Australian Restoration Newsletter April 2023

 

From: Monique Hummel mlhummel1@bigpond.com Australian Restoration Newsletter April 2023 AROUND AND ABOUT THE CENTRE PLACE By High Priest Paul J. Gage, of Independence, Missouri April Greetings to the wonderful Saints in Australia, As you all know, April is a very special month in the life of the church as well in the Christian world as we remember the sacrifice of God and Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of those who believe on His name as we find in John 3:16-17, Mark 16:15; Alma 19:71; Helaman 3:47-48; and Doctrine and Covenants 33:1:a,b. We, of all people, should not be "lulled to sleep" thinking we are " saved" just because we belong to "the Church." Nor that we are the only ones who can be saved. As John states, "WHOSOEVER." Whosoever refers to any person. April 6 is a special date. Many believe it is the day of Christ's birth and the day of His Resurrection. In Church History, the Church was organized in 1830, an important conference was held in 1853 and a special conference in 1860 when Joseph III came to take his place as leader of the Church, all on April 6. As we find in Church History Volume 1, pp. 67-68 and also Doctrine and Covenants 17 directions from God as to the organizing of the church Joseph Smith, Jr., wrote: "In this manner did the Lord continue to give us instructions from time to time concerning the duties which now devolved upon us; and among many other things of the kind, we obtained of him the following, by the spirit of prophecy and revelation, which not only gave us much information, but also pointed out to us the precise day upon which, according to his will and commandment, we should proceed to organize his church once again here upon the earth" (Times and Seasons, 3:928-929). Doctrine and Covenants 17:1a The rise of the church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeably to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April; 17:1b which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jr., who was called of God and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church; and to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of this church, and ordained under his hand; APRIL 2023 AUSTRALIAN RESTORATION NEWS 17:1c and this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever. Amen. This is a good time to re-emphasize the beginnings of the church in 1830. Whether in the branches, homes, individually, or all, time should be taken to remind us of our church heritage. I realize it is not that easy when the Saints are isolated, but still, we should never be isolated from our heritage or our Lord. The Conference of Restoration Elders and Pastors of Zion scheduled events for Church Heritage Week. All information can be found on the CRE website: eldersconference.org. These services will be "live" as well as live streamed. The CRE conference will be held March 29-April 1, 2023, at Waldo. Services and some classes will be live streamed. The schedule is also on the CRE website. Tidings of Zion: The CRE is no longer sending the Tidings by mail unless so requested. Anyone desiring to continue getting the Tidings in your mailbox must notify the CRE. The Tidings of Zion will be available online at the CRE website address listed above. A number of Branches, listed in the Tidings of Zion live stream services. Some will do this even though there will be regular services. There is also a back log of services that can be watched on the live stream. Center Place Restoration School will finish this year in mid-May. Enrollment is now about 220 students Kindergarten through grade 12. Enrollment is increasing and they are looking for additional staff. Some missionary groups are staying active with mission trips being planned for those areas under their fields of ministry. Trips will be scheduled according to regulations in the countries involved. Continue to pray for the missionary work around the world. As we continue in these troubled times, keep a strong faith, and hold on to the Rod of Iron. Read the 23rd Psalm several times each day, with feeling and meditation and be reassured that... THE LORD IS YOUR SHEPHERD RICHES FROM THE SCRIPTURES By Elder Neil Kerswell, of Queensland, Australia Testimony about an Atheist Vol 5 Chapter 25 Today I would like to share a testimony about a man I once worked with. He was a little older than I am and was a Project Manager, when I was an Estimator for a steel manufacturing business. Our desks at that time were close and we became good friends while working there. Ian picked up on the fact early that I was Christian and respectfully let me know he was an Atheist who did not believe in God or creation. I respected him for being so honest and even though we were from very different points of view, I allowed him to freely express his views at work and he also allowed me to share why I believed in God. We often agreed to disagree, but it was a very honest friendship, and I learnt a lot from him on particulars of why he felt so strongly about his beliefs and he in turn I am sure gleaned the same from me. One day he told me of how his wife had miscarriages and it was a long time ago now, but I am fairly sure they never could have children. His wife also had a very bad fall and almost died from the injuries to her head. In short, I think he had experienced a lot of sadness in his life. On one occasion Ian was a little hard on my beliefs and I reminded him that it is written in scripture that every knee shall bow and confess that God’s judgements upon them are just. I said, “believe it or not Ian you too shall bow the knee”. In a very uncharacteristic manner Ian lashed out in a loud voice so everyone throughout the office could hear, saying “I will never bow the knee to Him”. In that instant I knew, and Ian knew that beyond any shadow of a doubt he did believe in God but had chosen to hate God probably because of sadness and hardships he had experienced, which led him to the point of choosing to Blame God for it. I think to handle all this Ian thought he had become an atheist and adopted a strong view against God and his ways but deep, deep down in the