Testimony Meeting
Sunday School
Symbols used to represent Christ:
Rock Light Bread
Foundation Truth Sustenance
How does one demonstrate faith? Obedience.
Priesthood
Talk on Tithing from last conference.
Tithing is a commandment. Tithing is any increase (Income from a business, personal income, alimony...). Tithing is a lower law. The higher law is consecration, everyone having all things in common or giving all of your surplus to the Lord. Much like the Beatitudes. Ye heard that it was said...But I say unto you... Tithing would be the "Ye heard that it was said". Giving you surplus would be the "But I say unto you".
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Sunday March 18, 2007
Sacrament Meeting
The young women gave a musical program.
Sunday School
Parables
He taught in parables so that those who had the spirit would be able to understand and those who didn't would not. Those that understood would be accountable.
Seeds that fell by wayside - Birds came and ate them.
Seeds in Stony Places - No roots.
Seeds among thorns - Thorns choked them out.
Seeds in good soil - Bring forth fruit.
Seed = Word of God
Wayside = People that hear the Word and do not understand (lack of faith, sin, leaning on their own understanding)
Stony places = Hear and receive and don't allow it to take root (Accepted the gospel and then fell away)
Thorny places = Hear the word of God, but are distracted by the cares of the world (Accepted the gospel and then have worldly things pulls us away. Sin, temporal concerns, and such)
Priesthood
Ch 6 - Discovering the scriptures
Even after having read the scriptures 76 times President Kimball related to someone that they had explained a scripture in a way he had never considered. There is always more to learn. There is always something more to the scriptures that we have missed or a perspective that we have not looked at them from.
The young women gave a musical program.
Sunday School
Parables
He taught in parables so that those who had the spirit would be able to understand and those who didn't would not. Those that understood would be accountable.
Seeds that fell by wayside - Birds came and ate them.
Seeds in Stony Places - No roots.
Seeds among thorns - Thorns choked them out.
Seeds in good soil - Bring forth fruit.
Seed = Word of God
Wayside = People that hear the Word and do not understand (lack of faith, sin, leaning on their own understanding)
Stony places = Hear and receive and don't allow it to take root (Accepted the gospel and then fell away)
Thorny places = Hear the word of God, but are distracted by the cares of the world (Accepted the gospel and then have worldly things pulls us away. Sin, temporal concerns, and such)
Priesthood
Ch 6 - Discovering the scriptures
Even after having read the scriptures 76 times President Kimball related to someone that they had explained a scripture in a way he had never considered. There is always more to learn. There is always something more to the scriptures that we have missed or a perspective that we have not looked at them from.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Sunday March 11, 2007
Sacrament Meeting
One would be lost on a journey without consulting an authoritative map. Yet, many go through life's unfamiliar journey using maps that only have partial information (Oprah, mediums, scholars) and refuse to consult the complete map (scriptures, prayer, prophets).
Scriptures are not designed to be a history.
Sunday School
Some think that religion is a burden and heavy. Because it requires us to limit our activities. Even though it frees us from the worries and troubles that can come with not limiting yourself.
Priesthood
Chapter 5 Spenser W Kimball manual - Prayer the Passport to Spiritual Power
-Prayer is not an optional activity.
-A brother shared what I think he said was a Japanese saying. When we pray our feet should be moving.
-"We are to live the gospel as honestly and earnestly as we pray." (Spencer W. Kimball Ensign, Oct. 1981, 6)
One would be lost on a journey without consulting an authoritative map. Yet, many go through life's unfamiliar journey using maps that only have partial information (Oprah, mediums, scholars) and refuse to consult the complete map (scriptures, prayer, prophets).
Scriptures are not designed to be a history.
Sunday School
Some think that religion is a burden and heavy. Because it requires us to limit our activities. Even though it frees us from the worries and troubles that can come with not limiting yourself.
Priesthood
Chapter 5 Spenser W Kimball manual - Prayer the Passport to Spiritual Power
-Prayer is not an optional activity.
-A brother shared what I think he said was a Japanese saying. When we pray our feet should be moving.
-"We are to live the gospel as honestly and earnestly as we pray." (Spencer W. Kimball Ensign, Oct. 1981, 6)
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Sunday March 4, 2007
Testimony Meeting
One brother talked about his being asked to come to Salt Lake City to speak at a Genesis Group meeting. I looked it up online when I got home and found that it was a group for African American members of the church. I didn't understand all of it, but it appeared that it was like a support group, since the Church has been historically predominantly white. The has been around since the early 70s.
Sunday School
We talked about treasures in heaven and what they might be. Treasures as in sealing up you treasures in Heaven and focusing on the treasures of earth. I figure they are probably the things that we can take with us, since earthly treasures are things we can't take. Things that we could take would be knowledge, character, joy, friendships, and families.
We read Matthew 6. We talked about the Lord's prayer. It was interesting to that just before Matthew goes into the prayer he records that the Savior said to avoid vain repetitions. Yet many people repeat this prayer.
