April 16 is our Relief Society Activity

Join us for a fun night with the sisters as we participate in a humanitarian activity. We will meet at 7:00 pm.

General Conference April 5 and 6

Please watch General Conference on KSL channel 5 and listen to it on KSL 1160 AM or 102.7 FM at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm both days. Priesthood is at 6:00 pm.

March 31--Easter--5th week Bishopric Message

Fifth Sunday Bishopric message We started by singing hymn 194 There Is a Green Hill Far Away. The theme for this meeting is Easter. The bishop said that the Savior gives the bishop a perspective centered on the Atonement. That it only takes a few seconds of courage to tell him what you have done in order to access the Atonement. The bishop said he was given inspiration in a little town in France many years ago that Christ has atoned for all the good that is not in us yet. Then he turned the time over to the ward to bear testimonies. BrotherGalloway testified said he was reminded in the temple that we should be advocates of Jesus Christ and there is only one mighty to save. In all that we do and all that we say, if that is our longing and greatest desire, then we will have done good in this life. He said Easter is his special day in the year. Charlene Farnworth testified that she learned about the Savior on her mission. Her mission president told her to learn about Jesus. She had to go through emergency surgery in primitive situation with little anesthesia and she learned He is her Savior. She learned about grace the last four years while working on her PhD and found she lacked and all the lacks have been made up for her gaps.Her motto has been "I can do hard things through the Savior." Sister Byrne said she listened to a Christian leader during the presidential campaign who did not know that Romney had Christ written on his heart and it made her sad that he did not understand how much we know and love the Savior. She told of her conversion and two dreams she had about the Savior that showed her His love. She said we should keep the commandments to show Him we love Him to feel closer to Him. Brother Jonathan Mikkelson spoke of how he knows the Savior lives and is the Son of God and the only one who can pay for our sins. He really did that and we can repent. John Nielson spoke of how he loves the Savior and know that He lives. He told of Elder Bruce Hafen said that the Atonement not only pulls the weeds but also makes the garden grow. We need to allow the Savior to change us. He understands us enough to know how we need to change to become like Him. Erin Christensen said she has been teaching the thirteen year olds about the Atonement. She has come to u understand more about the capacity of the Atonement. Without it she would not have been able to change enough to meet her husband. Ted Gibbons told about the remarkable  qualities of the Savior the one he thinks of now is empathy and how He feels for us. In Mark 5 it tells Us of how Jairus asked for Jesus to heal his daughter who had died. One the way a woman with an issue of blood just touched His clothes. the principle is that He knows when we reach out to Him. He will always know. When Brother. Gibbons had surgery last week he could tell that God knows and cares and that will be enough. Stacie Card bore her testimony that t he Savior loves each and every one of us the same and died so we co uld come back to him and o u r Father in Heaven. Steve Greene told of a fireside where the  young people  were blindfolded and given objects that represented what Jesus had done in His life. each of these objets brought recollection to Steve of the Savior's life and tears fell. This morning he saw in the paper that the people in Provo and Orem believe more than anyone else in the nation that Jesus is the Christ and therefore we h ave a duty to spread the Gospel. Another brother bore his testimony of coming home from his mission and how are it was and how he was weighed down by the world. He would ask himself who he loved. his grateful for the Atonement because of through it he is made capable.

