Feast Week Northridge Stake Layton Utah 14 November 2013

Temples in Ancient and Modern Times

What is a dispensation?

“A gospel dispensation is a period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the keys of the holy priesthood.”

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“When the Lord organizes a dispensation, the gospel is revealed anew so that the people of that dispensation do not have to depend on past dispensations for knowledge of the plan of salvation. The dispensation begun by Joseph Smith is known as the ‘dispensation of the fulness of times.’” (The Guide to the Scriptures: Dispensation, LDS standard works)

Doctrine and Covenants 124:40-42

40 And verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people;
41 For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times.
42 And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and the priesthood thereof, and the place whereon it shall be built.

"’Undoubtedly the knowledge of this law and of other rites and ceremonies was carried by the posterity of Adam into all lands, and continued with them, more or less pure, to the flood, and through Noah, who was a ‘preacher of righteousness,’ to those who succeeded him, spreading out into all nations and countries. … What wonder, then, that we should find relics of Christianity, so to speak, among the heathens and nations who know not Christ, and whose histories date back beyond the days of Moses, and even beyond the flood, independent of and apart from the records of the Bible.’

“The scholars of his time, he notes, took the position that ‘ ‘Christianity’ sprang from the heathen, it being found that they have many rites similar to those recorded in the Bible, &c.’ This jumping to conclusions was premature, to say the least, “for if the heathen have doctrines and ceremonies resembling … those … in the Scriptures, it only proves … that these are the traditions of the fathers handed down, … and that they will cleave to the children to the latest generation, though they may wander into darkness and perversion, until but a slight resemblance to their origin, which was divine, can be seen.’” (Hugh W. Nibley, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ, Part 2,” Ensign, Aug 1990, 30)

Temples of various kinds are all over the world.

There are several similarities between the Chinese new year and the Passover.  They put red and sometimes green paper on their doorpost when the big dragon comes through.  The tradition is that the dragon will pass by their home and not harm them if the their doorpost is decorated that way.

The temple is often called the mountain of the Lord.  Why?

Mountains can help us tell direction.  Keeping our focus on the temple helps us keep our lives going in the right direction.  Mountains are where prophets and the Savior went to talk to God.  Mountains can be private places.

The instructor recommended "The Message of the Joseph Smith Papyri an Egyptian Endowment", by Hugh Nibley.

It was proposed that the Lord often tries to get us to the point where we will sacrifice that which is most precious to us, much like he did with Abraham sacrificing Isaac.

The Israelites had temples in each of their communities.

Solomon's temple was significant because the ark of the covenant was there.

When the Babylonians come, after Jeremiah gets out of the pit, he takes the ark of the covenant and a group of people, and left.

Universities and religions have many left over ceremonies and such from the Mosaic law and temples.  Even in coronations of monarchs.

Exploring Book of Mormon Lands

If we aren't careful we can over exaggerate the amount of evidence of the Book of Mormon in central and south America.  There are some strong evidences, but there are also some weak links in some of the data.

Many feel the events of the Book of Mormon took place in Meso America.

Some wonder if the Olmechs are the Jaredites.

The great and majestic ruins are the older ones.  The newer ones are more simple and degenerate.

Church Services This Week at Ridge Crest Ward Northridge Stake Layton Utah 10 November 2013

Elders Quorum

Chapter 21 Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow

Genesis 25:29-34

29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

For what do we give up our privileges, such as personal revelation?

Often we set aside personal revelation and our duties because we are too busy or because we have pleasures we would like to partake of instead.

Luke 4:5-8

5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Doctrine and Covenants 93:29

29 Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.

"There is rapidly coming something that will try you, perhaps as you have never been tried before,” (President Lorenzo Snow, Deseret Semi-Weekly News, June 4, 1889, 4)

"Investment debt should be fully secured so as not to encumber a family’s security. Don’t invest in speculative ventures. The spirit of speculation can become intoxicating. Many fortunes have been wiped out by the uncontrolled appetite to accumulate more and more. Let us learn from the sorrows of the past and avoid enslaving our time, energy, and general health to a gluttonous appetite to acquire increased material goods." (Elder N Elden Tanner, CONSTANCY AMID CHANGE, October 1979 General Conference)

How do we overcome our temporal needs and still remain spiritual?

People sometimes say they need to put off having kids until they are financially ready.   Many of those same people will go on a vacation or buy a car that is more expensive than they need or buy a big TV and often time on credit.  Were they financially ready for those luxuries?

Sunday School

The Four-Fold Mission of the Church

#3 Redeem the Dead

Doctrine and Covenants 2

1 Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

2 And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.

3 If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.

Elijah is an Old Testament prophet, yet very important in our day.

Malachi 4:5-6

5  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

1 Corinthians 15:29

29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

Joseph Smith history 1:36-39

36 After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He first quoted part of the third chapter of Malachi; and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy, though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles. Instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our books, he quoted it thus:

37 For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

38 And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

39 He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.

Utterly wasted could mean for naught rather than to mean to be destroyed.  If the sealing power were not available then the mission of the Earth would be a frustrated or wasted.