Priesthood
March Ensign - First Presidency Message
Compassion
One brother talked about his being asked to come to Salt Lake City to speak at a Genesis Group meeting. I looked it up online when I got home and found that it was a group for African American members of the church. I didn't understand all of it, but it appeared that it was like a support group, since the Church has been historically predominantly white. The has been around since the early 70s.
Sunday School
We talked about treasures in heaven and what they might be. Treasures as in sealing up you treasures in Heaven and focusing on the treasures of earth. I figure they are probably the things that we can take with us, since earthly treasures are things we can't take. Things that we could take would be knowledge, character, joy, friendships, and families.
We read Matthew 6. We talked about the Lord's prayer. It was interesting to that just before Matthew goes into the prayer he records that the Savior said to avoid vain repetitions. Yet many people repeat this prayer.
Priesthood
March Ensign - First Presidency Message
Compassion
Monday, February 26, 2007
Sunday February 25, 2007
Sacrament Meeting
The bishop challenged everyone in the ward to pray twice a day, morning and night. He said that there are things that are only withheld from us because we don't take the time to ask Heavenly Father for them.
Sunday School
The Beatitudes
Priesthood
Talk from last conference M Russle Ballard Oh Be Wise.
The bishop challenged everyone in the ward to pray twice a day, morning and night. He said that there are things that are only withheld from us because we don't take the time to ask Heavenly Father for them.
Sunday School
The Beatitudes
| Ye heard that it was said?: | But I say unto you: |
| Thou shalt not kill.(Matt 5:21) | Do not get angry.(Matt 22) |
| Thou shalt not commit adultary.(Matt 5:27) | Avoid lustful thoughts.(Matt 5:28) |
| Perform oaths unto the Lord.(Matt 5:33) | Keep your word.(Matt 5:34-37) |
| An eye for an eye.(Matt 5:38) | Turn the other cheek.(Matt 5:39-40) |
| Love thy neighbor and hate thy enemy.(Matt 5:43) | Love your enemies.(Matt 5:44-47) |
Priesthood
Talk from last conference M Russle Ballard Oh Be Wise.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Sunday February 18, 2007
Sacrament Meeting
A return missionary who served as a Cambodian speaking missionary in Tacoma, WA and Boston, MA spoke to us today.
Sunday School
We talked about the miracles that Jesus performed. Why would Jesus have told the people he healed to tell no one. Ordinences, like healing the sick, are sacred. We should not speak lightly of them. We should not speak of them to just anyone in any situation.
Priesthood
We talked about repentance and the miracle of forgiveness.
We listed the steps of repentance:
1. Godly sorrow/Appropriate guilt
2. Confession
3. Restitution
4. Forsaking the sin
There was a discussion about whether one who is convicted of murder can be forgiven of that. There were many scriptures shared about the condemnation of murderers. It was also brought out that it is not our place to judge. It was stated that we don't know the killers state of mind or the circumstances of the death and until the judgement comes we should not give up on people.
A return missionary who served as a Cambodian speaking missionary in Tacoma, WA and Boston, MA spoke to us today.
Sunday School
We talked about the miracles that Jesus performed. Why would Jesus have told the people he healed to tell no one. Ordinences, like healing the sick, are sacred. We should not speak lightly of them. We should not speak of them to just anyone in any situation.
Priesthood
We talked about repentance and the miracle of forgiveness.
We listed the steps of repentance:
1. Godly sorrow/Appropriate guilt
2. Confession
3. Restitution
4. Forsaking the sin
There was a discussion about whether one who is convicted of murder can be forgiven of that. There were many scriptures shared about the condemnation of murderers. It was also brought out that it is not our place to judge. It was stated that we don't know the killers state of mind or the circumstances of the death and until the judgement comes we should not give up on people.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Sunday February 11, 2007
Sacrament Meeting
One of the youth spoke on dating. He shared things from the For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet.
Don't date someone that you do not consider marriage material. The pamphlet says "Date only those that have high standards and in whose company you can maintain your standards." He also said that you should be someone worth Marrying and you find people to date.
He talked about the council to not date before 16. The pamphlet states not only that you wait until 16, but that those early dating experiences should be in group. It also states that "...good friendships can and should be developed at every age."
One of the youth spoke on dating. He shared things from the For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet.
Don't date someone that you do not consider marriage material. The pamphlet says "Date only those that have high standards and in whose company you can maintain your standards." He also said that you should be someone worth Marrying and you find people to date.
He talked about the council to not date before 16. The pamphlet states not only that you wait until 16, but that those early dating experiences should be in group. It also states that "...good friendships can and should be developed at every age."
Sunday School
Many people don't take Jesus literally when they read Jesus' words. When He says that he is the Son of God. When he says that baptism is necessary for eternal life. When he says that keeping the commandments is necessary to have eternal life. When he says that we should be like him.
