Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 11-16-08

Priesthood Opening
Alma 19:6
6 Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark ^aveil of ^bunbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the ^clight which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had ^dovercome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God—

The bishop asked us to evaluate some things in our lives.

• Get rid of sins. Confess anything that needs to be and stop carrying around the extra weight.
• Assess your desires.
• How do you spend your time?

The bishop quoted one of the apostles or prophets that stated that the Church will be at the epicenter of issues in the last days. The bishop said that Proposition 8 is probably just one of many issues to come that will cause tension between the Church and the world. He said that we have been seeing sinful ideas building on the coasts of the United States, but they will eventually more to the interior.

Elders' Quorum
Chapter 21: The Second Coming and the Millennium 248–60
Section 88 contains information about the last days.

Everyone must get answers from the Lord individually for us to act collectively effectively.

In the last days Judah must be restored. Jerusalem must be rebuilt and the temple there. Water must flow from the temple and heal the dead sea.

“Judah must return, Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and the temple, and water come out from under the temple, and the waters of the Dead Sea be healed [see Ezekiel 47:1–9]." (Bottom of P252)

Just because one of our neighbors suffer in the last days doesn't mean they are sinning and we ourselves are not immune from what is coming.

We have to have personal testimony for us to make it through what is coming. Family members may die. We may be afflicted.

The Lord will not come until all the things the prophets have said has been fulfilled.

Sunday School
Lesson 42: “This Is My Gospel” 185
“Others refer to us as Mormons. I do not mind if they use that title. However, sometimes we are prone ourselves to say ‘Mormon Church.’ I do not think it best for us to do so” (“The Peaceable Followers of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 1998, 64). Jesus named His Church.

3 Nephi 27:7-8

7 Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.

8 And how be it ^amy ^bchurch save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.

Someone shared a story of people helping after Hurricane Katrina. A member of the Church introduced themselves as being a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to one of the people in the area. The person responded, "Your church and the Mormons have been so much help."

We should endure to the end. We are worse off to have been baptized and made covenants to God and then not continue faithful to the end than if we had not been baptized and not have known. Of course some may then argue that they don't want to take on the responsibility of being baptized. Once you know you are responsible for choosing to be baptized or not.

Someone noted that there is a bus advertisement from an atheist group that states something like, "Why do we need God? Be good for goodness sake." Ever so slowly our society is replacing Christ with Santa Clause. Santa Clause doesn't require anything of you and just drops toys on you. There is the naughty and nice list, but what are these criteria? Do we ever hear of coal being doled out? Even the most spoiled kids get gifts from "Santa".

Remember the basics: Prayer, scripture study, family home evening. If these things are getting done then the bigger things start fall into place. If these things are not getting done, then cut some things out of your schedule and drop back to the basics.

Sacrament Service
They read the first presidency letter on the Updated version of Mormon.org.
They stated that lds.org was designed for the needs of members of the church and mormon.org was designed for those not of our faith.

The bishop stated that airing our tires and putting gas in our cars may seem boring, but we don't get far without doing those things. The same is true of the basics of the gospel.

Youth Speaker
She talked about the Proclamation on the Family and its importance. She also talked about the things her family does together.

First Adult Speaker
She just returned from a mission to New Jersey.

3 Nephi 13:33
33 But ^aseek ye first the ^bkingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Tithing is used for the building up of the kingdom of God. It is something we give back to God. It is a privilege.

Mal. 3: 10
10 Bring ye all the ^atithes into the storehouse, that there may be ^bmeat in mine house, and ^cprove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not ^dopen you the ^ewindows of heaven, and pour you out a ^fblessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Test him to see if he will bless you.

Tithing is one of the biggest expressions of our faith. Money is hard to come by and necessary for our survival these days. Even when people paid in chickens and such they were giving the things they needed for life. and had to trust that He would care for them.

There was a flute and piano duet of Come Follow Me

Second Adult Speaker
Often we prepare talks and lessons for us more than for those we teach.

