LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD FEBRUARY 19, 2026

 LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD FEBRUARY 19, 2026

 

Lovely greetings to all God’s lovely Saints throughout the planet earth,

 

Ah, living in the Kingdom of God! We sing the hymn, “What a glorious thing to be, IN THE LIGHT OF GOD.” Some of the words are: “Revelation’s holy light, is the light. And all else is dark as night, Save this light of God.” Let us keep our spirits pure, and unto the end, endure. In the Light of God.”

 

This hymn is a true Restoration hymn and speaks to the kingdom of God being on earth now as we await the coming of Jesus in His glory to establish His true Kingdom on the earth as it is in heaven. The first words, recorded, that were spoken by John the Baptist, as well as Jesus Christ, were, “REPENT! FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.” Keep in mind that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are the same.

 

Today, with all the turmoil in every part of the world, is the Kingdom of Heaven still at hand or has it faded into obscurity? It likely depends on how we each respond to the first word, REPENT. Do we live in the light of God’s revelation to us? It is becoming easier, all the time to trust in technology. I am sure that every person, of age, on this earth has heard of Ai. Ai is not new. It is a method of the adversary who thought his intelligence was greater than God. He was totally exposed and defeated by the great sacrifice of love. The love of God, who so loved, that he gave His Only Begotten Son that we might have and know the truth and live our lives in accordance with that of our Holy Messiah, JESUS CHRIST.

 

It doesn’t take much to go from the light to the dark, so we must keep our repentance fresh and not let the sun go down on our anger. If we go to sleep in anger or any of the other sins, and do not wake up, we are in the darkness. We know God is kind, merciful, loving, forgiving and all the other traits that we say He has or is, but at the same time, we cannot forget that he also will judge us and his justice and judgment will be perfect, or the TRUE LIGHT. If the Kingdom of Heaven is still at hand, then we must make sure we are also LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF GOD.

 

Jesus gave us to be the light of the world. The reason? Matthew 5:18 “Therefore, let your light so shine before this world, that they may see your good works, and GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.” We don’t need Ai, just the real thing, GOD, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Yea, THE GREAT I AM111

 

The Lord bless and keep you

Paul Gage

 

Donor Request

 Donor Request

Dear Saints,

Of all people it seems true that we are most blessed to have in our possession the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the evidence of truth and Spirit that accompanies it, bringing forth very great testimony among us of God’s love and His continual watch over us and His willingness to guide and direct throughout the course of our lives. His Gospel confirms our need to live by faith in Him as we live through the trials, as well as the joys of life with the calling to persevere to the end of this probationary time, ready to step further into life eternal to meet Him face to face.

Most of us, if not all, will at some point face difficult decisions and perhaps needs that seem too great to face alone. I believe there is a principle at work here, designed of God, to both bring us closer to Him as well as to bring us closer to one another.

The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention one such need. A need that uniquely extends beyond the boundary of a single Branch of His Church, to appeal to the greater number overall.

One of our elders at South Crysler Restoration Branch, Paul Davis and his wife Lynette, are well loved and known among the Restoration Saints. Brother Paul has been physically ill for some time with complications associated with liver disease. This has grown worse over time. Though there have been many noticeable blessings along the way to indicate God’s presence and encouragement to Paul and Lynette, still his doctors have recently recommended that he search out a possible liver donor. He has need to have liver transplant surgery.

Paul has understandably been strongly hesitant to make this request known. After much thought and prayer, he has agreed to allow me as his pastor, to send out a request among the saints in search of one whose circumstances in life might allow consideration of being such a donor.

Any study of the complexity of any part of our physical existence certainly points to God. Only a Divine Creator could bring into existence life as we have it. We can only stand in awe of His Design. Though living in the latter days brings its share of unique concerns for mankind, it also allows us to make use of God given advancement of knowledge, another Gift to the world. He holds nothing back and indeed has encouraged us in seeking the truth of all things physical as well as spiritual. Within our physical makeup, each organ is unique and complex beyond our understanding. In learning more about this process associated with a liver transplant, it seems to us to be extremely interesting that for the donor, only a portion of the liver is removed......and grows back to its original capacity within approximately 8 weeks’ time. Almost as if it’s meant to be used in this way, no other
organ within us has this unique ability to return so quickly to its original form. And of course, that portion of the liver that is given has tremendous capacity within it to revive the troubled organ of the one in need.

