From: Monique Hummel
mlhummel1@bigpond.com
AUSTRALIAN RESTORATION NEWS NOVEMBER 2022
AROUND AND ABOUT THE CENTRE PLACE
By High Priest Paul J. Gage, of Independence, Missouri
November greetings to all the wonderful Saints in the land down under. It is hard to believe that we only have two more months in 2022. This has certainly been a most unusual year, at least in the USA, in many ways. As a singing group, years ago, sang, "For the times, they are a changing."
The one area in our lives that should only change for the better and grow stronger every day, is our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. As long as we work diligently to keep that relationship steadfast and sure, we can handle what the adversary and/or the world throws at us. We have a hymn entitled, "O God, Our Help, in ages past, our Hope for years to come." speaks of time as an ever-rolling stream that carries everything away. But our hope is in Jesus Christ and He has a plan for us of us, while on this earth, and in the here-after.
Another hymn, "Father, When In Love to Thee," speaks of time- that is, our stewardship of time. It asks God to forgive us for the "times we've stood, for the things of lesser good. And for stewardship of time, we have spent, unlinked with thine." Many times, we all complain, and say, "I don't have enough time!" I have heard several references to Elbert A. Smith and Arthur Oakman, who, when men of the priesthood complained about working all day and coming home to take care of things around the house, and so forth. The response was, All those men you work with have the same obligations you have, and they still find time to go to the bars, sports events, etc. My brother, Bert, in Oklahoma, always says, "People do what they want to do." And I say, AMEN. If I don't want to go to church, the slightest little thing can keep me away. On the other hand, if I want to go to church, there is essentially nothing, within my own power and agency, that can keep me away.
Some will say, "Yes, that's ok, for you, but you don't know my circumstances. That is totally true, BUT God knows your circumstances and another line of that hymn states, "In the midst of sin and strife, teach us how to live a life, marked by graces of new birth. Worthy of Thy Saints on earth."
Fall events are taking place around the Centre area. Each weekend in October and up into November, young people of various ages came together at Odessa Hills Campgrounds near Odessa, Missouri. These campgrounds are owned and operated by the ten Restoration Branches that make up the Central Missouri area.
The Pastors of Zion (POZ), Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE) and the Pastors of Central Missouri (CMRB) are joining for a combined service at the Colbern Road Restoration Branch in Lee’s Summit, Missouri on Sunday, November 6, 2022. This is partly in response to the Message that was given to the priesthood at Kirtland, Ohio, in the Temple on September 24, 2022. The message can be found on the CRE website at eldersconference.org
Center Place Restoration School, (CPRS) is off to a good start in another school year. The enrollment in K-12 is about 225 students. it is one of the very few Christian schools still operating in the Independence area.
The Missionary Boards are all functioning well, but are still hindered somewhat by world conditions. May the Lord be with you and keep you in His arms of Love.
RICHES FROM THE SCRIPTURES
By Elder Neil Kerswell, of Queensland, Australia
Vol 5 Chapter 20 Respect for Father and Mother
Something that is greatly missing in the world today is respect for Elders, and respect for Father and Mother. There are a few circumstances that have made this more prevalent today. First and foremost, our nations have forgotten God, and are rapidly falling away from the Christian laws, teachings and foundation upon which most nations were originally organised and run. Secondly Governments around the world have interfered in the way Parents teach and discipline their children with models that do not incorporate Christian beliefs. When this first happened many of us said “within one generation we will have the beginnings of a lawless society” and now years later these sayings have started to come to pass. Without respect for the aged, without respect for Mum and Dad and respect for each other, society begins to fail. Let us read Exodus 20:12.
[Exodus 20:12] Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
It’s very short but holds a very powerful punch and promise. For those of us who Honor our Father and Mother, there are blessings which help to receive a long life filled with good health, wellbeing and a promised land of our own to live out our days. Common sense alone should cause us to want to keep this commandment and live a long and happy life. If we dishonour our Father and Mother then the opposite can be expected.
[Ephesians 6:1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.