Salt

• Kill Germs
• Preserves Food
• Flavors Food
• If it loses its savor it is good for nothing and can't do those things anymore.
• Only loses its savor through contamination, otherwise it would stay functional forever.

Personal revelation can guide our lives. We can get guidance from God if we seek it. Just as the prophet gets guidance from God to lead the Church or the bishop to lead the ward.

Things that invite to do good is of God.

Still small voice is something we feel more than we hear.

From the Bulletin:
Stand Close and Lift Where You Stand
In a message to instruct the brethren that we are all responsible an accountable fo moving the Lord's (our) work forward, President Uchtdorf compared this great work in the Gospel to that of moving a large grand piano. When the brethren in a LDS building in Germany could not carry the grand piano from the chapel to the cultural hall, a wise brother suggested that the brethren "Stand Close And Lift Where You Stand." When they did, the piano moved almost effortlessly.

So, brothers and sisters, let us get a little closer together - watching out to reach other in home and visiting teaching, etc. - and left one another in the area we are called to STAND (not sit). Without the consistent closeness and support of each other, we will never move our "grand piano" of challenges forward either.

The Benfeit of Helping Others
We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own. (Ben Sweetland)

The Bishop

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 9-7-08

My Son's Primary Talk

We learn from the scriptures to forgive others. Matthew 5:44 tells us to love our enemies. The Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:12 asks God to forgive us as we forgive others. Mark 11:25 tells us that when we pray we should forgive and God will forgive us.

Joint Priesthood/Relief Society/Priests/Laurels Meeting

The bishop spoke to us. Below are some of the points I captured that he covered.

Even if we are not sinning in a major way we have need to constantly repent. We should ponder ways that we are not helping God's work move forward. We should repent and ask Him how we can do more or do it better.

2 Nephi 31:20 - We should feast upon the words of Christ. Is it a feast if we just go to church once a week and that is the extent of our exposure to God's word? Or even if we just read a few verses everyday without pondering the meaning?

Taking notes helps us to articulate and understand what we are feeling. He noted that it is difficult for him when he receives revelation in the shower since he has no place to write it down.

The weight of the Church is carried by the individual members.

You were born to succeed not born to fail.

Handout from the Bishop's Lesson

Being a Wise and Fruitful Servant

Sullivan Hollow 2nd Bishopric
Introduction
Heavenly Father gives us "Principles, Processes, Promises and Power (due to obedience)." Please look for them in this presentation adn materials. Please make this a matter of personal study, reflection, goal setting and action planning. Do better things in better ways because of this material. Please discuss this as a family in Family Home Evening (FHE).

The literal promise from the Lord is that your lives will be more fulfilling, the Lord will bless you in ways that He has been unable to but now can, revelation will be more frequent and in a more abundant way will be yours, your abilities to do things will be enhanced, the trials of life will be easier to handle, and so forth. With such immeasurable gifts, could we not humbly search through and decide to do just a bit better each day in our lives to have such great blessings.

A. Doctrine and Principles

1. Read Moses 1:39. For what purpose does Heavenly Father live?
   


2. Why are we so involved in this same purpose? (To become like He is, we must practice and do what He is Doing. This is acheived as we study, learn, do, fail/succeed/grow, and do more and more with consistently and exactness. This is achieved as we strive to DO what THEY do -- line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little.)
   


3. How do we understand and fully gain the abilities He wishes us to acquire
   a. Study, pray, serve
   
   b. Do His will
   
   c. Constantly repent, change, and grow
   
   d. D&C 58:26 -- "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is commanded in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward."
   
   e. Alma 37:6, 7 -
   6 Now ye may suppose that this is afoolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by bsmall and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
   7 And the Lord God doth work by ameans to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very bsmall means the Lord doth cconfound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.
   
   f. 2 Nephi 31:20 -
   20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of bhope, and a clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eeternal life.
   
   g. Mosiah 2:41 -
   41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out cfaithful to the end they are received into dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
   


4. The Lord measures success - your interview with Jesus on Judgement Day. This is a quote from President David O. McKay, former President and Prophet of the Church.
   
   a. What did you do with the talents that I gave to you?
   b. How have you treated your spouse?
   c. Tell me how you treated your children, name by name.
   d. What callings you had in the Church are immaterial; tell me about how you fulfilled your Church assignments, especially that of a home teacher?
   e. Tell me about your contributions to the communities in which you lived.