Paul’s faith, as well as that within most all the saints, is in the love and power of He who created us. Our God is all powerful. Our God heals.....on occasion within a minute’s time....sometimes over the course of days and years. Sometimes by way of His invisible Spirit. Sometimes by the combined efforts of heaven and earth. He heals.

In light of God’s gifts in life, I now make the request known. Could it be that there is one among us who would make the sacrifice to literally offer a portion of themselves to this specific need? A brief description of the requirements is listed below.

Along with the consideration of this search for a donor remains our request for continued prayer for Paul’s strength, for God’s guidance and direction to his mind and for peace to continue to prevail within Paul and Lynette’s heart, home and family.

Should it be that after such thought and prayer you would like to investigate this possibility further, please get in touch with myself, or anyone you may know within the South Crysler Restoration Branch, to convey your interest. We will see to it that proper follow-up connections are made.

It is with sincere and heartfelt appreciation that I thank each of you deeply, for your
prayerful consideration of this matter.

With Sincere Appreciation,
Scott Nixon
pastor – South Crysler Restoration Branch
jsnixon916@gmail.com

Brief Overview of Primary Living Liver Donor Requirements:
- Would need to have type A or type O blood (to match Paul’s blood type)
- Would need to be aged 18 to 55.
- Must have excellent physical and mental health
- Must weigh under 200 lbs.
- Must have the time available for medical evaluation and recovery from surgery.
Please also note that all donor medical costs would be covered by Paul’s insurance.

Your brother in Christ

Jeremy Stephenson

CRE Chairman

jstephenson@eldersconference.org

816-898-4748

RLDS BOOKS SALE EXTENDED THROUGH FEB. 28

 RLDS BOOKS SALE EXTENDED THROUGH FEB. 28

 

ALL USED RLDS BOOKS—except those priced at less than $5.00 or more than $99.00—ARE OFFERED FOR HALF OFF THE LISTED PRICES.

 

This offer is extended through February 28, 2026, and limited to supplies on hand.  No discounts apply on sale books.

 

To order, e-mail to PaulVLudy@gmail.com or call 816-210-8450.  I will ship with an invoice and envelope for your payment or deliver in the Independence, MO, area for $2.00.

 

Suggestion:  Go to RLDSBooks.blogspot.com and click on ALL RLDS BOOKS to see the list—alphabetical by author—and prices.  Copy and paste the titles you want; then e-mail your order to me.  That saves a lot of typing!

 

21 NEW BOOKS FOR $6.00 EACH  

Prices are good through February 28, 2026.

 

Book of Mormon Blessings by Evan A. Fry  $8.00

*Book of Mormon Gems and Settings by Paul V. Ludy  $6.00

*Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy by George Gross  $6.00

Emma Smith, the Elect Lady by Margaret Gibson  $8.50

Endowment Series, The by Arthur A. Oakman  $8.00

Gomer T. Griffiths; An Autobiography  $8.00

*In the Hollow of His Hand by Camilla Collins  $6.00

Joseph Smith Bible Story, The, by Dean R. Zimmerman  $8.00

Miracle of the Cardinals by Pat Chadwick  $10.00

Restoration Beliefs, revised from San Francisco Bay District  $8.00

Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, The, by Evan A. Fry  $7.00

Samuel the Lamanite by C. Houston Hobart  $8.00

*Study of Jesus Christ’s Visit to Ancient America, A, by Ronald M. Turner  $6.00

Tell My People by Walter Weldon  $7.50

Tower Cookery by Graceland Mothers Club, 1950  $8.00

*Voices from Church History by Paul V. Ludy  $6.00

*Voices from the Golden Plates by Paul V. Ludy  $6.00

W.O.W. Cookery from Blue Valley Stake women  $8.00

What’s Your Heart’s Desire? by Barbara Wilkinson  $8.00

*Zion’s Hope Stories Book 1 by Paul V. Ludy   $6.00

*Zion’s Hope Stories Book 2 by Paul V. Ludy  $6.00

 

Check out Newbookman.blogspot.com, where you can preview new books in the RLDS tradition.