Priesthood
We usually think of the symbolism of the sacrament being the body and the blood. Another way to look at it might be from the standpoint of the statements he made of him being the bread of life and living water.
Jesus is the God of the old testament. Jehovah is Jesus. Although that does not mean that they are the same entity. God the Father in the New Testament is not Jehovah.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Sunday February 4, 2007
Testimony Meeting
One of the youth bore testimony about prayer. He said he has thought a lot about the hymn "Did You Think to Pray". He said that he thought about the line "When your heart is filled with anger" a couple of times this week. He said that he prayed and it restored his heart to a good place.
Sunday School
Being Born Again
John 3
One must be born of the water and the spirit (v5). Baptism is a requirement.
Evidences of being born again:
Jesus is our sure foundation. What is it like to have a house that is not on a sure foundation. Here are a few foundations that I have heard of recently that were not sure.
One of the youth bore testimony about prayer. He said he has thought a lot about the hymn "Did You Think to Pray". He said that he thought about the line "When your heart is filled with anger" a couple of times this week. He said that he prayed and it restored his heart to a good place.
Sunday School
Being Born Again
John 3
One must be born of the water and the spirit (v5). Baptism is a requirement.
Evidences of being born again:
- Experience a mighty change in our hearts.
- Mosiah 5
2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty achange in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do bevil, but to do good continually. - Alma 512 And according to his faith there was a mighty achange wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye aspiritually been bborn of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty cchange in your hearts?
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a achange of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the bsong of redeeming love, I would ask, ccan ye feel so now? - Be changed from carnal to righteous state.
- Mosiah 27
25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be aborn again; yea, bborn of God, cchanged from their carnal and dfallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his esons and daughters; - Become God's sons and daughters
- Mosiah 27:25
- Mosiah 5
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the achildren of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are bchanged through faith on his name; therefore, ye are cborn of him and have become his dsons and his daughters. - Become new creatures
- Mosiah 27
26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in anowise inherit the kingdom of God. - Have the image of God engraven upon our countenances.
- Alma 5
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye aspiritually been bborn of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty cchange in your hearts?
19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the aimage of God engraven upon your countenances? - Repent so our garments are purified until they are cleansed from all stain through the blood of Christ.
- Alma 5
21 I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be asaved; for there can no man be saved except his bgarments are washed white; yea, his garments must be cpurified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins.
33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto aall men, for the barms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you. - Alma 22
18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck aas if he were dead.
Jesus is our sure foundation. What is it like to have a house that is not on a sure foundation. Here are a few foundations that I have heard of recently that were not sure.
- A house that build on land that was not properly researched and now the house is sinking into the water table.
- Houses built on ice that are dropping into the sea due to climate changes. Not only were they built on ice, but right on the coast of the ocean.
- House built on the banks of a river. When spring rains come of melting snow they find their yards, basements, and other areas of their property flooded.
- Building an entire city in a bowl surrounded by the ocean and a large lake that has been damned up.
Saturday February 3, 2007
There was a black history event at the building where the White River ward meets. They had an hour and a half meeting that I think was supposed to be an hour. A few people spoke. There was a black lady from the Zionsville ward, member of a bishopric in one of the wards in the stake, and Brother Gill from our ward. A black brother from the stake high council conducted the meeting. President Cowley spoke last. The stake president was going to be there and speak, but he got called away on business. He talked about black friends he had growing up. He also talk about being a military kid in the south. He said that they built a special school for the military kids because they did not want them segregated. They wanted them to not have any division in the ranks.
There were at least two black people that were not members of the church.
After that meeting we all went to the cultural hall. They had displays with things that are happening in the church in Africa. They had printouts of various famous black people. They had African art displays.
There were also food samples and the Gills played some jazz.
They had a black lady from town who does bible readings come in and do a reading.
There were at least two black people that were not members of the church.
After that meeting we all went to the cultural hall. They had displays with things that are happening in the church in Africa. They had printouts of various famous black people. They had African art displays.
There were also food samples and the Gills played some jazz.
They had a black lady from town who does bible readings come in and do a reading.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sunday January 28, 2007
Sacrament Meeting
A couple that returned a few months ago from a service mission to inner city Indianapolis spoke to us today and reported on their mission.
Sunday School
We talked about why Jesus was baptized. He was baptized because he obeyed every commandment of his father.
5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being aholy, should have need to be bbaptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be cbaptized, yea, even by water! (2 Ne. 31: 5)
We talked about the difference between immortality and eternal life. Immortality being to live forever and not die. Eternal Life to live forever with God.
We talked about the Lord fasting for forty days. Fasting makes the body weak, but makes the spirit strong.
Priesthood
The Elders' quorum president went over the responsibilities of an elder. He then specifically focused on home teaching. We then listed all those in the quorum who were not present today. It was an interesting approach.
A couple that returned a few months ago from a service mission to inner city Indianapolis spoke to us today and reported on their mission.
