Church Services This Week at Ridge Crest Ward Northridge Stake Layton Utah 29 June 2014

Joint RS/Priesthood Meeting

Courage -  The ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous. "Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but as the determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well. "  (President Thomas S Monson, Courage Counts, October 1986 General Conference)

“Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway.” - Attributed to John Wayne

We are perhaps bombarded with vulgarity at work or school or other places in the world,  which we can not necessarily control. On the other hand,  we can be more in control of influences in our home and we are responsible and accountable to do so.

‘I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.’ (As quoted in John Taylor, “The Organization of the Church,” Millennial Star, Nov. 15, 1851, p. 339)

If you spend time with your kids,  what is important to you becomes what is important to them.

"One of the most effective ways we can influence our sons and daughters is to counsel with them in private interviews. By listening closely, we can discover the desires of their hearts, help them set righteous goals, and also share with them the spiritual impressions that we have received about them. Counseling requires courage." (Elder Larry R Lawrence, Courageous Parenting, October 2010 General Conference)

“As a scriptural theme for this discussion, I have chosen Luke 17:32, where the Savior cautions, ‘Remember Lot’s wife.’ What did He mean by such an enigmatic little phrase? To find out, we need to do as He suggested. Let’s recall who Lot’s wife was.

“The story, of course, comes to us out of the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, when the Lord, having had as much as He could stand of the worst that men and women could do, told Lot and his family to flee because those cities were about to be destroyed. “Escape for thy life,” the Lord said. “Look not behind thee … ; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed” (Genesis 19:17; emphasis added).” (Elder Jeffrey R Holland, The Best Is Yet to Be, Ensign January 2010)

How much time do we give to the Lord?

Are we working for necessity or for comfort and recreation?  Do the women of the Church have jobs outside the home for necessity or for comfort and recreation.

We are in the same environment as Sodom and Gomorrah in many parts of the world and because of technology those parts of the world can end up in our homes.

Sunday School

David showed up to fight Goliath with faith in God,  but he also picked his battle appropriately.   He brought the Spirit. He also had been prepared by learning to use a sling.   We don't know what our battle will be,  but we should do more than just sit idle in our faith.

Sacrament Service

"We need everyone. The tired or worn out or lazy and even those who are bound down with guilt must be restored through repentance and forgiveness. Too many of our priesthood brethren are living below their privileges and the Lord’s expectations."(President Boyd K Packer, The Power of the Priesthood, April 2010 General Conference)

Doctrine and Covenants 84:26

26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;

Doctrine and Covenants 107:18

18 The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—

Priesthood keys are the authority to direct a portion of the church.

Header of Doctrine and Covenants 13

“An extract from Joseph Smith’s history recounting the ordination of the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood near Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1829. The ordination was done by the hands of an angel who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient Apostles, who held the keys of the higher priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The promise was given to Joseph and Oliver that in due time this higher priesthood would be conferred upon them. (See section 27:7–8, 12.)”

One of the talks was based on a BYU devotional talk by Sherry Dew, You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born For Glory

"Sadly enough, my young friends, it is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds"

…

"Friends, especially my young friends, take heart. Pure Christlike love flowing from true righteousness can change the world. I testify that the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth and you are members of His true and living Church, trying to share it. I bear witness of that gospel and that Church, with a particular witness of restored priesthood keys which unlock the power and efficacy of saving ordinances. I am more certain that those keys have been restored and that those ordinances are once again available through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than I am certain I stand before you at this pulpit and you sit before me in this conference." (Elder Jeffrey R Holland, THE COST—AND BLESSINGS—OF DISCIPLESHIP, General Conference April 2014)

"Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes."(Elder Joseph B Wirthlin, THE VIRTUE OF KINDNESS, General Conference April 2005)

"First of all, have faith. Faith is the first principle of the gospel because faith is a principle of power that influences, to at least some degree, the Lord’s intervention in our lives." (Sister Dew)

"It is not possible to sin enough to be happy. It is not possible to buy enough to be happy or to entertain or indulge yourself enough to be happy. Happiness and joy come only when you are living up to who you are."(Sister Dew)

"My dear young friends, I repeat that these are the days in which a true leader wants to live. These are days when opportunities to change lives and even destinies are nearly endless. You are running the anchor leg of the relay because you were born to lead. You were born for glory." (Sister Dew)

Church Services This Week at Ridge Crest Ward Northridge Stake Layton Utah 22 June 2014

July 25 Surf and Swim  7-10pm

Elders Quorum

The lesson was based on President Uchtdorf’s General Conference talk, Grateful in Any Circumstances

The teacher shared several categories and asked what things in those categories are we grateful for.   He also asked what in those categories are we not grateful for.

