Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 1-18-09

Priesthood Opening
Mosiah 4:30
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not ^awatch yourselves, and your ^bthoughts, and your ^cwords, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and ^dcontinue 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.

Elders’ Quorum
Chapter 25: Truths from the Savior’s Parables in Matthew 13 292–305
A thorough knowledge of the scriptures allows us to teach other as opportunities come up without having to search around. It also gives us perspective and teach us as things come up in our lives.

Bearing testimony of Christ brings the spirit. The scriptures testify of Christ authoritatively and can bring to us and those we teach the spirit very powerfully.

Sunday School
Lesson 3: “I Had Seen a Vision” 11
What is the great apostasy? The mixing of Man’s teachings with the teachings of God in Church teachings. The removing the teachings of God from the Church.

In the 1300s the renaissance began and out of that came the reformation. There were not many advances in man’s knowledge and inventions before then. After that point God allowed man to move forward.

William Tyndale worked to get the Bible translated into English. He commented to the scholars of his day, "If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plow to know more of the Scriptures than thou dost."

The common man was not given access to the scriptures before the reformation. God is the god of the common man.

On the one hand we had the pre-reformation church where they wanted their people to be ignorant and read the scriptures to them. On the other hand we have The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. The Church today constantly admonishes people to read the scriptures and teach them to their children. They also work to translate the scriptures into many many languages that more people would have the option to read them.

Why to start the Church in the United States? (See talk "Why 1820", Hyrum W. Smith,Rick's college, September 27, 1988) The United States was one of the only countries if not the only country that didn't have a state religion. It was the only place where a free thinking religion could get a foothold.

This land has been opened up several times as a sanctuary for religious people and then the people were destroyed when they turned their back on God (Jaredites, Lehites, and now the United States).

There is no way that the United States should've won the revolutionary war based on warfare of the time.

Sacrament Service
Virtue and Moral Excellence

”Live right by embracing virtue. Virtues are more than values—much more. Virtues mean not only excellence, but moral excellence. Virtuous men and women not only do good; they are goodness.”  (Bishop Keith B. McMullin - Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, “Signposts for Your Future“, New Era January 2000)

“You precious young women, to begin with you must practice virtue in its highest sense. Virtue has many definitions, such as moral excellence, right action and thinking, goodness of character, or chastity in women.” (James E. Faust - Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “How Near to the Angels”, Ensign May 1998)

Mosiah 5:15
  15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in ^agood works, that Christ, the ^bLord God Omnipotent, may ^cseal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who ^dcreated all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

Modesty represents who we are and is a statement to others.

Actions are more powerful than words.

A missionary that just returned from the Baltimore mission spoke.

Prayer is not to change the will of God.

“I long have been impressed with the truth that meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as ‘a form of work, … is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings’ (Bible Dictionary, ‘Prayer,’ 753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say ‘amen,’ by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father.” (Elder David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Ask in Faith”, Ensign May 2008)

From the Bulletin
Simply stated, “As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part” (Bible Dictionary, “Prayer,” 752).

We are promised that if we pray sincerely for that which is right and good and in accordance with God’s will, we can be blessed, protected, and directed (see 3 Nephi 18:20;D&C 19:38).

Revelation is communication from Heavenly Father to His children on earth. As we ask in faith, we can receive revelation upon revelation and knowledge upon knowledge and come to know the mysteries and peaceable things that bring joy and eternal life (see D&C 42:61). The mysteries are those matters that can only be know and understood by the power of the Holy Ghost (see Harold B. Lee, Ye Are the Light of the World [1974], 211).

The revelations of the Father and the Son are conveyed through the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the witness of and messenger for the Father and the Son. He is part of THE Godhead.

Prayer is and should be a key part of the spiritual preparation for our day. During the course of the day, we keep a prayer in our heart for continued assistance and guidance -- even as Alma suggested: "Let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord" (Alma 37:36).

Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, as we express heartfelt gratitude, and as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 1-11-09

Priesthood Opening
Matthew 20:25-28

25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be ^agreat among you, let him be your ^bminister;

27 And whosoever ^awill be chief among you, let him be your ^bservant:

28 Even as the ^aSon of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to ^bgive his life a ^cransom for many.

Elders' Quorum
Chapter 24: Leading in the Lord’s Way 281–91
The manual stated, "The Prophet Joseph Smith, who was living in Kirtland, was deeply concerned about the sufferings of the Saints in Missouri, and he longed to help them. In February 1834, the Lord revealed to him that he should organize a group of Saints to march to Jackson County. This group, called Zion’s Camp, was to help recover the lands and property illegally taken from Church members. (See D&C 103:21–40.) The camp was officially organized on May 6, 1834, and eventually included over 200 people. The marchers, who were armed and organized as a military body, arrived near Jackson County in the middle of June, after traveling more than 900 miles.

The members of the camp walked long distances each day, often in oppressive heat with only inadequate food and bad water to sustain them. The close association with one another over many weeks of travel, accompanied by weariness and hunger, led some of the men to quarrel with one another and criticize the Prophet.

Despite all the problems of this dangerous and difficult trip, Joseph Smith taught the members of the camp important principles of leadership as he led them day by day. Wilford Woodruff, a member of Zion’s Camp who later became the fourth President of the Church, declared: “We gained an experience that we never could have gained in any other way. We had the privilege of beholding the face of the Prophet, and we had the privilege of traveling a thousand miles with him, and seeing the workings of the Spirit of God with him, and the revelations of Jesus Christ unto him and the fulfillment of those revelations.”1

After the group arrived in Missouri, they began negotiations with state officials, but these attempts at peaceful resolution failed. When armed conflict seemed inevitable, the Prophet prayed for guidance and, on June 22, 1834, received a revelation disbanding the camp and declaring that Zion could not be redeemed at that time (see D&C 105). Concerning the members of the camp the Lord said, “I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering; and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith” (D&C 105:19).

Zion’s Camp did not accomplish its political objectives, but it had long-lasting spiritual results."

Neal A. Maxwell said, "We can allow for the reality that God is more concerned with growth than with geography."(Notwithstanding My Weakness, Ensign, November 1976)

The manual continued, "In February 1835, when the Prophet organized the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Quorum of the Seventy, nine of the Twelve Apostles and all of the Seventy had served in Zion’s Camp. As recalled by Joseph Young, one of the original members of the Seventy, the Prophet explained to a group of these brethren: 'God did not want you to fight. He could not organize His kingdom with twelve men to open the Gospel door to the nations of the earth, and with seventy men under their direction to follow in their tracks, unless He took them from a body of men who had offered their lives, and who had made as great a sacrifice as did Abraham.'2

It was in Zion’s Camp that Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, and others gained practical training that enabled them to lead the Saints from Missouri to Illinois in 1839 and later to the Salt Lake Valley. From their experience with the Prophet, these brethren had learned to lead in the Lord’s way."

A good leader helps people learn, as Joesph Smith said, “correct principles, and they govern themselves.” (“The Organization of the Church,” Millennial Star, Nov. 15, 1851,339) Which goes along with D&C 58: 26
"26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is ^acompelled in all things, the same is a ^bslothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. "

People are taught and expected to do good on their own, rather than be instructed on every little point.

We struggle to teach children to think before they act. Have we sufficiently learned that lesson as we stumble into our sins.

Sunday School
The Doctrine and Covenants testifies of Christ and that he is our Savior.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:41-44

41 ^aFear not, little ^bchildren, for you are mine, and I have ^covercome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath ^dgiven me;

42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be ^alost.

43 And the Father and I are ^aone. I am ^bin the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.

44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the ^agood ^bshepherd, and the ^cstone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this ^drock shall never ^efall.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24

22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the ^atestimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he ^blives!

23 For we ^asaw him, even on the ^bright hand of ^cGod; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only ^dBegotten of the Father—

24 That by ^ahim, and through him, and of him, the ^bworlds are and were created, and the ^cinhabitants thereof are begotten ^dsons and daughters unto God.

Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19

16 For behold, I, God, have ^asuffered these things for all, that they might not ^bsuffer if they would ^crepent;

17 But if they would not repent they must ^asuffer even as I;

18 Which ^asuffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might ^bnot drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and ^afinished my preparations unto the children of men.

The pain was going to be so bad that even a god was scared of it.

He suffered for our sins AND our pains. He understands everything we go through and can uniquely succor us through our trials and anguish.