Sunday School
We talked about why Jesus was baptized. He was baptized because he obeyed every commandment of his father.
5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being aholy, should have need to be bbaptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be cbaptized, yea, even by water! (2 Ne. 31: 5)
We talked about the difference between immortality and eternal life. Immortality being to live forever and not die. Eternal Life to live forever with God.
We talked about the Lord fasting for forty days. Fasting makes the body weak, but makes the spirit strong.
Priesthood
The Elders' quorum president went over the responsibilities of an elder. He then specifically focused on home teaching. We then listed all those in the quorum who were not present today. It was an interesting approach.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Sunday January 21, 2007
Sacrament Meeting
One of the youth talked of the members of the Godhead being separate, distinct beings. She sites scripture and then testified that they were separate beings with one purpose. The speaker that followed her expounded on that thought.
A member of the bishopric spoke last and he also talked about the Holy Ghost. He went down the road of how we can have the spirit with us more. He talked about cleaning the junk out of our lives, both spiritually and physically.
He also talked about that we don't need to be entertained all the time. We don't need to have the TV on all the time. We don't need to have a CD going or the radio on when we travel. He said that sometimes just a quiet time to think is enough. Might be a good time for light meditation and pondering.
He said that we also need to keep our hobbies from eatting up all our time. What if service was our hobby?
Sunday School
We touched on Jesus' remarks when his mother found him teaching int he synagog. Yes he was about his father's business, as he should be, and it was a reminder to his parents of his purpose. On the other hand, even though Jesus was perfect, in that he never committed sin, did not mean that he didn't learn line upon line and precept upon precept. He wasn't sinning because he hadn't been mindful of where his parents were, but maybe he just didn't entirely understand and needed to be taught.
Priesthood
Chapter 2 in the Spencer W Kimball manual.
Tragedy was with Spencer early in his life when before the age of 12 he lost 2 sisters and his mother to death. Did the Lord cause these deaths? Does he cause the deaths of those that die in car wrecks, plane crashes, and such? President Kimball said he didn't know. The Lord takes some he needs, but others go when it is their time. Perhaps when they have accomplished all that they could here.
We didn't come to earth to be protected or for a life of ease. We came for trials and tests.
One of the youth talked of the members of the Godhead being separate, distinct beings. She sites scripture and then testified that they were separate beings with one purpose. The speaker that followed her expounded on that thought.
A member of the bishopric spoke last and he also talked about the Holy Ghost. He went down the road of how we can have the spirit with us more. He talked about cleaning the junk out of our lives, both spiritually and physically.
He also talked about that we don't need to be entertained all the time. We don't need to have the TV on all the time. We don't need to have a CD going or the radio on when we travel. He said that sometimes just a quiet time to think is enough. Might be a good time for light meditation and pondering.
He said that we also need to keep our hobbies from eatting up all our time. What if service was our hobby?
Sunday School
We touched on Jesus' remarks when his mother found him teaching int he synagog. Yes he was about his father's business, as he should be, and it was a reminder to his parents of his purpose. On the other hand, even though Jesus was perfect, in that he never committed sin, did not mean that he didn't learn line upon line and precept upon precept. He wasn't sinning because he hadn't been mindful of where his parents were, but maybe he just didn't entirely understand and needed to be taught.
Priesthood
Chapter 2 in the Spencer W Kimball manual.
Tragedy was with Spencer early in his life when before the age of 12 he lost 2 sisters and his mother to death. Did the Lord cause these deaths? Does he cause the deaths of those that die in car wrecks, plane crashes, and such? President Kimball said he didn't know. The Lord takes some he needs, but others go when it is their time. Perhaps when they have accomplished all that they could here.
We didn't come to earth to be protected or for a life of ease. We came for trials and tests.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Sunday January 14, 2007
Sacrament Meeting
One of the young men spoke on what it take to prepare to become a priest. He read the duties of a priest. He said that thereby we would better understand what it takes to prepare.
Here I am paraphrasing somethings that one of the other speakers said. You can not give your light to another if your candle is not lit. You can not light another's fire unless yours is burning. Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
Sunday School
We talked about the conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus.
Priesthood
Chapter 1 in the Spencer W Kimball manual.
We talked about the purpose of life. That purpose is to be like Heavenly Father and return to live with him. This goes along with God's work, which is to bring to pass the imortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)
One of the young men spoke on what it take to prepare to become a priest. He read the duties of a priest. He said that thereby we would better understand what it takes to prepare.
Here I am paraphrasing somethings that one of the other speakers said. You can not give your light to another if your candle is not lit. You can not light another's fire unless yours is burning. Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
Sunday School
We talked about the conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus.
Priesthood
Chapter 1 in the Spencer W Kimball manual.
