I learned in church today

[falafel]

I thought he was the advocate? Damn it, where are my old missionary discussions when I need them?

Its all the same guy, isn't it?

3Ne 11:27
27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.

[Pelado]

Its all the same guy, isn't it?

That's got to be a fake scripture. No way God would try to confuse us like that.

[Solon]

We had a bye yesterday with regional conference. If I would have gone, this is what I would have learned.

“Another concern I have is you live so close to Church headquarters that some of you may have become casual in listening to the Lord's servants,” Elder Ballard said. An effect of this attitude is choosing to miss sessions of stake and general conference, seeing that time as time-off from Church assignments.

Hey Jay - where did you find this quote? It strikes me as being really close to a line in the Horse Shoe prophecy (IIRC, it says something like people in Salt Lake City have become indifferent to the counsel of the church leaders, right before the streets of SLC run with blood, etc. etc.). Sounds like the Preppers are getting in everyone's heads.

[jay santos]

Hey Jay - where did you find this quote? It strikes me as being really close to a line in the Horse Shoe prophecy (IIRC, it says something like people in Salt Lake City have become indifferent to the counsel of the church leaders, right before the streets of SLC run with blood, etc. etc.). Sounds like the Preppers are getting in everyone's heads.

From Desert News article on the regional conference on Sunday.

[Eddie]

Not only that, but he followed it up by implying that people use this time to listen to podcasts, read blogs, attend other church services, etc. that present an unfaithful view of the church. I leaned over to my wife and whispered "That's funny. That is not what people do on a bye week."

In spite of that, you missed an outstanding talk. I am not typically fond of his talks, but this one was very good overall.

Somebody posted their notes from Elder Ballard's talk on facebook. Is this what you remember too?

Elder Ballard
-After that report I’m tired! 😀 I’m happy BYU won last night and that you are still awake. Love you and hope you in the back are awake also
-Brother Burton, you must be the bravest man to buy your wife shoes! 😀

-In the New Testament, Paul kept in touch with the ancient Saints through epistles
-This is my own epistle today
-Just as he wrote to the Saints in Corinth, I have been called to be an apostle
-I testify that Jesus Christ gave himself for us and was raised from the dead
-He restored the Church through Joseph Smith
-The Gospel is available to all
-Unto the Church of God, to them that are sanctified, grace be unto you and peace unto your souls
-I thank God for you, your faith is well known throughout the Church
-UT is the heart of the Church providing the body will needed nutrients
Trend in Religious Practice -Provo ranked #1 in the US -77% claimed frequent church attendance
Feb 2015 Gallup- UT the most religious state in the nation. 51% attend church every week
-UT: 3 missions, 6 temples, 2 under construction, BYU, religious programs throughout, seminaries etc.
-we’ve been blessed with unprecedented prosperity
-blessed with entertainment, recreation, productive farms, small and large businesses, sports and art flourish
-Isaiah’s prophecy is being fulfilled
-your contributions are significant and I thank you
-To keep the heart healthy, you need regular check ups
Recommendation: Maintaining healthy practices in spiritual exercise and well being
-There are those that trouble you and pervert the Gospel of Christ - I warn you of the challenges we face today
-There are only 2 powers - one invites us to choose the right, one the opposite
-Which invitation will we accept?
LAST DAYS- there shall be false Christs, signs and wonders, they shall deceive the very elect

Sequoia trees can grow to 164-279’ -grove near BYU -one died last year -left a stump to remind us that one stood there -How did it die? -roots had become disconnected from construction and it died from lack of water (was there for over 5 decades)

