Monthly Tidings of Zion for April 2018

​From: Paul Gage
pauljg_64055@yahoo.com



Monthly Tidings of Zion for April 2018

Greetings Saints,

Please find attached the Monthly Tidings of Zion for April 2018.

Feel free to forward or share in any way.

It would be appreciated if each pastor or someone in each branch could copy this and have it for distribution on Sunday, April 8, 2018.

Thanks and God Bless
Paul Gage
Publication Council
Conference of Restoration Elders

​+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Conference of Restoration Elders

Monthly Tidings of Zion

April, 2018

Greetings to all the Saints, around the world,

Happy April 6th. A date, believed by many, to be a most marvelous date in the history of mankind. There are those who feel that the first Passover, when the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, was on April 6. Others, through various studies, feel that Jesus Christ was born on April 6, 4 B.C. and was resurrected on April 6 A.D. 30. The vital thing to remember is that Jesus Christ was born, died, and rose from the dead, to save us from our sins, IF we believe that He is the Son of God and repent of those sins. Let us not get caught up, so much, in trying to establish exact dates, but be greatly concerned about our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We have just observed, again, as we do each year, the last week in the life of Jesus which of course culminated in His death and resurrection. Perhaps a main thought for us should be, as found in John 11:25-26, Jesus speaking to Martha, sister of Lazarus, "I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

The above estimates are certainly tentative, because of the difficulty in proving events so far back in history where the evidence is not conclusive. But whether these dates are correct or not, it is certain that the date of April 6 is still very important in the work of God's restoration of mankind.

On April 6, 1830, six baptized members assembled at Fayette, New York, at the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr. to officially organize "the church of Christ in these last days." (Doctrine and Covenants 17:1a).

You can read more of this for yourself by going o DC 17:1; Church History 1:67-77, and Times and Seasons 3:928). We read in these accounts that they were given the precise date...April 6...as the day to organize the church.

After the death of Joseph Smith Jr. the church was broken into different fragments. The Saints did not exercise diligence in building the temple at Nauvoo, and as a consequence they were "Rejected as a church" and they were "moved from their place" DC 107:10f, 11a, 13e). Thus there was a need for the church to be reorganized.

Those of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have additional reasons for an interest in the date of April 6. On April 6, 1853, at the third conference of the Saints of the Reorganization, they met for prayer in agreement with the commandment to organize. This account can be found in Church History Volume 3 Chapter 10 and would be good for all of us to review.

Seven years later, after much anticipation, hope, and spiritual manifestations regarding the "Seed of Joseph Smith," and specifically his son, Joseph Smith III, the Saints assembled at Amboy, Illinois in April of 1860 for their annual General Conference. Joseph III along with his mother, Emma Smith came to the conference and Joseph was presented to the Saints. He testified to them, among other things, "I wish to say that I have come here not to be dictated by any men or set of men. I have come in obedience to a power not my own, and shall be dictated by the power that sent me." A motion was made and approved to receive Joseph Smith III as prophet, Seer, Revelator, and successor to his father. He was then ordained President of the High Priesthood. The rest of this story can be found in Church History volume 3 Chapter 12.

Will the day soon come that the factions, fragments, isolationists, and those who have left the Restoration might be willing to come together..in obedience to a power not of ourselves...and discover what it really means to be ONE IN CHRIST AS HE IS ONE IN THE FATHER? Was this not the intent of the prayer Jesus prayed for all of us as found in John 17:20-21. Look it up and read it for yourself, read it to your families, read it in your branches, read it in your conferences.

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, are in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."

Are we willing to give up our "little kingdoms," so that His Kingdom may come on earth, as it is in Heaven?"

A recent message from the Lord through Patriarch Mike Ballantyne included the following statements: "My people do not realize the urgency of the hour...I would that all My people were prepared. What more could I have done?...The days are long past for my Saints to build up Zionic communities and to establish the cause of Zion. Now, I alone will bring about My purposes with a few of My Saints who love me with all their heart, might, mind and strength. I cannot save My people from great turmoil, if they will not heed My counsel. Before it is too late, embrace the words of your Heavenly Father. Cast away all things that separate you from My presence and when you call, I will answer."

I would like to call your attention to the last regular issue of Tidings of Zion, # 122 to an article by Vim Horn on Charity, The Pure Love of Christ, an article by Cloyce Coffman on "First Priority in Life," and the information included about the Restoration Branch Family Reunion and Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE), which includes themes, scriptures and the schedule. It is very obvious that the Pastors of Zion (POZ) and the CRE are not THE ANSWER to the problems of the Restoration, Christianity, or the world, but neither are all those who continue on their own pathways, thinking they have all the answers. There is only one solution to all the woes of the world, that, of course, is JESUS CHRIST.

In Church History Volume 1 Chapter 16-17 and also DC 100 we find record of Zion's Camp. The Lord had told them to obtain 500 men and if not 500, then, 300, and if not 300, then 100, but not to go up to "Zion" unless they could obtain at least 100. On p. 461 of CH, Volume 1, it is recorded that they obtained 205 men. Less than half of the preferred number. You can read the results of all that in Church History.

What if 500 elders came to the CRE this June, with the intent and desire to obtain God's will for the Restoration? As one song states, "I Can Only Imagine." Is it worth a renewed effort? Reread the statements from Brother Ballantyne's message. We may not even have until June. Only God knows. We do not have to wait until June...What about NOW?

Missionary efforts continue as two elders are currently in Australia. Three priesthood are leaving today or soon for Nepal, others are soon going to Canada, England, Germany, Africa and the Domestic Outreach Program continues through the CRE and many branches as ministers are sent out, on a regular basis, to many, many branches and Saints in the USA.

A Book of Mormon Day is scheduled by the Book of Mormon Foundation for Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 9-2 at Living Hope RB.

More information can be found by contacting the Book of Mormon Foundation at 816-461-3722.

"As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even forever." Psalm 125:2