Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 27 May 2018

 Bulletin

“When we gather our family histories and go to the temple on behalf of our ancestors, God fulfills promised blessings simultaneously on both sides of the veil.” - Elder Dale G Renlund

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

2 Nephi 2:27

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

“Our agency—our ability to choose and act for ourselves—was an essential element of this plan.” (Elder Robert D. Hales, “Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life”, October 2010 General Conference)

Next Speaker

Revelation 11:10,12

10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Revelation 3

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Next Speaker

Children should be our priority.  All children.

Memories fade over time.  They do not fade as quickly if written down.

Mosiah 1

5 I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.

“We have many avenues for teaching the … rising generation, and we should devote our best thinking and effort to taking full advantage of them. Above all, we must continue to encourage and help parents be better and more consistent teachers … especially by example.” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Strengthening the Faith and Long-Term Conversion of the Rising Generation,” general conference leadership meeting, Sept. 2017.)

Next Speaker

The mom of a missionary that is serving in Vietnam shared thoughts about that.

Missionary work was being done by the servicemen during the Vietnam war.

The Vietnam mission is relatively new.

Next Speaker

The mom of a missionary that is serving in Spain shared a few things about that.

Next Speaker

The brother of a missionary serving in the Washington Tacoma Mission shared some things about his brother’s mission.

Next Speaker

The mom of a sister that just got out of the MTC and is serving in Tampa, Florida told us a few things about that.

Sunday School 

Judges 

Entering into league means to have made a contract. 

Deborah was a judge. They called her a prophetess and a seer. She was a righteous woman at a time when there were no righteous priesthood holders to receive revelation. 

“But in today’s world, more will be expected of you than to just stand in holy places. My plea is not just that you stand in holy places but that you make holy the places in which you stand.” (KEVIN J WORTHEN, “Holy Places”, Brigham Young University January 20, 2015)

“How then do we balance the need to positively contribute to the world and to not succumb to the sins of the world?” (Elder Quentin L. Cook, “Being in the World but Not of the World”, January 2011 New Era)

“In abandoning sin one cannot merely wish for better conditions. … He must be certain not only that he has abandoned the sin but that he has changed the situations surrounding the sin. He should avoid the places and conditions and circumstances where the sin occurred, for these could most readily breed it again. He must abandon the people with whom the sin was committed. He may not hate the persons involved but he must avoid them and everything associated with the sin” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 171–72).

Elders Quorum 

Ministering

Dnc 58

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

Mosiah 23:18

18 Therefore they did watch over their people, and did nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness.

God wants eternal life for his children, but they must choose it. 

Ministering needs to be individualized. 

Do what works best. 

Focus on the outcome that is desired, not on meaningless actions. 

If we are united we are unstoppable. 

Identify every reference to the word minister in 3 Nephi. 

Be careful to not just minister to names on a list.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 20 May 2018

Bulletin

“Let us never forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is not only aware of us but cares for us. He is our Father.  He is accessible to all who will seek Him.” - President Hinckley

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

A sister that recently returned from the Mississippi Jackson Mission spoke to us.

“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives” - talk by President Russell M. Nelson, April 2018 General Conference

God doesn’t always answer the question we are asking, but will answer what we need answered.

Next Speaker

Some don’t have confidence that they can receive revelation in spite of having the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 16

13 ¶ When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Sunday School 

Joshua 1

“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.”

Elders Quorum 

The kingdom of God is about verbs. We are to be acting,ministering, loving, serving, and so forth. 

The instructor either said this or referenced someone who said this.  “I hate to do dishes, but I love my wife. She likes it when I do the dishes.”  I can’t find the quote.

“I learned about pure love from my mother.” (Elder Massimo De Feo, “Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ”, April 2018 General Conference)

“May we begin now, this very day, to express love to all of God’s children, whether they be our family members, our friends, mere acquaintances, or total strangers. As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “Love—the Essence of the Gospel”, April 2014 General Conference)

Do you care more about your spouse than you do yourself? 

Do you care more about those you minister to than yourself? 

Dnc 45:32

32 But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die. 

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 13 May 2018

Bulletin

3 Nephi 22:13

13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

One of Satan’s goals is to destroy God’s plan for families by changing our idea of what family is from what God says it is.

Next Speaker

The hand that rocks the cradle shapes the kingdom of God.