The Savior's path is constant. It does not change. We can choose to not obey Him, but that is not His path and will not get us to where He is. In order to get where we have to come back to His path.

Sacrament Service/Ward Conference
The gospel is not a spectator sport.

We may know how to live the gospel, but if we don't put it in action we will not understand the gospel. If we do put it in action we will be able to make sense of many other things in our life.

Do not pause on the path to look at the spacious building. Turn off the TV, Internet, texting, and find your family.

From the Bulletin So Simple: All cooks who really want tasty meals would NOT purposely omit any ingredient to step. All athletes who really want to achieve desired goals would not omit developing and repeatedly practicing basic fundamentals. And so it is with our desire to return back to Heavenly Father. We, too, must DELIBERATELY use and practice the basics consistently and with exactness. There is no shortcut.

Alma 37:6, 7:
"By small and simple things great things are brought to pass..."

THE key to happiness (Mosiah 2:41):
"...I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those who keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven..."

We move towards that which we think of. Great people don't just have characteristics that make them great, they also DO things differently to achieve their dreams. Heance, set goals of things you wish to achieve. THEN cut those goals into daily smaller goals. Just like many small pieces are needed to make a bridge to cross rivers, so do many small goals make up our bridges to reach goals.

Let us set goals that stir our blood, excite our hearts, and invigorate our minds. Let us go forth boldly in our desires to be obedient so that the Lord cannot withhold any blessings. Please see D&C 82:10 and D&C 130:20, 21. Miracles, big and small, are hanging on the edge of Heaven, ready to leap into our laps.

Weber Heights Stake General Priesthood Meeting 1-11-09

Carl B. Cook spoke to us.

Experiences were shared about the Auckland, New Zealand mission. Many of the missionaries were from the pacific islands. One of those islands was Vanuatu. I recently watched a season of survivor that was played out on Vanuatu. I had never heard of that island before Survivor. Survivor makes their locations out as if they are deserted other than a few natives, but to think about the Church having a presence there and sending out missionaries was interesting.

“As the Lord’s servant, you are to do His work in His way and by His power. Some
missionaries feel confident that they know how to be successful. Others lack such confidence.
Remember, however, that your confidence and faith should be in Christ, not in yourself.
Rely on the Spirit rather than your own talents and abilities. Trust the Spirit to guide you
in every aspect of your work.” (Preach My Gospel. P97)

Helaman 10:7
  7 Behold, I give unto you ^apower, that whatsoever ye shall ^bseal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people.

The Preach My Gospel manual states under the topic of Faith in Jesus Christ Preach My Gospel, “Your faith will increase through diligent study, prayer, dedicated service, and obedience
to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the commandments.” (Preach My Gospel, p116)

John 20:27-31
  27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and ^athrust it into my side: and be not ^bfaithless, but ^cbelieving. 
  28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 
  29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast ^aseen me, thou hast believed: ^bblessed are they that have not seen, and yet have ^cbelieved. 
  30 ¶ And many other ^asigns truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not ^bwritten in this book: 
  31 But these are ^awritten, that ye might ^bbelieve that Jesus is the ^cChrist, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have ^dlife through his ^ename.

When a missionary goes to the MTC it should not be a revelation.  It should be a review.

Alma 7:11
  11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 1-4-09

Announcements

• Wednesdays at 9pm - Basketball
• January 11, 2009 7:15am - Weber Heights Stake General Priesthood Meeting
  

Priesthood Opening
Alma 57:25-27

25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was ^anot one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.

26 And now, their ^apreservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous ^bpower of God, because of their exceeding ^cfaith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.

27 Now this was the ^afaith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are ^bfirm, and they do put their trust in God continually.

Elders' Quorum
Our lesson was to focus on the basics in our lives. What are the basics?

• Scripture Study
• Prayer
• Repentance/Atonement
• Family Home Evening
• Missionary Work
• Temple Attendance
• Home Teaching
• Attending Our Meetings (Sunday, General Conference, Priesthood, and So Forth)
• Service

These basics are simple and yet they get skipped. There are examples in scriptures of people being asked to do simple things and resisting them as well.