We talked about the purpose of life. That purpose is to be like Heavenly Father and return to live with him. This goes along with God's work, which is to bring to pass the imortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Sunday January 7, 2007
Sacrament Meeting
Testimonies
A member of the stake presidency was with us today. He bored his testimony of tithing. He said that when he grew up in Idaho there were several occasions when storms came and the next day they could see the damage to their neighbor's property and could see that the damage stopped and the damage stopped just before getting to his property.
Sunday School
If we see thing the way God does then we will not be biased by current philosophies and traditions of society.
Some stumbled at the gentiles being able to be part of the church.
Priesthood
We met with the high priests today since our leadership was all gone. The high priests talked about their goals for the year and then had a lesson on our responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach.
Testimonies
A member of the stake presidency was with us today. He bored his testimony of tithing. He said that when he grew up in Idaho there were several occasions when storms came and the next day they could see the damage to their neighbor's property and could see that the damage stopped and the damage stopped just before getting to his property.
Sunday School
If we see thing the way God does then we will not be biased by current philosophies and traditions of society.
Some stumbled at the gentiles being able to be part of the church.
Priesthood
We met with the high priests today since our leadership was all gone. The high priests talked about their goals for the year and then had a lesson on our responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Sunday December 31, 2006
Sacrament Meeting
The home is the only place that compares to the sacredness of the temple. Things that we let into our homes can decrease how close our home is to being like the temple.
Setting goals keeps us focused and moving in the right direction.
Sunday School
Intro to the study of the New Testament for next year.
A Testament is a covenant with mankind and deity.
The teacher handed out a handout on Study Skills.
Study Skills
Before Reading
Third Hour
For the fifth Sunday third hour meeting the bishop talked about things he wanted to see changed in the ward. Points he covered were as follows:
The home is the only place that compares to the sacredness of the temple. Things that we let into our homes can decrease how close our home is to being like the temple.
Setting goals keeps us focused and moving in the right direction.
Sunday School
Intro to the study of the New Testament for next year.
A Testament is a covenant with mankind and deity.
The teacher handed out a handout on Study Skills.
Study Skills
Before Reading
- Prayer
- Ezra 7:10
- Get Background Information
- Bible Dictionary
- Section Headings
- Ask Questions
- Who wrote these verses?
- To whom?
- Why is this teaching includes in the scripoture?
- What do I want to know or learn as I read today?
- What would the Lord have me know or learn as I read today?
- Read the chapter headings.
- Don't be afraid to stop
- Don't be so caught up in getting through a chapter that you don't take time to stop or slow down in order to understand.
- Look up the meaning of words you don't understand.
- Also, looking up words that you do know can show you alternate meanings or giving you perspectives on words that you had not thought of before.
- Use the study helps in the LDS editions of the scriptures.
- Liken the scriptures.
- Ask yourself how the fits in your own life or how the scripture possible is speaking to you and not just about others.
- Example, Moses 1:39 - Insert your name in place of the word man.
- Visualize
- Look for connecting words (and, but, because, therefore, and nevertheless).
- Look for patterns
- If then patterns (Leviticus 26:3-4, 18, 23-24, 40-42).
- Look for lists (Ten Commandments, Beatitudes).
- Ask questions.
- Questions in the scriptures and their answers.
- 3 Nephi 27:27 - What manner of men ought ye to be? Even as I am.
- Look for types and symbolic meaning.
- Parables
- 1 Nephi 11-14 - Lehi's vision
- Write
- Ponder
- Joshua 1:8
- D&C 76:15-20;138:1-11
- Liken the Scriptures to Yourself.
- What Principles of the gospel are taught in the scriptures I just read?
- How do those principles relate to my life?
- Reread
- Write
- Apply
- "Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." 2 Nephi 32:3
Third Hour
For the fifth Sunday third hour meeting the bishop talked about things he wanted to see changed in the ward. Points he covered were as follows:
- Not bringing food into the chapel.
- Be in seats ten minute early.
- Bear testimonies properly and end testimony meeting on time.
- Keeping our homes clear. Not that there aren't toys on the floor or something, but clean like not dirty.
- Stay in seats during sacrament. Very rairly should one have to leave the meeting. He talked about exceptions being people with health problems or people that have to take small children out to quiet them.
- Sit in the chapel and only open the overflow when necessary.
- The need to contribute to the ward mission fund since we have some many missionaries out and getting ready to go out.
- Dressing modestly.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Sunday December 24, 2006
Sacrament Meeting
The first councilor in the bishopric wrote a Christmas program again this year. He read from the scriptures. He also read some stories. One of the stories was about a boy who showed up for an auction every time to bid on bikes. He always bid one dollar and was always out bid. The auctioneer noticed that he got especially excited when the racer bikes came up. On one occasion the bidding went to eight dollars. The auctioneer called out, "Do I hear nine. Sold to the buy in the corner for nine dollars." He then took eight dollars out of his pocket and laid it on the counter and took the dollar from the boy. He gave it in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. He then rushed away. Suddenly he paused, carefully parked his bike, and ran up to the auctioneer and gave him a big hug.