“Today I declare from this pulpit what has been said here before: that no love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child.” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Behold Thy Mother”, October 2015 General Conference)

Psalm 127:3

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Next Speaker

“Logic and reason would certainly suggest that if we have a Father in Heaven, we have a Mother in Heaven. That doctrine rests well with me.

“However, in light of the instruction we have received from the Lord Himself, I regard it as inappropriate for anyone in the Church to pray to our Mother in Heaven.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Daughters of God”, October 1991 General Conference.

Sunday School 

“prosperity is not the only reason people forget God. It can also be hard to remember Him when our lives go badly. When we struggle, as so many do, in grinding poverty or when our enemies prevail against us or when sickness is not healed, the enemy of our souls can send his evil message that there is no God or that if He exists He does not care about us. Then it can be hard for the Holy Ghost to bring to our remembrance the lifetime of blessings the Lord has given us from our infancy and in the midst of our distress.” (President Henry B. Eyring, “O Remember, Remember”, October 2007)

“The worst fear that I have about [members of this Church] is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and his people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution, and be true. But my greater fear for them is that they cannot stand wealth; and yet they have to be tried with riches” (quoted in Preston Nibley, Brigham Young: The Man and His Work [1936], 128).

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

Quotes are from (Neal L Anderson, “Preparing for Your Spiritual Destiny”, BYU Speeches January 10, 2010), unless otherwise noted.

1. You are on a sacred journey through mortality.

DnC 138:56

56 Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.

Moses 6:51

51 And he called upon our father Adam by his own voice, saying: I am God; I made the world, and men before they were in the flesh.

Moses 3:5

5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth. For I, the Lord God, had not caused it to rain upon the face of the earth. And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men; and not yet a man to till the ground; for in heaven created I them; and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air;

“Our premortal life was not a passive existence. We had choices to make there as we do here. We had progressed and were in need of a physical body and the experiences of mortality. We needed to prove our willingness to live by faith.” 

“Just as our life began before our birth into mortality, our life does not end with the stopping of a heartbeat. We will continue on. Who you are—you, the distinct individual—you will always be you.” 

2. You are to be a spiritual captain in the Lord’s cause, with a specific mission to accomplish.

Gen 22:18

18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Abraham 2:9

9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;

3 Nephi 20:26

26 The Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant

Alma 13:3-4

3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.

“Have you ever wondered: Why is it that I am who I am? Why is it I feel the way I feel? Why have I chosen to believe so fully in the Lord Jesus Christ? Why do I choose to keep His commandments when others do not care about them? Why do I feel the way I do about the Book of Mormon? Why do the words come off the page of scripture and go directly into my heart when others are almost indifferent about this sacred book? Why have I been willing to make sacred covenants through baptism, make covenants in the temple, and—for many of you—serve a mission?”

“You were chosen and foreordained to have the gospel in your life and to be a leader in the cause of the restored gospel.”

“Realizing who you are and who you are supposed to be doesn’t make you a captain in the Lord’s cause. There are obstacles and temptations much more treacherous than a flock of giant Canadian geese that would keep you from your destiny. You must be on guard. To be a captain in the Lord’s cause, there needs to be preparation.”

Ephesians 6:13-18

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

“Central to all that we think and do is the Lord Jesus Christ. His life is our model. It is because of Him that we will live again. It is by the power of His Atonement that we can stand clean in the presence of our Father.”

3. Your sacred duty is to return back to Heavenly Father and bring many with you.

Matthew 10:39

39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 25:34-35,37,40

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

DnC 18:10,15-16

10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

“I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?”, October 2009 General Conference)

2 Nephi 31:20

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

“Your spiritual destiny will have obstacles, delays, and equipment malfunctions. There will be mistakes. You may wonder if you are going to make it. Don’t be discouraged! You will also have moments of hope and faith as doors open and obstacles are overcome. Continue, persist, above all, believe in Christ and learn to follow Him and His prophets; endure, as Nephi said, with a “brightness of hope” (2 Nephi 31:20). As you do, I promise you, one day you will hear your name. You will make it.”

 

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 6 May 2018

Bulletin

3 Nephi 18:19-20

19 Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;

20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

Sacrament Service 

Sunday School 

Balaam and Balac

Balaam couldn't curse Israel, but he ended up telling Balac how to defeat them through tempting them to commit whoredoms. 

Elders Quorum 

We talked about how to implement the new ministering program. 