Alma 33:18-20

18 But behold, this is not all; these are not the only ones who have spoken concerning the Son of God.

19 Behold, he was spoken of by ^aMoses; yea, and behold a ^btype was ^craised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live.

20 But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would ^aheal them.

2 Kings 5:9-13

9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and ^awash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be ^bclean.

11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some ^agreat thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

If we could be involved in some great thing that would change the course of history, would we do it? We have those opportunities in our homes all the time and we neglect to do them.

Sunday School
We talked about the video The Mountain of the Lord which culminates in placing the cap stone on the Salt Lake temple.

"The Book of Mormon is the 'keystone' of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone." (Ezra Taft Benson, "The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants," Ensign, May 1987, 83)

"The keystone and the capstone teach us about the cornerstone of our religion, which is the Savior." (L. Tom Perry, "The Doctrine and Covenants-- The Capstone of Our Religion," Fireside at Brigham Young University on 4 March 2001)

Cornerstone - Can't build a building foundation without it.
Keystone - Can't have an opening in a building without it.
Capstone - A building is not complete without it.

"The book of Doctrine and Covenants is one of the standard works of the Church in company with the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price. However, the Doctrine and Covenants is unique because it is not a translation of an ancient document, but is of modern origin and was given of God through his chosen prophets for the restoration of his holy work and the establishment of the kingdom of God on the earth in these days. In the revelations one hears the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew in the dispensation of the fulness of times; and the work that is initiated herein is preparatory to his second coming, in fulfillment of and in concert with the words of all the holy prophets since the world began."

(Explanatory Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants, third paragraph)

The Doctrine and Covenants is a unique book of scripture in that it was not translated, but the words of a prophet recorded in the language they were received.

The sections of the Doctrine and Covenants are answers to prayers...detailed answers to prayers. Revelation to the Church did not end with the last section of the Doctrine and Covenants. We have living prophets that speak to us every six months in general conference and each month in our magazines.

Who are the messages of the Doctrine and Covenants for? Everyone.
Doctrine and Covenants 1:1-4

1 ^aHearken, O ye people of my ^bchurch, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose ^ceyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.

2 For verily the ^avoice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to ^bescape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ^cear that shall not hear, neither ^dheart that shall not be penetrated.

3 And the ^arebellious shall be ^bpierced with much ^csorrow; for their iniquities shall be ^dspoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.

4 And the ^avoice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have ^bchosen in these ^clast days.

Doctrine and Covenants 1:25
25 And inasmuch as they ^aerred it might be made known;

That we might know our errors. Some of those errors might be our misinterpretation of scripture.

Doctrine and Covenants 1:26
26 And inasmuch as they sought ^awisdom they might be ^binstructed;

That we might learn if we seek it.

Doctrine and Covenants 1:27
27 And inasmuch as they sinned they might be ^achastened, that they might ^brepent;

That we might be chastened and repent, not be chastened and be punished.

From the Bulletin

• The "8W" formula: Work Will Win When Wishy Washy Wishing Won't
• Ponder on this for a while. When we go to the temple, we trade in commandments for covenants.
• We must be very DELIBERATE about our lives and HONEST with God to have improvements and success in our lives. Plan. Do. Check. Adjust. Not just because this is a new year, but due to eternal principles, people who have specific goals based on righteous, daily-lived principles are happy, achieve many things, receive abundant blessings, and so forth.
• When we live in HIS commandments, we are blessed. When we choose not to live His commandments, we are not blessed. (Summary of D&C 82:10)
• When we want a specific blessing, we must live the laws that trigger the release of those blessings. (Summary of D&C 130:20,21)
  

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 12-28-08

Priesthood Opening
Alma 7:9-11

9 But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying—^aRepent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God ^bcometh upon the face of the earth.

10 And behold, he shall be ^aborn of Mary, at ^bJerusalem which is the ^cland of our forefathers, she being a ^dvirgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and ^econceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

Elders' Quorum
We talked about President Uchtdorf's talk "The Infinite Power of Hope", General Conference October 2008

What is hope? President Uchtdorf stated, "Hope is a gift of the Spirit."

Faith gives us hope.