The primary sang a song and the ward choir sang some too.
Sunday School
The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord
Prophecy fulfilled:
-Malachi 4:5-6 -
The first councilor in the bishopric wrote a Christmas program again this year. He read from the scriptures. He also read some stories. One of the stories was about a boy who showed up for an auction every time to bid on bikes. He always bid one dollar and was always out bid. The auctioneer noticed that he got especially excited when the racer bikes came up. On one occasion the bidding went to eight dollars. The auctioneer called out, "Do I hear nine. Sold to the buy in the corner for nine dollars." He then took eight dollars out of his pocket and laid it on the counter and took the dollar from the boy. He gave it in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. He then rushed away. Suddenly he paused, carefully parked his bike, and ran up to the auctioneer and gave him a big hug.
The primary sang a song and the ward choir sang some too.
Sunday School
The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord
Prophecy fulfilled:
-Malachi 4:5-6 -
5 ¶ Behold, I will asend you bElijah the prophet cbefore the coming of the dgreat and dreadful eday of the LORD:
6 And he shall aturn the bheart of the cfathers to the dchildren, and the heart of the echildren to their fathers, lest I come and fsmite the gearth with a hcurse.
-Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland temple on April 3, 1836 and restored the keys of sealing families together for eternity. D&C 110:13-15
Prophecies yet to be fulfilled:
Zachariah 12:2,3,8,9 - A battle will take place at Jerusalem. Jews will be under siege. God will show his power and deliver them.
D&C 45 -
Zachariah 14 - The Lord will stand on the Mount of Olives and it shall split in two. The Jews will flew into the passage that is created from that.
Zachariah 12:10 - The Jews will recognize the Lord.
Priesthood
We met with the high priests since the elders' quorum presidency was out of town. We had the same lesson as last week, since the high priests were a week behind us.
Chapter 24 in the Wilford Woodruff manual.
My son gave scripture in primary, so I went there for post of this hour. He gave John 3:16 as his scripture on the topic of showing that God fulfilled his promise to send a savior.
-Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland temple on April 3, 1836 and restored the keys of sealing families together for eternity. D&C 110:13-15
Prophecies yet to be fulfilled:
Zachariah 12:2,3,8,9 - A battle will take place at Jerusalem. Jews will be under siege. God will show his power and deliver them.
D&C 45 -
Zachariah 14 - The Lord will stand on the Mount of Olives and it shall split in two. The Jews will flew into the passage that is created from that.
Zachariah 12:10 - The Jews will recognize the Lord.
Priesthood
We met with the high priests since the elders' quorum presidency was out of town. We had the same lesson as last week, since the high priests were a week behind us.
Chapter 24 in the Wilford Woodruff manual.
My son gave scripture in primary, so I went there for post of this hour. He gave John 3:16 as his scripture on the topic of showing that God fulfilled his promise to send a savior.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Sunday December 17, 2006
Sacrament Meeting
The Relief Society president shared several stories of compassion.
The Bishop detailed the birth of the Savior through Luke and Isaiah and other scriptures. He then went on to summarize the rest of his life.
Sunday School
The teacher said that she grew up in another church and always felt that it was unfair that people in the bible had prophets to lead them and we didn't.
The teacher presented a time line of events:
721 BC - Assyria the greatest empire in the world.
612 BC - Had been since been destroyed by the Babylonians.
562 BC - Nebuchadnezzar died.
539 BC - Babylon fell to the Medes and the Persians under the leadership of Cyrus.
Cyrus commanded the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Possibly after seeing his name in one of Isaiah's prophecies, which was 150 years before Cyrus was born.
The Samaritans were in Jerusalem when the Jews returned. Samaritans were Jews that had intermarried with Gentiles. They wanted to help rebuild the temple, but the Jews refused because they felt that they were not true Israelites.
Priesthood
Chapter 24 - Teachings of Presidents of the Church Wilford Woodruff.
Preparing for the Second Coming
What is the Church doing to prepare for the second coming? It is preparing us as individuals.
You get out of the gospel what you put into it.
President Woodruff said that the time was near, but he was still planting cherry trees. We still need to live our lives and continue to progress and do good.
The Relief Society president shared several stories of compassion.
The Bishop detailed the birth of the Savior through Luke and Isaiah and other scriptures. He then went on to summarize the rest of his life.
Sunday School
The teacher said that she grew up in another church and always felt that it was unfair that people in the bible had prophets to lead them and we didn't.
The teacher presented a time line of events:
721 BC - Assyria the greatest empire in the world.
612 BC - Had been since been destroyed by the Babylonians.
562 BC - Nebuchadnezzar died.
539 BC - Babylon fell to the Medes and the Persians under the leadership of Cyrus.
Cyrus commanded the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Possibly after seeing his name in one of Isaiah's prophecies, which was 150 years before Cyrus was born.