[Ephesians 6:2] Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; [Ephesians 6:3] That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
[Ephesians 6:4] And ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
I have included this one because as well as reinforcing the scripture from Exodus it adds another important piece of information. We who are parents are not to provoke our children to anger, but rather teach them the ways of God by a righteous example. I have seen many years ago a Parent who provoked their children in public amongst Friends and family, humiliating and belittling them in a loud screaming voice as though they were idiots. I felt so sorry for them because what happened to them was criminal and no doubt had lasting detrimental effects.
[Ephesians 5:23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the Savior of the body.
[Ephesians 5:24] Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
[Ephesians 5:25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
[Ephesians 5:26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
[Ephesians 5:27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
[Ephesians 5:28] So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
In this scripture, the husband is symbolic of Christ and the wife is symbolic of the Church. Just as there is order between Christ and His church, so the marriage relationship must have order. Some men will use this scripture to justify treating their wives as subordinates however this is not what its saying. Christ never treats the church in such a manner, He encourages agency and seeks those who will genuinely love him because it is the desire of their hearts. A husband is to live a life of sacrifice always in the best interest of his wife and family. A wife is to respect and love their husband as the head of their household and to love their children if they are blessed that way. Modern women sometimes consider this as unimportant and maybe even desire to rule the household. However this is against God’s law and will in time break down the marriage relationship as it is breaking down the God given order by which a marriage must function if it is to be true and enduring. Read it again for yourself. To God order is very important in all aspects of life as it promotes love and respect.
[Jacob 2:45] Behold, ye have done greater iniquity than the Lamanites, our brethren.
[Jacob 2:46] Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you.
Jacob, spoke against husbands who were playing around on their wives. Pleasing the flesh most times means breaking the commandments of God. In doing these abominations they not only hurt their wives, they lost the confidence of their children. What a mess. Our families are the foundation of the societies in which we live. Therefore, if our families are weak the shockwaves roll out everywhere we live and create all the ingredients for society like is now, forgetful of the Lord their God and quick to create perverse laws that bind us. We all need to come near unto God and receive His counsel and light for our generation. For our children to truly honor their parents, their parents must also honor each other and abide by the laws associated with Husbands and Wives and families. It’s easy to blame only the youth of today. It is easy to blame only the Government, however without putting ourselves under the microscope as well we are deceiving ourselves. It is my prayer that each and every one of us will take ownership of our own part in this life. God Bless. In Christ’s name Amen.
~ ZION The Beautiful Beckons Us On ~ By Elder Murray Broughton, Kelvin View Branch, Euroa, Victoria Zion is a place, and a people.
Genesis 7 V23-27
23 And the Lord called his people, Zion, because they were of one heart and of one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there were no poor among them.
24 And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God.
25 And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the city of Holiness, even Zion.
26 And it came to pass, that Enoch talked with the Lord, and he said unto the Lord, Surely, Zion shall dwell in safety forever. But the Lord said unto Enoch, Zion have I blessed, but the residue of the people have I cursed.
27 And it came to pass, that the Lord showed unto Enoch all the inhabitants of the earth, and he beheld, and lo! Zion in process of time was taken up into heaven.
Psalms 50 V3-5
3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. 5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. 2 Nephi 5 V31
31 For behold, if it so be that they shall repent and fight not against Zion, and do not unite themselves to that great and abominable church, they shall be saved:
33 Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people of the Lord, shall lick up the dust of their feet;
Chapter 11 V109
109 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money, they shall perish.
3 Nephi 9 V86
86 And verily, I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place, that I shall gather in from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion.
Doctrine and Covenants 6-3a
Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, Keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion:
10-3a-c
Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, Keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion:
3b seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich.
3c Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.
12 V3a-b
Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion.
3b Keep my commandments in all things; and if you keep my commandments and endure to the end, you shall have eternal life; which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.
140-5c
The work of preparation and the perfection of my Saints go forward slowly, and Zionic conditions are no further away nor any closer than the spiritual condition of my people justifies;
Section 45 V13a-c
And it shall come to pass, among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor, must needs flee unto Zion for safety.
