008)
• Opportunities often come in disguise and in work clothes. When we present ourselves as ready to act. HE WILL answer our prayers. Let us pick your priorities carefully. They determine our levels of earthly happiness and our eternal destiny. (Our bishop)
• President Howard W. Hunter said, "Without temptation, sickness, pain, and sorrow, there could be no goodness, virtue, appreciation for well-being, or joy. The law of opposition makes freedom of choice possible; therefore, our Heavenly Father has commanded his children, 'Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you' (Moses 6:33). He has counseled us to yield to his spirit - and resist temptation" ("God Will Have a Tried People," Ensign, May 1980, 25).
• President Thomas S. Monson said, "As we love the temple, touch the temple, and attend the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we come to these holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we shall be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation." (Be Your Best Self [1979], 56).
• Attitude is contageous. Let's be sure ours is worth catching. (Unknown)
  

Sunday May 20, 2007

Sacrament Meeting
The first speaker was one of the young women. She chose 4 standards (agency, media, repentance, and education) from the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet to speak on.

Below is what the pamphlet says on each subject with comments I noted from the speaker.

Agency and Accountability
Pamphlet- "Choose righteousness and happiness, no matter what your circumstances. Take responsibility for the choices you make. Develop your abilities and talents, and use them for good. Avoid idleness and be willing to work hard."

Education
Pamphlet- "Prepare to be an influence for good in the world. Obtain an education, and be enthusiastic about learning. Attend seminary."
Speaker - She noted that being diligent in your school work is very important education also means seeking after spiritual knowledge. She also quoted Alma 37: 35"O, remember, my son, and ^alearn^bwisdom in thy ^cyouth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God."

Entertainment and the Media
Pamphlet - "Choose uplifting entertainment. Avoid anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Commit to keeping God’s standards."

Speaker - She quoted the 13th Article of Faith. "^aWe believe in being ^bhonest, true, ^cchaste, ^dbenevolent, virtuous, and in doing ^egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we ^fhope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to ^gendure all things. If there is anything ^hvirtuous, ⁱlovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."Repentance
Pamphlet - "Through the Savior’s Atonement, you can receive forgiveness and be cleansed from your sins when you repent. Confess your sins to the Lord and to those you have wronged. If the sins are serious, you also need to confess them to your bishop."

Second speaker
Young Woman Personal Progress program
The true measure of growth is not how tall you are, but what is in your heart.Third speaker
Duty to God program for young men
The program is for young men to learn how to serve God and be good men. One aspect of this is when young men reach a certain age they are expected to help visit everyone in their congregation. He also quoted Alma 37: 35.

The folly of youth is not what is expected. They may still act foolishly at times, but this program let's them know that is not what is expected of them.

Sunday School
Luke 15 and Matthew 18:11-14
Prodigal son
We get very caught up in how much work it is to take care of the 99 that we don't go after the 1.

Ten Lepers
Nine were healed skin deep, but only one was made whole.

Priesthood
The reality of Satan. He seeks to make everyone miserable like unto himself (2 Ne. 2: 27).

His tactics are like the frog in boiling water. He slowly turns up the heat and you don't even notice. He gives you little temptations. If you give into it, then the next things is slightly bigger and more severe of a sin. We get use to things being shown to us that are sinful and we resist it less. Gradually the frog is boiled, because he doesn't realize the water is getting hot.

One does not yield to a henous sin without having first yielded to smaller ones.
Satan can not force us to do anything. Through using our agency, free will, we are more powerful than he is. To bolster our will, we should call upon God through Christ when those temptations start and be prepared to listen to the promptings we receive from him.

Right decisions are easier to make before we are in the depths of temptation.
Satan knows that where we were weak before we will be vulnerable again. We must fortify our weaknesses. We must be extra cautious around temptations that have tripped us up before.

When cows break through the fence they will again return to the spot in the fence that they broke before, so the owner of the cow must be very carefull to put extra fortifications in that area.

Sunday March 18, 2007

Sacrament Meeting
The young women gave a musical program.

Sunday School
Parables
He taught in parables so that those who had the spirit would be able to understand and those who didn't would not. Those that understood would be accountable.

Seeds that fell by wayside - Birds came and ate them.
Seeds in Stony Places - No roots.
Seeds among thorns - Thorns choked them out.
Seeds in good soil - Bring forth fruit.

Seed = Word of God
Wayside = People that hear the Word and do not understand (lack of faith, sin, leaning on their own understanding)
Stony places = Hear and receive and don't allow it to take root (Accepted the gospel and then fell away)
Thorny places = Hear the word of God, but are distracted by the cares of the world (Accepted the gospel and then have worldly things pulls us away. Sin, temporal concerns, and such)

Priesthood
Ch 6 - Discovering the scriptures
Even after having read the scriptures 76 times President Kimball related to someone that they had explained a scripture in a way he had never considered. There is always more to learn. There is always something more to the scriptures that we have missed or a perspective that we have not looked at them from.