Elder Galloway--This Week in Atahualpa

25 Mar 2013 This Week in Atahualpa Hola, amigos y familia! Well, we´re working; you´re working. Things are going smoothly and I love missionary work! Here are some of my thoughts of the week: Investigator (Good and Bad) News of the Week: Well, we had quite a few investigators in church this Sunday. Because we´re preparing for General Conference (and because we teach Gospel Principles), we decided to show the biography of President Monson to our new converts/investigators. Martha loved it. Luis (and his wife Juanita) loved it. So did our fantastic new investigator, Soraya, who actually contacted us on the street and told us that after years of not going to church, she felt the urgency to return and get closer to God. She got right down to business and asked for a "blue bible" and "bible studies." We´re working on that. But we´re super thrilled for her -- she went on a tour of the chapel and has a baptismal date for the 13th of April. I think she lives in another ward´s boundaries, but she passed every day in her car wash in our sector, so we´ll teach her, then hand her off to the sisters so she can get baptized in the Solanda Ward. We´ll make things work; it´s Lord´s work, anyway, and things turn out a whole lot better when they start off right. We´ve learned that from experience. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, President Monson. We showed the first half of his biography this week, and will show the last half next week (talk about a tactic for getting people to church!). There was a new guy, Daniel, who was really interested in the movie. You could tell he was paying close attention because when we opened it up for questions, he asked, "What´s a stake?" Perfect! He attended church with his family, and wants to keep coming. We showed him the baptismal font and everything, which he said was all new to him, but he was willing to give it a try. They are a reference for another ward. We are also trying to work with the members more -- we had a FHE with the family P. (2nd counselor), and asked them to name 10 people with whom they could share the gospel. Then we narrowed it down to one family: Sister P´s sister. They drove us there last night. Talk about golden! We presented them "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." They loved it. We talked about baptism, and, at first, they were a little scared, but they were willing to meet with us and keep going. They know it´s a good thing. They belong to another ward. So things are a little down in our own sector, but we´re not losing hope. In fact, we´re super happy to find and help these marvelous people! Another good investigator story, Jenny, the mother of Augustin, a 10-year-old boy, is coming around very well. At first, when we contacted her on the street, she was interested in that we give classes to her son. We took him to church, but we focused on teaching her, and told her that if she wanted Augustin to learn, she had to give the example. We watched the movie of Joseph Smith with them; they liked it. We went on a tour of the church with Jenny and her mother (a 2-year convert and.... inactive). But Jenny loved it. She could feel the truthfulness of the Church and committed to come to church on Sunday. She did! It cost a little to persuade her to leave her 2-year-old Moses in the nursery, but she enjoyed it and will come every week. The only problem is that her husband is Catholic and doesn´t really like that she goes to church. But she said that she would always come to church because that´s the best thing she could do for her family. We had left Jenny a Liahona, and one day she told us that she was leafing through it. Her thoughts were something like this: "What am I doing with my life? I´m a stay at home mom, with two boys; I never finished my degree