Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 15 Sep 2013

Ward CouncilThe spiritual thought was taken from the book, The Gift to Teach by Boyd K Packer

1 Corinthians 12:11
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Elders QuorumChapter 18 - Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow

“If a presiding elder will only seek to become as he may be and ought to be, ridding himself of selfish principles, and always act for the good of his people, and be humble, and not seek to do too much in a little time, or be too great until grown, he will never be at a loss how to magnify his office properly, nor will ever lack the power of God to bring about His wise purposes.” (Letter from Lorenzo Snow to William Lewzey and William Major, Nov. 1842, in Lorenzo Snow, Letterbook, 1839–1846, Church History Library.)

Those who raise themselves up, the Lord brings them low.  Those who humble themselves the Lord lifts.

Sunday SchoolLesson 35 - Our Heritage 77-80
After the people had been physically saved, they could continue to save those people spiritually.

How far do we have to go today to find people that need rescued?  Next door or maybe a couple of doors down?  There are likely people in our own home that need rescued.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Sacrament ServiceJohn 16:13
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

If we allow ourselves to be distracted by things or people from our duty and who we are then we will not have joy.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Alma 42:6-8
6 But behold, it was appointed unto man to die—therefore, as they were cut off from the tree of life they should be cut off from the face of the earth—and man became lost forever, yea, they becamefallen man.
7 And now, ye see by this that our first parents were cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lord; and thus we see they became subjects to follow after their own will.
8 Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.

Church Services This Week at Farmington 3rd Ward Farmington Stake Farmington Utah 8 Sep 2013

Sacrament ServicePersonal revelation is information from God.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:63
63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Moroni 10:4
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Seek to do the father's will always.

Pray always.

I often here people talk of that father does not want to be involved in the trivial matters of our life, yet he has told us to pray always.  If we pray always then often those prayer will have, so called, trivial things in them.

If we pray always and about “trivial” things we learn to hear his voice and what that voice sounds like.

“Much instruction has been given to man since the beginning which we do not possess now. … Some of our friends … are bold to say that we have everything written in the Bible which God ever spoke to man since the world began. … Does it remain for a people who never had faith enough to call down one scrap of revelation from heaven, and for all they have now are indebted to the faith of another people who lived hundreds and thousands of years before them, does it remain for them to say how much God has spoken and how much he has not spoken? … It is nowhere said in that volume by the mouth of God, that He would not, after giving, what is there contained, speak again” (History of the Church, 2:18)

Doctrine and Covenants 1:38
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

It is our problem if you are not receiving revelation.  It is not the teachers or speakers at church that are the problem.  It is our poor behavior and our lack of preparation that is in our way.

Much of the revelation you receive is meant for you and only you.  Those experiences are sacred and are only shared as prompted to on specific occasions.  Some might never be shared.

Sunday SchoolLesson 34 - Doctrine and Covenants 136

The teacher said that the first group of saints that came across the plains took almost a year.  She said that subsequent groups took just over a hundred days.  They learned much from the first journey and so did many of the travelers that were not members of the church.  Several LDS settlements sprung up allow the way and were a support to travelers.

Being self reliant in a way is like the oxygen mask on a plane.  It could save your life and if you take care of preparing for yourself first then you can help others.

Elders QuorumChapter 17 - Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow

Testify with boldness and with love and reverence for the doctrine and also for the individual we are talking to.

We are accountable to follow promptings we receive and we are accountable for being prepared to be able to receive those promptings and for being prepared to declare doctrine and testimony.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 1 Sep 2013

Elders Quorum

The lesson was based on President Uchtdorf’s conference talk, The Hope of God’s Light.

Darkness vs Light

When darkness comes into our life it is easy to let it consume us.

We should accept that there is darkness, but we should strive to dwell in the light.

He suggested three steps to overcoming darkness.

1. Start where you are.

2. Second, turn your heart toward the Lord.

3. Third, walk in the light.

Sunday School

With the death of Joseph smith the enemies of the church thought the church would go away.  Many of the members of the church also wondered what they would do without Joseph.

“If this were the work of man, it would fail, but it is the work of the Lord, and he does not fail” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1970, 113; or Improvement Era, June 1970, 26).

Brigham Young perhaps had a difficult personality for some in that he was very matter of fact, but that was what the Church needed in the absence of Joseph.   The Church needed someone to speak confidently that they knew the direction the Lord had given Joseph and that Brigham was receiving revelation.  They needed someone to speak directly and firmly to get over the hump of transitioning from Joseph to what the Church would be going forward.

Doctrine and covenants 107:22-27?

22 Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church.