My own impressions outside of the lesson I had during the lesson.

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Toddlers and grandparents in the ward should know each other.  Toddlers should feel loved by everyone in the ward, so as they grow and life weighs on them and the world makes them feel unloved, the Church will be a place they remember where they have felt love.

This is true for teenagers as well.  If the teens come to church and people know their name and know about what is important to them, they will feel loved.

Made me think of ELDER S. GIFFORD NIELSEN’s October 2013 General Conference talk where he quote Elder Russell M Nelson, “Elder Russell M. Nelson wisely contributed, ‘Until you know a person’s name and face, the Lord cannot help you know his or her heart.’”

}

Sacrament Service

A missionary the recently returned from a mission in Mexico spoke to us.  He talked about conversion.   How to be converted, how to stay converted, and how to be more converted.

3 Nephi 6:14

14 And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.

Doctrine and Covenants 75:2-5

2 Hearken, O ye who have given your names to go forth to proclaim my gospel, and to prune my vineyard.

3 Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might—

4 Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you.

5 And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life.

Church Services This Week at Ridge Crest Ward Northridge Stake Layton Utah 3 November 2013

Teachers Quorum

Prepare spiritually and temporally.   The goal is self reliance and to build your character.

Sunday School

How do we become self reliant?  Be prepared.

Doctrine and Covenants 38:30

30 I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore,treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.

We become self reliant by preparing.  We prepare our testimonies.  We prepare our minds.   We prepare hearts and our character.

Jacob 2:17-19

17 Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.

18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.

Doctrine and Covenants 49:19-20

19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.
20 But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.

Being self reliant means being Christ reliant.  If we follow his example and instructions we will succeed.

Doctrine and Covenants 42:42

 42 Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.

“Our primary purpose was to set up … a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift and self respect be once more established amongst our people. The aim of the Church is to help the people to help themselves. Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 3).

"Now, a word to us seasoned brethren: retirement is not part of the Lord’s plan of happiness. There is no sabbatical or retirement program from priesthood responsibilities—regardless of age or physical capacity. While the phrase “been there, done that” may work as an excuse to avoid skateboarding, decline the invitation for a motorbike ride, or bypass the spicy curry at the buffet, it is not an acceptable excuse for avoiding covenant responsibilities to consecrate our time, talents, and resources in the work of the kingdom of God." (President Dieter F Uchtdorf, October 2009 General Conference)

Doctrine and Covenants 29:34

34 Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal;

"We have been taught to store a year’s supply of food, clothing, and, if possible, fuel—at home. There has been no attempt to set up storerooms in every chapel. We know that in the crunch our members may not be able to get to the chapel for supplies.

Can we not see that the same principle applies to inspiration and revelation, the solving of problems, to counsel, and to guidance?

We need to have a source of it stored in every home, not just in the bishop’s office.

If we do not do that, we are quite as threatened spiritually as we should be were we to assume that the Church should supply all material needs." (Elder Boyd K Packer, Solving Emotional Problems in the Lord’s Own Way, General Conference April 1978)

"Work is always a spiritual necessity even if, for some, work is not an economic necessity." (Elder Neal A Maxwell, Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel, General COnference April 1998)

Sacrament Service

We got a new bishopric.  Testimonies were from the leadership.

CES Devotional

Elder Russell D Osguthorpe

Many people know what they should do, but do not have the will to do it.

We can change our desires and behavior.

When we take the sacrament...still willing to take his name upon us.

This Week At Northridge Stake Conference Layton Utah 10-26-2013 and 10-27-2013

Adult Session of Stake Conference

Doctrine and Covenants 88:73-74,87-89

Doctrine and Covenants 68:11

Doctrine and Covenants  88:73 -74,87-89;68:11

The book "Mormon Doctrine" lists 50 things that need to happen before the second coming.

107 years after Joseph Smith sent someone to dedicate the land of Israel for the gathering of Judah the country of Israel was restored.

We can preach the Gospel throughout the world via the internet, even through borders that are closed to us.

Luke 21:34

34 ¶And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

Surfeiting - means to do in excess

“This is our destiny—to prepare the kingdom of God for the return of the Savior. (Elder Neil A Anderson, Power in the Priesthood, General Conference October 2013

Moroni 8:22

22 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—

The time is short before the coming of the Savior.   We need to increase our personal revelation in order to know what to do more quickly and consistently.

Doctrine and Covenants 33:3

3 For behold, the field is white already to harvest; and it is the eleventh hour, and the last time that I shall call laborers into my vineyard.

Hearken means to listen with reverence and obey.

Seek the spirit in all that you do.  Be constant.

Jesus gave the parables of things and people that are lost.   The coin doesn't know it is lost.  The lost sheep knows it is lost, but does not know how to come back.  The prodigal son knows he is lost and knows where to go to come back.  He just needs to be welcomed back and embraced.

The work in the latter-days in a spiritual one and it can only be comprehended spiritually.

We need to do better about having a prayer every morning before we go out into the world.

