From: Monique Hummell
Australian Restoration Newsletter for April 2022
Dear Saints,
Thank you to all those who contributed and to everyone for their continued support.
Wishing you all a safe and blessed Easter.
With love from Your Sister In Christ,
Monique
+++++++++++++++++++++
AUSTRALIAN RESTORATION NEWS
APRIL 2022
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 Saviour 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 Saviour 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 as well as a "Spring Gathering," set for April 8-9, 2022. 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 is no longer be 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, 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. Enrollment is now about 220 students Kindergarten through grade 12.
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.
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
Vol 5 Chapter 13 Faith Part 2 – by Member Samuel Kerswell
As promised, this is part 2 of a worship on Faith by Sam. Last time Sam finished on the incredible faith of David. We will carry on with the commentary about David to help with continuity of the message.
A pretty incredible show of faith on David’s behalf here, David isn’t a man of war, he is a shepherd of his father’s sheep and yet he arrives at the battleground and hears a giant of a man clad in armour who has the whole army of Israel trembling, mouthing off about his people, his first reaction is who’s this guy to defy the army of God? He reacted like this because he had faith, as a shepherd he had killed both a bear and a lion through faith that he would be protected. How could this man pose a bigger threat and because of this he was able to do what the army whose job it is to fight couldn’t do because he had faith that God would deliver him from danger. Another example of strong faith comes from Samuel the Lamanite, can we please turn our pages to Helaman 5: 54-121.
Helaman
5:54 And now it came to pass that Samuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great
many more things which cannot be written.
55 And behold, he said unto them, Behold, I give unto you a sign:
for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
56 And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the
time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh, there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day;
57 Therefore there shall be one day and a night, and a day,
as if it were one day, and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun, and also of its setting;
58 Therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two
days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
59 And behold there shall be a new star arise, such an one as ye
never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.
60 And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and
wonders in heaven.
61 And it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed, and
wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth.
62 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the
Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life.
63 And behold, thus hath the Lord commanded me, by his
angel, that I should come and tell this thing unto you; yea, he hath
commanded that I should prophesy these things unto you; yea, he hath said unto me, Cry unto this people, Repent and prepare the way of the Lord.
64 And now because I am a Lamanite, and have spoken unto
you the words which the Lord hath commanded me, and because it was hard against you, ye are angry with me, and do seek to destroy me, and have cast me out from among you.
65 And ye shall hear my words, for, for this intent I have
come up upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know of the judgments of God which do await you because of your iniquities, and also that ye might know the conditions of repentance;
66 And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven, and of earth, the Creator of all things, from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.
67 And if ye believe on his name, ye will repent of all your sins,
that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.
68 And behold, again, another sign I give unto you; yea a sign of his death; for behold, he surely must die, that salvation may come;
69 Yea, it behooveth him, and becometh expedient that he dieth, to
bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be
brought into the presence of the Lord;
70 Yea, behold this death bringeth to pass the resurrection,
and redeemeth all mankind from the first death; that spiritual death for all mankind, by the fall of Adam, being cut off from the presence of the Lord, or considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual.
71 But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea,
even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord;
72 Yea, and it bringeth to pass the conditions of repentance, that
whosoever repenteth, the same is not hewn down and cast into the fire;
73 But whosoever repenteth not, is hewn down and cast into
the fire, and there cometh upon them again a spiritual death, yea, a
second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to
righteousness;
74 Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things
and not doing them, ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation, and ye are brought down unto this second death.
75 But behold, as I said unto you concerning another sign,
a sign of his death, behold, in that day that he shall suffer death, the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give his light unto you; and also the moon, and the stars;
76 And there shall be no light upon the face of this land, even
from the time that he shall suffer death, for the space of three days, to the time that he shall rise again from the dead;
77 Yea, at the time that he shall yield up the ghost, there
shall be thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours, and the earth shall shake and tremble, and the rocks which are upon the face of the earth, which are both above the earth and beneath, which ye know at this time is solid, or the more part of it is one solid mass, shall be broken up;
78 Yea they shall be rent in twain, and shall ever after be found
in seams and in cracks, and in broken fragments upon the face of the whole earth; yea, both above the earth and beneath.
