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APRIL, 2021.
Around and
About the Centre Place by High Priest Paul J. Gage, 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;
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 include an April 6th
historical presentation by Elder Danny Hight, CRE Historian as well as a
"Spring Gathering," set for April 9th and tenth. All information can
be found on the CRE website: eldersconference.org. These services will be
"live" as well as livestreamed.
Tidings
of Zion: The CRE will no longer be sending the Tidings by mail unless so
requested. Anyone desiring to continue getting the Tidings in your mail box
must notify the CRE. The Tidings of Zion will be available on line, again 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 not be regular services. There is also a
back log of services that can be watched on the live stream.
Center
Place Restoration School, as well as all public schools are in session. They
will finish this year in mid-May. All
the missionary groups are staying active with mission trips being planned by
each group 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. Judi Smith has returned to Kenya
where she and Doug are involved with a health clinic there.
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.
God
bless
Riches from the Scriptures by Elder Neil Kerswell, Queensland, Australia.
Vol 5 Chapter 1
Faith Through Trials of Life
Today we are going to look at
times of Great Faith, if there is any one aspect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
that we stand or fall by it is the ability to not lose faith when confronted
with the trials of life. We all face them, our life would not be a time of
probation for us if we didn’t, we must be tested to our limits to show what
manner of person we truly are. Will we hold on faithful to the end, to hear the
words “well done thou good and faithfull servant enter into the joy of your
Lord” or will we hear “depart from me ye never knew me”. We are told there will
be those who have done all sorts of great works, who never really grasped what
God was all about, thinking more of themselves. Then there will be others who
didn’t think they amount to much at all, that will be greatly rewarded for the
goodness of God that lives within them. What way does God test you? How do you
respond? Do you pray all the harder and hold on and come through your trials
stronger? Or do you murmur against the Lord telling him he askes too much of
you. How do you respond when you see others enduring their trials? Do you
support and uplift them having compassion for them, inspiring them to strength
through love? Or do you see it as an opportunity to scoff, to weaken their
faith by telling them you are blessed and they aren’t. As a child I remember
when church families came to vist my family, although I would be playing with
children my age from time to time I would be near the parents. Some loved the
saints in the church and spoke of the goodness in them, others would spend most
of their time running the saints of the church down and picking fault with
them. Years later I heard a visting Patriarch (Allen Velt) preach from the
pulpit, that when the saints visit each other they should cease to talk evil of
one other. His feeling in our branch was that all too often the menu was Roast
Saint and this had to cease. The Patriarch was right, his fatherly ministry was
sensitive to the root of most problems within the church back then and today.
He may have passed but his words are still true. I must confess from time to
time I have happily had Roast Saint as well, even though when a child I knew
what adults were doing was wrong. It must cease in all of us.
As children we don’t tend to be defiled,
like we can be as adults when the pressures and politics of life eat away at
what we should be. When my daughter Emma was little she was eating her dinner
and dropped some peas on the floor, I as her father in that moment listened to
the temptation to joke that Emma had peed on the floor, (looking back how
stupid was I). Emma spoke in a loud voice of authority and chastened me (that I
should never speak in such a discusting manner in front of innocent children
again) it’s a long time ago, and the wording in my memory may not be exact as
spoken to me that night, however the message I received is still in me, a
sentiment and lesson I have never forgotten all my life since. We hear in early
church days that infants prophecied, I have never heard such a thing in my
days. What happened that night through Emma is the closest I have come, sadly
it was because of Transgression and not righteousness. Let us look at the faith
of Peter, when faced with the trial of a great storm.
[Matthew
14:19] And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and
to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And
when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain, apart, to
pray.
[Matthew
14:20] And when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now
in the midst of the sea, tossed with the waves; for the wind was contrary.
[Matthew
14:21] And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on
the sea.
[Matthew
14:22] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled,
saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
[Matthew
14:23] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is
I; be not afraid.
[Matthew
14:24] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto
thee on the water. And he said, Come.
