Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Sep 24, 2023

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

The Family Proclamation.

• Announced in 1995, but maybe not given as much for 1995 as for today.

• So much of the wording applied to both then and today, but with perhaps different meanings.

• “Happiness in the family”

• Clearly state roles of fathers, mothers, children, and even extended family.

• Heavenly Father knows us well enough to give us the people in our family that we need.

Next Speaker

1 Corinthians 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.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - 10

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Weaknesses redirected can be strengths and vice versa.

Either 12:27

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Next Speaker 

Ephesians 6 - The whole armor of God

Prepare in order to understand God. 

“But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory,” He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.” (President Russell M. Nelson. “Overcome the World and Find Rest”, October 2022 General Conference)

“Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, April 2018 General Conference)

Alma 34

30 And now, my brethren, I would that, after ye have received so many witnesses, seeing that the holy scriptures testify of these things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto repentance.

31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.

Teacher Council 

Suggestions For A Variety Of Teaching Settings And Learners

Stake Leadership Meeting 

First Speaker 

April 2022 General Conference Leadership Meetings - Oct 2022 Liahona - Nelson

"Once we make a covenant with God, we leave neutral ground forever. God will not abandon His relationship with those who have forged such a bond with Him. In fact, all those who have made a covenant with God have access to a special kind of love and mercy." 

Covenants tap into other qualities. 

Does the Tree of Life in Lehi's dream represent covenants? 

Covenants = loving God

John 14

"If he love me, keep my commandments" (covenants) 

"If we let God prevail in our lives, that covenant will lead us closer and closer to Him. All covenants are intended to be binding. They create a relationship with everlasting ties." 

“Once you and I have made a covenant with God, our relationship with Him becomes much closer than before our covenant. Now we are bound together. Because of our covenant with God, He will never tire in His efforts to help us, and we will never exhaust His merciful patience with us. Each of us has a special place in God’s heart. He has high hopes for us."

Galtians 3:27-29

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

"Those who keep their covenants with God will become a strain of sin-resistant souls! Those who keep their covenants will have the strength to resist the constant influence of the world.”

“My dear brothers and sisters, we have been called at this pivotal time in the history of the earth to teach the world about the beauty and power of the everlasting covenant.”

2 Corinthians 5:18,20

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 1:24

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Next Speaker 

1. Set goals and make plans

2. Record and schedule

3. Review and follow up

4. Act on your plan

Next Speaker

Mosiah 2:17

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.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Sep 17, 2023

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

In the 1700s men needed women to help raise their children, Widowers generally didn’t stay single long.  Often it is talked of women needing to get married for security.  It is interesting to see that both men and women’s roles are both vitally necessary.

DnC 101:80

80 And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

1 Nephi 13:14

14 And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the Gentiles upon the land of promise; and I beheld the wrath of God, that it was upon the seed of my brethren; and they were scattered before the Gentiles and were smitten.

2 Nephi 10:11

11 And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles.

“But God was not passionately interested in the discovery and establishment of America as a political entity alone — that was the means, not the end. The ultimate goal was to provide a forum where His Church could be restored in its fulness to the earth and then be taken to all the world. That was the crowning aim in God’s blessing of America.” (Elder Tad R. Callister, “The Founding Fathers — Coincidence or providence?”, Church News 26 June 2020)

“I am going to bear my testimony to this assembly, if I never do it again in my life, that those men who laid the foundation of this American government and signed the Declaration of Independence were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits, not wicked men. General Washington and all the men that labored for the purpose were inspired of the Lord. Another thing I am going to say here, because I have a right to say it. Everyone of those men that signed the Declaration of Independence, with General Washington, called upon me, as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Temple at St. George, two consecutive nights, and demanded at my hands that I should go forth and attend to the ordinances of the House of God for them. Men are here, I believe, that know of this, Brother J. D. T. McAllister, David H. Cannon and James S. Bleak. Brother McAllister baptized me for all those men, and then I told these brethren that it was their duty to go into the Temple and labor until they had got endowments for all of them. They did it. Would those spirits have called up on me, as an Elder in Israel to perform that work if they had not been noble spirits before God? They would not.” (Wilford Woodruff, Conference Report, April 1898, pp. 89-90.)

Deuteronomy 28:1-2

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

Next Speaker

3 Nephi 21

4 For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people, O house of Israel;

1 Nephi 9:6

6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.