B. Processes

1. Elder Oaks brief history
   "Life has some strange turns. When I was a young man I thought I would serve a mission. I graduated from high school in June 1950. Thousands of miles away, one week after high school graduation, a North Korean army crossed the 38th parallel, and our country was a twar. I was 17 years old, but as a member of the Utah National Guard I was soon under orders to prepare for mobilization and active service. Suddenly, for me and for many other young men of my generation, the full-time mission we had planned was not to be.
   
   "Another example: After I served as president of Brigham Young University for nine years, I was released. A few months later the govenor of the state of Utah appointed me to a 10-year term on the supreme court of the state. I was then 48 years old. My wife June and I tried to plan the rest of our lives. We served 20 years on the state supreme court. Then, at the end of two ten year terms, when I would be nearly 69 years old, I would retire from the supreme court, and we would submit our missionary papers and serve a mission as a couple.
   
   "Four years after we made that plan I was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles--something we never dreamed would happen. Realizing then that the Lord had different plans and different timing than we had assumed, I resigned as a justice of the supreme court. But this was not the end of the important differences. When I was 66, my wife June died of cancer. Two years later I married Kristen McMain, the eternal companion who now stands at my side.
   
   How fundamentally different my life is than I had sought to plan! My professional life has changed. My personal life has changed. But the commitment I made to the Lord--to put Him first in my life and to be ready for whatever He would have me do--has carried me through these changes of eternal importance."
   


2. Choosing the Lord as Priority #1
   Wise are those who make this commitment: I will put the Lord first in my life and I will keep Him commandments. The performance of that commitment is within everyone's control. We can fulfill that commitment without regard to what others decide to do, and that commitment will anchor us no matter what timing the Lord directs for the most important events in our lives.
   
   Commit yourself to put the Lord first in your life, keep His commandments, and do what the Lord's servants ask you to do. Then your feet are on the pathway to eternal life. You do not know what will happen. Do your best on what is fundamental and personal and then trust in the Lord and His timing.
   


3. How Do These Principles Apply to ME as a Child of God?
   

C. How Do I Put the Lord First

1. Since the Lord reveals to us line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, NONE of us knows when He is going to reveal matters to us. WHEN we present ourselves continuously as ready and willing vessels, the Lord will reveal His will and blessings to us MORE FREQUENTLY and in LARGER MEASURES.


2. How do we present ourselves as ready and willing vessles to the Lord?
   a. prayer, scripture study
   b. service to others
   c. repentance and forgiving others
   d. being actively and continuously engaged as a student of God by asking questions like "what am I to learn from this scripture, this situation, this discussion, etc.?"
   e. being actively engaged as a student of God by taking notes during personal prayer, scripture study, meetings, etc. No mind is sharper than the dullest pencil. He will give us more as we record His messages. Who/what is more important? A shopping list or what your Heavenly Father has to share? Why do we not constantly seek to take notes in HIS settings?
   f. other ways:
   ________________________________________________________________
   
   ________________________________________________________________
   
   g. For leaders--plan, do, (evaluate, adjust), delegate, coach, and ask for follow-up
   
   Elder Ballard in "O Be Wise", stated "...divide the work and delegate responsibility. There is a difference between being responsible for getting the work done and doing the work yourself. For example, gone should be the days when the elders quorum president feels he needs to personally finish the home teaching visits that others have missed. The same is true for Relief Society presidents with respect to visiting teaching. Not only is this unwise; it isn't home or visiting teaching. Home teaching isn't about numbers or reporting visits to a home; visits and numbers are just a measuring stick. Home teaching is about love of people and service to and watchcare over our Heavenly Father's children.
   