[Matthew
14:25] And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to
go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and, beginning
to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
[Matthew
14:26] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said
unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
[Matthew
14:27] And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
[Matthew
14:28] Then they that were in the ship, came and worshipped him, saying, Of a
truth, thou art the Son of God.
[Matthew 14:29] And when they were gone over, they came
into the land of Gennesaret.
[Matthew 14:30] And when the men of that place had knowledge
of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him
all that were diseased; and besought him that they might only touch the hem of
his garment; and as many as touched, were made perfectly whole.
Some may look at Peters lack of
faith when fear overtook him and he began to sink. I prefer to focus on the
fact that although facing a storm that caused them to all fear for their lives,
Peter was one of the first to acknowledge Christ was there to help them in
their time of need, and even more than that, the potential for having great
faith to do what Christ was doing swelled within him enough to dare to ask
(Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water). After Christ said
come, he climbed out of the ship in anticipation that he would be able to walk
on the water, most would have faultered in that moment and dared not to make
the fitst step on a moving sea. Peter not only made the first step, he actually
walked on the water towards Christ, only once surrounded by angry conditions
did he become distracted and fearful enough that he began to sink. I imagine
this to be a slow loss of Buoyancy rather than
a fall from gravity. Jesus was there to catch him as he was falling and clearly
explained why he fell, it was little faith. Maybe it could be described also as
beginning faith. We have discussed in previous chapters how Peter often made
mistakes along the way on his quest to be a faithful servant of God. But look
at what he achieved in the process of his life in entirety, truly amazing
things.
[Acts 3:6] Then Peter said, Silver
and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee; In the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
[Acts 3:7] And he took him by the
right hand, and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones
received strength.
[Acts 3:8] And he leaping up
stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping,
and praising God.
This sort of thing didn’t happen
instantly for Peter, they happened gradually under the direct tutelage of Christ, especially after Christ’s
resurrection. We look forward to a time when Christ will teach us in person
again. In the next scripture we see that some murmured and one especially held
faithful.
[1 Nephi 5:22] And it came to pass that as I,
Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of
fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with
me, because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food.
[1 Nephi 5:23] And it came to pass that we did
return without food to our families.
[1 Nephi 5:24] And being much fatigued because of
their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food.
[1 Nephi 5:25] And it came to pass that Laman and
Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of
their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to
murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceeding sorrowful,
even that they did murmur against the Lord.
[1 Nephi 5:26] Now it came to pass that I, Nephi,
having been afflicted with my brethren, because of the loss of my bow; and
their bows having lost their spring, it began to be exceeding difficult, yea,
insomuch that we could obtain no food.
[1 Nephi 5:27] And it came to pass that I, Nephi,
did speak much unto my brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again,
even unto complaining against the Lord their God.
[1 Nephi 5:28] And it came to pass that I, Nephi,
did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I
did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling, and with stones.
[1 Nephi 5:29] And I said unto my father, Whither
shall I go to obtain food?
[1 Nephi 5:30] And it came to pass that he did
inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my word; for I
did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.
[1 Nephi 5:31] And it came to pass that the voice
of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his
murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths
of sorrow.
[1 Nephi 5:32] And it came to pass that the voice
of the Lord said unto him, Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are
written!
[1 Nephi 5:33] And it came to pass that when my father
beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble
exceedingly; and also my brethren, and the sons of Ishmael, and our wives.
[1 Nephi 5:34] And it came to pass that I, Nephi,
beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the
faith, and diligence, and heed, which we did give unto them.
[1 Nephi 5:35] And there was also written upon them
a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding
concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to
time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it.
[1 Nephi 5:36] And thus we see, that by small
means, the Lord can bring about great things.
[1 Nephi 5:37] And it came to pass that I, Nephi,
did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which
were given upon the ball.
[1 Nephi 5:38] And it came to pass that I did slay
wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families.
[1 Nephi 5:39] And it came to pass that I did
return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain;
[1 Nephi 5:40] And now, when they beheld that I had
obtained food, how great was their joy.
[1 Nephi 5:41] And it came to pass that they did
humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him.