The speaker recommended the movie, “A More Perfect Union”

Sunday School 

"Elder Craig C. Christensen and I were companions recently in a priesthood leadership conference, and he used two simple questions to emphasize the principle of becoming home centered and Church supported. He suggested that instead of returning to our homes after Church meetings on Sunday and asking, ‘What did you learn about the Savior and His gospel today at church?’ we should ask in our Church meetings, ‘What did you learn about the Savior and His gospel this week in your home?’ Proper Sabbath-day observance, the new curriculum, and the adjusted meeting schedule all help us to learn the gospel both in our homes and at church." (Elder David A. Bednar, “Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing”, April 2019 General Conference)

Trials allow us to understand the Atonement, Christ, and each other. 

Often people that offend us don't know they have offended us. 

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Sep 10, 2023

Sacrament Service

First Speaker

D Tood Christofferson talk, “The First Commandment First”

• “Why is the first the first?”

• “The foundational nature…”

• “Elevates”

• “Reversing”

• “Laws that will guide and protect us.”

Oaks, Devotion for students

• “Don’t align with what we know is true”

• “Hold to truth”

Be kind, compassionate, and empathetic when we disagree.

Next Speaker

Proclaim his truth with love.

Live Christ’s way in our lives and be loving examples.

Focus on progression, not perfection.

“In these remarks I do not speak for any political party or other group. I speak for the United States Constitution, which I have studied for more than 60 years. I speak from my experience as a law clerk to the chief justice of the United States Supreme Court. I speak from my 15 years as a professor of law and my 3½ years as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. Most important, I speak from 37 years as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, responsible to study the meaning of the divinely inspired United States Constitution to the work of His restored Church.” (President Dallin H. Oaks, “Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution”, April 2021 General Conference)

“None of us can control nations or the actions of others or even members of our own families. But we can control ourselves. My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others—whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or a resentment for someone who has hurt you.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum”, April 2022 General Conference)

“Yes, men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life.” (By President Ezra Taft Benson, “Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations”, Ensign December 1988)

“I promise you—not the person sitting next to you, but you—that, wherever you are in the world, wherever you are on the covenant path—even if, at this moment, you are not centered on the path—I promise you that if you will sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed to develop the crucial, spiritual skill of learning how to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, you will have all the direction you will ever need in your life. You will be given answers to your questions in the Lord’s own way and in His own time. And don’t forget the counsel of your parents and Church leaders. They are also seeking revelation in your behalf.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Hope of Israel”, Worldwide Youth Devotional • June 3, 2018)

“As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be examples of how to interact with others—especially when we have differences of opinion. One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Peacemakers Needed”, April 2023 General Conference)

Elders Quorum

We reviewed our experiences with the media fast we participated in this last week.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Sep 3, 2023

Sacrament Service 

Testimonies

Christ knows us and our circumstances personally, because he experienced them individually and personally.

Sunday School

Unity, Gifts, Charity

1 Corinthians 12:12-20

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Aug 27, 2023

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

The speaker mentioned that she had served her mission in Singapore and Pakistan.  It seemed weird to have those two be part of the same mission, but back in the day, they were indeed part of the same mission.

She talked about the differences in how we view honor in the US and how they view it in Asia.

“As we keep the Sabbath day holy he will bless us, and we will achieve a quiet power for good as individuals, as families, and as nations, that we cannot obtain in any other way.

...

“The small island kingdom of Tonga lies immediately next to the international dateline, so it is the first country in the world to greet the Sabbath day. It is a small country and, in the counting of the world, a poor country. But years ago a wise Tongan king decreed that the Sabbath would be kept holy in Tonga forever.” (Elder John H. Groberg, “The Power of Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy”, October 1984 General Conference)

“My beloved brothers and sisters, with the exciting new emphasis on increased gospel learning in the home, it is crucial for us to remember that we are still commanded to ‘go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day.’ In addition to making time for more home-centered gospel instruction, our modified Sunday service is also to reduce the complexity of the meeting schedule in a way that properly emphasizes the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper as the sacred, acknowledged focal point of our weekly worship experience. We are to remember in as personal a way as possible that Christ died from a heart broken by shouldering entirely alone the sins and sorrows of the whole human family.” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Behold the Lamb of God”, April 2019 General Conference)

Next Speaker

Make the scriptures personal.  It should be a powerful reflective moment. 