and watch TV all day long. I need to go back to school, finish my degree, and start working" (she studied to be a teacher). Way to go, Jenny! She´s already integrated into the ward (one sister arranged an appointment with her last night, after the first day of visiting the chapel -- now that´s a great example!) The ends of other stories aren´t so happy: María A is faltering in her desire to go to church. Which astonishes me because she was so energized on going after waiting more than a year to make contact with the Church. Ivette, too, isn´t so hot on making it to church. She went last week just because we woke up early to go with her. But we haven´t seen her since. We´ll keep trying... but you don´t win them all... Elder Galloway News of the Week: Well, I was talking with Elder Peterson in the offices today (he came in from Guaranda for a special conference) about the mission. Really, we´ve grown so much in our time here. One of the things we were really happy about is the love we feel for the country and the people here. I really love Ecuador, with all its quirks and frustrations, but it´s a really great place, with really good people. Take Jenny, for instance. Or the Vasquez family, from way back in Cumbaya (I ran into Hermano Rodriguez from Cumbaya in the offices, and he told me that they are super great -- Patricio is the 2nd counselor in the Sunday School presidency!). They are a people with pride for their country, who really do want a good life. As you said, dad, add Mormonism to any culture and it lights up. The other night my companion and I were talking about Ecuador and it´s quirks and decided to make a list of 10 things Uniquely Ecuadorian that went something like this: 1. Salchipapas, french fries mixed with deep-fried hotdogs (always with the ends cut open), smothered in mayonnaise and tomato sauce (it´s not quite ketchup). YUM. 2. Rice. 3. Mind-boggling patience when it comes to waiting in lines at banks, hospitals, and government installations (they are gigaaaaaantic). 4. Ridiculous impatience when it comes to lines for metrobuses and trolleys. They have a incredible capacity to fit 1,001 people on a metrobus. 5. Bailoterapia, or dance therapy for overweight women in the park. 6. Ecuadorianized KFC that comes with rice and lentils. 7. Sayings like, "It´s right over here" or "I´m arriving right now" or "Come another day," when they really mean to say is "It´s a few miles in the other direction" or "I´ll be there in at least a half-hour or "I really do not want to talk with you." 8. Sidewalks decorated with holes, poles, dips, and dog poo. 9. Garbage trucks that play national music when they come to collect your trash. How nice. 10. Being brainwashed into thinking that Pilsener is as Ecuadorian as Rafael Correa. It´s not. (JG - I think this is a reference to Pilsener beer. Don't know where he got this idea!) I hope you enjoy the list. We enjoyed making it. Well, have a great week! We ran into an agnostic man who used exactly the same arguments as Korihor. It´s so nice to know that Alma provides the perfect antidote to thinking that "seeing is believing": a humble heart, a desire to believe, and the willingness to do what God tells you to do. What an assurance it is to know that He lives, that His son lived and died for us and that we are forever indebted to his "great and last sacrifice" (Alma 34). May you always be thinking of the Savior this week and live to let his light shine through you. I´ll be doing that in Ecuador. With love, Elder Galloway P.S.: The apartment situation sounds great. I would love to take a spanish class. Congratulations to Curtis Merrill. How cool is that about Amanda Keating going to Dad´s old mission! I´m attaching some songs that you might use for your mission reunion (sorry there wasn´t enough time to send them last week).

