From: Noel Rowlatt
nandjrow@bigpond.com
AUSTRALIAN RESTORATION NEWS JUNE, 2019
Around and About the Centre Place
by High Priest Paul J. Gage, Independence, Missouri.
Good-bye May and hello June. Here we are, already about to enter the sixth month of 2019 and yesterday, it seems was January 1. As they say, "Time waits for no man." and as one of our hymns states, "Time, like an ever rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day." The hymn is, "O God Our Help in Ages Past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while troubles last and our eternal home." We have the assurance that God is in control of all things and has promised His blessings to those who obey His commandments.
The Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE) and Pastors of Zion (PO)Z are joining for the Restoration Branch Family Reunion and Conference of Restoration Elders to be held June 23-28, 2019 at Waldo Avenue RB/CPRS. All information about this event can be found in Tidings of Zion, Issue # 126. Other information such as registration forms can be found on the CRE website. Just go to
eldersconference.org
A high light will be Saturday, June 22, 2019 when Elder Ram Baral, a native of Nepal, but currently living in South Carolina, will share his experience of meeting with the President of the USA, Donald Trump. Brother Baral met with the President on May 1, 2019. This service will be live streamed and can be seen on the Waldo Avenue RB website
waldoavenuerestorationbranch.org
God's Spirit is moving, all over the world: Mission trips made thus far in 2019 include: Australia, (some were there for Danny Archer's wedding), Canada, England, Germany, India, Kenya, Nepal, Philippines and Rwanda. Additional missions are planned for the rest of the year.
We were most happy to have David, Melissa, Lauren, and Micah Game in Independence for a week in late April. It was so good to see them and share with them. When are the rest of you coming over?
Spring retreats were held for youth and older youth and women in the Center Place as well as the Northwest and Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia regions. Center Place Restoration School is completing its 27th year. Graduation was May 25, 2019. The Tidings of Zion, Issue # 127 will be mailed from Independence, Missouri around June 5. It should be in the homes by middle to late June. The camping season started May 19, 2019 with the Older Youth Camp at Odessa Hills, Odessa, Missouri. Reunions get under way with the Zion's Ridge Reunion near Independence, Missouri June 2-8, 2019. BUDGET/EXPENSES: As with our personal expenses, bills, etc. the expenses of the CRE are ongoing. Donations can be made at any time by mailing a check made out to the CRE and sent to: CRE PO Box 4085 Independence, MO 64051.
Riches From The Scriptures.
by Elder Neil
Kerswell, Queensland, Australia.
Volume 3 Chapter 28
A day is but a Thousand Years Have you ever wondered how Prophets and Seers are able to do what they do? How do they see the past, present and the future? How do they have the degree of understanding and perspective, to so accurately recall, see and predict world events? We have touched on this in the past as a side issue to other things we were studying. I would like at this time to concentrate on this topic a little more. Let us read from 2 Peter. [2 Peter 3:8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [2 Peter 3:9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We learn that with God a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as one day. This gives us to understand that time in relation to this creation is all present with God our creator. But how is this possible? We find the answer to this question in Genesis chapter 2 which we will read next. But while we are here, there is another important lesson contained in this scripture in verse 9. Sometimes we can think God isn’t moving fast enough and we try to run before we can walk and influence others to do the same. God wants us to be patiently looking forward to the fulfillment of His promises, realising that salvation is what is important to God and he is wanting as many as possible in every generation to have faith and to repent of their sins and make a covenant with Him. If we are willing to follow his principles will bring to us the opportunity for perfection in our lives through Christ our Lord. Therefore, may we never think God isn’t moving fast enough. Let me assure you it is ourselves that falter and need constantly to recommit and renew. God’s timeline is His and we don’t see the big picture as he can. Therefore we don’t always understand God’s timing in all things. When this happens we need to trust, God knows best.