Elders Quorum 

John 19

30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Why did the savior hang on the cross so long, when he could've ended it at any time?

John 21:16

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.

To see the symbolism, think about how we feed sheep. 

Also, sheep are docile and need to be protected. 

Sheep follow the shepherd. Goats follow their own desires. 

Stake Priesthood Meeting

First Speaker 

"Consider missionary work. Young men, you have no time to waste. You can’t wait to get serious about preparing until you are 17 or 18. Aaronic Priesthood quorums can help their members understand the oath and covenant of the priesthood and get ready for ordination as elders, they can help them understand and prepare for the ordinances of the temple, and they can help them get ready for successful missions. Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and the Relief Society can help parents prepare missionaries who know the Book of Mormon and who will go into the field fully committed. And in each ward and branch, these same quorums can lead out in an effective collaboration with the full-time missionaries who are serving there." (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Brethren, We Have Work to Do”, October 2012 General Conference)

Next Speaker 

A new missionary from Richmond Virginia spoke to us. 

Next Speaker 

A new missionary from Moterey, California spoke to us.

Alma 40:11

11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

Missionary Panel

There was a panel of 3 recently returned missionaries that answered questions from one of the stake presidency members.

Next Speaker 

"Dear young friends, you are each vital to the Lord. He has held you in reserve until now to help gather Israel. Your decision to serve a mission, whether a proselyting or a service mission, will bless you and many others. We also welcome senior couples to serve when their circumstances permit. Their efforts are simply irreplaceable." (President Russell M. Nelson, “Preaching the Gospel of Peace”, April 2022 General Conference)

Acts 3:1-9

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

3 Nephi 18:16,24,25,28

16 And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you.

24 Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.

25 And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation.

28 And now behold, this is the commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it;

"When God entrusts you with His sacred priesthood, He shows great confidence in you. He knows He can trust you to use the priesthood to serve others, just as He has trusted other young men to do some of His most important work.

“For example, the world would not have the Book of Mormon’s powerful witness of Jesus Christ if it had not been for two young men whom God trusted. Mormon, the prophet who compiled this sacred record, was just 10 years old when he was assigned to observe and later record the history of his people. At age 15, he was ‘visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus’ (Mormon 1:15).

“The Book of Mormon was translated and published by Joseph Smith, who was called to his great work at age 14, when he was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ." (David L. Beck, “The Magnificent Aaronic Priesthood”, April 2010 General Conference)

Church Services This Week at Oak Ridge Ward Layton North Stake Layton Utah Aug 20, 2023

Sacrament Service 

First Speaker

1 Sam 16:7

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.

Next Speaker

“Jesus asked the Pharisees, ‘What think ye of Christ?’ In the final assessment, our personal discipleship will not be judged by friends or foes. Rather, as Paul said, ‘We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.’ At that day the important question for each of us will be, ‘What thinks Christ of me?’

“Even with His love for all mankind, Jesus reprovingly referred to some around Him as hypocrites, fools, and workers of iniquity. He approvingly called others children of the kingdom and the light of the world. He disapprovingly referred to some as blinded and unfruitful. He commended others as pure in heart and hungering after righteousness. He lamented that some were faithless and of the world, but others He esteemed as chosen, disciples, friends. And so we each ask, ‘What thinks Christ of me?’

...

“I testify that as you love Him, trust Him, believe Him, and follow Him, you will feel His love and approval. As you ask, ‘What thinks Christ of me?’ you will know that you are His disciple; you are His friend. By His grace He will do for you what you cannot do for yourself.

...

“I witness that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He suffered and died for our sins and rose the third day. He is resurrected. In a future day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is the Christ. On that day, our concern will not be, ‘Do others consider me Christian?’ At that time, our eyes will be fixed on Him, and our souls will be riveted on the question, ‘What thinks Christ of me?’” (Elder Neil L. Andersen, “What Thinks Christ of Me?”, April 2012 General Conference)

Romans 14:8

8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

Romans 14:11-12

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:19

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

DnC 84:110

110 Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.

Next Speaker

The speaker said that the spirit taught him that we must be attentive to our agency and that we have the right to choose how we will manage the events and conditions of our life.

Isaiah 12:2-3

2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

“When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation...and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.”

Matthew 11

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Youth Sunday School 

Romans 7-16