The Samaritans were in Jerusalem when the Jews returned. Samaritans were Jews that had intermarried with Gentiles. They wanted to help rebuild the temple, but the Jews refused because they felt that they were not true Israelites.
Priesthood
Chapter 24 - Teachings of Presidents of the Church Wilford Woodruff.
Preparing for the Second Coming
What is the Church doing to prepare for the second coming? It is preparing us as individuals.
You get out of the gospel what you put into it.
President Woodruff said that the time was near, but he was still planting cherry trees. We still need to live our lives and continue to progress and do good.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Sunday December 10, 2006
Sacrament Meeting
We visited my parent's ward this week.
Santa tells us to be good. Christ tells us what good is and to do it. Christ also tells us what bad is and how to avoid it.
Sunday School
Daniel 2
Daniel prayed to prepare to interpret the king's dream. He didn't just jump into it without seeking guidance.
Nebuchadnezzar went to his wise men to get answers. Daniel went to God. President Kimball, a modern day prophet gave an interpretation of the dream in a talk he gave in 1976. A summary of the interpretation follows.
Stone cut without hands - means it was not made by man.
Gold Head - Nebuchanezer, a world power.
All the pieces under that were the kingdoms that would take over and follow after.
The stone is the kingdom of God on earth and will break to pieces the worldly kinddoms.
Priesthood
Chapter 23 of the Wilford Woodruff manual - Unity
The godhead is one in purpose, even though its members are individuals.
When changes in programs and leadership come it may take us out of our comfort zone. That doesn't make it wrong. We are to stretch and grow.
We visited my parent's ward this week.
Santa tells us to be good. Christ tells us what good is and to do it. Christ also tells us what bad is and how to avoid it.
Sunday School
Daniel 2
Daniel prayed to prepare to interpret the king's dream. He didn't just jump into it without seeking guidance.
Nebuchadnezzar went to his wise men to get answers. Daniel went to God. President Kimball, a modern day prophet gave an interpretation of the dream in a talk he gave in 1976. A summary of the interpretation follows.
Stone cut without hands - means it was not made by man.
Gold Head - Nebuchanezer, a world power.
All the pieces under that were the kingdoms that would take over and follow after.
The stone is the kingdom of God on earth and will break to pieces the worldly kinddoms.
Priesthood
Chapter 23 of the Wilford Woodruff manual - Unity
The godhead is one in purpose, even though its members are individuals.
When changes in programs and leadership come it may take us out of our comfort zone. That doesn't make it wrong. We are to stretch and grow.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Sunday December 3, 2006
Fast and Testimony Meeting
Lots of people in the ward seem to be having trials right now. Several are health related and several are home and family things. It is a hard thing to say, but it seems to be working as a catalyst to draw our members closer and also to bring people back to the church. Much like the trials my parents had when I was a kid caused them to seek out a church.
Sunday School
Daniel refused the king's meat because it violated the law of Moses and he then asked for things that were more healthy. Could this have been a precursor to the Word of Wisdom? Could this have been a part of the preparatory law preparing the people for the Word of Wisdom? The Word of Wisdom talks of hidden treasures of knowledge. The people talked of how Daniel was mentally sharper after the ten days.
Priesthood
Our lesson was based on the first presidency message from the December Ensign - Treasured Gifts - by President Thomas S. Monson.
The talk quoted a Christmas story about O. Henry. It was about a wife that sold her hair to pay for a chain for her husbands watch and her husband some his watch to pay for a comb for her hair. This story was contrasted against all of the things we see and hear about buying these extravagant gifts for people. I hear all year round commercial for jewelry and how buying these expensive jewelry pieces will "show her your love."
Lots of people in the ward seem to be having trials right now. Several are health related and several are home and family things. It is a hard thing to say, but it seems to be working as a catalyst to draw our members closer and also to bring people back to the church. Much like the trials my parents had when I was a kid caused them to seek out a church.
Sunday School
Daniel refused the king's meat because it violated the law of Moses and he then asked for things that were more healthy. Could this have been a precursor to the Word of Wisdom? Could this have been a part of the preparatory law preparing the people for the Word of Wisdom? The Word of Wisdom talks of hidden treasures of knowledge. The people talked of how Daniel was mentally sharper after the ten days.
Priesthood
Our lesson was based on the first presidency message from the December Ensign - Treasured Gifts - by President Thomas S. Monson.
The talk quoted a Christmas story about O. Henry. It was about a wife that sold her hair to pay for a chain for her husbands watch and her husband some his watch to pay for a comb for her hair. This story was contrasted against all of the things we see and hear about buying these extravagant gifts for people. I hear all year round commercial for jewelry and how buying these expensive jewelry pieces will "show her your love."
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Sunday November 26, 2006
Sacrament Meeting
Perseverance
Thomas Edison was deaf by the time he was a teenager. He was self taught from the time he was a young age. Einstein had education, but Edison persevered to get his knowledge. He invented the phonograph in spite of being deaf.