   "Assignments should be made, responsibilities should be delegated, and members should be allowed to fulfill their stewardship as best they can. Counsel, advise, persuade, motivate—but don't do the work for them."
   
   Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated in his talk, "Good, Better, Best", "To our hundreds of thousands of home teachers and visiting teachers, I suggest that it is good to visit our assigned families; it is better to have a brief visit in which we teach doctrine and principle; and it is best of all to make a difference in the lives of some of those we visit. That same challenge applies to the many meetings we hold—good to hold a meeting, better to teach a principle, but best to actually improve lives as a result of the meeting."
   
   h. Elder Ballard in "O Be Wise", also stated "...we need to thoughtfully allocate our resources of time, income, and energy.
   
   "The key, it seems to me, is to know and understand your own capabilities and limitations and then to pace yourself, allocating and prioritizing your time, your attention, and your resources to wisely help others, including your family, in their quest for eternal life. "
   
   i. Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated in his talk, "Good, Better, Best", the following, "We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.
   
   "We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it."
   
   j. EXAMPLE of Planning, Priorities, and Progress
   
   Rocks, Pebbles, Sand and Water
   
   For "Planning, priorities, progress, and promises" to work, this takes CONSTANT VIGILANCE for most people until it becomes a HABIT. Then, will still applying the habit consistently, we become unconsciously competent.
   
   k. Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated in his talk, "Good, Better, Best" he continued: "I ask you men, particularly, to pause and take stock of yourselves as husbands and fathers and heads of households. Pray for guidance, for help, for direction, and then follow the whisperings of the Spirit to guide you in the most serious of all responsibilities, for the consequences of your leadership in your home will be eternal and everlasting."
   
   HOW?
   (1) By being a more active and seeking learner and participant.
   
   (2) By planning monthly, weekly, daily, even hourly.
   
   (3) By focusing on eternally significant priorities first PLUG IN PRIORITIES BEFORE ALL ELSE.
   

Sunday School

Book of Mormon - Lesson 34: “How Could You Have Forgotten Your God?” p150
The Book of Mormon has patterns. One of those patterns is the Pride Cycle. Righteousness and prosperity => Pride and Wickedness => Destruction and Suffering => Humility and Repentance

When you have more money you often buy nicer things which can lead to forgetting that less nice things were useful and many time adequate. This can lead to being prideful about what we have.

Repenting frequently keeps us righteous and prospering.

Many stay prideful and suffering and spiral in destruction.

Handout from Sunday School:
NEPHITES LAMANITES
Dwindled in unblief (verse 34). Grew in the knowledge of God (verse 34).

Grew in wickedness and sin (verse 34). Walked in truth and righteousness before God (verse 34).

Lost the guidance of the Spirit Received the Spirit

Built up and supported the Gadianton robbers (verse 38). Preached the word of God to the Gadianton robbers (version 37).

Testimony Meeting

From the bulletin:
"Foyers are built into our chapels for the greet and chatting that are typical of people who love one another. However, when we step into the chapel, we must - each of us must - wath ourselves lest we be guilty of intruding when someone is struggling to feel delicate spiritual communications."
Elder Boyd K. Packer, Reverence Invites Revelation Ensign November 1991.

"Knowledge encourages obedience, and obedience enhances knowledge.

"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. Such facts include the nature of the Godhead and our relationship to its three members, the effectiveness of the Atonement, and the reality of the Restoration.

"A testimony of the gospel is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. It is not a sermon. President Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to others, our testimony is ended."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Testimony, Ensign May 2008, 26, 29

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 8-17-08

Priesthood Opening

1 Ne. 1: 1

1 I, Nephi, having been ^aborn of ^bgoodly ^cparents, therefore I was ^dtaught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many ^eafflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a ^frecord of my proceedings in my days.