We need to do more of the things that we have pushed off and expected the bishop and other leadership. 

The elders quorum president is now, in a way, an assistant bishop /a vice bishop. 

We must get revelation more to determine where we need to minister.

“What are the purposes of the adjustments to Melchizedek Priesthood quorums? Having one Melchizedek Priesthood quorum in a ward unifies priesthood holders to accomplish all aspects of the work of salvation, including the temple and family history work previously coordinated by the high priests groups. It allows quorum members of all ages and backgrounds to benefit from the perspective and experience of one another and of those in different stages of life. It also provides additional opportunities for experienced priesthood holders to mentor others, including prospective elders, new members, young adults, and those returning to Church activity. I cannot adequately express how excited I am to contemplate the increasingly vital role that elders quorums will play in the future. The wisdom, experience, capacity, and strength that will be found in these quorums portend a new day and a new standard of priesthood service across the Church.” (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “The Elders Quorum”, April 2018 General Conference)

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 29 April 2018

Bulletin

“My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?”, October 2017 General Conference)

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

“Young Women classes meet on Sundays to strengthen faith, build unity, strengthen families and homes, and make plans to participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation.” (General Handbook, Section 11)

DnC 18:10

10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

“‘God is your Father. He loves you. He and your Mother in Heaven value you beyond any measure. … You are unique. One of a kind, made of the eternal intelligence which gives you claim upon eternal life.

“Let there be no question in your mind about your value as an individual. The whole intent of the gospel plan is to provide an opportunity for each of you to reach your fullest potential, which is eternal progression and the possibility of godhood” (Spencer W Kimball, “Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,” Ensign, Nov. 1978, 105].

“Before I had the gospel in my life, I was always trying to prove to others that I was someone special. But when I learned the truth, that I am a daughter of God, I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone. I knew that I was special. … Don’t ever think that you are nothing.” (Renu Singh as quote by President Joy D Jones, “Value Beyond Measure”, October 2017 General Conference)

Esther 4:11

11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

Luke 1:26

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

Next Speaker

“These precious few years, from the time of your twelfth birthday until you are eighteen, are so vitally important, so critical and far-reaching, so essential to your happiness now and in the future.” (President Ardeth G. Kapp, “Stand for Truth and Righteousness”, October 1988 General Conference)

“Brethren, may we learn what we should learn, do what we should do, and be what we should be.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “To Learn, to Do, to Be”, October 2008 General Conference)

“The patterns you establish as you work on Personal Progress—such as prayer, scripture study, service, and journal keeping—will become personal daily habits. These habits will strengthen your testimony and help you learn and improve throughout your life.” (Young Women Personal Progress)

Next Speaker

“These are they who had testimonies of Jesus through the Holy Ghost and knew the power of the Lord but allowed Satan to overcome them. They denied the truth and defied the power of the Lord. There is no forgiveness for them, for they denied the Holy Spirit after having received it. They will not have a kingdom of glory. They will live in eternal darkness, torment, and misery with Satan and his angels forever.” (See D&C 76:28–35, 44–48.).

“How tragic it is that so many mortals are mercenaries for the adversary . . . and are . . . bought off at such low prices. A little status, a little money, a little praise, a little fleeting fame, and they are willing to do the bidding of him who can offer all sorts of transitory “rewards,” but who has no celestial currency.”(Neal A. Maxwell, Things As They Really Are (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1978), 42.)

1 Corinthians 2

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.

DnC 76

61 Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet.

62 These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.

“Repentance is God’s ever-accessible gift that allows and enables us to go from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm. Repentance isn’t His backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is His plan, knowing that we will.” (Elder Lynn G. Robbins. “Until Seventy Times Seven”, April 2018 General Conference)

“From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become”, October 2000 General Conference)

Sunday School 

Numbers 13-14

Most of the spies sent to look at the land of Canaan over exaggerated the inhabitants there. The people were probably twice the height of an average man, but they made it sound worse. 

2 Nephi 27

19 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that the Lord God will deliver again the book and the words thereof to him that is not learned; and the man that is not learned shall say: I am not learned.

20 Then shall the Lord God say unto him: The learned shall not read them, for they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine own work; wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee.

21 Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work.

“There is no place in this work for those who believe only in the gospel of doom and gloom. The gospel is good news. It is a message of triumph. It is a cause to be embraced with enthusiasm.”