Doctrine and Covenants 50:13-14

13 Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? 14 To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth.

To what is it that you have been called?

Even if we are not doing bad things, we can still do better.

Who better than someone's peers to share the Gospel with them or reactivate them.

General Session

Doctrine and Covenants 64:33

 33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

Elder Adolfo Franco of the Seventy spoke to us.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-7

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; 7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.

Because of the Atonement Christ comprehends all things we will ever go through.

Doctrine and Covenants 6:35-37
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. 36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. 37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.

We need to pray everyday before we leave the house, since it is not safe out there.

We need to meditate on the scriptures every day.

Church Services This Week at Ridge Crest Ward Northridge Stake Layton Utah 20 October 2013

Elders Quorum

Teachings of Presidents of the Church Lorenzo Snow Chapter 20, “The Kingdom of God Moves Forward”

‘In 1844, while fulfilling an assignment in the eastern United States, Lorenzo Snow learned that the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum had been martyred. He said: “The news of this sad event, of course, came wholly unexpected, and struck me with profound astonishment and grief, which no language can portray.’ Obeying instructions from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he made preparations to return to his home in Nauvoo, Illinois.1

He later recalled: ‘It was thought by some in the days of Joseph that this Church could not prosper except Joseph guided its destinies, and when the time came when he was to pass away from this world as a martyr into the spirit world, the Saints throughout the kingdom of God were greatly agitated. It was something unexpected. They hardly knew how things would then move. The responsibility [to lead the Church] then devolved upon the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and through the blessings of God upon them and the spirit of inspiration that dwelt in their bosoms, and under the guidance of the Almighty, the kingdom moved forward.’2”

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540)

People had a hard time letting go of Joseph smith, much like a new member of the church will have trouble going forward in the church once the Missionaries that taught them are transferred or return home.

"[God]  is constantly communicating to us things that we never knew before. This knowledge and intelligence is growing upon us continually.

“… We have received too much knowledge to be thwarted in our purposes. Those who desire to persecute and overthrow Mormonism, let them go on and do their work. … Our work is to grow in the knowledge of God, to keep the commandments of God, to be faithful and to continue to increase and to become more and more perfect as we advance in years."(In Conference Report, Apr. 1900, 3–4)

Whenever I receive opposition to my beliefs, I reflect on the knowledge I have received and the effect the Church has had on my life and the lives of my family.

"We watch, hear, read, study, and share the words of prophets to be forewarned and protected. For example, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” was given long before we experienced the challenges now facing the family. “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” was prepared in advance of when we will need it most.

“We may not know all the reasons why the prophets and conference speakers address us with certain topics in conference, but the Lord does." (Elder Robert D Hales, “Strengthening Faith and Testimony”, October 2013 General Conference)

At the time the proclamation was given it was needed and very timely and yet how much more do we need that guidance today.

Sunday School

Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Lesson 42

Why is a prophet needed today when we have the Holy Spirit?  The Holy Ghost is to testify of truths that we hear.  The Holy Ghost is to testify to us as to whether those that are teaching us are lead by God and if they are who they say they are.  The Holy Spirit is to prevent us from being lead astray.

The Holy Ghost is also to guide us, within our stewardship, in what we should say as we teach.

God is an organized being.  Jesus organized an organization when he was here.  Once the Holy Ghost was bestowed on the apostles they were not released as apostles.

“The most important prophet, so far as we are concerned, is the one who is living in our day and age. This is the prophet who has today’s instructions from God to us today. God’s revelation to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the ark. Every generation has need of the ancient scripture plus the current scripture from the living prophet. Therefore, the most crucial reading and pondering which you should do is of the latest inspired words from the Lord’s mouthpiece” (President Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Korea Area Conference 1975, 52)

Nor did Noah's people get instruction from Adam to get in the ark or specific instruction on what was happening in their society at that very moment that needed to be changed to prevent the rains from coming at all.

Doctrine and Covenants 68:3-4

3 And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost. 4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by theHoly Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:26

26 Not only those who believed after he came in the meridian of time, in the flesh, but all those from the beginning, even as many as were before he came, who believed in the words of the holy prophets, who spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, who truly testified of him in all things, should have eternal life,

Doctrine and Covenants 21:1 - commanded to keep a record, just like prophets of old were to keep a record for future days, months, years, and generations.  It was not to remove the need for future prophets, but to add a witness.

1 Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ,

A seer sees the future.  Joseph foretold the civil war.  The Proclamation on the Family was given before the gay movement gained such political influence.

Doctrine and Covenants 101:43-54 - The parable of the watchman on the tower to explain why we need current prophets.

If there is a prophet he can see what the destroyer is planning and prepare the people to defend against it.

Sacrament Service

A missionary getting ready to leave to go to the Mexico Mexico City Mission spoke to us about happiness.

Our happiness is the design of all blessings he gives us...even our trials.

A father whose son recently left for a mission to the Spain Madrid Mission.  I thought he said that his son is in the Madrid temple choir, but perhaps it was the Madrid MTC choir.  He is in a video on YouTube singing at that temple.