Restoration News: Australian Restoration Newsletter

From: Monique Hummel
mlhummel1@bigpond.com

Australian Restoration Newsletter - December 2022 Issue

Dear Saints

Attached is the December Issue of the Australian Restoration Newsletter - the final for 2023. Thank you again for your continued support and to all of those wonderful people who contributed throughout the year. Your help is very much appreciated!

Wishing you all a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.
With lots of love from Your Sister In Christ,
Monique

AROUND AND ABOUT THE CENTRE PLACE
By High Priest Paul J. Gage,
of Independence, Missouri

As the words to one song says, "GOD ONLY KNOWS..." Only God knew what 2022 was going to bring to the world, and now we are nearing the end, again, Only God Knows what is in store for us and the world in 2023. As we find ourselves in various states of concern, hope, etc. we always faith and trust in our God, who because He knows all things has promised that He would be with us always.
One of the well loved hymns about Jesus Christ, while often only sung at Christmas time, Joy To The World, The Lord IS Come..." is a hymn that speaks to us every day of the year and year after year. There is another hymn entitle, "The Lord Will Come." It is the same tune as Joy to the World. Both speak of the power, promises, and assurance we have in our Mighty God.

We are all very much aware that the entire life of Christ is vitally important to our salvation. But His earthly life had to start just like ours, as a baby. The scriptures tell us much about the birth, Christ's genealogy and many events in His life. The Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants both compliment these things very well.

"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6. "...and they shall call his name Emmanuel, (which being interpreted, is, God with us." Matthew 2:6 IV.

These scriptures among the many others are God's word to man. In today's world, maybe more than at any other time in history, mankind is turning away from anything and everything that has to do with God, religion, or simply natural vs unnatural, or good and bad. If a person does not want to believe in God or that we are bound to follow God's commandments, they just say, "I don't believe in a God, if there is one." In Genesis 5:4 in the Inspired Version, it reads, "But, behold, also Cain hearkened not, saying, Who is the Lord, that I should know him?"

This seems to be what is happening in the United States and all over the world, which would indicate that there will be "Spiritual showdown" in the near future. The situation in the USA is extremely critical to the future of our nation and the world. The USA/world and the Church have not fulfilled our purposes and thus stand in the path of God's judgment.

BUT, JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME! Our challenge is to stay on the straight and narrow path, holding on to the Rod of Iron. God bless each of you as you finish this year and embark into 2022, boldly going where no man has ever been, But God is already there. Trust and Obey, there is NO other way.

As always, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is our ultimate example. In every situation, He was guided by the instructions given to Him by His Father. This is shown clearly in Matthew 4:1-10 when, after having been led by the Spirit, into the wilderness to be with God, and fasting for 40 days and nights, and had communed with God, was left to be tempted of the devil, Jesus, in all three temptations, used the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, when He said, "It is written...."

We must know the Word of God well enough so that at every encounter with the adversary or those who work with the adversary, we will know how to use the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, as we are told in Ephesians 6:17. Remember also, that often, the adversary's helpers are wolves among the sheep. As Jesus responded in the first temptation, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Amen and Amen!

The Saints of Australia are to be commended for taking advantage of modern technology to stay in touch with each other. This is most vital to us in these trying times.

Most everything has been curtailed due to the virus and the fear it has inflicted in the lives of many people. Please know, this is not all just about a virus. Look for the deeper, hidden agenda of our governments.

Most all Branches in the US are back to meeting regularly in their buildings. Centre Place Restoration School (CPRS) is functioning very well this year with an enrollment over 200, which is good.

The Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE) and Pastors of Zion (POZ) are doing the best they can. Many things are still being done with Zoom technology, but the Spring Gathering, Summer Reunion, and Fall Gathering all went very well. Four to seven Branches in the Independence area have started monthly meetings on the first Sunday evening and third Wednesday of each month. These have gone very well so far. The purpose is just for worship and fellowship.