23 The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.

24 And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned.

25 The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.

26 And they form a quorum, equal in authority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named.

27 And every decision made by either of these quorums must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in each quorum must be agreed to its decisions, in order to make their decisions of the same power or validity one with the other—

The saints felt an urgency to get temple work done before leaving the temple behind and going West.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 25 August 2013

Elders Quorum

The lesson was based on The Lord's Way by Elder Stanley G Ellis from April 2013 General Conference

He describes the calling of the 70.

"Think of it, brothers and sisters—we are not spiritual orphans! We are not alone.

"What are the advantages of having parents—of not being an orphan? We can learn from them, benefit from their experience, avoid pitfalls they warn us about, and understand better because of their perspective. We don’t have to be lost, confused, deceived, or less effective. This is especially true in the case of our Heavenly Father, who has taught us and shown us not just a way but the way."(Elder Stanley)

Heavenly Father takes an active role in each of our lives to try to help us understand his plan for us and help us do things the way that makes us successful.

2 Nephi 32:8

 8 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.

Proverbs 3:5

5 ¶ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

When we prepare we do not fear.  When we study, when we pray we will be prepared.

Sunday School

Doctrine and Covenants 135

The first amendment did not apply to the states and city councils back then.  The press was destroyed to prevent a riot of the citizens over the contents of the newspaper.

The charge against Joseph was treason, since treason charges do not allow for bail.

If Joseph had not been killed he could've lived many years and continued to lead the church.  By him dieing the members of the Church had to find their footing and reach for the Lord without Joseph holding their hands.  Had Hyrum lived the Church may have tried to rally around him as their leader.  The Church had to rely on the Lord and not the Smiths.  This may well be why Emma did not leave Nauvoo.  Perhaps the Lord guided her to stay behind.  Perhaps, the people that wanted to keep following the Smiths could stay behind as the Church left, without continuing to cling to the Smiths.

Sacrament Service

Ether 12:23

 23 And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them;

Matthew 5:6

 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Making a habit of reading the scriptures can be helped by doing it in the same place and at the same time every day.

Some have said that morning is the best time to read the scriptures.

Look for the one liners in the scriptures.  The little principles and doctrines that have a punch.  Then apply them to your life.  Look for how those things apply to you.  Determine how you can make yourself better with those one liners.

"Make your scriptures as comfortable as a worn pair of tennis shoes." - Unknown

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 18 August 2013

Ward Council

Rev 12:10-11

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Section 11 and 13 in preach my gospel and section 4 and 5 in handbook 2 - commitment and dedication

Every time we are with people we have the opportunity to invite peoplepc to make commitments.

Elders Quorum

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow Chapter 16

John 17:19-21

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

"If we have division in our midst; if we be divided either spiritually or temporally, we never can be the people that God designs us to become," (Deseret News: Semi-Weekly, Jan. 23, 1883, 1)

We become one when we have a deep love for father's children.  We become one when we do the things of God because that is who we are and not because we have to.

"There should be greater union in our midst than we find today." (From the manual)

Sunday School

Lesson 31

Doctrine and Covenants 131,132

Doctrine and Covenants 132:3

 3 Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same.

To receive new things from the Lord we need to prepare to receive it.

Eternal is often a name for something belongs to or given by God.  Eternal punishment is God's punishment.  Eternal marriage is God's type of marriage.

Sacrament Service

Doctrine and Covenants 128:15

15 And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 11 August 2013

Elders Quorum

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow

No matter where we are there is someone to teach.   We should not get caught up in getting to our destination so much that we fail to see opportunities where we are at.

We have the truth, so there is a lot of responsibility for us to act.  "Where much is given, much is required."

One of the keys to missionary work is our own behavior.  We must check our behavior to make it represent the Savior.

"Same divine and holy calling...we assume all of the responsibility of ambassadors of christ."

Sunday School

Doctrine and Covenants 128:2

2 I wrote a few words of revelation to you concerning a recorder. I have had a few additional views in relation to this matter, which I now certify. That is, it was declared in my former letter that there should be a recorder, who should be eye-witness, and also to hear with his ears, that he might make a record of a truth before the Lord.

The Lord was establishing that the work should be documented in the Church in general, as well as in each congregation in the Church.

The Lord commanded the saints to keep very good records.  We find it to be a pain in our day, but we can see the fruits of these record from that time period.  Those records are very valuable and those records we don't have we often wish we had to know more about what was going on at that time.

The Lord also wanted to bestow the fulness of the priesthood on the saints at Nauvoo, but they didn't have a temple.

Are baptisms for the dead more sacred since the Lord prefers them to be done in temples?

What does it mean that we cannot be saved without our kindred dead?

Malachi last chapter:5-6 was given to Joseph Smith in a plainer translation by Moroni before telling Joseph about the Book of Mormon plates.

The extra part Moroni had given talks of why Elijah was going to come.