subconscious a knowledge (although small it had become) was still there. We still remained good friends and the reasoning from an atheist and a Christian still remained a part of our work life from that day forward. However, I never saw Ian the same way again. Even though we have not worked together for some years now. I often think about him and say prayers for the wellbeing of him and his wife. In summary I have known a lot of atheists in my lifetime and although some have attacked me in the first instance, usually we end up being friends with a mutual respect. I have often wondered if some of them were like Ian who likely once knew God but because of extreme grief or hardship have chosen another way. I will probably never know for sure. But I do know this they have been some of the more genuine and honourable people I have known. As some of you may remember The reason, I started Riches from the Scriptures was to create a record of lessons learnt and taught to give to my children so they have an intimate record of what God has taught me and my family throughout our lives together. At various stages I have made RFTS into books and my family and others have them. It is my intension when RFTS is finished to give my children a complete copy. I hope all of them will record the goodness of God to share with their children in time. May all who have read these words be blessed as you think of your own experiences with God and how good He has been to you in your own lives. This is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. ~ SAMUEL TEACHES & PROPHESYING ~ By Elder Murray Broughton, Kelvin View Branch, Euroa, Victoria Helaman 5 V108-119 And now behold, saith the Lord, concerning the people of the Nephites, If they will not repent, and observe to do my will, I will utterly destroy them saith the Lord, because of their unbelief, notwithstanding the many mighty works which I have done among them; and as surely as the Lord liveth, shall these things be, saith the Lord. And now it came to pass that there were many who heard the words of Samuel, the Lamanite, which he spake upon the walls of the city. And as many as believed on his words, went forth and sought for Nephi; and when they had come forth and found him, they confessed unto him their sins and denied not, desiring that they might be baptized unto the Lord. But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel, were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him, as he stood upon the wall; But the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones, neither with their arrows. Now when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephi to be baptized. For behold, Nephi was baptizing, and prophesying, and preaching, crying repentance unto the people; shewing signs and wonders; working miracles among the people, that they might know that the Christ must shortly come; Telling them of things which must shortly come, that they might know and remember at the time of their coming that they had been made known unto them beforehand, to the intent that they might believe; Therefore as many as believed on the words of Samuel, went forth unto him to be baptized, for they came repenting and confessing their sins. But the more part of them did not believe in the words of Samuel; therefore, when they saw that they could not hit him with their stones and their arrows, they cried out unto their captains, saying, Take this fellow and bind him, for behold, he hath a devil; And because of the power of the devil which is in him, we cannot hit him with our stones and our arrows; therefore take him and bind him, and away with him. And as they went forth to lay their hands on him, behold, he did cast himself down from the wall, and did flee out of their lands, yea, even unto his own country, and began to preach and to prophesy among his own people. ONLINE SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 2023 Sunday Worship Service 10:00am (AEST) 2nd Danny Archer & Gary Melling 9th Peter Churchill & Neville Churchill 16th Gary Melling & Peter Churchill 23rd Murray Broughton & Peter Archer 30th Peter Archer & Danny Archer Wednesday Prayer Service 6:30pm (AEST) 5th Neville Churchill & Danny Archer 12th Glenn Kerswell & Peter Churchill 19th Peter Archer & Danny Archer 26th Glenn Kerswell & Peter Churchill 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 need a blessing. Nina DeRico, Dawn Mackrell, Ruth Mackrell, Cecelia Cash, Kimberley Isle, Judith Hawley, Shiela McFarlane, Ron Mitchell, Sonya Ireland, Ellen Sheppard, Olive Melling, Alma and Janice Kerswell, Gary Rowlatt, Gwen Whately, Michael and Patty Fulton and David Hardwick. 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, QLD. Pastor: Elder Neville Churchill. Phone 07 3848 8209 ACTIVITY SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 2023 Sunday 2nd April 9.50 am Family Worship Class Elder Gary Melling 10.00 am Preaching Service Elder Danny Archer 11.10 am Sacrament Service Elder Peter Churchill & Elder Gary Melling Wednesday 5th April 7.00 pm Prayer Service Elder Neville Churchill Sunday 9th April 9.50 am Family Worship Class Elder Neville Churchill 10.00 am Preaching Service Elder Peter Churchill 11.10 am Class Elder Norman Melling Wednesday 12th April 7.00 pm Prayer Service Priest Glenn Kerswell Sunday 16th April 9.50 am Family Worship Class Elder Peter Churchill 10.00 am Preaching Service Elder Gary Melling 11.10 am Class Elder Gary Melling Wednesday 19th April 7.00 pm Prayer Service Elder Peter Archer Sunday 23rd April 9.50 am Family Worship Class Elder Peter Archer 10.00 am Preaching Service Elder Murray Broughton 11.10 am Class Priest Glenn Kerswell Wednesday 26th April 7.00 pm Prayer Service Priest Glenn Kerswell Sunday 30th April 9.50 am Family Worship Class Elder Danny Ärcher 10.00 am Preaching Service Elder Peter Archer 11.10 am Class Elder Neville Churchill Birthday Announcements 6th Jillian Morgan and Lindsay Churchill 14th Alma Kerswell 26th Brooke Churchill 29th Gary Rowlatt Wedding Anniversaries 7th Donald and Narelle Olsen 14th Neville and Del Churchill Baptism and Confirmation of Lindsay and Steven Churchill at Kingston Restoration Branch February