I began thinking within those categories about things I behave ungrateful for that I should be grateful for.   This could be trials or things we didn't pause to show gratitude and let the weight of life be your primary focus. An example would be taking our wives for granted.

When Joseph was in Liberty jail he was upbeat in his letters to his wife in spite of his situation.

Sunday School

Old Testament lesson 22

Proverbs 3:5-6

When we remove God from the equation it makes it difficult to come to the right conclusion about decisions and the solution to world problems or to see if a world problem is really a problem.

Israel wanted a king like other nations.   We have people in the United States that would like to change our kind of government to that of other nations and walk away from the constitution and the kind of government God has given us.  Worldly ideas of how to take care of the poor and glorifying the ways of other nations blur the vision of what things really help our country and what things make it worse.

Saul made little mistakes at first,  sometimes trying to do a good thing.

He did not go from being super righteous to one day flipping to wicked.  He gradually made little mistakes,  eventually moving on to bigger mistakes and finally huge sin.

Just because we can't see the Lord or his plan does not mean He is not on his way or that the plan is not for our good.

Sacrament Service

The older youth gave a program about daughters of faith and A camp that they went to last week.   There was some music and each of the youth told a little about their experience.

Church Services This Week at Ridge Crest Ward Northridge Stake Layton Utah 15 June 2014

Elders Quorum

Father's Day

What are scriptures that remind you of your father?

The instructor shared Luke 10:30-37 as a scripture that reminded him of his father.  That is the story of the Good Samaritan.

Ogden temple open house volunteers needed for:

Wed Aug 13, 2014 11-4

Thur Sept 4, 2014 3-8

It is not necessary to retaliate against those that figuratively step on your toes.

Matthew 6:12

 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 18:27

 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

1 Nephi 1:1

Why did Nephi open with this?

Don't wait for teaching opportunities with your kids.  Pay attention at all times.

Proverbs 3:12

12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Mosiah 27:14

12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Don't lower the standard because love our kids and don't want to be mean.

You don't necessarily have to be mean, but you do need to be consistent and at times stern or full on rebuke.

John 13:15

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

1 Timothy 4:12

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Sunday School

"God Honors Those Who Honor Him "

God gives us blessings that are eternal and not necessarily immediate.  Sometimes those blessings are trials.

He blesses us with that which will make us eternally stronger.

Do we receive promises from the Lord and then still sit there and fret?

The sons of Eli were not just fornicating at the temple, but they are using their standing and position to take advantage of the women coming to the temple. They compounded serious sins with other serious sins.

Sacrament Service

A father should be slow to anger.

A father should pass knowledge onto his children and others.

We should remember our Heavenly Father on father's day as well as our early father.  On Father’s Day earthly father's should reflect on how they are like Heavenly Father and where they can improve.

Doctrine and Covenants 87:8

8 Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.

Be involved in the community.  Look for ways to be involved regularly and not just when there is tragedy or disaster.

Church Services This Week at Elkhart 2nd Ward South Bend Indiana Stake Elkhart Indiana 8 June 2014

Sacrament Service

A sister missionary spoke to us.  Some of the talk was based on the June Ensign article, Hastening the Work by President Thomas S Monson.

Some of our genealogy research with be hard, but the Holy Spirit will help us as we ask and work.

"As you pursue family history work, you are going to find yourself running into roadblocks, and you are going to say to yourself, “There is nothing else I can do.” When you come to that point, get down on your knees and ask the Lord to open the way, and He will open the way for you." - From the ensign article.

A Stake high councillor spoke to us.

The Book of Mormon as the keystone of our testimony.

The keystone of an arch holds it together and allows for a very tall and large structure.

The Book of Mormon is said to be the keystone of our religion.

If the Book of Mormon is true the Joseph Smith is a prophet.  If Joseph Smith is a prophet, then the things he reveled are true.

If the Book of Mormon is not true everything else crumbles away.

Is it possible that the Lord needed the Church to have something so curious or peculiar as the Book of Mormon to differentiate us from the multitude of other Bible only Christian churches.

Sunday School

Judges 21:25

25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

This describes the world at large today.  People say they can do what they want because “they are a good person”.