The bishop reviewed how to bless a baby. He referred us to the Family Guidebook for instructions on how to do it. He wanted to remind us that those planning on blessing a child should arrange it with the bishop before arranging it with their extended families.

The church is unique in the way that we are organized to take care of and watch over each other. We should call our district leaders at the end of each month and tell them who we visited, who we missed, and any needs of the families that we are responsible for.

The bishop said that missionary opportunities many times come in the disguised in work clothes.

Elders' Quorum
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith Chapter 15: Establishing the Cause of Zion p. 182–91
The logistics of physical, group Zion will be hard until we figure out the logistics of spiritual, individual Zion.

Sunday School
Book or Mormon Lesson 31: “Firm in the Faith of Christ” p138
Why the war chapters in the Book of Mormon?
Those chapters talk about fortifications in preparation for enemy attack. We are to fortify our homes against attacks from Satan and his influences.

Elder David O. McKay said: “There are … two conditions which may justify a truly Christian man to enter—mind you, I say enter, not begin—a war: (1) An attempt to dominate and to deprive another of his free agency, and, (2) Loyalty to his country. Possibly there is a third, [namely], Defense of a weak nation that is being unjustly crushed by a strong, ruthless one” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1942, 72).

The battle changes from battling in war to battling in politics. Moroni wins in battle and then a group rises up politically that is teaching against the doctrines of the church. Moroni raises up the title of liberty to remind everyone to defend their families and values.

Before making the title of liberty and also before going to battle as well he prayed. Before any battle we have in our lives we should pray first.

Sacrament Meeting
An experience with going to Lima, Peru. She went to the temple there.

1 John 4:18
18 There is no ^afear in ^blove; but perfect ^clove casteth out fear: because fear hath ^dtorment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

A missionary that just returned from a mission to Austria. He spoke about standard bearers in war. He also talked about Captain Moroni's title of liberty

President Hinckley gave us a standard to stand with when he gave us The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. Abraham pitched his toward the temple. I have often thought of it as simply putting the door of the tent facing in that direction. Was it perhaps putting his tent in that proximity as well. Did he put it close to Sodom to easily get back to the center of commerce and old friends and family? Perhaps Abraham knew there was trouble back there and that he wanted to have convenient access to the temple and church resources.

The bishop counseled us to calendar our lives with priorities so that our lives don't get filled with uncalendared non priorities.

From the Bulletin:
President Ezra Taft Benson taught, "If Book of Mormon prophets saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask, "Why did the Lord inspire [this prophet] to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day

and age?"

What do we learn from the "sons of Helaman?" At least three things:

1. COURAGE

'And they were all young men" Mormon said, "and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity" (Alma 53:20). The courage to follow of prophets changes

everything. Elder Eyring states that "Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception,I came to know that I had put myself in harm's way.

2. TRUST IN THE LORD

"To trust,"stated Elder Richard G.Scott,"means to obey willingly without knowing the end form the beginning. To be productive, your trust in the lord must be more powerful and enduring than your confidence in your own personal feelings and experience."

"If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow. Your father in heaven and Jesus love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love.

3.FAITH AND TRUST INSTILLED BY THEIR MOTHERS

"Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea and even according to their faith it was done unto them and I did remember the word which they said unto me that their mother had taught them (Alma 57:21) "Motherhood is near to divinity,

it is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.

(Conference Report 1942)

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 8-10-08

This Week at Church Priesthood Opening
Exodus 15:26
26 And said, If thou wilt ^adiligently ^bhearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and ^ckeep all his statutes, I will put none of these ^ddiseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that ^ehealeth thee.

The bishop gave us a few words of encouragements. "Pick your priorities. If your first priority is not the kingdom of God then whatever else you choose doesn't matter. Remember who you are, where you you want to go, and how you are going to get there. If you don't pick your priorities someone will pick them for you."

Elders' Quorum
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith Chapter 14: Words of Hope and Consolation at the Time of Death p.141–81
Just like any other trial in our lives, is there a purpose in our lives when a loved one or even a child of ours dies? Is there anything positive we learn from it?