On Sunday night, November 6, 2022, 250 Saints from 15-20 Branches met for a worship service. It was a very good service featuring Shaun Turner, Chair of the POZ and Sean Allen, pastor of the Odessa, MO Branch which is in central Missouri. The two sermons can be viewed on the Colbern Road website colbernrd.org/ministries/sermons/live-streaming.

Two teams of missionaries were in Africa in November, but the efforts are still curtailed in other parts of the world. Brother Eric Odida, from Kenya, was here for the CRE Priesthood Assembly in Kirtland, Ohio...A strong effort is also being made to encourage Saints to witness to their neighbors. Each One Win One has been a church motto since the 1940's. It is still our calling today. Read Alma 4:6.

God bless. Love to all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

RICHES FROM THE SCRIPTURES
By Elder Neil Kerswell, of Queensland, Australia

Vol 5 Chapter 21
Sariah a Woman of Faith

Most of us love the Book of Mormon with its rich testimony of Jesus Christ and incredible examples of Faith. Today we will be focusing on the Faith of Sariah, Lehi’s wife. Lehi had great faith and was obedient to God’s commandments and God richly rewarded him with remarkable experiences of enlightenment and instruction that was relevant for the exact days in which he lived, one of which commanded him to take his family and flee into the wilderness before they were killed by evil men who hated the testimony Lehi had given against them, telling of the destruction of Jerusalem because of their sins against the living God. Sariah on the other hand was a faithful wife who loved her husband and believed the words God had spoken unto him. But as for herself she was acting in faith, believing her husband to be a good man and a man of God. Not as yet having a testimony or witness of her own. She was to endure much hardship and worry in the days and years to come, leaving all they had ever known, losing a place and life where she had felt security, known wealth and the support of friends. We will now read first about one of Lehi’s experiences.

[1 Nephi 1:1] I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days--nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days; yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians.
[1 Nephi 1:2] And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.
[1 Nephi 1:3] For it came to pass, in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah (my father Lehi having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.
[1 Nephi 1:4] Wherefore it came to pass that my father Lehi, as he went forth, prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.
[1 Nephi 1:5] And it came to pass, as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard, he did quake and tremble exceedingly.
[1 Nephi 1:6] And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit and the things which he had seen;
[1 Nephi 1:7] And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.
[1 Nephi 1:8] And it came to pass that he saw one descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day;
[1 Nephi 1:9] And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament; and they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth;
[1 Nephi 1:10] And the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read.
[1 Nephi 1:11] And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and he read, saying, Wo, wo unto Jerusalem! for I have seen thine abominations;
[1 Nephi 1:12] Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem--that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof, many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon.
[1 Nephi 1:13] And it came to pass that when my father had read and saw many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as, Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!
[1 Nephi 1:14] And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God; for his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled, because of the things which he had seen; yea, which the Lord had shewn unto him.
[1 Nephi 1:15] And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father hath written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams;
[1 Nephi 1:16] And he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account; but I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days.
[1 Nephi 1:17] Behold I make an abridgment of the record of my father, upon plates which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore after I have abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine own life.
[1 Nephi 1:18] Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lord had shewn so many marvelous things unto my father Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard.
[1 Nephi 1:19] And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations;
[1 Nephi 1:20] And he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.
[1 Nephi 1:21] And when the Jews heard these things, they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain;
[1 Nephi 1:22] And they also sought his life, that they might take it away.
[1 Nephi 1:23] But behold I, Nephi, will shew unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
[1 Nephi 1:24] For behold it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him, Blessed are thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done;
[1 Nephi 1:25] And because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold they seek to take away thy life.
[1 Nephi 1:26] And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness.
[1 Nephi 1:27] And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.
[1 Nephi 1:28] And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness.
[1 Nephi 1:29] And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and he departed into the wilderness;
[1 Nephi 1:30] And he came down by the borders near the shore of the Red Sea;
[1 Nephi 1:31] And he traveled in the wilderness in the borders which were nearer the Red Sea;
[1 Nephi 1:32] And he did travel in the wilderness with his family which consisted of my mother Sariah, and my elder brothers, who were Laman, Lemuel, and Sam.

