Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 26 February 2017

 Bulletin

1 Nephi 4:1

1 And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?

Sacrament Service 

Entertainment and Media section of For the Strength of Youth

“Satan uses media to deceive you by making what is wrong and evil look normal, humorous, or exciting.” - For the Strength of Youth

Evolution is not man coming from monkeys.  It is change over time.  Media evolves in technology.  If we use it appropriately, it can help us evolve in knowledge.

Some use superstitious practices to ward off evil spirits.  The way to keep evil spirits away is to stand in holy places and make the places you stand holy.

The Holy Ghost is not always a voice.  Sometimes it is peace.  Sometimes it is feeling something or a thought.

Sunday School 

The Restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods

Doctrine and Covenants 13

The Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys to the ministering of angels. This is the receiving ministrations, but also perhaps the directing of ministering angels.

Elder Dallin H Oaks’ talk, The Aaronic Priesthood and the Ministering of Angels

Elder Jeffrey R Holland’s talk, The Ministry of Angels.

The power of the Holy Ghost gives ministering angels the power to minister. 

“It makes perfect sense that when messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers. But from the ranks of our kindred and friends. In like manner, our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, who have been faithful and worthy, to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given to them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine presence messages of love, warning, or reproof and instruction to those who they had learned to love in the flesh”(Joseph F Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 436) 

“From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children.”

Doctrine and Covenants 20:7

7 And gave unto him commandments which inspired him;

Elders Quorum 

My lesson on Teachings of Presidents of the Church Ezra Taft Benson chapter 4

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 19 February 2017

 Bulletin

“Do you realize that the restored Church was 98 years old before it had 100 stakes? But less than 30 years later, the Church had organized its second 100 stakes. And only eight years after that the Church had more than 300 stakes. Today we are more than 3,000 stakes strong.

“Why is this growth taking place at an accelerated rate? Is it because we are better known? Is it because we have lovely chapels?

“These things are important, but the reason the Church is growing today is that the Lord indicated it would. In the Doctrine and Covenants, He said, ‘Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.’

“We, as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, were sent to earth at this time that we might participate in hastening this great work.” (Thomas S Monson, Hastening the Work, June 2014 Ensign)

Sacrament Service - Ward Conference

One of the speakers referenced “Profile of a Prophet” by Hugh B Brown, Ensign June 2006

The wise men truly were wise.  They studied and understood the signs of the Savior’s coming in their day.  Thus they were able to act exactly on time.

Growth happens one testimony, one act of service at a time.

The Lord is sending more and more people to the boundaries of the Utah Ogden Mission for us to influence.

“There are three things all members can do to help share the gospel, regardless of the circumstances in which they live and work. All of us should do all of these.

“First, we can all pray for desire to help with this vital part of the work of salvation. All efforts begin with desire.

“Second, we can keep the commandments ourselves. Faithful, obedient members are the most persuasive witnesses of the truth and value of the restored gospel. Even more important, faithful members will always have the Savior’s Spirit to be with them to guide them as they seek to participate in the great work of sharing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Third, we can pray for inspiration on what we can do in our individual circumstances to share the gospel with others. This is different than praying for the missionaries or praying for what others can do. We should pray for what we can do personally. When we pray, we should remember that prayers for this kind of inspiration will be answered if accompanied by a commitment—something the scriptures call “real intent” or “full purpose of heart.” Pray with a commitment to act upon the inspiration you receive, promising the Lord that if He will inspire you to speak to someone about the gospel, you will do it.” (Dallin H Oaks, Sharing the Restored Gospel, October 2016 General Conference)

Sunday School 

Church history lesson 7

Faith - Bible Dictionary 

Have you done anything yet today that required faith? 

Doctrine and Covenants 8:10

10 Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not.

“...by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.“ (Faith - Bible Dictionary )

Doctrine and Covenants 128:21

21 And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!

Doctrine and Covenants 19:23

23 Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.

Alma 32:27

27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

Dnc 27:16-17

16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;

17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

Joint High Priest / Elders Quorum Meeting 

Leviticus 26:2-6, 9

2 ¶ Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.

3 ¶ If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;

4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

5 And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.

9 For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.

This scripture can be easily translated to our day. Even though it is in the Old Testament, it has not been done away with. The sabbath law is still fully in force. 

We can not be true to the sabbath by mere observance. We must turn our heart to the Lord. 

Throughout the week we can prepare for the sabbath. 

Doctrine and Covenants 59:2

21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.