President Uchtdorf also stated in his talk, "Hope is one leg of a three-legged stool, together with faith and charity. These three stabilize our lives regardless of the rough or uneven surfaces we might encounter at the time. The scriptures are clear and certain about the importance of hope. The Apostle Paul taught that the scriptures were written to the end that we 'might have hope.'¹

Sunday School
What is the purpose of the Book of Mormon?

• "Convincing of the Jew and Gentile"
  
  • 1 Ne. 13: 39
    39 And after it had come forth unto them I beheld ^aother ^bbooks, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the ^cconvincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are ^dtrue.
  • 2 Ne. 26: 12
    12 And as I spake concerning the ^aconvincing of the ^bJews, that Jesus is the ^cvery Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the ^dEternal ^eGod;
• Testify of Christ
• Reinforce the Bible
  
• Remember God
  
  • Moroni 10:3
    3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how ^amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ^bponder it in your ^chearts.

Moroni 10:2-3

2 And I ^aseal up ^bthese records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you.

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how ^amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ^bponder it in your ^chearts.

What does exhort mean? Dictionary.com give these definitions

1.	to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently.

–verb (used without object)

2.	to give urgent advice, recommendations, or warnings.

Sacrament Service
How do we forget selfish ambition?

Within every soul is a rose. Many times we only see the thorns on us and fail to water our soul that the rose may bloom.

People that share a sense of direction travel more quickly like a flock of geese flying in formation. Geese also honk to encourage each other. When one goose falls ill two geese follow it to the ground and stay with it until it dies or can fly. After that they fly together to catch up to the flock.

If we change the words to one of our hymns slightly we get these words:
Have I done any good in the WARD today. Have I helped anyone in need? (Hymn 223)

From the Bulletin:
"As we come to the close of this year I feel that we all need to look at the decisions that we are making for our New Years resolutions.

The decisions we make and the way we behave are what ultimately shape our character. Charles A. Hall aptly describes that process in these lines: 'We sow our thoughts, and we reap our actions; we sow our actions, and we reap our habits; we sow our habits, and we reap our destiny'" (Ensign November 2001 "Our Actions Determine Our Character" Elder Wayne S. Peterson).

Let's all strive to make and keep New Years resolutions that will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father."

---

The most important meeting of the week is this Sacrament Service. Please keep the chapel reverent before, during, and after meetings so we may all enjoy the full influence of the Holy Ghost. Thank you so very much.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 12-21-08

Announcements
December 23-25 - Stake Offices will be closed
January 4 - Church starts at 9am
January 11 7:15am - Stake General Priesthood Meeting
January 11 - Ward Conference

Priesthood Opening
Hel. 16: 14

14 And ^aangels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled.

3 Ne. 9: 21
21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring ^aredemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.

22 Therefore, whoso ^arepenteth and cometh unto me ^bas a ^clittle child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have ^dlaid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.

Elders' Quorum
Chapter 23: “How Good and How Pleasant It Is … to Dwell Together in Unity” 271–80
One of the headings in the manual stated, "When we work together in unity, we can better accomplish the purposes of God. " I think this is true in most pursuits. I have often thought about this principle in looking at technology. Even though certain technologies advance at lightning speeds, but other areas lag. Companies compete and that drives certain technologies to some degree, but are often restricted by what makes the fastest and biggest profit. How much further would technologies be advanced and how many more technologies would we have if people and companies worked together more and compete less?

We develop drugs like Viagra by competition and driven by stock holders, but where would we be on the research about cancer, AIDS, or the many other big cripplers and killers if companies and people cooperated and joined forces more?

A group of carpenters can not build a house alone. We are building God's kingdom. We need to do whatever big or small job we have. Similar to what Elder Ucktdorf talked about in his conference talk "Lift Where You Stand".

What are our attitudes while we work? Do we impact our productivity and spirituality because we work with a bad or less than good attitude.

Sunday School
Lesson 43: “How Could Ye Have Departed from the Ways of the Lord?” 190
Moroni 1-6
No matter where we go in the Church the organization is the same. Moroni tells us of some of the way the Church was organized in his day. In chapter 4 and 5 he tells us how to bless the sacrament. In chapter 6 he tells us of the preparation and requirements for baptism.

Moroni is being pursued by those trying to kill him. He prays that what he writes will bless their children. In chapter 4 and he tells us how to bless the sacrament. In chapter 6 he tells us of the preparation and requirements for baptism.