This life is not the end and we can see our loved ones again if we are obedient.

Sunday School
Book of Mormon Manual Lesson 30: “The Great Plan of Happiness” p.133
Alma 40-42
We talked about Alma teaching his son, Corianton, after Corianton was disobedient on his mission.

Elder Boyd K. Packer said, "I have long believed that the study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than talking about behavior will improve behavior."

We also talked about the teachings of Nehor that were prevalent at the time that may have influenced Corianton.

• No need to repent.


• All mankind will be saved - No atonement.


• Not possible to know of things to come.

Teaching Methods Used by Alma as a Righteous Father

• Held PPIs - The PPIs are held individually and privately. That way failures don't make children feel embarrassed or successes don't make the others jealous.
  


• Had gift of discernment. -Elder David A. Bednar quoted Steven L. Richards on the gift of discernment in the talk Quick to Observe at BYU on May 10, 2005 - "
  
  

  First, I mention the gift of discernment, embodying the power to discriminate . . . between right and wrong. I believe that this gift when highly developed arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions—spiritual impressions, if you will—to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them. . . .

  
  

  . . . Every member in the restored Church of Christ could have this gift if he willed to do so. He could not be deceived with the sophistries of the world. He could not be led astray by pseudo-prophets and subversive cults. Even the inexperienced would recognize false teachings, in a measure at least. . . . We ought to be grateful every day of our lives for this sense which keeps alive a conscience which constantly alerts us to the dangers inherent in wrongdoers and sin. [CR, April 1950, 162–63; emphasis added]"
  
  Elder James E. Faust in the address at BYU on November 15, 1995 Trying to Serve the Lord Without Offending the Devil - "Satan has had great success with this gullible generation. As a consequence, literally hosts of people have been victimized by him and his angels. There is, however, an ample shield against the power of Lucifer and his hosts. This protection lies in the spirit of discernment through the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift comes undeviatingly by personal revelation to those who strive to obey the commandments of the Lord and to follow the counsel of the living prophets."



• Reproved with sharpness and teaches doctrine and shows an increase of love. (D&C 121: 43) - One of the definitions that the American Heritage Dictionary has for the word sharp is "Having clear form and detail" another they gave is "Clearly and distinctly set forth".
  
  Elder H. Burke Peterson of the First Quorum of the Seventy stated in his talk Unrighteous Dominion, "Perhaps we should consider what it means to reprove with sharpness. Reproving with sharpness means reproving with clarity, with loving firmness, with serious intent. It does not mean reproving with sarcasm, or with bitterness, or with clenched teeth and raised voice. One who reproves as the Lord has directed deals in principles, not personalities. He does not attack character or demean an individual."

Alma testifies counter to the teachings of Nehor

• Clarifies that there is a need for a savior. Alma 39:15 - 15 And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the ^acoming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people.


• Testifies that there is a savior coming. Alma 39:16 - 16 And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them, that they may prepare the minds of their ^achildren to hear the word at the time of his coming.

Resurrection does not happen until after Christ comes. Alma 40:2 - 2 Behold, I say unto you, that there is no resurrection—or, I would say, in other words, that this mortal does not put on ^aimmortality, this corruption does not ^bput on incorruption—^cuntil after the coming of Christ.

Someone pointed out that there were things that Alma was learning as he taught or prepared to teach his son. Class members stated that those who teach often learn more about what they teach.

The body and the spirit separate and you are brought to God's (Christ's) realm for a mini judgment to determine where you will wait until you are resurrected. These spirits are in transit between their origin (life) and destination (post judgment). Alma 40:11-13 -

11 Now, concerning the ^astate of the soul between ^bdeath and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are ^ctaken ^dhome to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of ^ahappiness, which is called ^bparadise, a state of rest, a state of ^cpeace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

13 And then shall it come to pass, that the ^aspirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the ^bdevil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer ^cdarkness; there shall be ^dweeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

Corianton ends up understanding and is called again to the mission.

