22 April 2012

Sacrament Meeting:

Alma 32:6-9 says:

     "And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld

     with great joy; for he beheld taht their afflicitons had truly humbled them, and that they were in a

     preparation to hear the word.

     Therefore he did say no more to the other multitute; but he stretched forth his hand, and cried unto those

     whom he beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them:

     I behold that ye are lowly in heart; and if so, blessed are ye.

     Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?--for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot

     worship our God."

          The way that we handle our trials can strengthen others. If you are staying strong and doing all you

          can to learn what you need to from your trial, other people will learn to be just as strong when it is

          their turn to go through trials.

You can learn from other people's mistakes; there is no need for you to commit the same sins as others around you, you should be watching others and learning from their mistakes, because you will end up learning the same thing they have.

Adversity is like pain; pain signals that something is wrong and that you need to stop doing whatever you are doing. Adversity shows us that we may have made a mistake and it is time for you to learn something from that. Remember that Heavenly Father will never give you more than you can handle. If you are feeling lost, alone, remember to call upon the Lord for help, He will not let you fail.

What is courage? According to our lovely Webster's Dictionary, courage is: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Examples throughout the scriptures of courageous individuals are Ruth, Ester, Peter meeting Christ on the water. In everyday life you see courageous individuals that join the church without family support, being the only active member in your family, or standing up for your beliefs.

Sunday School:

Priesthood-the authority given by God to man to act for Him.

Keys of the Priesthood-power of directing every act performed under this authority given from God.

     Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-22 says:

          "And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the

          kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

          Therfore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

          And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the prieshood, the power of godliness is not

          manifest unto men in the flesh;

          For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live."

     Doctrine and Covenants 107:8 says:

          "The Melchizedek Prieshood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things."

Aaronic Prieshood-conferred upon Aaron (brother of Moses)

Deacon:

• Worthy 12 year old
• Pass the Sacrament
• Keep the Church buildings and grounds clean
• Messengers for the Priesthood
• Collect Fast Offerings

Teacher:

• Worthy 14 year old
• Home Teacher
• Prepare the Sacrament
• Watch over the church (congregation)

          Doctrine and Covenants 20:53-59

               "The teacher's duty is to watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them;

               And see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying,

               backbiting, nor evil speaking;

               And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty.

               And he is to take the lead of meetings in the absence of the elder or priest--

               And is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, if occasion requires.

               But neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize, administer the sacrament or lay on

               hands.

              They are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ."

Priest:

• Worthy 16 year old
• Baptize
• Administer the Sacrament
• Ordain others to Priest
• Lead

          Doctrine and Covenants 20:46-51

               "The priest's duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and administer the sacrament.

               And visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to

               all family duties.

               And he may also ordain other priests, teachers, and deacons.

               And he is to take the lead of meetings when there is no elder present;

               But when there  is an elder present, he is only to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize,

               And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all

               family duties. "

Bishop:

• Preside over congregation
• Judge Israel
• Gife of discernment
• High Priest

          Doctrine and Covenants 107:87-88

               "Also the duty of the president over the Priesthood of Aaron is to preside over forty-eight priests,

               and sit in council with them, to teach them the duties of their office, as is given in the covenants--

               This president is to be a bishop; for this is one of the duties of this priesthood."

Melchizedek Priesthood-named after a great Prophet

Elder:

• Give the Holy Ghost
• Conduct meetings

          Doctrine and Covenants 20:42-44

               "And to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church;

               And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost;

               And to take the lead of all meetings."

High Priest:

• Administer Spiritual things

          Doctrine and Covenants 107:10,12

               "High priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a right to officiate in their own

               standing under the direction of the presidency, in administering spiritual things, and alsoin the office

               an elder, priest (of the Levitical order), teacher, deacon, and member.

               The high priest and elder are to administer in spiritual things, agreeable to the covenants and

               commandments of the church; and they have a right to officiate in all these offices of the church

               when there are no higher authorities present."

Patriarch:

• Give patriarchal blessings

Seventy:

• Special witness of Christ

          Doctrine and Covenants 107:25

               "The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles

               and in all the world--thus differeing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling."

Apostle:

• Administer to the affairs to the church throughout the world.

          Doctrine and Covenants 107:23

               "The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or speacial witnesses of the

               name of Christ in all the world--thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their

               calling."

Relief Society

We don't hold the priesthood because we are part of a two part plan; there is a boy part and a girl part. We as women are meant to be mothers and to raise our future children in righteousness. We also have never been told why we are not allowed to have the priesthood.

     Doctrine and Covenants 121:36

          "That the rights of the priesthood are iseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness."

"My strength is as the strength of ten, because my heart is pure."

~Tennyson

"Dare to be a Mormon;

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to have a purpose firm;

Dare to make it known."

                               ~Primary Rhyme

Are we standing in holy places? Do we stand up for our beliefs; let people know we are proud of being Mormon?

     Isaiah 1:18
          "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as

          white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

     Jeremiah 31:34

          "And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying Know the

          Lord: for they shall all know me, fromt he least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for

          I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more."

No sin is too great for us to be forgiven of; the Atonement is there for us to be able to ask for forgiveness as long as we are truly repentant.

It is impossible to serve two masters; you cannot have a foot on Satan's side of the field and a foot on the Lord's side. You either keep all of the commandments or you break them, there is no grey area.

    

     1 Peter 3:15

          "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear;"