But some churches go down a similar road. They have no authorized leader.  They follow whatever they think the Bible says and they pay a pastor to serve them, but give him no authority to lead them to tell them how the church should be run.

Elders Quorum

Teachings of Presidents of the Church:Joseph Fielding Smith

Priesthood Keys

Being consistent allows other to know they can count on us.  Whether it is in our home teaching or our jobs or with our children.

Church Services This Week at Yellow Creek Mennonite Church Wakarusa Indiana 1 June 2014

Congregational Meeting

We went to my nephew's dedication service today.

Do we love our neighbor if we complain about our coworkers to others?

Do we love our neighbors if we are excited to drop our children at daycare because they frustrate us or because we have a lot of things to get done.

Not sharing the gospel can be like letting someone asleep in a canoe go down the river toward a waterfall.  It could also be like not speaking up when you see a small child run into the road.

We should not beat people over the head to warn them, but we still warn them and show them in our example.

It is difficult to pray for someone who we are upset with.  It is also difficult to be upset with someone for whom we are praying.

God is not on the other side of some tragedy you are going through or some sin you are struggling to overcome.  He is there with you to give you strength and help you overcome.

We gain joy through loving:

Jesus

Others

Yourself

In that order. But we must love all three.

Church Services This Week at Elkhart 2nd Ward South Bend Indiana Stake Elkhart Indiana 25 May 2014

Sacrament Service

There are strong things that we call mother.  Mother nature, mother earth, and so on.  Things that are strung and that nurture and give life.

All women can act as a mother to those around them.

We should have our own private hall of heroes who we reflect upon their righteous examples often.

Sunday School

Adorn our homes with what we stand for.

It was easier to get Israel out of Egypt then to get Egypt out of Israel.

Elders Quorums

The lesson used a recent Ensign article about daughter repenting and being nervous to ask her father for blessing because of all the hurt between them and Elder Anderson Spiritual Whirlwinds talk

Church Services This Week at Ridge Crest Ward Northridge Stake Layton Utah 18 May 2014

Elders Quorum

Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  Joseph Fielding Smith chapter 10

Our Search for Truth

What style of learning do we have?  What techniques do we use to learn truth.

Sunday School

Joshua had big shoes to fill after Moses and he had huge challenges to overcome.  The Lord promised him that he would be with him.

The Israelites were very attached to Moses and the Lord showed them that He was with Joshua, just as he had been with Moses.  For example, the Jordan river was parted just as the red sea had been.  The difference this time was that it was parted when the people exercised faith and stepped into the water.

"There are no completely private choices” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 101; or Ensign, May 1987, 80).

Sacrament Service

A missionary that recently returned from a mission to Oregon spoke to us.

Heavenly Father's answers and promptings are often subtle and come at sometimes unexpected times.

Make our prayers sincere and our study a feast.

Our fast offerings go locally and the excess guess to help around the world.

Church Services This Week at Ridge Crest Ward Northridge Stake Layton Utah 11 May 2014

Elders Quorum

Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  Joseph Fielding Smith Chapter 9

When life is out of balance, focusing primarily on work or my own interests then it becomes harder to naturally witness to others about Christ, because it is not in our countenance.

The three witnesses had an angelic witness.  The eight had a physical witness.  We have a logical and spiritual witness.  Each is a unique perspective and a unique tool to bring others to Christ.

Sunday school

Old Testament Manual Chapter 17

Moses and several of the old testament prophets did not taste death, but were translated.  They became immortal, but were not resurrected because Christ had not yet been resurrected, but they had more work to do that rewired a physical body, but needed to not be sick or old.

The writer of Deuteronomy didn't know what happened to Moses and assumed he was dead and that the Lord had buried him.

When we make time for the essential things, the Lord will make time for the rest.

Sacrament Service

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if the drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of the missing drop." (Mother Teresa's Reaching Out In Love - Stories told by Mother Teresa, Compiled and Edited by Edward Le Joly and Jaya Chaliha, Barnes & Noble, 2002, p. 122)

Church Services This Week at Ridge Crest Ward Northridge Stake Layton Utah 4 May 2014

Elders Quorum

The Why of Priesthood Service- President Uchtdorf General Conference April 2012

What are the challenges to home teaching?  Breaking the ice.  Schedules. Phone calls...

"I don’t remember much of what he said, but I do remember well how I felt."

"When we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help." (Thomas S. Monson, “To Learn, to Do, to Be,” Liahona and Ensign,Nov. 2008, 62)

Always be on the Lord's errand in all we do.