[1 Nephi 5:42] And it came to pass that we did
again take our journey, traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning;
The directions from God came according to their
faith, especially during their time of trial, some said in their hearts it’s
too hard and spoke against God, even their father had weakened. However Nephi
kept working through the problem, even employing different technology in the
making of a Bow and arrow. He went back to basics asking God in the proper way
and acting once he knew God’s will, no one else was filled with action/works
like Nephi. Much like what we find in
James.
[James 2:14] What profit is it, my brethren,
for a man to say he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?
[James 2:15] Yea, a man may
say, I will show thee I have faith without works; but I say, show me thy faith
without works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
There are many more wonderful examples of faith
through trial, (Job, David, Joshua, Samson, Alma and the sons of Mosiah etc.)
all of which were examples of people who responded in faith, and God helped
them just as he reached down and pulled up Peter as he began to sink. We don’t
have all the answers. However we do know God has helped others in times past
and what he did for them he can do for us too. May you be blessed as you walk
this straight and narrow path, holding firm to the Rod of Iron, praying
unceasing and enduring to the end. Is my prayer for you in Jesus Name, Amen.
****************
Tamworth News Reported
by Sr. Helen Archer
We hope that all are safe from the flooding. We have
enjoyed seeing our Philippine Brothers and Sisters online and enjoyed
their singing and especially the children singing. Thank you for your ministry.
Wishing everyone a Blessed Easter.
Wedding
Anniversaries
2nd April
Elder Peter and Helen Archer celebrate 38 years of marriage.
18th
April Elder Danny and Kris Archer celebrate 2 happy years.
****************
Church of Jesus
Christ Restoration Branch--Kelvin View,
Euroa. Elder
Murray Broughton
Elder
Peter Archer and his wife Helen and Elder Danny Archer and his wife Kris will
be travelling to Victoria and will be
ministering in the Branch on Easter Sunday 4th April.
****************
NOTES &
DIAMONDS Monique Hummel
– Co-Ordinator of this page.
For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves; but it is the gift of God;
Ephesians 2:8
To understand how God sees you, try to think
of these two things: 1) A five-dollar note. What makes it more valuable
than any other piece of paper of equal size? The wealth and stability of the
government whose signature is on it. You can crumple that five-dollar note up,
step on it, even tear it in two and tape it back together again, and it’s worth
is still the same.
2) A diamond.
If you rub a diamond in the dirt, it’s still a diamond, albeit a dirty one. But
it has not lost its value. Now, we must point out that in order to truly
appreciate the beauty of the diamond, you would have to get the dirt off it and
then restore it to its original luster.
What’s the point of these two illustrations? That your value in God’s
eyes as His redeemed child doesn’t change or diminish when you get dirty, or
stepped on, or torn apart by life and circumstances. That’s because your true
worth is determined not by your own efforts but by the price Jesus paid for you
on the cross. There, the great exchange took place.
All
your sins from the cradle to the grave were laid on Him. And when you accept
Him as your Saviour, all His righteousness is transferred to you. You don’t
have to strive for it; it’s a ‘gift’. ‘This [salvation] is not of
yourselves or by your own doing. It
came not through your own striving, but it is the gift of God.’
~ This reading comes from United Christian Broadcasters
WISHING
YOU ALL A SAFE AND HAPPY EASTER
April is a particularly special month with
the celebration of Easter, Jesus’
birthday and the Restoration of the Church.
It also holds other personal significance in
our home. We also remember the anniversary of my son’s Baptisms in April and my
Patriarchal Blessing.
We think of you often and pray that you will
all be kept safe and well where-ever you may be.
With lots
of love from Your Sister In Christ, Monique
********************************************************************************
PRIESTHOOD MEETING ~
MONDAY APRIL 12th AT 7.00 pm EST
***********************************************************************************
ON
LINE PRAYER MEETING at 7.00 p.m. EST Time EACH WEDNESDAY
Eastern Standard
Times:
PRAYER SERVICE
& PRIESTHOOD MEETING:
NSW/VIC/ACT 7-00 pm; QLD
7.00pm; STH AUST 6.30 PM; W.AUST 5.00 pm
SUNDAY: NSW /
VICTORIA / ACT 10-00 am; QLD 10.00 am; STH AUST 9.30 am; W.AUST 8-00 am
Streamed on-line Church Services Scheduled for
APRIL, 2021.