“In a recent regional training meeting for priesthood leaders, President Gordon B. Hinckley expressed concern that members of the Church may have a tendency to take on the ways of the world. He said: ‘We don’t adopt them immediately, but we slowly take them on, unfortunately. I wish I had the power to convert this whole Church to the observance of the Sabbath. I know our people would be more richly blessed of the Lord if they would walk in faithfulness in the observance of the Sabbath.’” (Elder Earl C. Tingey, “The Sabbath Day and Sunday Shopping”, April 1996 General Conference)

“I invite all of us to consider five ways to increase the impact and power of our regular participation in the sacred ordinance of the sacrament, an ordinance that can help us become holy.

1. Prepare in advance

2. Arrive Early

3. Sing and Learn from the Words of the Sacrament Hymn

4. Spiritually Participate in the Sacrament Prayers (See Moroni 4–5)

5. Ponder and Remember Him as the Sacrament Emblems Are Passed” (Elder Peter F. Meurs, “The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy”, October 2016 General Conference)

Mosiah 3:19

19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

While the sacrament is being passed, this is not the time for transmission of conversations.

“While of these emblems we partake

In Jesus' name and for his sake,

Let us remember and be sure

Our hearts and hands are clean and pure.” (Hymn 174, “While of The Emblems We Partake”)

“The ordinance of the sacrament is a holy and repeated invitation to repent sincerely and to be renewed spiritually. The act of partaking of the sacrament, in and of itself, does not remit sins. But as we prepare conscientiously and participate in this holy ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then the promise is that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us. And by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins.” (David A. Bednar, “Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 61–62.)

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 12 February 2017

Sacrament Service

Gratitude section of For the Strength of Youth

“Even in your most difficult times, you can find much to be grateful for. Doing so will strengthen and bless you.” - For the Strength of Youth

Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19

17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

 

The more you notice God’s hand in your life, the more he can help you.

 

A service missionary spoke to us.  She serves on Welfare Square in Salt Lake City.

 

Someone spoke on, Why are you here?

 

Alma 32:21

21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

 

A testimony takes time.

 

There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.

 

Matthew 7:20

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

 

What are these doctrines and principles producing for you?

 

If the Church is making you unhappy, you are doing it wrong. 

Sunday School 

Teaching in the Savior's Way 

How do we invite the spirit and invite our class members. 

DnC 84:85

85 Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.

Elders Quorum 

“President Gordon B. Hinckley’s mother, Ada Bitner Hinckley, often said that ‘a happy attitude and smiling countenance could boost one over almost any misfortune and that every individual was responsible for his own happiness.’ His father, Bryant S. Hinckley, also had an ‘inherently positive outlook.’ President Hinckley recalled, ‘When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my father would say: “Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve.”’ Influenced by his parents’ counsel and example, young Gordon Hinckley learned to approach life with optimism and faith.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  Gordon B Hinckley, chapter 3) 

When you first wake up, put a positive thought in your head. Don't just wake up and think of how tired you are. 

“I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we ‘accentuate the positive.’ I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentance. Wise is the man who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his course.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Spirit of Optimism”, New Era July 2001)

Matthew 5:5

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 5 February 2017

Sunday School 

Doctrine and Covenants 6,8,9

The difference between the light of Christ and the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

-The Light of Christ is like being brushed by the Holy Ghost and the Gift of the Holy Ghost is like having it a part of you 

-The Light of Christ is like a flashlight vs the Gift of the Holy Ghost is like a flood light.

-The Light of Christ is conscience and also as God chooses to nudge people toward truth.  The gift of the Holy Ghost let's us call on it. 

Prophets have received a visitation from God before receiving the Holy Ghost. In a visitation one sees directly, not through the Holy Ghost. 

Gifts of the Spirit operate through the Holy Ghost. I think we have one or more gifts of the spirit given to us from birth, but are not as functional without the gift of the Holy Ghost. We must use the Holy Ghost to develop them to the fullest.

“We do not overstate the point when we say that the scriptures can be a Urim and Thummim to assist each of us to receive personal revelation.” (Elder Dallin H Oaks, Scripture Reading and Revelation, Ensign January 1995)

1Corinthians 2:14

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Elders Quorum 

What things bring true joy? 

It was proposed that conversion for ourselves or for others brings that. 

Why does the Lord use paths and roads to relate obedience? 

-they have boundaries that make them safe 

-they have a purpose 

-they are defined 

-they are easier to travel 

-they have been traveled before 

-there is a level of trust in roads and paths 

“We are blessed to have the truth. We have a mandate to share the truth. Let us live the truth, that we might merit all that the Father has for us. He does nothing save it be for our benefit. He has told us, ‘This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’ “ (President Thomas S. Monson, “The Perfect Path to Happiness,” Ensign, Nov. 2016, 80–81.)