Patience
In England Solitaire is called Patience. Buddhism has patience as one of the six things needed to attain. As time went on, the scriptures has more references per author on patience. Do we have more problems with impatience in our day?
Patience is not indifference.
Impatience may indicate that out timetable is more important than the Lord's.
Sunday School
Whenever a temple is dedicated we do a hosanna shout. It is because it is a grand spiritual event when a new temple is operating on the earth.
Ezekiel says that the lord walks in his temples.
Ezekiel 47 - The water is the Gospel. It is the truths that come out of the temple. Truth will heal that war torn land.
Priesthood
M Russel Ballard's talk from last conference on being wise.
Jacob, brother of Nephi - wants to know if his people are going to reject the words like the Lamanites did. He tells them, "Oh be wise. What can I say more?"
Focus on people not the programs.
Perseverance
Thomas Edison was deaf by the time he was a teenager. He was self taught from the time he was a young age. Einstein had education, but Edison persevered to get his knowledge. He invented the phonograph in spite of being deaf.
Patience
In England Solitaire is called Patience. Buddhism has patience as one of the six things needed to attain. As time went on, the scriptures has more references per author on patience. Do we have more problems with impatience in our day?
Patience is not indifference.
Impatience may indicate that out timetable is more important than the Lord's.
Sunday School
Whenever a temple is dedicated we do a hosanna shout. It is because it is a grand spiritual event when a new temple is operating on the earth.
Ezekiel says that the lord walks in his temples.
Ezekiel 47 - The water is the Gospel. It is the truths that come out of the temple. Truth will heal that war torn land.
Priesthood
M Russel Ballard's talk from last conference on being wise.
Jacob, brother of Nephi - wants to know if his people are going to reject the words like the Lamanites did. He tells them, "Oh be wise. What can I say more?"
Focus on people not the programs.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Sunday November 19, 2006
Sacrament Meeting
As the speaker spoke today about gratitude and the fact that the topic was inspired by it being the week of Thanksgiving, I thought about the excitement of the holidays and even gathering with friends that I have lost over the years. Holidays have become just time off of work. Gatherings with friends use to feel like I was going to miss something if I was not there. Now gatherings with friends feel mostly like work.
One speaker took parts of his talk from an article written by President Faust. It talked of how he grew up during the Great Depression. He said that they had homemade soap made from ashes. He said that they bathed once a week, so they were cleaner than when they got in the bath, but smelled worse and the soap was gritty and uncomfortable to use. Because of that he appreciates the soft soaps we have today that smell good. I don't ever want to go through something like the depression, but I do want to appreciate what we have more and not have an appetite for "better" things.
The speaker went on to talk about miracles that are around us every day. He talked of counting the miracles we see every day and giving thanks for them. There are a lot of things we don't pay attention to as miracles.
Sunday School
Ezekiel
We talked of good shepherds and bad shepherds. Bad shepherds are self serving and do not have the welfare of the sheep in their minds and hearts. The difference between the good and the bad is is loving the sheep and just being there for the money. It came to my mind about our employment. Are we just there for the money or do we honestly do our best. This scripture is about teaching God's people, but it brought out other interesting thoughts to me.
Priesthood
Lesson 22 in the Teachings of Wilford Woodruff manual.
President Woodruff taught that those who labor with their education should also find ways to work manually. He said that we should not look down at manual work as being beneath us.
As the speaker spoke today about gratitude and the fact that the topic was inspired by it being the week of Thanksgiving, I thought about the excitement of the holidays and even gathering with friends that I have lost over the years. Holidays have become just time off of work. Gatherings with friends use to feel like I was going to miss something if I was not there. Now gatherings with friends feel mostly like work.
One speaker took parts of his talk from an article written by President Faust. It talked of how he grew up during the Great Depression. He said that they had homemade soap made from ashes. He said that they bathed once a week, so they were cleaner than when they got in the bath, but smelled worse and the soap was gritty and uncomfortable to use. Because of that he appreciates the soft soaps we have today that smell good. I don't ever want to go through something like the depression, but I do want to appreciate what we have more and not have an appetite for "better" things.
The speaker went on to talk about miracles that are around us every day. He talked of counting the miracles we see every day and giving thanks for them. There are a lot of things we don't pay attention to as miracles.
Sunday School
Ezekiel
We talked of good shepherds and bad shepherds. Bad shepherds are self serving and do not have the welfare of the sheep in their minds and hearts. The difference between the good and the bad is is loving the sheep and just being there for the money. It came to my mind about our employment. Are we just there for the money or do we honestly do our best. This scripture is about teaching God's people, but it brought out other interesting thoughts to me.
Priesthood
Lesson 22 in the Teachings of Wilford Woodruff manual.
President Woodruff taught that those who labor with their education should also find ways to work manually. He said that we should not look down at manual work as being beneath us.
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