79 And behold there shall be great tempests, and there
shall be many mountains laid low, like unto a valley, and there shall be many places, which are now called valleys, which shall become mountains, whose height thereof is great.
80 And many highways shall be broken up, and many cities shall
become desolate, and many graves shall be opened and shall yield up many of their dead; and many saints shall appear unto many.
81 And behold thus hath the angel spoken unto me; for he said unto me, that there should be thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours;
82 And he said unto me that while the thunder and the
lightning lasted, and the tempest, that these things should be, and that darkness should cover the face of the whole earth, for the space of three days.
83 And the angel said unto me that many shall see greater
things than these, to the intent that they might believe that these signs and these wonders should come to pass, upon all the face of this land; to the intent that there should be no cause for unbelief among the children of men;
84 And this to the intent that whosoever will believe,
might be saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a righteous judgment might come upon them: and also if they are condemned, they bring upon themselves their own condemnation.
85 And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever
perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge, and he hath made you free;
86 He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death, and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.
87 And now my beloved brethren, behold, I declare unto you
that except ye shall repent, your houses shall be left unto you desolate; yea, except ye repent, your women shall have great cause to mourn in the day they shall give suck;
88 For ye shall attempt to flee, and there shall be no
place for refuge; yea, and wo unto them which are with child, for they shall be heavy, and cannot flee; therefore they shall be trodden down, and shall be left to perish;
89 Yea, wo unto this people who are called the people of Nephi,
except they shall repent when they shall see all these signs and wonders which shall be shewed unto them;
90 For behold, they have been a chosen people of the Lord;
yea, the people of Nephi hath he loved, and also hath he chastened them; yea, in the days of their iniquities hath he chastened them, because he loveth them.
91 But behold my brethren, the Lamanites hath he hated, because
their deeds have been evil continually: and this because of the iniquity of the tradition of their fathers.
92 But behold, salvation hath come unto them, through the
preaching of the Nephites; and for this intent hath the Lord prolonged their days.
93 And I would that ye should behold that the more part of
them are in the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, according to the Law of Moses.
94 Yea, I say unto you, that the more part of them are
doing this, and they are striving, with unwearied diligence, that they may bring the remainder of their brethren to the knowledge of the truth; therefore there are many who do add to their numbers daily.
95 And behold ye do know of yourselves, for ye have
witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to know of the wicked and abominable traditions of their fathers, and are led to believe the holy scriptures,
96 Yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written,
which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them;
97 Therefore as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves, are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the things wherewith they have been made free.
98 And ye know also that they have buried their weapons of war,
and they fear to take them up, lest by any means they should sin; yea, ye can see that they fear to sin;
99 For behold, they will suffer themselves that they be trodden
down and slain by their enemies, and will not lift their swords against them; and this because of their faith in Christ.
100 And now because of their steadfastness, when they do
believe, in that thing which they do believe; for because of their firmness when they are once enlightened, behold the Lord shall bless them and prolong their days, notwithstanding their iniquity;
101 Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief, the Lord
shall prolong their days until the time shall come which hath been spoken of by our fathers, and also by the prophet Zenos and many other prophets, concerning the restoration of our brethren, the Lamanites, again, to the knowledge of the truth;
102 Yea, I say unto you, that in the latter times, the promises of
the Lord hath been extended to our brethren, the Lamanites;
103 And notwithstanding the many afflictions which they
shall have, and notwithstanding they shall be driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, and be hunted, and shall be smitten and scattered abroad, having no place for refuge, the Lord shall be merciful unto them;
104 And this is according to the prophecy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true Shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep.
105 Therefore I say unto you, It shall be better for them than for
you, except ye repent.
106 For behold, had the mighty works been shewn unto them
which have been shewn unto you; yea, unto them who have dwindled in unbelief because of the traditions of their fathers, ye can see of yourselves, that they never would again have dwindled in unbelief;
107 Therefore, saith the Lord, I will not utterly destroy them,
but I will cause that in the day of my wisdom, they shall return again unto me, saith the Lord.
108 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.
109 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.
110 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.