Lehi was richly blessed and acted not only on faith but also in knowledge of the things God had personally witnessed unto him must come to pass giving him very strong testimony that what he was doing was true and correct, allowing him to confidently leave all behind. Put yourself in Sariah’s shoes, she had not received a witness as yet and was acting entirely in faith and trust.

Let’s look at when Sariah received her witness.
[1 Nephi 1:146] And it came to pass that after we had come down into the wilderness unto our father, behold he was filled with joy, and also my mother Sariah was exceeding glad, for she truly had mourned because of us; for she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness;
[1 Nephi 1:147] And she also had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man; saying, Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness.
[1 Nephi 1:148] And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father.
[1 Nephi 1:149] And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying, I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision, I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.
[1 Nephi 1:150] But behold I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice;
[1 Nephi 1:151] Yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.
[1 Nephi 1:152] And after this manner of language did my father Lehi comfort my mother Sariah concerning us, while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews.
[1 Nephi 1:153] And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted;
[1 Nephi 1:154] And she spake, saying, Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness;
[1 Nephi 1:155] Yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and gave them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them.
[1 Nephi 1:156] And after this manner of language did she speak.
[1 Nephi 1:157] And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel.
[1 Nephi 1:158] And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father Lehi took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning.

God knew that Lehi’s family would become a great nation of people and that they would need the scriptures to ensure their people did not perish and dwindle because of unbelief, therefore He gave great challenges unto the Brothers, delivering them from the hands of Laban and giving them the laws of God which would be taught for many generations into the future. By doing this God also put in place all the ingredients that would challenge Sariah to her very core, causing her question the validity of their journey into the unknown. Then giving her sons back to her alive and well under miraculous circumstances that could only be accomplished if God were truly in this journey supporting their every move while ever they exercised faith in him. You could say that God set the stage for the benefit of the entire family. From this point onwards, there was no family member who wasn’t granted a strong foundation upon which the take their journey of faith, they had all known the matchless goodness of God. If we were to read further we would find that most of them murmured and sinned from time to time under the huge burden which they bore as they travelled. But together they made it to the promised land along with Ishmaels family which allowed them to multiply and fill the whole promised land with their children, which had its humble beginnings in God speaking to a man called Lehi, bringing his family into a safe situation, avoiding the great destruction of Jerusalem. I hope as you have read these words that you have thought over your own life and times you possibly questioned the validity of the Restored Gospel because of the challenges you have born. Remember that these are the sifting times when we all shall be thrown up into the wind many times, causing the chaff to be blown away and those of us who are the grain having substance shall come down finding our place again amongst believers. It is alarming that many in the restoration have started to fall away, seeking after strange doctrines. Satan is going about as a raging lion devouring who he will making the Journey to Zion a very difficult one. However, like Lehi’s family the beginning of the Restoration was filled with remarkable testimony setting the stage for a journey of Faith. People like Nephi asked the Lord if what his Father had told them was true and God answered him. We too can ask at any time for testimony to help us accomplish what God has in mind for us. Never give up, never let go of the Rod of Iron, or you shall wander from the path and be lost. May we all be blest to make a difference for God, is my prayer for you in the name of Christ, Amen.