Spring cleanup dumpsters available April 13

Large dumpsters will be in the church parking lot for us to place spring yard debris on April 13. Additionally, at the Provo Townes Center there will be a free hazardous waste disposal--like electronics, oil, paint, etc.

April 9 is temple night

Come join with us on April 9 at 5:30 in the church parking lot as we go to the temple for the 6:30 p.m. Other temple trips will be Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 am and Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Lesson for March 24 "Becoming Goodly Parents"

Sister Amy Cowell gave the lesson based on Elder L. Tom Perry's talk, "Becoming Goodly Parents." he started out by telling that he had his 90th birthday and everything that happened since his birth. He then cautioned about the attacks on the family and the sanctity of marriage. He was grateful for the emphasis his parents placed on rearing their children and all they did for hom. He said, "But deeper is the feeling for you because of the example you set for me. Life was made so enjoyable for us as a family that we wanted to follow in your footsteps, to continue on through experiencing the same joy that had been ours in our younger days. You always found time to take the family into the canyon, and we could count on you to do anything from climbing mountains to playing ball with us. You and Dad were never going on vacations alone. The family was always with you. Now that I am away from home, I always like to talk about my home life because it was so enjoyable. I couldn't turn from your teachings now because my actions would reflect on your character. Life is a great challenge to me to be worthy to be called the son of Nora Sonne Perry. I am very proud of this title, and I hope that I will always be worthy of it." we had a good discussion of using consistent discipline and examples. elder Perry said "Lessons taught in the home by goodly parents are becoming increasingly important in today's world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread. As we know, he is attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society--the family. In clever and carefully camouflaged ways, he is attacking commitment to family life throughout the world and undermining the culture and covenants of faithful Latter-day Saints. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility. While other institutions such as church and school can assist parents to "train up a child in the way he [or she] should go" (Proverbs 22:6), this responsibility ultimately rests on the parents. According to the great plan of happiness, it is goodly parents who are entrusted with the care and development of Heavenly Father's children." we then discussed the five ways Elder Perry gave us to improve our parenting. He said, " First, parents can pray in earnest, asking our Eternal Father to help them love, understand, and guide the children He has sent to them.  Second, they can hold family prayer, scripture study, and family home evenings and eat together as often as possible, making dinner a time of communication and the teaching of values.  Third, parents can fully avail themselves of the Church's support network, communicating with their children's Primary teachers, youth leaders, and class and quorum presidencies. By communicating with those who are called and set apart to work with their children, parents can provide essential understanding of a child's special and specific needs.  Fourth, parents can share their testimonies often with their children, commit them to keep the commandments of God, and promise the blessings that our Heavenly Father promises His faithful children.  Fifth, we can organize our families based on clear, simple family rules and expectations, wholesome family traditions and rituals, and "family economics," where children have household responsibilities and can earn allowances so that they can learn to budget, save, and pay tithing on the money they earn." sister Jolley said she had to figure out her family so they all got up at the same time so they could read the scriptures together. She had to take into consideration the phase of life they are in. Another sister said sometimes we as the sisters have to make things happen even if the husbands don't. We can do things to bring the Spirit into the home even if children are being disruptive and sometimes the children can do the leading if they have the desire. Sister Cantrell said you have to allow children their free agency and do the best you can do. Sister Boyadjian told of how she used gentle persuasion to encourage a daughter to join in with scripture study though she was tired.