Let’s read Genesis 2:3-9. [Genesis 2:3] And I, God, blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because that in it I had rested from all my work, which I, God, had created and made. [Genesis 2:4] And now, behold, I say unto you, that these are the generations of the heaven, and of the earth, when they were created in the day that I the Lord God made the heaven and the earth, and every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew; [Genesis 2:5] For I, the Lord God, created all things of which I have spoken spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth; for I, the Lord God, had not caused it to rain upon the face of the earth. [Genesis 2:6] And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men, and not yet a man to till the ground, for in heaven created I them, and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air; [Genesis 2:7] But I, the Lord God, spake, and there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. [Genesis 2:8] And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul; the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also; [Genesis 2:9] Nevertheless, all things were before created, but spiritually were they created and made, according to my word. God tells us here as he blesses the seventh day and sanctifies it, and begins to rest from all His work, that all things whether a herb of the field or the generations of the heaven and the earth were created spiritually first, in fact although all the children of men had been made, physically there was not yet a man to till the ground. Put simply, all things had been created first spiritually in the mind of God through God’s faith ([Hebrews 11:3] Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.) and by the power and intelligence of his Spirit from beginning to end. God is great, He is from everlasting to everlasting, and He can hold all the creations he has made in the palm of his hand. Therefore let it suffice to say we have barely begun to grasp the magnitude of who and what God is. God in His infinite wisdom has seen all the choices we will make and has taken into consideration the agency of every living being, allowing Him to create every herb before it grew and every person before they took a breath. When Prophets and Seers have their experiences with God, their eyes are made single to His Glory, and the gift that God has given them allows the Prophets to have their Spiritual eyes opened to see the Spiritual Creation of God from the same perspective of God Himself having all things as if present. Let us look at when Enoch’s eyes were opened and he became a Seer. Genesis 6:37-38. [Genesis 6:37] And the Lord spake unto Enoch, and said unto him, Anoint thine eyes with clay, and wash them, and thou shalt see; and he did so. [Genesis 6:38] And he beheld the spirits that God had created, and he beheld also things which were not visible to the natural eye; and from thenceforth came the saying abroad in the land, A seer hath the Lord raised up unto his people. Enoch first had to do something Physical, something symbolic, an emblem of what God would do for him. Once Enoch was obedient in doing what God had asked of him physically, God gave the greater blessing of having his Spiritual eyes opened to see the spirits that God had created, Enoch caught a glimpse of the spiritual creation and became a Seer, in other places it tells us a Seer can see all things past, present and future. Therefore Enoch was not only able to prophecy of what he had heard God say unto him as Prophets do, he could prophecy according to what he had both seen and heard in communion and experience with God. By God’s Spirit we can all become quickened in the inner man, we may not all have the gift of being a Prophet or a Seer like Enoch, nevertheless God can do marvelous things through us if we are obedient. Let us read Genesis 6:67-69. [Genesis 6:67] And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water; and thus he was baptized. [Genesis 6:68] And the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man. [Genesis 6:69] And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying, Thou art baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost; this is the record of the Father and the Son, from henceforth and forever; After speaking with God, Adam cried unto God in obedience and because this was a first time event, the duty of Baptism was carried out by the Spirit of the Lord, laying him under the water and baptizing him. Adam was then born of the Spirit and heard a voice out of heaven telling him he was baptised with fire and the Holy Ghost which is the record of the Father and the Son. This quickened Adam in the inner man, he became sensitive in spiritual things, first having been obedient to God’s voice, Adam received of the Promise. We know by scriptural history that both Adam and Eve worked hard to keep covenant with God throughout their lives. Let us look further at the Prophets and read 2 Peter 1:19- 2:2. [2 Peter 1:19] We have therefore a more sure knowledge of the word of prophecy, to which word of prophecy ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light which shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts; [2 Peter 1:20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is given of any private will of man. [2 Peter 1:21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. CHAPTER 2 He foretelleth of false teachers, showing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers.