~ FREELY GIVEN ~
By Elder Murray Broughton, Kelvin View Branch, Euroa, Victoria
Matthew 10 V1-7

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: the first, Simon, who is called Peter; and Andrew, his brother; James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the publican; James, the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; Simon, the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them, saying,
Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and enter ye not into any city of the Samaritans. But rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Heal the sick; cleanse the lepers; raise the dead; cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give.
Romans 8 V32
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8 V35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 2 V9-14
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, except he has the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
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.
Psalm 51 V11-12
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit.
The Scattered Saints Page

~ ATTITUDE ~

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearances, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have...and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our Attitude."
~ Chuck Swindoll ~

SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 2022

Sunday Worship Service

4th Elder Peter Archer
11th Elder Neville Churchill
18th Elder Peter Archer
25th December No Service

Wednesday Prayer
7th Elder Danny Archer
14th Elder Peter Churchill
21st Priest Glenn Kerswell
28th Elder Murray Broughton

Everyone is welcome to join our online services at any time. If you, or anyone you know would like to participate, please email Elder Danny Archer at; danny@inbeta.org to register. Information on how to connect will be sent to you. Please note, you must have access to the internet for this service.

Please include in your daily prayers the following people who are in need of a blessing.

Ellen Sheppard, Olive Melling, Alma and Janice Kerswell, Gary Rowlatt, Gwen Whately, Micheal and Patty Fulton, Lance Dunn and Jacob Hummel.

INFORMATION TO THE EDITOR
We welcome contributions to the Australian Restoration Newsletter and will endeavour to include all articles received. Contributions to the Australian Restoration News should be submitted by the 20th of each month and can be sent

to Email Address: mlhummel1@bigpond.com
Postal Address: 33 Bassett Crescent, Gawler East, South Australia 5118 or by calling or text messaging Mobile Number: 0428 298 466. Editor ~ Monique Hummel

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST - KINGSTON RESTORATION BRANCH 17-19 Juers Street, Kingston, Queensland. Pastor: Elder Noel Rowlatt. Phone 07 3824 8386
ACTIVITY SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 2022

Sunday 4th 10:00am COMMUNION SERVICE Elder Gary Melling Assisted By Priest Glenn Kerswell
Followed by a BYO Lunch

12:15pm BRANCH BUSINESS MEETING

Monday 5th 6:30pm PRIESTHOOD MEETING - Online
Wednesday 7th 6:30pm PRAYER MEETING Elder Danny Archer
Sunday 11th 10:00am PREACHING SERVICE Elder Neville Churchill Followed By ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
Wednesday 14th 6:30pm PRAYER MEETING Elder Peter Churchill
Sunday 18th 10:00am PREACHING SERVICE Elder Peter Archer 11:10am Prayer, Testimony & Favorite Carols Elder Noel Rowlatt
Wednesday 21st 6:30pm PRAYER MEETING Priest Glenn Kerswell
Sunday 25th KINGSTON BRANCH CLOSED NO SERVICE Wednesday 28th 6:30pm PRAYER MEETING Elder Murray Broughton
News & Announcements
Happy Birthday Wishes to the following people on their special day.
Rebecca Melling 8th Neville Churchill 9th Janice Kerswell 14th Joanne Kerswell 17th
Nikolas Game 19th Sue Parker 22nd Luke Scott 27th Del Churchill 30th

Ordination Service – Priest Peter Laurence Churchill was ordained to the office of Elder in the Melchizedec Priesthood on Sunday 13th November 2022 by Elders Noel Rowlatt (Spokesman), Neville Churchill and Gary Melling. Elder Danny Archer flew from Sydney to be in attendance. Elder Peter Archer and Sister Helen Archer were unable to attend due to COVID 9 exposure.

Annual Christmas Luncheon – Over the years members have provided all of the meal with the exception of the meat for which the branch paid. This year, age, ill health and the pressure of work has plagued some of our ladies, so it has been decided that the branch will cover the cost of the complete meal. We are very grateful to Sister Linda Myers who has accepted again, the responsibility of planning the meal. If Sister Linda requires any help she will contact you direct. It is imperative, if you are intending coming, that you register as soon as possible with her so that quantities for purchases can be estimated. Linda’s contact details are: Phone 0409 874 330 Email lindy-loo70@hotmail.com

The Ordination of Peter Churchill to the Office of Elder,
By Elders Neville Churchill, Noel Rowlatt and Gary Melling.