Sacrament Service
The choir sang and gave a Christmas program. They had people read scripture between songs. During one song they had a handful of young girls sing a couple of the verses. They incorporated a guitar and a violin in parts of the program as well.

From the Bulletin:
What Could I Possibly Do to Top This?
In this season where we celebrate the biggest and best birthday, what gift could we possibly give the birthday child, Jesus? Couldn't we give Him our gifts of truly broken and repentant hearts, determined and contrite spirits, willing and obedient hearts, and senses of immeasurable gratitude for what we have been given including our humbling and teaching trials. How about the gift of forgiving others - we expect others to give the gift of forgiving to us? How about an honest tithe and generous fast offering? Would sharing the gospel be offensive to Him? And oh!! Regular attendance in the temple to give others (and ourselves) precious gifts at the temple? We are sure that our carefully planning out and completing our callings as well as giving generous doses of service so His work could move forward would not hurt his feelings either.

In the end, our gifts are very tiny (yet critical) compared to the gift of eternal life that He gives us for our efforts here on earth. Ultimately, regardless of what we give, His gift of grace saves us all.

Who Really Cares?
Unless a commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans. Heavenly Father really does care and is committed to each of us and so He made a real, living, breathing plan to save each of us.

Let us likewise make real plans that are solidly linked to His. Let's write down measurable goals and cut them up into daily, bit-sized pieces. Let's review then often...putting habits of success into motion. And then, let's watch the miracles that come about as we do so.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

Sullivan Hollow 2nd Bishopric

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.

South Ogden Stake Fireside 12-14-2008

The singing group Eclipse spoke to and sung for us. It was a little odd for me to see a "performance" in the chapel. It was reverent. It was probably just weird because there were six of them and they are professional singers.

They are an a capella group. The music was pretty good. I've like a capella music since I saw a protestant group rehearsing at an old movie theater where I was helping my friend prepare the theater for their concert.

First Speaker
He introduced the members of the group. He served a mission to London. He use to live in the South Ogden Stake where the fireside was being held.

The gift of healing.

Alma 34: 16
16 And thus ^amercy can satisfy the demands of ^bjustice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of ^cjustice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal ^dplan of ^eredemption.

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Second Speaker
He shared a story about Sylvia Martin, the author of the next song they would sing. She visited a family that had a lot of health problems.

She asked the family why they were so happy with all their problems. They responded, "His eyes are on the sparrow. We know he watches us.

Matt 6:26
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Third Speaker
Luke 2:8-14

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the ^aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you ^agood tidings of great ^bjoy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is ^aborn this day in the city of David a ^bSaviour, which is Christ the ^cLord.

12 And this shall be a ^asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 ^aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth ^bpeace, good will toward men.

The angel appeared to mere shepherds.

He talked about Elder Ucktdorf talking about light in the Christmas devotional.

Fourth Speaker
The speaker said that they grew up in a family of ten.

He said that they had a nativity scene that they had used since the oldest kids were very young. He said that he broke a piece in it once and he noticed that many of the pieces had glue on them.

From a young age he knew when setting up the scene that the baby Jesus was placed in the center of the scene. Our focus should also be our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus.
Fifth Speaker
He talked about Joseph and the amazing responsibility he took on. The responsibility of raising the savior of the world and also taking on the responsibility of marrying a woman that became pregnant before being married in a society that was very strict about such things. He could have put her to public scorn or broke it off with her privately or marry her.

The speaker read a fictional narrative from Joseph's perspective about his thoughts on what it would be like to raise Jesus.

Sixth Speaker
He talked about pondering Christ's birth, ministry, and atonement.

He said to take everything to Christ including our joys, our triumphs, our pains, and our concerns.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional 12-7-08

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - 2nd Counselor in First Presidency
He talked about when he was a child that Christmas started four weeks before Christmas during Advent.

On Christmas Eve one of his parents would take the children through the neighborhood to look at the lighted houses. He said that they they were very small lights, but he remembered how even the dimmest lights penetrated the darkness.

May we remember that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Through our acts of compassion and love, let us fill the world with His light.

President Henry B. Eyring - First Counselor in the First Presidency
He talked about the Christmas pageants they would put on as a family and how they grew. First it was just him, his wife, and a doll. As children came into their family the cast filled out.