111 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;
112 But the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they
could not hit him with their stones, neither with their arrows.
113 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.
114 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;
115 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;
116 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.
117 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;
118 And because of the power of the devil which is in him, we can
not hit him with our stones and our arrows; therefore take him and bind him, and away with him.
119 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.
120 And behold, he was never heard of more among the Nephites; and thus were the affairs of the people.
121 And thus ended the eighty and sixth year of the reign of the
Judges over the people of Nephi.
Samuel showed incredible faith here, not only did he preach as he was led by God, prophesying of signs and times to come, but on top of this when the people began to throw stones and fire arrows at him, he kept preaching, knowing that God had a message to give and wouldn’t let it be stopped by a few rocks and pointy sticks.
By his faith many people were converted and baptised looking forward to the coming of Christ, having faith in his coming and the signs signalling his birth.
If you could please turn to 3 Nephi 1: 1-27
3 Nephi 1:1 Now it came to pass that the ninety and first year had
passed away; and it was six hundred years from the time that Lehi left
Jerusalem; and it was in the year that Lachoneus was the chief judge and
the governor over the land.
2 And Nephi, the son of Helaman, had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, giving charge unto his son Nephi,
who was his eldest son, concerning the plates of brass, and all the records which had been kept, and all those things which had been kept sacred, from the departure of Lehi out of Jerusalem;
3 Then he departed out of the land, and whither he went, no man knoweth; and his son Nephi did keep the record in his stead, yea, the record of this people.
4 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people.
5 But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite.
6 And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying, Behold, the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath
been vain.
7 And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed, began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken,
might not come to pass.
8 But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day, and that night, and that day, which should be as one day, as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been
vain.
9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death, except the sign should come to pass which
had been given by Samuel the prophet.
10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceeding sorrowful.
11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God, in behalf of his people; yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of
their faith in the tradition of their fathers.
12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord, all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying, Lift up your head and be of good cheer, for behold, the
time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given,
13 And on the morrow come I into the world, to shew unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfill all things which I have made known unto the children of men, from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father, and of the Son
of the Father, because of me, and of the Son, because of my flesh.
15 And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign
be given.
16 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken:
17 For behold at the going down of the sun, there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished,
because there was no darkness when the night came.
18 And there were many who had not believed the words of the prophets, fell to the earth, and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had
laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets, had been
frustrated, for the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear;
19 Yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth, from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished, that they fell to the earth;
20 For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given, was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief.
21 And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was midday.
22 And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had
been given.
23 And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.
24 And it came to pass also, that a new star did appear, according to the word.
25 And it came to pass that from this time forth, there began to be lyings sent forth among the people by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those signs
and wonders which they had seen;
26 But notwithstanding those lyings and deceivings, the more part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.
27 And it came to pass that Nephi went forth among the people, and also many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which, there were a great remission of sins.
What an amazing show of faith on the behalf of the righteous Nephites, to not just believe but to refuse to renounce your beliefs even when faced with certain death. And as always where there’s faith there’s Gods hand guiding and protecting and with perfect timing too. Can we please turn to Genesis 22:1- 23
Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did try Abraham and said unto him, Abraham; and Abraham said, Behold, here am I.
2
And the Lord said, Take now thy son, thine only Isaac, whom thou lovest, and
get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt
offering, upon one of the mountains of which I will tell thee.
3
And Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his ass, and took two of
his young men with him, and Isaac his son,
4
And clave the wood for the burnt offering; and rose up, and went unto the place
of which God had told him.
5
Then on the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar
off.
6
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide you here with the ass, and I and the
lad will go yonder and worship, and come to you again.
7
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon his back; and
he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and Isaac his son; and they
went both of them together.
8
And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father! And he said, Here
am I, my son.
9
And he said, Behold the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt
offering?
10
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.
So they went both of them together; and they came to the place of which
God had told him.
11
And Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac
his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.
12
And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
13
And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham!
Abraham! And Abraham said, Here am I.
14
And the angel said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything
unto him;
15
For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son,
thine only Isaac from me.
16
And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind a thicket, there
was a ram caught in it by his horns.