Sunday Services at 10.00
a.m..EST.........................................................
.Prayer Services 7.00 p.m. EST
Sun 4th Sacrament.....LOCAL AREA SERVICES..............................................
Wed. 7th Elder Danny Archer
Sun. 11th Preaching
Elder Noel Rowlatt
…..........................................Wed. 14th Elder Murray Broughton
Sun. 18th Preaching
Elder Peter Archer...............................................Wed. 21th Elder Gary Melling
Sun. 25th Preaching
Elder Neville
Churchill........................................Wed. 28TH Priest Glenn Kerswell
To join
and share in this group activity all you need to do is email Elder Danny Archer
in Sydney danny@inbeta.org
and register and he will give you the instructions
on how to get connected. You must have internet
to access this service.
Please include in
your daily prayers the following people who are in need of a blessing.
Gwen Whately, Alma & Janice Kerswell Audrey Kerswell Michael
& Patty Fulton, Gary
Rowlatt,
Ellen
Sheppard, Olive Melling, Roy Schubert.
CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST RESTORATION BRANCH, KINGSTON
17-19 Juers Street, Kingston, Queensland.
Pastor: Elder Alma Kerswell. Phone 07 3800 1151
ACTIVITY
SCHEDULE. APRIL 2021.
Sun. 4th.
10.00 a.m. COMMUNION SERVICE. Elder
A. Kerswell asstd.by Priest G. Kerswell
Musical Item for Service: Linda Myers
11.10 a.m. SERMON. Priest G.Keswell asstd by Elder N.Rowlatt
Wed 7th. Prayer Meeting. Elder Danny Archer
Sun. 11th .
10.00 a.m. PREACHING SERVICE. Elder Noel Rowlatt
Musical Item for Service: Glenn Kerswell
(Live streamed out)
11.10 a.m. Class: Elder Gary Melling
Monday 12th 7.00pm Priesthood Meeting on line.
Wed 14th. Prayer Meeting. Elder Murray Broughton
Sun. 18th . 10.00 a.m. PREACHING
SERVICE. Elder
Peter Archer
(Live
streamed in)
11.10
a.m. Class. Elder Neville Churchill
Wed 21st. Prayer Meeting. Elder Gary Melling
Sun. 25th. 10.00 a.m. PREACHING SERVICE. Elder Neville Churchill
Musical
Item for Service: Gary & Rebecca Melling
( Live streamed out)
11.10 a.m. Class. Elder Gary
Melling
Wed
28th. Prayer
Meeting. Priest Glenn Kerswell
BRANCH
NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS for Kingston Branch..
Birthdays. Our best wishes to the following people who
are celebrating their Birthdays in April
Jillian
Morgan on the 6th. Lindsay Churchill on the 6th
. Alma Kerswell on the 14th.
Brooke Churchill on the 26th. Gary
Rowlatt on the 29th ,
Wedding
Anniversaries in April. Congratulations to the following couples.
Donald &
Narelle Olsen on the 7th. Neville
& Del Churchill on the 14th.
Fall. Sr Gwen Whately had a fall and has been in
hospital with 3 cracked ribs and a punctured lung.
Visitors.
We had the privilege of having the Krieg family from South Australia
visit our Branch on Sunday 21st
March.
They were in Queensland visiting their daughter Melissa Game, husband David and
their five children who are living on the Gold Coast. We had our “Sunny
Queensland” reputation tarnished by the four days of solid rain they
experienced during their visit.
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.
Postal details are as follows: Noel Rowlatt, 6 Wetheral Place, Alexandra Hills.
Q4161
Editor Elder Noel Rowlatt Assistant
Editor Gary Rowlatt