The president of the church is the only one authorized to ordain temple sealers, since he is the only one authorized to exercised those keys.

Once things are welded together they are stronger at the weld than the separate materials alone.

"I now invite the attention of the young women, young men, and children of the rising generation as I emphasize the importance of the Spirit of Elijah in your lives today. My message is intended for the entire Church in general—but for you in particular.

"Many of you may think family history work is to be performed primarily by older people. But I know of no age limit described in the scriptures or guidelines announced by Church leaders restricting this important service to mature adults. You are sons and daughters of God, children of the covenant, and builders of the kingdom. You need not wait until you reach an arbitrary age to fulfill your responsibility to assist in the work of salvation for the human family." (Elder David A Bednar, "The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn", October 2011 General Conference)

Sacrament Service

We spend time fixing up our houses physically, but how much time do we work on building it spiritually?

You prepare for physical repairs to your home.  You assess what needs work.  You assess how to fix it.  You assess what materials and tools you need.  Similar processes should be followed for spiritual repairs and improvements.

When we go to the temple, don't rush.  Prepare beforehand.  Make sure we have everything we need before walking out the door.

Go to the temple with a purpose.

Righteous desires should not be impulsive and temporary.

"The happiness of the Latter-day Saints, the peace of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of … God."( Gordon B. Hinckley, “If Ye Be Willing and Obedient,” Ensign, Dec. 1971, 125)

Abraham was told that because of his obedience all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

"The concern is not where we live—but how we live. Obedience to the laws of the Lord will bring happiness and peace. We never need apologize for living the standards of the Church" ( JAMES A. CULLIMORE, “To Be in the World but Not of the World”, General Conference October 1973)

Alma 12:32

32 Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God.

“Heavenly Father first taught Adam and Eve the plan of redemption; then He gave them commandments. All commandments have their eternal importance in the context of the great plan of happiness…” ( Elder J E Jensen, “Keep an Eternal Perspective”, April 2000 General Conference)

Church Services This Week at Sullivan Hollow Second Ward Weber Heights Stake Ogden Utah 4 August 2013

Ward Council

Moroni 6:4

4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

“We live in perilous times when many believe we are not accountable to God and that we do not have personal responsibility or stewardship for ourselves or others. Many in the world are focused on self-gratification, put themselves first, and love pleasure more than they love righteousness. They do not believe they are their brother’s keeper. In the Church, however, we believe that these stewardships are a sacred trust.”(Quentin L Cook, Stewardship—a Sacred Trust, General Conference 2009)

Combined Priesthood Meeting

The bishop taught us from the book "Increase in Learning" by Elder David A Bednar and the videos that go with it.

What is a gospel doctrine?  Doctrine is:

• Why we do something.
• Does not change and pertains to the salvation of man.
• "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior." (President Boyd K Packer, Little Children, General Conference 1986)
• Knowing the doctrine is not understanding it.
• “The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.” (President Boyd K Packer, Little Children, General Conference 1986)

He listed three doctrines that pertaining to home teaching.  I was only able to scribble down the first one.  See Elder Bednar’s book for the rest of them.

1.  Plan of salvation

- Principle - Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 - 10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;.

- Application - home teaching

- Principle - obedience

- Principle - oath and covenant

- Principle - Love

He defined what a gospel principle is and gave examples of applications of various principles that were tied to various doctrines.  I wasn’t fast enough to write the definition down.

"When we see the effect one person can have on the lives of so many, it perhaps is no wonder that the Lord reminded us, “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10)." (Harold G Hillam, The Worth of Souls, April 2005 General Conference)

"On one occasion President Thomas S. Monson made this statement to me: ‘There is a guiding hand above all things. Often when things happen, it’s not by accident. One day, when we look back at the seeming coincidences of our lives, we will realize that perhaps they weren’t so coincidental after all.’" (Elder Joseph B Wirthlin, Lessons Learned in the Journey of Life, Ensign December 2000)

“Brethren, home teaching is not just another program. It is the priesthood way of watching over the Saints and accomplishing the mission of the Church. Home teaching is not just an assignment. It is a sacred calling.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, "To the Home Teachers of the Church," Ensign, May 1987, 48)

The purpose of home teaching is to watch over, be with, and strengthen.

"If there are any concerns about Church doctrine, consider the counsel given by President Gordon B. Hinckley to a large meeting of over 2,000 members in Paris, France, last year. He said: ‘I plead with you, my brothers and sisters, that if you have any doubt concerning any doctrine of this Church, that you put it to the test. Try it. Live the principle. Get on your knees and pray about it, and God will bless you with a knowledge of the truth of this work.’" (Harold G Hillam, The Worth of Souls, April 2005 General Conference)