Proverbs 29:18

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 29 January 2017

Sacrament Service 

“Few writers in our generation have produced the number and quality of best-selling books that James A. Michener has. I am amazed at the range of his interests and his commitment to excellence. His success is not accidental. It does not come solely from the endowment of a natural talent. His success comes from developing the habit of hard work.

“He was raised in poverty by a widowed mother. From age eleven, James worked six days a week every summer and delivered papers during the winter. At age fourteen he apprenticed as a plumber and worked fourteen hours a day in the summer and four hours a day in the winter. In looking back he says, ‘Instead of turning me against work, this ingrained in me the attitude that sensible people work hard to attain sensible goals—a philosophy I still adhere to.’ (‘An Authentic Work Ethic: I. The Path to Achievement,’ Reader’s Digest, Jan. 1977, p. 149.)” (J Richard Clarke, The Value of Work, APril 1992 General Conferece)

Sunday School 

In what ways can we be witnesses of the Book of Mormon? 

Martin Harris lost the translation of the book of Lehi. 

Doctrine and Covenants 10

As Nephi prophesied, there was a reason Nephi recorded some of the same things as his father had written. 

Doctrine and Covenants 3:7

7 For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words—

Doctrine and Covenants 30:1-2

1 Behold, I say unto you, David, that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought.

2 But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded.

The teacher recommended the book “Revelations in Context”

Elders Quorum 

What is the gospel?  The gospel is often referred to as the good news.  That good news is the atonement. 

What is the fulness of the gospel? 

The fulness of the gospel or the fulness of the good news is complete information about the atonement. 

3 Nephi 27:13-14

13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

The teacher recommended the book “The Infinite Atonement”

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 22 January 2017

Sacrament Service

First Speaker

The Tower of Babel

• Languages confounded.
• Brother of Jared’s languages was not confounded.
• An example of The Book of Mormon and The Bible working together.

Second Speaker
Mosiah 3:12
12 But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Nephi 25:25
25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.

John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Third Speaker

If the Devil can discourage us, then he can get us to turn to vices.

Acts 20:32

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

We are called to be grace to others.

Be a steward of encouragement to others.

Stake Conference Layton North Stake Layton Utah 15 January 2017

General Session of Stake Conference 

A counselor in the stake presidency spoke.

In nature and in human life, discomfort and pain often comes before growth. Lobsters experience discomfort, pain, and vulnerability as it sheds its shell, in order to grow.  If they do not go through that and shed that shell, they will not grow. 

“In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice,” (Viktor Frankl, Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist as well as a Holocaust survivor.)

A young woman spoke to us. 

Doctrine and Covenants 122:7

  7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

Joshua 1:9

9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

A sister spoke to us. 

“Exaltation is our goal; discipleship is our journey.”(President Dieter F Uchtdorf, “It Works Wonderfully”, October 2015 General Conference)

“The future is as bright as your faith” (President Thomas S Monson, “Be of Good Cheer”, April 2009 General Conference)

A young man spoke to us. 

3 Nephi 18 - The entire chapter is about the sacrament.

A sister spoke to us. 

“And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations” (Book of Mormon Title Page)

2 Nephi 25:26

  26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

“The golden question of the Book of Mormon is ‘Do you want to learn more of Christ?’” (Ezra Taft Benson, The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God, April 1975 General Conference)

“As we speak to others, we need to remember that an invitation to learn more about Jesus Christ and His gospel is preferable to an invitation to learn more about our Church.” (Dallin H Oaks, Sharing the Restored Gospel, October 2016 General Conference)

“My beloved brethren and sisters, today I would like to speak about one of the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times. The gift I am thinking of is more important than any of the inventions that have come out of the industrial and technological revolutions. This is a gift of greater value to mankind than even the many wonderful advances we have seen in modern medicine. It is of greater worth to mankind than the development of flight or space travel. I speak of the gift of the Book of Mormon, given to mankind 156 years ago.” (Ezra Taft Benson, The Book of Mormon, October 1986 General COnference)

3 Nephi 11:14

14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may athrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may bfeel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the cGod of Israel, and the God of the whole dearth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

Alma 7:12

12 And he will take upon him adeath, that he may bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

“Now, my beloved brethren and sisters, let us read the Book of Mormon and be convinced that Jesus is the Christ. Let us continually reread the Book of Mormon so that we might more fully come to Christ, be committed to Him, centered in Him, and consumed in Him.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Come Unto Christ, October 1987 General Conference)

The stake president spoke to us. 

Helaman 14:11-12

11 And ye shall ahear my words, for, for this intent have I come up upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know of the judgments of God which do await you because of your iniquities, and also that ye might know the conditions of repentance;

12 And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the aFather of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.

Mormon 8:35

35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.

We are blessed to have been seen by prophets for millenium. 

Choose to be positive.