[2 Peter 2:1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in abominable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. [2 Peter 2:2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. It’s very interesting to note that no prophecy of the scriptures is given of any private will of man. Sometimes writing given to the membership of the church purporting to be the word of God has its roots in the Spirit of Man, rather than the Spirit of God. Often written with good intention and well meaning, nevertheless out of time and out of harmony, because it has been forced rather than received, the proof is ultimately in the fruits and in the fulfilment of time, because time vindicates the true Prophets. It can’t be said any better than the scripture describes [2 Peter 1:21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. This is the pattern which has been set from the beginning. We are warned there were also False Prophets among the people in old times and amongst the people in the days when this particular scripture was given. We may be assured we have plenty of false prophets and false teachers to be careful of in our day too. We may know them by their fruits, questions we may ask ourselves. Is what we are being taught in harmony with that which has been given before? Is what we are being taught deny the Lord who Bought us? Does it harmonize with Scripture? Let us now read Mark 14:73-82 [Mark 14:73] And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest, [Mark 14:74] And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him and said, Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. [Mark 14:75] But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. [Mark 14:76] And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. [Mark 14:77] And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them who stood by, This is one of them. [Mark 14:78] And he denied it again. [Mark 14:79] And a little after, they who stood by, said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them; for thou art a Galilean, thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. [Mark 14:80] And the second time the cock crew; [Mark 14:81] And Peter called to mind the words which Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. [Mark 14:82] And he went out, and fell upon his face, and wept bitterly. Peter loved Christ and couldn’t believe he was capable of denying the Lord. However Christ was well aware that not only could Peter deny Him but would definitely deny him not once but 3 times to keep himself safe and alive. How did Christ know? How was he able to be so accurate? As we have already discussed all things were created spiritually first in the mind of God. Christ had seen the decisions Peter would make, it was
present with him. Peter would not believe what God already knew about him until he had actually lived that part of his life according to his agency. Then as he reflected upon it once done he went and fell upon his face and wept bitterly with the experience and realization of what he was truly capable of. It is the same with every one of us, there are no exceptions. We all must live our lives according to our own will and agency. I think this may be why we are told every knee shall bow and confess that God’s judgments are just. We can choose to live the Gospel plan and recognize every day where we have done well and where we have failed, repenting, praying, confessing to God and making restitution. If we are willing to do this allowing God to do His perfect work in us, we shall be taken into paradise when we pass from this world, However if we refuse to let God into our life, if we will not work out our salvation in fear and trembling before the Lord like Peter did in this life. Then there is a place we shall be taken which is like an unquenchable fire, in as much as we shall have an awareness of what unrepented sin feels like. Longing as young Alma did for the Saviour he was taught about by his father as a child, to save us. If there is light in us we must realize it is best to seek God with all our hearts in this life while it is still called day for us, there will be times of joy, there will be times of heartache, there will be times of awareness, times of love. If we will allow God His rightful place in our hearts, He can create in us something of greatest beauty, Christ has already saved us, however our works play a large part in where we are saved too. God will never take away our right to choose. It is my prayer for all who read these words that you and I may of our own free will choose every day, the way of Eternal life, in Jesus name Amen.
Tamworth News
submitted by Sr. Helen Archer.
We have had a quiet month with sickness within our group. But we had a lovely weekend for the Mothers Day Weekend with family. Saturday evening we had all our family home for an impromptu dinner. There were 10 here for our evening meal. Sunday Morning we had a Mothers Day Sacrament Service with Elder Peter Archer Presiding and Elder Danny Archer assisting. Deacon Roy & Sister Daphne Schubert, Brother Bob Wilkinson, Kris Archer and Sister Helen Archer in attendance. This was followed by a Mothers day lunch. David Archer and Serena and Peyten were also there. We had a lovely weekend with family. The weekend of 18th 19th of May Peter and Helen traveled to Sydney to help our son Danny move out of his Apartment.
Victoria News.
reported by Pastor Elder Murray Broughton
19-4-19 Good Friday Service in Euroa in our Home. Matthew 27. 7 present
21-4-19 Church at Kelvin View Hall.----Easter Sunday Service,with Communion 7 present
28-4-19. Church at Euroa - No one came - Very sad.
5-5-19. Church at Kelvin View Hall.-- Communion Service , Reading John Chapter 19: 25--42.
12-5-19 Church in Euroa -Myself and Sr Delma, John 19:25 - 42.Genesis 18:1 - 4. Luke 1:5-15
15-5-19. Bible Study in our home 1 pm to 2 pm Genesis 18:1- 14, Genesis 21:1-17 Luke 1: 5-67
19-5-19. Church in Euroa , No one came.
21-5-19. Went to Cobram to have service and Communion with Deacon Dirk Waasdorp, He was not feeling well and asked for Administration.Please remember in your prayers Bro. Gregory Mackrell. who is facing operations. and Bro. Kevin Dowell who is not well.
Thank you to Sister Delma for putting on a Birthday Party for me, as I reached that three score and ten.