17
And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering, in
the stead of his son.
18
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh; as it is said unto
this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
19
And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
and said,
20
Thus saith the Lord, I have sworn by myself, that because thou hast done this
thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only Isaac from me;
21
That in blessing I will bless thee; and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed
as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore.
22
And thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all
the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my
voice.
23
So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went to
Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.
Can you imagine the faith needed to do what Abraham did, he might not have understood why he was asked to do what he was, but he didn’t hesitate, he didn’t question, he moved as God asked him having faith it was for a purpose. And because of his faith he was blessed greatly to have his descendants as numerous as the stars. Now it probably won’t be to this extreme but every day you are led and prompted in ways that you might not understand, and might not seem to make sense at the time. But if you have faith that God is leading you and follow his guidance you will be blessed.
I hope you have enjoyed the scriptures and thoughts shared by my son Samuel. I hope you have had reason as we did to feel your Faith strengthened through taking in the precious word of God as contained in the scriptures which are filled with examples of God’s goodness unto his children. We live in difficult times when faith is becoming rare amongst our fellow men and women. Satan is moving quickly to enslave the world’s population. There is only one way to survive what’s coming, and that is to have Faith as never before to receive deliverance and inheritance in the Kingdom of God. Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.
JOSEPH SMITH TELLS HIS OWN STORY
From Elder Murray Broughton, of Euroa, Victoria
While I was labouring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth unto all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. Never did any passage of Scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine, It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God I did, for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passage too differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the bible. At length, I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if He gave wisdom to them that lack wisdom and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture. So, in accordance with this determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make an attempt.
The Vision in the Grove
It was the morning of a beautiful clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally. attempt to pray vocally, After I had retired into the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me and had such astounding influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction, But exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the powers of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction, not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world who had such a marvellous power as I had never before felt in any being. Just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages Whose brightness and glory defy all description standing above me in the air.
One of them spake unto me, calling me by name, and said, pointing to the other; This is My beloved Son, hear Him.
The Angel Moroni Appears to Joseph.
During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision, and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three, having been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years. In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness, and imperfections, when on the evening of the above mentioned twenty first of September, after I retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for the manifestation to me. While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in the room which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside standing in the air for his feet did not touch the floor.
He had on a loose robe of the most exquisite whiteness, He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni. That God had a work for me to do, and that my name should be had for good and evil, among all nations, kindreds, and tongue or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposited written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent. Also, that there were two stones in silver bows, and these stones fastened to a breastplate constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim.
After this third visit, he again ascended up into heaven as before an I was again left to ponder. The Aaronic Priesthood Restored by John the Baptist.
While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying unto us, Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
The Melchisedec Priesthood Restored.
We now became anxious to have that promise realized to us, which the angel that conferred Aaronic priesthood had given us, viz, that provided we continued faithful, we should also have the Melchisedec priesthood, which holds the authority of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost The Church Organized April 6,1830.
Having opened the meeting by solemn prayer to our heavenly Father, we proceeded [according to previous commandments] to call on our brethren to know whether they accepted us as their teachers in the things of the kingdom of God, and whether they were satisfied that we should proceed and be organized as a Church according to said commandments which we had received, To these they consented by an unanimous vote. I then laid my hands upon Oliver Cowdery and ordained him an elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after which he ordained me also to the office of an elder of said Church. We then took bread, blessed it, and brake it with them, also wine, and blessed it, and drank it with them.
Announcements
Please remember Sr Ellen Sheppard, she is in Euroa Hospital, I visited her she asked for Administration, and to have the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, which I did, she had a fall since but was well again next day. Sister Sheppard had her birthday on March 24th. Sr Dawn Mackrell had her 95 Birthday, we were able to be with her on her day. Congratulations to Sr Rebecca and Graeme on the arrival of a Son , Harry, also to Brother Neville and Sr Betty Broughton on another Grandchild. Brother Tim DeUray rang and told me that his Brother had passed away. Our Deepest Sympathy to him, his Sister and family. God be with you till we meet again.