 

Note:  Books marked with * and having a regular price of $6.00 also qualify for a discount of $1.00 each when you purchase 3 or more new books (mix or match).  Books with a sale price of $6.00 but with a higher regular price do not qualify for the additional discount.

Paul V. Ludy

 816-210-8450

Check these websites:
1 RLDSBooks.blogspot.com for ALL RLDS Books
2 Newbookman.blogspot.com for new RLDS books with previews
3 RestorationScriptures.blogspot.com for the new 3 in 1 and IV

Musical Review

 

THE COMING OF THE END OF AN ERA

 THE COMING OF THE END OF AN ERA

 

For the past 25 years, we have had the privilege of obtaining, safeguarding, and distributing a great number of RLDS books.  That activity has been a business, a ministry, a service, and a real joy.  But a recent health problem involving the pain and malfunction of my legs has served as a harbinger to convince us that we cannot continue this activity forever.  We trust that the leg problem is temporary.  However, we see the need to develop plans to transfer the “Oldbookman” activity to a responsible party now while we are still available to help with the transition.

 

At present, we have an inventory of about 20,000 used RLDS books, including hardcover and softcover books, coil-bound materials, pamphlets, brochures, etc.  We want to transfer these used materials to someone who can continue this ministry for the next 25 years or so.  We also have another 5,000 new books in the RLDS heritage, which we expect to wholesale and retail to customers.

 

NOTE:  We expect to keep the business going during the foreseeable future.  Customers can continue to order books from Paul V. Ludy until notified otherwise.  But the delivery may be a tad slower.

 

Our method of operating during the past 25 years has included maintaining a website—RLDSBOOKS. BLOGSPOT.COM—and receiving inquiries and orders by e-mail and phone, mailing books, delivering in the Independence, Missouri, area, and selling books through displays at conferences and reunions.

 

We suggest that the new “responsible party” could be a husband-wife team, an extended family, or a few close friends working together.  We do not anticipate that a new “responsible party” would need to conduct business exactly the same way we have.  The important thing is to make books available to the Saints at fair prices, to give good service, and to enjoy the opportunities to minister in this way.

 

If you are interested in this endeavor, here are a few items to consider:

 

1.  Do you have a background in the Restoration, a love for the gospel and its resources, and an ability to interact and minister to people in various Restoration organizations—and sometimes beyond?

 

2.  Can you do the work without trying to live on income produced by selling used books?  You will never get rich in this endeavor; that is not the purpose.

 

3.  Do you have some facility for storing the materials—maybe 1,000-2,000 square feet—in a dry basement, garage, or other building close to your home?

 

4.  Are you willing to learn enough about the books in your care that you can help customers who want to know what various books are about?

 

5.  Are you willing to give yourself in service—perhaps at inconvenient times—to take phone calls, answer questions, search for books, etc.—realizing that the customer is not a distraction but the reason for your being involved in this endeavor?

 

We invite any interested persons to call immediately to discuss possibilities.  May all our thoughts and our plans be to the glory of God!

 

Paul V. Ludy   816-210-8450

CPCT Newsletter updated 2/16/26

 From: Brad & Vanessa Hampton

bvhampton@gmail.com

CPCT Newsletter updated 2/16/26
Joy Cain

joy.cain1986@gmail.com

ZIONWORKS NEWS - Feb. 14, 2026

 ZIONWORKS NEWS  - Feb. 14, 2026 

Next Meeting - Feb. 22, 2:00pm

Next work day: Saturday, February 21  starting at 9:00 AM at Central Branch, 919 S. Delaware, Independence. A few hours of cleaning and light repairs where we have had the privilege of meeting for the last two years. 

 

Next Zionworks meeting. All people seeking or curious about Christ’s kingdom on the earth are invited: Sunday, February 22  at Central Branch, 919 S. Delaware, Independence at 2:00 PM in the basement. ‘Looking forward to the ideas expressed, the testimonies and the blessing together by the Holy Spirit.