28 May is our 25 Wedding Anniversary , I do not know where the years have gone.
(Bro.Murray has informed me that he is scheduled to have a hip replacement operation in Shepparton Hospital on 31st May, provided there is a bed available. Editor)
Visitors from USA. A church family from Tennessee USA, Elder Jason Kemp, his wife Lisa and 9 year old daughter Kiyah, will be visiting Australia for a brief touring trip, arriving in Melbourne on 3rdJune and departing from Brisbane on 12th June. They will he hiring a car in Melbourne and their travel route from there will be via Echuca – Canberra – Sydney – Port Macquarie – Byron Bay – then finishing in Brisbane where they will be staying for 2 nights in the accommodation at the Church before departing on the 6 a.m. flight home. A “Pot Luck Meet and Greet” meal has been planned by the Kingston (Brisbane) Branch, followed by a sharing period by the family in the chapel. If you live in the areas in Australia which they will be traversing and feel the need for ministry, or to invite them for a meal or offer accommodation for the night, Bro. Kemp has indicated that the family would love to meet with you provided they can fit it in with their schedule. Bro.Kemp will be acquiring a mobile phone number as soon as he arrives in Australia and will be advising me straight away. To get that number then, just contact Noel Rowlatt. (details are on the bottom of the back page.)
The Kemp Family can be contacted till Thursday 30th May at home on 615-918-1483, or Email jasonmkemp@hotmail.com. We wish for them a happy and rewarding stay in our country.
THE WALLS OF ZION; Reprint of an Article written be the the late Elder Keith Whately, Western Australia and published in the April 2011 Australian Restoration News.
When I was a young man and fairly new to the church teachings I found that the church literature had adopted a motto for the saints to concentrate upon in their outreach to everyone, that slogan was “EVANGELIZE THE WORLD AND ZIONIZE THE CHURCH”
That was possibly 60 odd years ago and looking back you would notice that little has changed other than the “ CHURCH” has fallen into disrepair, and the world has not been evangelized nor Zionised, but is now rapidly disappearing and its effect on mankind is negligible .
As I look around I see some of the saints holding on to the gospel with both hands while others are slipping away and in fact losing any sight of the goal that had been originally set before them. Thus Lehi’s dream becomes a reality in our life time and we are a part of it….. WHAT MUST BE DONE????
The protection of the saints must be the most important function of the Priesthood and in fact we should be preparing them for the war that is raging around them and to do that it means they MUST be prepared for entry to Zion when the Lord calls….
Whilst we continually hear what appears to be an emphasis on the “fruits” of the Spirit . Remember Paul’s admonition, “not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection”,(Heb.6:1 ) therefore, let us not forget the principles of this Gospel and those things pertaining to the commandments of the Lord relative to the needs of Zionic living . Not only do we have His Word concerning this, but also have examples to follow. Refer to Enoch and his city, the Nephite golden age, etc…..
WHAT DO THEY ENTAIL? Let me name just a few for the reader’s consideration:
Prayer and Fasting
Sacrifice and Tithing
Equality
All things in Common
Consecration of Surplus
Storehouse
Sanctification
Complete Dedication to God and His Son
Becoming Christ Like……….(sons & daughters of God)
(10) Faith……(all encompassing….in and through all things) The foundation of life itself……
Each one of these subjects needs further study and they need much more thought and expansion than I can give adequately here.
These are some of the Walls of Zion, these are necessities to withstand the onslaught of Babylon and cleanse our robes and create an example to the world. Do you think that we should do nothing, awaiting His return and then all of a sudden He will create Zion and set the conditions, then call us to enter in???
May I be so bold as to ask the question of the Priesthood, how many times have you preached on these subjects or taught a class?? If not, then how are the saints able to make their preparation?? We spend so much time on other things like organizations etc, when Christ has plainly said His church is in His hands, can we not leave it to Him to reclaim His own creation. He has already said it had been established for the LAST time. I have consistently said that we, the Priesthood , should be busily engaged in “ feeding the flock” and preparing them for His return, … is that not a “fulltime” work??
Over the last 30 years or so, I have heard a number of Priesthood men say that they are “superannuated”,( their words,) and have retired themselves from any active duties.. May I remind each and every Priesthood member that once having accepted and been ordained, it is impossible to renege as it is a binding COVENANT and that cannot be broken .We will be accountable to God for our action or non action.
Priesthood is everlasting, from beginning to the end….it continueth for ever and as we accept this responsibility we join with Christ in the work of bringing forth the Millennium……..
From D.& C. Section 85:21a, this commandment is given to each priesthood member: “I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth.(b) and I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the Kingdom; teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in Theory, in Principle, in Doctrine in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the Kingdom of God, that is expedient for you to understand……(23a)…..labor diligently, that you may be perfected in your ministry, to go forth among the Gentiles for the last time, as many as the Lord shall name, to bind up the law, and seal up the testimony, and to PREPARE the SAINTS for the hour of Judgement, which is to come.”