Sacrament Meeting

Mosiah 2: 17

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn ^awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the ^bservice of your ^cfellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Moses 1: 39

39 For behold, this is my ^awork and my ^bglory—to bring to pass the ^cimmortality and ^deternal ^elife of man.

One of the speakers quoted Marion G. Romney. I think it was this talk and this quote. The Responsibilities of Home Teachers, "

Among the specific responsibilities of home teachers, the following may be listed:

First and foremost, to so live that they always enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost and act under his inspiration in the discharge of their home teaching responsibilities.

Second, to encourage and inspire every member to do his or her part to make and keep the home a truly Latter-day Saint home.

This would mean, among other things, that parents are sealed in the temple; that children not born under the covenant are sealed to parents; that future marriages are performed in the temple; that family prayers are regularly said night and morning; that secret prayers are said by every member with like consistency; that other gospel standards and practices are understood and complied with; that home evenings are regularly observed and the recommended lessons considered; that children are blessed and baptized in harmony with the revelations; that ordinations in the priesthood are merited and obtained in proper season; that priesthood bearers attend their priesthood meetings; that sacrament meeting attendance is regular; and that every member participate in the organizations and activities sponsored by the Church for his or her temporal and spiritual development."

If you want people to come visit you then you should reach out and visit others yourself. -Matt. 7: 12 - 12 Therefore all things ^awhatsoever ye would that ^bmen should ^cdo to you, ^ddo ye even so to them: for this is the ^elaw and the prophets.

One speaker referenced a talk given by a member of the Seventy - One among the Crowd By Dennis B. Neuenschwander.

It was expressed that service is another word for love.

He quoted from a talk by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin from the October 2007 general conference - The Great Commandment - "What quality defines us best as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? I would answer: we are a people who love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and we love our neighbors as ourselves."

John 13: 35

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

Many show a fish or a cross to show they are followers of God. The way that we should show it is with our lives and by serving and loving each other.

1 Cor. 13: 8
8 Charity never afaileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Moro. 7: 46
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

From a talk at last conference by Elder Carlos H. Amado - Service, a Divine Quality - "To teach His doctrine and to serve our fellowmen are two responsibilities that we accepted when we were baptized. This converts us into true servants of Christ."

Elder Amado also quoted, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you” (John 6:26–27).

From the bulletin:

"As we serve we grow. President George Albert Smith taught, 'It is not what we receive that enriches our lives, it is what we give.'" (In Conference Report, April 1935, 46.)

"Selfless service is a wonderful antidote to the ills that flow from the worldwide epidemic of self-indulgence. Some grow bitter or anxious when it seems that not enough attention is being paid to them, when their lives would be so enriched if only they paid more attention to the needs of others.

The answer lies in helping to solve the problems of those around us rather than worrying about our own, living to lift burdens even when we ourselves feel weighed down, putting our shoulder to the wheel instead of complaining that the wagons of life seem to be passing us by." (Elder David S. Baxter, "Faith, Service, Constancy", Ensign, November 2006, 14.)

Sunday November 4, 2007 - Sunday Services Cumberland Ward

Sunday School
Lesson 40
In Philippians 2:2-3 Paul counseled the Philippians to be of one mind and not do anything through strife or vainglory.

One Minded
The Church does not tell us who to vote for, but generally people in the church generally vote a similar way. Also, the curriculum is the same no matter which congregation one would attend throughout the Church.

Service Without Strife or Vainglory
We must be careful of our motives and where our heart is at as we serve.

We should avoid vain ambitions.
13th article of faith - We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Priesthood
Work life/spiritual life balance
The instructor broke down the hours in a week to illustrate how we have to manage our time.
168 hours in a week less 24 for Sunday less 44 for sleep less 50 for work less 6 hour commute less 12 hours family time. That leaves 52. I left to listen to my daughter's talk in primary, so I didn't get to find out where the instructor was going. That gets you started, but you will have to use your imagination a little.

What happened with you this week at church?