Garden plots available for free

The Lewis family is holding a meeting at their house tomorrow at 7:00p.m. To discuss the garden plots they are making available for gardening. Their address is 864 west 180 south. The plots are at 840 w 180 s. Their phone number is 801-224-1651.

Relief Society Balloon Launch March 2013

Elder Galloway--This Week in Atahualpa

18 Mar 2013 This Week in Atahualpa Good afternoon, friends! Things are peachy (if not a bit drizzly) here in Quito. That´s the way it is: two weeks of sun, two weeks of rain, two weeks of sun... But that keeps things interesting. Here is this week´s report: Responses of the Week: I enjoyed your emails. There is a lot to talk about! I´m glad that the choir´s last musical number under the direction of the famosísima Jayne Galloway went well (of course I wore green on Sunday). Don´t worry about sending me anything. I am very much under control. Once again I emphasize my insight: people live in Ecuador (and other parts of the world) just fine without carrying a Wal-Mart in their suitcase. New missionaries should know that the less they pack, the better (but I am glad for the love I have received by way of Correos de Ecuador :). Thank you! Mom, it´s nice that you have a nice calling. Little kids are so cute! Martha spoke in church this week! We helped her find scriptures and a flow for her talk, and she delivered it beautifully. I know it´s the first of many assignments in the ward. She talked about "Teaching Children Obedience," and used many good scriptures, including the famosísimo Helaman 5:12. The ward had good comments about it. And, just so you know (but don´t remind me), my last change ends the first Monday in July, July 1st. So I´ll be home not only for the 4th, but for MOM´S BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday! I saw the proposed school schedule for fall (thank you so much for dealing with that). Just so you know, I already took "Intro to Advertising" my last semester, so, even though it was a great class, I don´t think I need to take it again. That means I can take the second organ class! (Whatever you see fit, I´ll be happy to accept). And last but not least, thank you so much for working out an apartment situation with the other parents. I know it can be a lot of hassle. It helps soooooo much not to have to be worrying about "the afterlife" and be able to focus here on the work. You have my go-ahead on anything you decide. Oh well about the scholarships. I wouldn´t say no to working a part-time job, either. But these things come after. To keep this letter from becoming tooooo unfocused... Investigator Updates of the Week: Well, Luis was pleasantly baptized on Saturday, with incredible support from the ward. The stake center isn´t very big to begin with, but the baptismal font was so full with family, members, missionaries, and investigators that some of the missionaries had to wait outside during the service. We sang a special number as a zone, "O, Mi Padre" to the tune of "Come Thou Fount." It went well. Elder Salazar and I made my (now famous) oatmeal-rasin cookies. We´re scheduled to make them in an FHE on Tuesday. People think it´s a lot harder than it is to cook. Like the saying goes... "anyone can cook!" We visited Luis and his wife Juanita on Sunday afternoon (it rained). They are so happy. It´s so pleasant to be able to teach someone who is so coherent and smart (he is a computer programmer, after all). He understands everything perfectly. We talked about the temple, his next big goal. We talked about receiving the priesthoods, and progressing during a year so they can enter and be sealed this next year! Wow! Even though the ward is going in April to the temple, Juanita´s brother will be sealed in May, so they will save up money to go then (to do baptisms). They are so excited. We presented them with a picture of the Guayaquil temple, a "Family: a Proclamation to the World," and my copy of "Together Forever," which they will watch together in their FHE tonight. You couldn´t ask for a better investigator. He knew/attended church on and off for 6 years! I´m not sure, but I think it was the shock that he was going to be a father that finally pushed him over the edge to really find out for sure. Their first son is due in June. We have some other investigators: María A, I think, felt a little pressured, so we´re taking things slow with her. There is another couple (but they have to get divorced/married to get baptized) Rosa and Luis, so we´ll give them the foundations then let them continue on from there until they can get baptized. We met Augustín, the 10-year-old son of Jenny T, whose mother god baptized in another part of Quito 6 years ago. Jenny is recently interesting herself in the Gospel -- we had a marvelous, tender discussion with them last night about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, but most of all about how she could know for herself that it´s true. She committed herself to read the pamphlets and pray. She is very sincere. I hope the best for her and Augustín. MIssion Activity of the Week: A while back, Elder John Groberg (who is the Guayaquil temple president, did you know that?) visited Quito and gave a fireside to the youth. He stayed with the Ghents, who were inspired by his story about his mission in Tonga. They watched "The Other Side of Heaven" and had the desire that every missionary of the mission would see it. It had been in the works since January, but this last Monday, they got some of the zones of Quito together in Iñaquito to see it! We met at 5:00, sang a hymn ("Be Thou Humble"), prayed, President said a few words, then we watched the movie. It was impactful! It was amazing to see Elder Groberg´s dedication in the face of insurmountable obstacles and his marvelous success during his mission. We have the charge as a mission to be like "Elder Kolipoki." It gave me a better perspective of what the mission is and the marvelous opportunities we have to share the Gospel. Wow. What a joy it is to have the Gospel in my life. I´ve had it all my life long, surrounded by Mormons in the middle of Happy Valley. But my mission has caused me to reflect and appreciate all that I´ve had all along. It´s such a blessing to have parents, friends, leaders, and teachers all dedicated to the service of God, who "produce many good works for the Lord, Jesus Christ." This is what I want for my family in the future, and, more immediately, for all of the families here in Ecuador. I want to see the fruits of my work here in my mission. I want to see lives change and visions widen and blessings rain down upon the people I love. This morning Elder Salazar and I cleaned the house. We rearranged the bedroom and hung up the flag of Ecuador that someone gave to him above my bed. It will be inspiring to know that each night I´ll be seeing the representation of the country and people that I love, because I desire the best for them. I hope that God blesses these people with the perspective of the Gospel. Things that last more than today. I know that I will meet many of these people after all of this life, before the "pleasing bar of God." I can´t wait until that day. Wishing you the best! Love, from Ecuador, Elder Galloway