13b And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.
13c And it shall be said among the wicked, Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible, wherefore we can not stand.
V14 And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion singing, with songs of everlasting joy.
Isaiah 35 V8-10
And a highway shall be there; for a way shall be cast up, and it shall be called the way of holiness. The unclean shall not pass over upon it; but it shall be cast up for those who are clean, and the wayfaring men, though they are accounted fools, shall not err therein.
9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there;
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
2 Thessalonians 2 V9-10
Yea, the Lord, even Jesus, whose coming is not until after there cometh a falling away, by the working of Satan with all power, and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Onward to Zion
By Frederick M. Smith.
Onward to Zion, faithful and strong,
Zion the beautiful beckons us on,
Onward and upward battle along,
Zion the beautiful beckons us on.
Onward to Zion, to Christ we belong,
With service the watchword, we fight against wrong;
Onward to Zion, march on with a song,
Zion the beautiful beckons us on,
Zion the beautiful beckons us on.
We have the promise that Jesus will come,
Zion the beautiful beckons us on,
Let us be faithful, his will be done,
Zion the beautiful beckons us on.
Jesus the Saviour meeting the throng,
Oh, may his coming be not delayed long;
To God be the glory, to him lift the song,
Zion the beautiful beckons us on,
Zion the beautiful beckons us on.
1 Thessalonions 5 V16-28
Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy salutation.
27 I charge you by the Lord, that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle unto the Thessalonians was written from Athens.
The Scattered Saints Page
The Darts Test
A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in a seminary class given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.
One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.
On the wall was a big target, and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.
Sally's friend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.
Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face, and His eyes were pierced.
Dr. Smith said only these words, "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Matthew 25:40
No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.
SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 2022
Sunday Worship Service
Wednesday Prayer Service 2nd Priest Glenn Kerswell 6th Elder Gary Melling & Priest Glenn Kerswell 9th Elder Neville Churchill 13th Priest Peter Churchill 16th Elder Gary Melling 20th Elder Murray Broughton 23rd Elder Peter Archer 27th Elder Gary Melling 30th Elder Murray Broughton
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, Lance Dunn.
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
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST - KINGSTON RESTORATION BRANCH 17-19 Juers Street, Kingston, Queensland. Pastor: Elder Noel Rowlatt. Phone 07 3824 8386
ACTIVITY SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 2022
Wednesday 2nd 6:30pm PRAYER MEETING Priest Glenn Kerswell
Sunday 6th 10:00am COMMUNION SERVICE Elder Gary Melling Assisted By Priest Glenn Kerswell
11:10am Fellowship Morning Tea – Please bring a plate.
Monday 7th 6:30pm PRIESTHOOD MEETING - Online
Wednesday 9th 6:30pm PRAYER MEETING Elder Neville Churchill
Sunday 13th 10:00am PREACHING SERVICE Priest Peter Churchill 11:10am Favorite Hymn, Scripture, Prayer & Testimony Priest Glenn Kerswell Wednesday 16th 6:30pm PRAYER MEETING Elder Gary Melling
Sunday 20th 10:00am PREACHING SERVICE Elder Murray Broughton 11:10am CLASS Elder Neville Churchill
Monday 21st 6:30pm PRIESTHOOD STUDY MEETING – Online Wednesday 23rd 6:30pm PRAYER MEETING Elder Peter Archer
Sunday 27th 10:00am PREACHING SERVICE Elder Gary Melling 11:10am AGM Discussion Elder Noel Rowlatt
Wednesday 30th 6:30pm PRAYER MEETING Elder Murray Broughton
News & Announcements
Happy Birthday Wishes to the following people on their special day. George Parker 9th Ngaia Thomas-Game 23rd Glenn Kerswell 28th
Sunday December 4th Our Branch AGM will be held at the conclusion of the Communion Service.
Sunday December 13th The Branch Christmas Lunch will be held following the Preaching Service. Sunday December 25th Kingston Branch will be closed.
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