Sunday School

Old Testament Lesson 16

Balaam and the talking donkey.

"This is a true story, a dramatic story; one with a great lesson for all members of the Church; one that involves seeing God, receiving revelation, and facing a destroying angel in whose hand was the sword of vengeance. It includes the account of how the Lord delivered a message to the prophet in a way that, as far as we know, has never been duplicated in the entire history of the world.

As we study the events involved, suppose we seek answers to these questions: Why did the Lord permit (or did he direct?) the strange series of events? What are “the wages of unrighteousness”? And how could a prophet who sought such remain in tune with “the spirit of God” and proclaim great truths, including one of our most marvelous Messianic prophecies?" (President Bruce R McConkie, The Story of a Prophet’s Madness, New Era April 1972)

The children's scripture stories sometimes simplify and clarify a confusing story in the scripture.

Do we ever press the Lord with our own will repeatedly and end up miserable until we are willing to do what the Lord knows will work and set our own agenda aside?

Balaam follows Balak while Balak was sinning, rather than encouraging Balak to follow the Lord.

Testimony Meeting

Stake theme this month is seek the blessings of the temple through fasting and prayer.

Stake/Regional Conference This Week at Northridge Stake Layton Utah 26-27 April 2014

April 26, 2014 - General Session of Stake/Regional Conference

Mervyn B Arnold Spoke to us.  See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mervyn_B._Arnold, http://www.gapages.com/arnolmb1.htm

Matthew 18:12-13

 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Wilderness equals confusing multitude or mass.

“All human beings are the offspring of God.” - Unknown

"Some ask in silence because their arms are too tired to raise up." - Unknown

"Members of all ages are called to..." - Unknown

The Church has a new web site on hastening the work https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/

Sister Cheryl A. Esplin spoke to us.

If we are prepared then the world's teaching will roll off us like water off a duck's back.

"We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e,time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. " (President Dieter F Uchtdorf, OF THINGS THAT MATTER MOST, October 2010 General Conference)

Sister Esplyn said, “When the gospel is woven into our daily conversations, we will more likely stay on the right path.”

Elder L Whitney Clayton spoke to us.

1 Samuel 16

7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

“Elder Talmage tells us the covenants we make in the temple include the ‘promise to observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant and pure; to devote both talent and material means to the spread of truth and the uplifting of the race; to maintain devotion to the cause of truth; and to seek in every way to contribute to the great preparation that the earth may be made ready to receive her King—the Lord Jesus Christ. With the taking of each covenant and the assuming of each obligation a promised blessing is pronounced, contingent upon the faithful observance of the conditions’ (The House of the Lord, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1978, p. 84).” (KATHLEEN LUBECK, PREPARING FOR THE TEMPLE ENDOWMENT, Ensign Feb 1987)

Mosiah 5:2

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 change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

None of us have enough loaves or fishes to do what we need to do or to be all that we need to be.  When we turn over what we have to Jesus, he makes it enough.

Modesty - do we receive the Lord in our countenance or do we try to display ourselves in our countenance?

Sister Kathy Andersen

Elder Andersen's wife shared her testimony.

Elder Neal L Andersen

Alma 32:41-43

41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.

Faith diligence and patience.

People do not get stronger by watching other people exercise.  The new youth curriculum is like that.  The youth teach and participate in the lessons.

"Let us not give ourselves too many excuses." - Elder Andersen

April 26, 2014 - Adult Session of Stake Conference

This is the first adult session that 12 and up were invited to.  At General Women's Conference they had 8 and up invited to that for the first time.  It feels like perhaps it is like older times when young people are needed to take greater responsibility.

One of the members of the stake presidency shared experiences he had in the Ogden temple and what made it special to him.  He encouraged each of us to set a goal as to how often we should go to the temple.

"For, generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others." (PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY, “WHOSOEVER WILL SAVE HIS LIFE”, Ensign August 1982)

Doctrine and Covenants 15:6

6 And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

One of the speakers talked about elder Nelson's general conference talk about not fearing.

They told us about a new web site the Church has for Easter http://Mormon.org/becauseofhim

Moses 6:52

52 And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.

Doctrine and Covenants 121:45

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

When we neglect to do the everyday things to keep the spirit with us is like forgetting the password to access the Holy Ghost.

Doctrine and Covenants 46:7

 7 But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.

1 Corinthians 12:4-10

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

What is your gift and what have you done with it lately?