Lesson for March 17, 2013--Becoming Perfect

Sister Barbara Alldredge gave the Lesson on Chapter 6 Becoming Perfect before the Lord: A Little Better Day by Day. president Snow told of his first time giving his testimony, saying but I made up my mind, solidly and firmly, that whenever I was called upon to perform a duty of this nature or of any other, I would do it no matter what might be the result. That is a part of the foundation of my success as an Elder in Israel." We discussed the story of Abraham who was told to be perfect before the Lord. as Nepgi said, the Lord provides way a for us to become perfect. President Snow also said, We ought to feel in our hearts that God is our Father, and that while we make mistakes and are weak yet if we live as nearly perfect as we can all will be well with us. sister Byrne said if we have faith the Lord can change us. Another sister mentioned that the trials we have give us opportunities to make choices. Paige Gibson said the Lord gives us families so we can be in situations where we can work on perfection. Sister Roundy said that the Atonement helps us repent and trust in the Lord so we can be strengthened to reach a higher level. Sister Alldredge discussed that Abraham had to leave his country and family. Sometimes we are called upon to do hard things and we should strive to be as perfect as we could be in the sphere in which we are acting. Sister Lopez said we have to have willingness to do whatever God wants us to. The Lord wants us to become better. Sister Byrne said we are judged by the level we are on at the time. President Snow said, The Lord designs to bring us up into the celestial kingdom. He has made known through direct revelation that we are His offspring, begotten in the eternal worlds, that we have come to this earth for the special purpose of preparing ourselves to receive a fulness of our Father's glory when we shall return into His presence. Therefore, we must seek the ability to keep this law to sanctify our motives, desires, feelings and affections that they may be pure and holy and our will in all things be subservient to the will of God, and have no will of our own except to do the will of our Father. Such a man in his sphere is perfect, and commands the blessing of God in all that he does and wherever he goes. sister Alldredge asked what we can do the characteristics we should do. We can't do it alone and we don't have to. sister Alldredge said we can change our desires. Sister Card said we can do good stuff and it changes our desires. Sister Bahr said to focus on what we can do so we feel success and wants to succeed more and we should not compare ourselves to others, but what God tells us to do. Amy Young said Elder Oaks said that what we do becomes what we desire and what we desire is what we become. Sister Cantrell said there is a difference between being a perfectionist and being perfect, so we should fill ourselves with good things. Sister Alldredge said we can be perfect in one thing. another Sister said we can't do it alone but we can do it with the Lord and we can do anything. Sister Campbell said Joseph Fielding Smith said we will have the same thoughts and desires when we pass through the veil, so we will be the same people. She said she hopes she will be judged on her good intentions. Sister Bahr said we should never give up because Satan wants us to give up.

Scouting for food March 23

Saturday, March 23 the scouts will come to your house to pick up up sacks of food in the early afternoon.