If this was implemented would it not be like a “School of the Prophets”?? Is it no wonder that the apostle Paul said, “I am a prisoner of the Lord” Christ has also said, “When you do what I say then I am bound” In my studies and meditations I have been privileged to glimpse a vision of what lies ahead, not only the awful judgments to come, but the most wonderful experiences in the establishment of Zion itself.
My testimony is that God Is and that Jesus Christ is cleansing His church for the last time, that the faithful may build Zion and inherit the Kingdom . DO YOU WISH TO BE A PART OF HIS PLAN??
Testimony: “What is Prayer?”
by Elder Neville Churchill, Kingston Branch.
Many of my everyday friends would feel they need a prayer book to meet their needs in association with; their God, in communication with him.
I honour and recognize my God as my God and I talk with him, giving thanks for his guidance and his blessings, asking in faith.
I know some would see me as an imaginative dreamer, but real fulfillment and answers to me are real.
I know there is but one God and when I talk with him, I know that if everyone in the world was talking with him at the same time, that they would be heard. The human mind says "How can this be?" The human mind, not the eternal spiritual mind.
I know my prayers are heard by the perfect God, by the answers in word and in deed that have come to me and I am so imperfect, and I know it.
Please include in your daily prayers the following people who are in need of a blessing Gwen Whately, Gary Rowlatt Alma & Janice Kerswell George Parker Jonathon Page
Dawn Mackrell Audrey Kerswell Adrienne & Robert Windsor Michael & Patty Fulton Betty Broughton, Gregory Mackrell, Murray Broughton, Kevin Dowell
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST RESTORATION BRANCH, KINGSTON 17-19 Juers Street, Kingston, Queensland. Pastor: Elder Alma Kerswell. Phone 07 3800 1151
ACTIVITY SCHEDULE. JUNE, 2019.
Sun. 2nd. 10.00 a.m. COMMUNION SERVICE. Elder A.Kerswell asstd.by Priest G.Kerswell
Musical Item for Service. Linda Myers
Prayer & Testimony Service. Elder A.Kerswell
Sun. 9th. 9.50 a.m. Hymn Sing: Rebecca Melling Flowers: Rebecca Melling
10.00 a.m. PREACHING SERVICE. Elder N.Churchill asstd.by Elder G.Melling Musical Item for Service. Glenn Kerswell
Class. Elder N,Melling
Monday 10th. 5.00 p.m. Pot Luck dinner at the church with the Kemp Family from USA
7.00 p.m. Service arranged by Elder Kemp.
Sun. 16th. 9.50 a.m. Hymn Sing: Bethany Melling Flowers: Cathy Melling
10.00 a.m. PREACHING SERVICE. Elder N.Rowlatt asstd.by Elder N.Churchill
Musical Item for Service. Gary & Rebecca Melling
11.10 a.m. Class. Priest G.Kerswell
Sun. 23rd. 9.50 a.m. Hymn Sing: Linda Myers Flowers: Linda Myers
10.00 a.m. PREACHING SERVICE. Elder G.Melling asstd.by Elder N.Melling
Musical Item for Service. Linda Myers
11.10 a.m. Class. Elder N.Rowlatt
Sun. 30th.. No Service
BRANCH NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS for Kingston Branch..
Birthdays. On June 24th. - Donald Olsen will celebrate another Birthday.
Wedding Anniversary Congratulations.
George & Sue Parker will have their Wedding Anniversary on the 13th June.
Bereavement. It is with sadness that we report the recent passing of David Melling, son of Sr.Olive Melling, a member of our congregation, Our deepest sympathy is extended to Sr.Olive, David’s partner Penny, his two children Peter and Jasmin and his remaining siblings Karen and Gail and partners. The tragedy for Sr.Olive is that she has lost all four of her sons within a few years.
Eye Operation. Elder Neville Churchill will he having a Cataract Operation on 19th June.
Contributions to the Australian Restoration News need to come by the 20th of the month and must be submitted by email if possible.Email details are nandjrow@bigpond.com.au Phone contact: 07 3824 8386
We would love to have contributions from isolated members in Australia; articles or testimonies or just greetings. We would also like to hear from American saints who have ministered in Australia.
If you do not have access to an internet facility and would like to post your article to me, I will try and have it typed and included, but I would need to receive it by the 18th of the month for inclusion in the next issue. Postal details are as follows: Noel Rowlatt, 6 Wetheral Place, Alexandra Hills. Q416