Analogy: when stalwart members fall in the faith and die spiritually

How can we ensure our roots are always connected to the well of living water?
-Practice habits with full purpose of heart, without hypocrisy or deception
-It’s the easy things that can be easily neglected in our day to day: prayer, fasting, regular study of the scriptures/prophets, Sabbath, sacrament, temple worship, helping the poor
-makes them deny revelation
-if you don’t stay focused, you will eventually listen to false prophets- wealth, entertainment, viewing anti-Mormon sites that do not present the Lord’s perspectives
-there is nothing wrong with asking questions and studying our doctrines and history
-Joseph Smith sought answers
-if someone comes to you with a question, do not doubt their dedication, HELP them find the answer!
Story: someone came to him with questions. He had him write them down so he could help answer them. Asked him how long since you’ve studied the BofM? He had not. Gave him an assignment to study 1 hour daily while he researched his questions. Later, they met and the man said, “I don’t need answers to my questions anymore. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. “I said, I spent a lot of time researching these so you will hear the answers!” Gave him a hug.
-don’t treat people like they’re faithless
-we may not be able to answer every question, even among the 12
-the Church is dedicated to transparency (JS papers, Gospel Topics essays)
-it is a remarkable time to study our history
-some have become casual -miss General Conference and Stake Conference
-some listen to sources on the internet without studying the scriptures
-some live beyond their means
-don’t become a slave to consumer debt
-parents, be careful not to over-program your children
-sit, talk, enjoy each other’s company
-don’t fill up your schedule
-find time to “Be Still and know that I am God”
-using a smartphone is dangerous while driving and if they distract us from being with our families
-a mom once sent a text to her family suggesting they turn off their devices and talk face-to-face
-Jewish family- for Shabbat dinner everyone turned off their devices
-Now a word re: non-members: we have a history of being the minority - love strangers, we were once strangers too
-Do not persecute those not in the Church
-We respect everyone’s agency
-Always extend the hand of friendship
-I invite all parents to talk to kids about how to treat others not of our faith
-the Lord commanded not to bear false witness, we hope others won’t speak badly of our faith and we must not speak badly of other faiths, including those who have disassociated with us. Let us be truly welcoming
-A warning: from the BofM- “O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken notunto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.” (2 Nephi 9:28)
-Those with the gift of knowledge should never look down on those who lack the gift
-some mock and ridicule those who are giving all they have
-remember that God’s grace is sufficient for the weak
-are we not all weak??
-ponder and commit your roots to the living water
-you will have more peace by accepting Jesus Christ and his Gospel plan
-we love you
-I invite Heavenly Father to bless you. May you have peace and joy and the courage to repent. May you have the strength to turn to God and serve Him that you may find yourselves safe and eventually find yourselves in His arms
-This is the Church of Jesus Christ. He is the head of it. We know His will.
-Join us as we fight the battle until the Savior comes again.

[TripletDaddy]

I dont remember Ballard expressing happiness about BYU's win, but given that they own and operate the school you would think they would mention it more.

[Eddie]

I dont remember Ballard expressing happiness about BYU's win, but given that they own and operate the school you would think they would mention it more.

Maybe you were in the back and NOT awake?

[hostile]

I agree that operating a smart phone while driving is dangerous.

[TripletDaddy]

does anyone else remember the female speaker (lol!) talking about which of her crevices were dirty? she had some quote that was basically one of the filthiest things ever said at Church.

[Commando]

does anyone else remember the female speaker (lol!) talking about which of her crevices were dirty? she had some quote that was basically one of the filthiest things ever said at Church.

I don't know, but I remember in church one time some clueless sweet spirit was riffing about how she wanted to tell some of her students about the tale of the little Dutch Boy who stuck his finger in a dike and wanted an illustration, and also how she had a hard time finding one online because the internet was so rife with filth. I was dying there in my seat and somehow everyone in my immediate sat there calmly with a 100% straight face.

[Green Monstah]

I don't know, but I remember in church one time some clueless sweet spirit was riffing about how she wanted to tell some of her students about the tale of the little Dutch Boy who stuck his finger in a dike and wanted an illustration, and also how she had a hard time finding one online because the internet was so rife with filth. I was dying there in my seat and somehow everyone in my immediate sat there calmly with a 100% straight face.

That's nothing. Last open mic sunday, a lady in our ward got up and bore a tearful testimony right at the end. When she was done, she apologized and called her self a "big boob." The bishop got up and told her how much he appreciated her testimony and stated, "Sister soandso, we love big boobs."

[imanihonjin]

I don't know, but I remember in church one time some clueless sweet spirit was riffing about how she wanted to tell some of her students about the tale of the little Dutch Boy who stuck his finger in a dike and wanted an illustration, and also how she had a hard time finding one online because the internet was so rife with filth. I was dying there in my seat and somehow everyone in my immediate sat there calmly with a 100% straight face.

In one of my singles wards at BYU the gospel doctrine teacher was talking about David taking an army and cutting off the foreskins of the Philistines. She said that the foreskin was the skin between the thumb and pointer finger. I could hardly contain myself.

[TripletDaddy]

That's nothing. Last open mic sunday, a lady in our ward got up and bore a tearful testimony right at the end. When she was done, she apologized and called her self a "big boob." The bishop got up and told her how much he appreciated her testimony and stated, "Sister soandso, we love big boobs."

I bet she was really embarazada!

[Green Monstah]

I bet she was really embarazada!

I should hope not...she was single!!!

[Commando]

I bet she was really embarazada!

AND IT'S ALL THE BISHOP'S FAULT!!