Lesson for March 10, 2013--The Grand Destiny of the Faithful

Sister  Megan Williams gave the lesson for today from chapter Chapter 5  of the Lorenzo Snow Sister  gave the lesson for today from chapter Chapter 5  of the Lorenzo Snow manual, "The Grand Destiny of the Faithful." She started the lesson, "The Grand Destiny of the Faithful." She started the lesson with the first paragraph: In the spring of 1840, Lorenzo Snow was in Nauvoo, Illinois, preparing to leave for a mission in England. He visited the home of his friend Henry G. Sherwood, and he asked Brother Sherwood to explain a passage of scripture. "While attentively listening to his explanation," President Snow later recalled, "the Spirit of the Lord rested mightily upon me--the eyes of my understanding were opened, and I saw as clear as the sun at noonday, with wonder and astonishment, the pathway of God and man. I formed the following couplet which expresses the revelation, as it was shown me. …  "As man now is, God once was:  "As God now is, man may be."1 Sister Lee said it means we can become like God and have great potential. Sister B said it was a mind blowing concept when she became a member of the Church.  In addition to making this truth a theme for many of his sermons, he adopted it as the theme for his life. His son LeRoi said, "This revealed truth impressed Lorenzo Snow more than perhaps all else; it sank so deeply into his soul that it became the inspiration of his life and gave him his broad vision of his own great future and the mighty mission and work of the Church."3 It was his "constant light and guide" and "a bright, illuminating star before him all the time--in his heart, in his soul, and all through him."4 Megan said it makes want to learn so much more so we can fulfill our potential. We read the following passage: I believe that we are the sons and daughters of God, and that He has bestowed upon us the capacity for infinite wisdom and knowledge, because He has given us a portion of Himself. We are told that we were made in His own image, and we find that there is a character of immortality in the soul of man. There is a spiritual organism within this tabernacle [the physical body], and that spiritual organism has a divinity in itself, though perhaps in an infantile state; but it has within itself the capability of improving and advancing, as the infant that receives sustenance from its mother. Though the infant may be very ignorant, yet there are possibilities in it that by passing through the various ordeals of childhood to maturity enable it to rise to a superiority that is perfectly marvellous, compared with its infantile ignorance.6 Megan said president Snow often taught that we are children of God, so how does this help us know w ho we are. We read the quote This is the high destiny of the sons of God, they who overcome, who are obedient to His commandments, who purify themselves even as He is pure. They are to become like Him; they will see Him as He is; they will behold His face and reign with Him in His glory, becoming like unto Him in every particular. So How can we prepare our children to know they are children of God:  several sisters mentioned that how we treat our children helps them be secure in that knowledge and to know they have a divine mission. One sister said that when she thinks of cultivating, she thinks of a lot of work.  Another said it is by our example. It is by spiritual maturity. It is by being a good parent. We can't remain children, we have to grow up to be like God while remaining humble and teachable like a child. After all, Christ calls us His friends. sister Campbell said we need to teach our children to pray to God like a friend. sister Roundy said we need to write down with our inspirational experiences. sister Cantrell said we could bring the temple into our homes for inspiration. We read further where the lesson said,  "He that overcometh shall inherit all things." [ Revelation 21:7 ]  What an expression is that? Who believes it? If a father were to say to his son, "My son, be faithful, and follow my counsels, and when you become of age you shall inherit all that I possess," it would mean something, would it not? If the father told the truth, that son would have something to encourage him to be faithful. Did Jesus want to deceive us when He made use of this expression? I will assure you that there is no deception in the language. He meant precisely what He said. Again, Jesus said:  "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne." [ Revelation 3:21 ]  That is a wonderful saying. Is there any truth in it? It is all true. It is the Lord Almighty that said it. We are told in the Scriptures by the Apostle Paul:  "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." [ 2 Corinthians 5:1 ]  I believe that. And when he says that Jesus "shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body" [ Philippians 3:21 ] I believe that also. Do the Latter-day Saints believe these things that I am talking about? You must, of course, believe them. Again:  "For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; Page: 88  "And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;  "And he that receiveth my Father, receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." [ D&C 84:36–38 ]  Could anyone think of anything more that could be given? … Paul comprehended these things very well, for he said he "pressed forward to the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." [See Philippians 3:14 ] One sister said if we knew how great our inheritance could be, it might motivate us. we went on to read, There could not be placed before men more glorious prospects than are placed before the Saints. No mortal man could wish anything greater or that will ultimately prove more satisfactory. Everything that pertains to perfect peace, happiness, glory and exaltation is before the Latter-day Saints. We should enjoy the spirit of this, and keep it actively before us. We should not let our prospects be darkened in the least by doing that which is not acceptable before the Lord.13 What can we do to keep our potential fresh? Going to the temple and doing initiatory is a great way to keep it fresh. The only time we should scream in our home is if there is a fire. We frequently, in the multitude of cares around us, get forgetful and these things are not before us, then we do not comprehend that the gospel is designed and calculated in its nature to bestow upon us those things that will bring glory, honor and exaltation, that will bring happiness, peace and glory. We are apt to forget these things in the midst of the cares and vexations of life, and we do not fully understand that it is our privilege, and that the Lord has placed it in our reach to pursue that gospel whereby we may have peace within us continually. …sister Cantrell said it always amazes her that people can sit through a three hour movie and stay awake but they come to church and fall asleep. Another said Music of the church strengthens us. Another said we need to have scripture study.

