Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 12 February 2017

Sacrament Service

Gratitude section of For the Strength of Youth

“Even in your most difficult times, you can find much to be grateful for. Doing so will strengthen and bless you.” - For the Strength of Youth

Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19

17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

 

The more you notice God’s hand in your life, the more he can help you.

 

A service missionary spoke to us.  She serves on Welfare Square in Salt Lake City.

 

Someone spoke on, Why are you here?

 

Alma 32:21

21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

 

A testimony takes time.

 

There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.

 

Matthew 7:20

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

 

What are these doctrines and principles producing for you?

 

If the Church is making you unhappy, you are doing it wrong. 

Sunday School 

Teaching in the Savior's Way 

How do we invite the spirit and invite our class members. 

DnC 84:85

85 Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.

Elders Quorum 

“President Gordon B. Hinckley’s mother, Ada Bitner Hinckley, often said that ‘a happy attitude and smiling countenance could boost one over almost any misfortune and that every individual was responsible for his own happiness.’ His father, Bryant S. Hinckley, also had an ‘inherently positive outlook.’ President Hinckley recalled, ‘When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my father would say: “Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve.”’ Influenced by his parents’ counsel and example, young Gordon Hinckley learned to approach life with optimism and faith.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  Gordon B Hinckley, chapter 3) 

When you first wake up, put a positive thought in your head. Don't just wake up and think of how tired you are. 

“I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we ‘accentuate the positive.’ I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentance. Wise is the man who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his course.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Spirit of Optimism”, New Era July 2001)

Matthew 5:5

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Sunday August 5, 2007

Fast and Testimony Meeting
One of the young men that just turned 18 talked of being ordained an elder. He also talked about preparing to put in his mission papers shortly.

A brother got up and talked about the documentary he went out to Utah to be a part of about black people in Latter-day Saint history. He said that there is a web site about it (http://untoldstoryofblackmormons.com). The project isn't sponsored by the church, but this brother said that it is important.

Sunday School
The apostles having to call others to assist in serving the church. People were grousin at them about the people not being provided for well enough. "Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables." (Acts 6: 2)

We discussed the various benefits that the individuals performing service and the congregation get from serving others.

We went over the stoning of Stephen and the conversion of Saul.

Sometimes we wonder why conversions and things don't happen for us as dramatically as they did in the old days. The answer is that they were uncommon back them as well. The are the exceptions. The rule is to study it out and pray to gain an answer.

Elder's Quorum Meeting
First presidency message from president Faust. Welcoming Every Single One.
"My desire in this message is to offer opportunities for development and happiness for all members, whether married or single."

Happiness isn't measured by what happens outside of you, but what happens inside of you. Pray often. Heavenly Father knows you best.
Parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-6)

I left the meeting early since my son was giving a talk in primary on the Holy Ghost.


What happened with you this week at church?

Sunday May 27, 2007

Sacrament Meeting
First Speaker
Elder DeFreeze, one of the missionaries serving in our ward.
He quoted from a fortune cookie that they had seen recently. "Happiness is not a destination, but a journey." Not exactly an authoritative resource, but still something worth thinking about.

Second Speaker
Sister Simmons, wife of the president of the Indiana Indianapolis mission.
She related how she talked to the apostle Elder Oaks before they started serving their mission. She wanted council on how they could be a good mission president and wife of a mission president. His response was, "Just love them."

Piano Solo
"My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” Children’s Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 228–29

Third Speaker
President Simmons
He spoke about opposition. He related how butterflies emerge underdeveloped and weak if they are helped to get out of their cocoon.

He also talked about how some people you meet are not willing to change their life for the better. This does not mean we give up hope for them. Those that were not ready yesterday may be ready tomorrow. A wedding, a death, the birth of a child or some other life changing event may soften their heart and make them begin to ponder the direction their life is taking.

Sunday School
The unjust judge. Always pray that the Lord will give us our righteous desires.

It is hard to get into trouble if you are praying throughout the day.

Joint Priesthood and RS Meeting
The missionaries talked to us about missionary work.

As part of the ward mission plan they talked about having family mission plans. Just like the gospel works from the family and individual level so does missionary work. Making plans for ourselves and our families that coincided with the ward's plan probably makes a lot of sense.

Saturday March 31, 2007 - Afternoon Session of General Conference

Elder Boyd K. Pack - Apostle (Audio, Text)
He commented on music not becoming a performance, like one of the morning speakers did. He said, "...the organist, who understood that excellence does not call attention to itself...". He talked about several places in the scriptures where they talk about the Lord speaks in a still small voice and not the whirl wind and such. He cautioned against aspiring for the praises of men.

He talked of the revelations that had been revealed to the church in the tabernacle that was rededicated this weekend.

Elder Earl C. Tingey - Seventy (Audio, Text)
Prophets—Pioneer and Modern Day
He talked of Brigham Young and Gordon B. Hinckley.

Brigham Young had the Salt Lake tabernacle built. He started 3 temples and dedicated 1 shortly before he died.

"One writer said of Brigham Young: 'He led a ragged and impoverished band, stripped of virtually all their earthly goods, into an unknown territory. His critics and biographers note that the man was unique among the leaders of modern history, for he alone, without any political and financial backing, established from scratch in the desert an ordered and industrious society, having no other authority than the priesthood and the spiritual strength with which he delivered his teachings. By constant exhortations and instructions, he drew his people together and inspired them in carrying out the divine mandate to build up the kingdom of God on earth.'"

President Hinckley
"He has traveled the world, meeting kings, queens, and presidents. He has been interviewed by the world's media. He continues to bring the Church 'out of obscurity.' 9 More than 75 temples have been built in the last 12 years.

H. David Burton - Presiding Bishop (Audio, Text)
Spoke of his assignment to have the tabernacle restored. He talked of what that tabernacle has seen. He talked of the various changes that had been made to it.

Bonnie D. Parkin - Recently Released Relief Society General President (Audio, Text)
Gratitude: A Path to Happiness
Murmuring, complaining, and criticizing are ungrateful acts and do not bring happiness. They also make it difficult for the spirit to work with us.

Luke chapter 17 - Only one of the ten lepers that were healed returned to give thanks. Do we recognize things we should be grateful for in our lives and give thanks?

Elder Marlin K. Jensen - Seventy (Audio, Text)
Remember and Perish Not
We need to always remember the Lord, so that we do not fall into temptation.

"And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.

"But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not." (Mosiah 4:29–30)

We should remember the history of the church, our personal history, and our family history. We also have made covenants to always remember Christ that he may have his spirit to be with us.

President James E. Faust - 2nd Counselor to the Prophet (Audio, Text)
Salt Lake Tabernacle Rededication
His father brought him to the tabernacle as a young boy to attend priesthood meeting. He also talked about how they started preparation for a tabernacle in Nauvoo to shelter the people as they listen to the Prophet. Because of the exodus they were not able to construct one, but they had acquired a large tarp to begin it.

President Thomas S. Monson - 1st Counselor to the Prophet (Audio, Text)
Tabernacle Memories
He talked about his call to the 12 and the day that he was sustained in the tabernacle. He has given 102 addresses in the tabernacle.

President Gordon B. Hinckley - Prophet (Audio, Text)
A Tabernacle in the Wilderness
He spoke about the tabernacle and then offered a dedicatory prayer to rededicate the building after the renovation.