…

“This is an age of pessimism. Ours is a mission of faith.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Stay the Course—Keep the Faith”, October 1995 General Conference)

The age of pessimism president hinckley was talking about was 1995. How much more is our society pessimistic?

Elders Quorum 

A brother spoke to us who works on finding sites for the Prophet to consider for temples. 

Turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, but also pass on what is in the parents’ hearts to the children. 

“When God directs us to do one thing, He often has many purposes in mind. Family history and temple work is not only for the dead but blesses the living as well.” Elder Renlund then mentioned many blessings, including healing blessings, that can come to our families as we participate in temple and family history work (Elder Dale G Renlund, “Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing,” Liahona, May 2018, 46–47).

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah 22 April 2018

Bulletin

“Our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance.  I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives.“ (President Thomas S. Monson, “Consider the Blessings”, October 2012 General Conference)

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

“Your Heavenly Father has given you agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for yourself. You have been given the Holy Ghost to help you know good from evil.” 

…

“While you are free to choose for yourself, you are not free to choose the consequences of your actions. When you make a choice, you will receive the consequences of that choice. The consequences may not be immediate, but they will always follow, for good or bad. Wrong choices delay your progression and lead to heartache and misery. Right choices lead to happiness and eternal life. That is why it is so important for you to choose what is right throughout your life.” (For the Strength of Youth pamphlet 2001)

You are accountable for how we use the talents God has given and for the way use our time.

Next Speaker

Mosiah 28

17 Now after Mosiah had finished translating these records, behold, it gave an account of the people who were destroyed, from the time that they were destroyed back to the building of the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people and they were scattered abroad upon the face of all the earth, yea, and even from that time back until the creation of Adam.

18 Now this account did cause the people of Mosiah to mourn exceedingly, yea, they were filled with sorrow; nevertheless it gave them much knowledge, in the which they did rejoice.

19 And this account shall be written hereafter; for behold, it is expedient that all people should know the things which are written in this account.

Mosiah 2

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Mosiah 2

23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

Change is accelerating.

2 Nephi 28

19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;

20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

“Change is also accelerating in the world around us. Some of that change, like that in this university, is for the better. But much of the acceleration in the world is in troubles long prophesied for the last days. Each time you watch the evening news, you see stark evidence of that. You remember this scripture: ‘For behold, at that day shall he [meaning Satan] rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good’ (2 Nephi 28:20).

“The Lord told us in the time of the Prophet Joseph that war would be poured out upon all nations. We see tragic fulfillment of that prophecy, bringing with it increased suffering to the innocent.

“The giant earthquake, and the tsunamis it sent crashing into the coasts around the Indian Ocean, is just the beginning and a part of what is to come, terrible as it was. You remember the words from the Doctrine and Covenants which now seems so accurate:

And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people.

“For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.

“And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.

“And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people (Doctrine and Covenants 88: 88-91).

“Fear shall come upon all people. But you and I know that the Lord has prepared places of safety to which He is eager to guide us.” (Elder Henry B. Eyring, “Raise the Bar”, Brigham Young University–Idaho Devotional January 25, 2005)

Bees give their life to serve the colony.  We should covenant to give our all to building God’s kingdom.

Next Speaker

Definition of motivation - the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

Why do we serve?

Elder Dallin H Oaks General Conference 1984 - “God expects us to serve one another for the best reasons…” - Most of the talk.

Mosiah 2

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

John 21

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Ministering should be customized for each family we have stewardship over.

3 Nephi 17

11 And it came to pass that he commanded that their little children should be brought.

12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.

20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.

21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

Sunday School 

Exodus 15

25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

The children of Israel were being taught to rely on the Lord through the manna. 

They also were being taught that they had to do something. In Egypt the Egyptians gave them everything. They were slaves, but didn't have to work to provide for their families. 

Exodus 19

22 And let the priests also, which come near to the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break forth upon them.

23 And Moses said unto the Lord, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.

Had the people been ready, the Lord was willing to show himself to Israel. The people chose to not sanctify themselves. 

They were not worthy to see him, but they heard Him giving the ten commandments to Moses. 

Elders Quorum 

The Elders Quorum presidency was restructured with the High Priests and Elders being one quorum now, after the announcement in General Conference.

Luke 18

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

Matthew 4:18

17 ¶ From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

18 ¶ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

When you are prompted, go straightway / immediately.