Lesson for March 3, 2013

Our lesson today was taught by Joyce Garner, lesson 3 Lifelong Conversion, Continuing to Advance. President Snow was looking for a manifestation after his baptism. We read the following passage:  "This manifestation did not immediately follow my baptism, as I expected," he recalled. "But, although the time was deferred, when I did receive it, its realization was more perfect, tangible and miraculous than even my strongest hopes had led me to anticipate. One day while engaged in my studies, some two or three weeks after I was baptized, I began to reflect upon the fact that I had not obtained a knowledge of the truth of the work--that I had not realized the fulfillment of the promise: 'He that doeth my will shall know of the doctrine;' [see John 7:17 ] and I began to feel very uneasy.  "I laid aside my books, left the house and wandered around through the fields under the oppressive influence of a gloomy, disconsolate spirit, while an indescribable cloud of darkness seemed to envelop me. I had been accustomed, at the close of the day, to retire for secret prayer to a grove, a short distance from my lodgings, but at this time I felt no inclination to do so.   "The spirit of prayer had departed, and the heavens seemed like brass over my head. At length, realizing that the usual time had come for secret prayer, I concluded I would not forego my evening service, and, as a matter of formality, knelt as I was in the habit of doing, and in my accustomed retired place, but not feeling as I was wont to feel.  "I had no sooner opened my lips in an effort to pray, than I heard a sound, just above my head, like the rustling of silken robes, and immediately the Spirit of God descended upon me, completely enveloping my whole person, filling me from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and O, the joy and happiness I felt! No language can describe the instantaneous transition from a dense cloud of mental and spiritual darkness into a refulgence of light and knowledge, as it was at that time imparted to my understanding. I then received a perfect knowledge that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and of the restoration of the Holy Priesthood, and the fulness of the gospel.  "It was a complete baptism--a tangible immersion in the heavenly principle or element, the Holy Ghost; and even more real and physical in its effects upon every part of my system than the immersion by water; dispelling forever, so long as reason and memory last, all possibility of doubt or fear in relation to the fact handed down to us historically, that the 'Babe of Bethlehem' is truly the Son of God; also the fact that He is now being revealed to the children of men, and communicating knowledge, the same as in the apostolic times. I was perfectly satisfied, as well I might be, for my expectations were more than realized, I think I may safely say, in an infinite degree.  "I cannot tell how long I remained in the full flow of this blissful enjoyment and divine enlightenment, but it was several minutes before the celestial element, which filled and surrounded me, began gradually to withdraw. On arising from my kneeling posture, with my heart swelling with gratitude to God beyond the power of expression, I felt--I knew that he had conferred on me what only an Omnipotent Being can confer--that which is of greater value than all the wealth and honors worlds can bestow."4 sister Garner said there are steps we can take to keep the feelings we had when we were converted. We divided into groups to discuss how to retain the Spirit and how our testimonies become real; why a testimony is only a starting  point;how can we pursue this higher education; how to stand on our own knowledge; how can we dig deeply into the things of God; how can we incorporate our religion within ourselves. Linda Campbell liked what President Snow said, I will [present a] figure in regard to bringing about and getting this spirit in us, and digging deep that we in the time of storm, may not be driven off. Place a cucumber in a barrel of vinegar and there is but little effect produced upon it the first hour, nor in the first 12 hours. Examine it and you will find that the effect produced is merely upon the rind, for it requires a longer time to pickle it. A person's being baptized into this church has an effect upon him, but not the effect to pickle him immediately. It does not establish the law of right and of duty in him during the first 12 or 24 hours; he must remain in the church, like the cucumber in the vinegar, until he becomes saturated with the right spirit, until he becomes pickled in 'Mormonism,' in the law of God; we have got to have those things incorporated in our systems.

relief Society Birthday Dinner March 19

We hope to see you at the church at 6:30 pm at the for dinner and a short program.

Daylight Savings March 10

Spring forward--turn your clocks ahead one hour next Sunday, March 10.

General Conference April 6 and 7

General Conference will take place on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7.

General Young Women Meeting March 30

The General Young Women Meeting in conjunction with General Conference will take place on March 30 at 6:00 p.m.

Park Stake and Suncrest Stake Family History Workshop

The combined stakes of the Orem Park Stake and the Orem Suncrest Stake will take place on Saturday, March 9 from 10:00 a.m. To 1:00 p.m. At 50 South and 750 West.