They eventually add Samuel the Lamanite testifying of the coming Savior's birth. As the children grew older they had to remind them that Samuel could not be hit since he was delivering the message of the Lord. Yet it took courage to be Samuel in their home.

The Savior chose to leave the Father's side and be born in a stable. He chose to heal and teach the people. He chose to suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane. He chose to die on the cross.

Elder Eyring shared the story of a bishop that would often receive people passing through the area to his dinner table. During the economic hard times of the day there were many traveling from place to place trying to find employment to feed their families. This bishop's dinner table often had strangers at it. After the meal he would fit them with some surplus army coats he had purchased and another meal packaged for later.

He said that he hoped we have and give a joyous Christmas.

President Thomas S. Monson - Prophet
It is essential that we make a concious concerted effort to bring Christ into our lives and into our homes.

There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 12-07-08

Announcements

-In January Sunday meetings will start at 9AM.

-Ward conference is January 11.
-Starting on January 7 (Wednesday) evening at 7:00PM there will be a "Strengthening Marriage" class. The class will be about 90 minutes once a week for around six weeks.

Priesthood Opening

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.

We were reminded that in the last general conference President Monson asked us to pray for areas of the world that are not open for missionary work.

Elders' Quorum

What does it mean to be a saint?

-Consistent - We can be counted on. Dependable.

-Concise - Take the assignment and get it done without procrastinating and dragging it out.

-Caring - Knowing your home teaching families and neighbors.

-Charitable - We have covenanted to give of our time and our substance to help others.

-Complete - Being the whole package (work, home, and church).

-Consecrated - Given completely to the Lord.

Sunday School

Lesson 45: “Never Has Man Believed in Me As Thou Hast” 198
What is faith?

-Acting on something you believe.

-Ether 12:6

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.

-Faith can eliminate fear.

What can you do with faith? Anything if that faith is on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

What have we done with our faith?

We talked of the brother of Jared.

“While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door, he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, ‘The name I have given your son is the name of the brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown [or revealed] it to me.’ Elder William F. Cahoon … heard the Prophet make this statement to his father; and this was the first time the name of the brother of Jared was known in the Church in this dispensation” (George Reynolds, “The Jaredites,” Juvenile Instructor, 1 May 1892, 282).

Someone in the class said they were related to Reynolds Cahoon.

The brother of Jared was a large and mighty man.

The Lord answered him because he was persistent.

Ether 2: 8-10
8 And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should ^aserve him, the true and only God, or they should be ^bswept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.
9 And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be ^aswept off when the fulness of his ^bwrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ^cripened in iniquity.
10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be ^aswept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the ^bfulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are ^cswept off.

Bring ideas to the Lord and get his approval and ask for his help. There may be more than one solution and the Lord may not care which one you choose as long as you keep him involved.

Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-27

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is ^acompelled in all things, the same is a ^bslothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

27 Verily I say, men should be ^aanxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

From the Bulletin:
I believe in the second mile. I have come to know that the first mile of simple obedience and its attending blessings are critical, but it is in our freely giving the second mile where one freely stretches the giving in time and resources that they Lord hands out amazing blessings and miracles. NO one that I know who pays a full tithe and FREELY GIVES a generous fast offering goes without. No one. We eventually reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).

Additionally, there is not such thing as a free lunch. Little by little, often imperceptibly in the decoy-filled world, our minds become conditioned to getting the things we want with as little effort as possible. Elder F. Burton Howard said in that "We guard our giving, that we may have more time for getting. Many seek grades without effort, athletic attainment without training, musical excellence without practice. They try to lose weight without diet and to be free without being responsible. Others become more concerned with finding the right person than they are with being the right right person." ("On Giving and Getting," New Era, 10/85)

the strait and narrow road to true joy and eventual exaltation is a toll road. the tariff is gratitude, reverence, prayer and pondering, studying, planning and discipline, hard work, empathetic service, and love in action. It is paying the price for everything we get and then giving it away. those who travel the strait road are never the same. What may seem as unpleasant -- initially -- turns out to be the sweetest and most desired road of all. What we GIVE OURSELVES TO is what brings meaning, joy and purpose to our lives, not what we get or gain. - The Bishop