We wish each one a Blessed and Happy Easter. We remember and pray for all who have lost homes and possessions, that their needs be met, also for peace throughout the nations.
The Scattered Saints – An Easter Memory
We lived out in the country, fifty miles from a big town. We had a little church, for all of us who lived around. The minister was part time and came every other week, So, when he came, we all would go to hear the preacher speak.
Once a year, on Easter, we would drive to the big town. That was the only place a sunrise service could be found. So once a year, on Easter, to a church in town we’d go, my kids would make a fuss, but my sweet Mother loved it so.
She lived with us, my wife and I, two daughters and a son, and everybody loved ol’ Nana, she was so much fun. She had a personality that was controlled by love. She always said she got it from the angels up above.
So, every Easter morning we would all dress in our best and go to sunrise service that would start before the rest. Once a year that preacher knew that we would all be there because that was the only sunrise service anywhere.
He knew my mother loved the sunrise service that was here, and he knew all of us, by name, and we went once a year. He loved ol’ Nana and he knew that she would never miss, His sunrise service Easter morning, he had told her this.
He knew we had a country church, and minister part time. He knew that we could not join his, and he said that was fine. He said he thought he knew our preacher, “Godly man,” he said. “I know he likes to travel, that’s the calling he’s been led.”
When Mother died in early March, our part time preacher came, out to our little country church, where we put her remains. Our little church was crowded, Nana’s friends for miles around, but we forgot to tell the preacher that was in the town.
Easter morning came that year, but we were not up to, going to the sunrise service, like we always do. Then as we sat at breakfast, knowing that we didn’t go, deciding we should go to town and let that preacher know.
They had a later service and it started at eleven, we really should go tell the preacher, Nana’s now in heaven. So, we got dressed, and off we went, much later than before. When we arrived, we saw the preacher standing by the door.
He smiled at us and shook our hands, as he began to speak, and as he spoke, the words he said just made my knees get weak. He said, “I knew something was wrong, you all were not together” “The sunrise was so beautiful, we had such perfect weather.”
“But, you have made this service, that is why we have another.” And then I started telling him, what happened to my mother. A puzzled look came on his face, when I said Mom had died, A look that someone gives you, when they think that you have lied.
We just stood in silence, as my heart began to vex, and to this day, I’m still in shock of what he told me next. It’s something that you don’t expect, it comes without a warning. He looked at me and said…”I saw your Mother here this morning!”
SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 2022
Sunday Worship Service Wednesday Prayer Service 3rd April Peter Archer 6th April Peter Archer
10th April Neville Churchill 13th April Peter Churchill
17th Peter Archer 20th Danny Archer
24th Noel Rowlatt 27th Glenn Kerswell
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 are in need of a blessing.
Ellen Sheppard, Olive Melling, Alma & Janice Kerswell, Gary Rowlatt, Gwen Whately, Micheal & Patty Fulton.
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
Sunday 3rd 10:00am COMMUNION SERVICE
With Elder N. Churchill assisted by Priest G. Kerswell
11:10am Favorite Hymn, Scripture & Testimony Service
With Priest G. Kerswell
Monday 4th 7:00pm PRIESTHOOD MEETING - Online
Wednesday 6th 7:00pm PRAYER MEETING Elder Peter Archer
Sunday 10th 10:00am PREACHING SERVICE With Elder Neville Churchill (Live Streamed Out)
No Second Service
Wednesday 13th 7:00pm PRAYER MEETING With Priest Peter Churchill
Sun. 17th. 10:00am PREACHING SERVICE. Elder Peter Archer (Live Streamed In)
11:10am Sermonette With Priest Glenn Kerswell.
Wednesday 20th 7:00pm PRAYER MEETING With Elder Danny Archer
Sunday 24th 10:00am PREACHING SERVICE With Elder Noel Rowlatt (Live Streamed Out)
11:10am Class With Elder Neville Churchill
Wednesday 27th 7:00pm PRAYER MEETING With Priest Glenn Kerswell
BRANCH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Birthdays ~ Happy Birthday Wishes to the following people on their Special day 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 ~ Congratulations to the following couples:
Donald & Narelle Olsen on the 7th. Neville & Del Churchill on the 14th.
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