Australian Newsletter - December 2023
Around and about the Centre Place
By High Priest Paul J Gage, Independence Missouri
As the words to one song says, "GOD ONLY KNOWS..." Only God knew what 2023 was going to bring to the world, and now we are nearing the end, again, Only God Knows what is in store for us and the world in 2024. As we
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6. "... and they shall call his name Emmanuel, (which being interpreted, is, God with us." Matthew 2:6 IV.
These scriptures among the many others are God's word to man. In today's world, maybe more than at any other time in history, mankind is find ourselves in various states of concern, hope, etc. we always must have faith and trust in our God, who because He knows all things has promised that He would be with us always.
One of the well loved hymns about Jesus Christ, while often only sung at Christmas time, "Joy To The World, The Lord IS Come..." is a turning away from anything and everything that has to do with God, religion, or simply natural vs unnatural, or good and bad. If a
Our challenge is to stay on the straight and narrow path, holding onto the Rod of Iron.
hymn that speaks to us every day of the year and year after year. There is another hymn entitled, "The Lord Will Come." It is the same tune as Joy to the World. Both speak of the power, promises, and assurance we have in our Mighty God.
We are all very much aware that the entire life of Christ is vitally important to our salvation. But His earthly life had to start just like ours, as a baby. The scriptures tell us much about the birth, Christ's genealogy and many events in His life. The Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants both compliment these things very well.
"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder;
person does not want to believe in God or that we are bound to follow God's commandments, they just say, "I don't believe in a God, if there is one." In Genesis 5:4 in the Inspired Version, it reads, "But, behold, also Cain hearkened not, saying, Who is the Lord, that I should know him?"
This seems to be what is happening in the United States and all over the world, which would indicate that there will be a "Spiritual showdown" in the near future. The situation in the USA is extremely critical to the future of our nation and the world. The USA/world and the Church have not fulfilled our purposes and thus stand in the path of God's judgment.
BUT, JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME! Our challenge is to stay on the straight and narrow path, holding on to the Rod of Iron. God bless each of you as you finish this year and embark into 2024, boldly going where no man has ever been, But God is already there. Trust and Obey, there is NO other way.
As always, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is our ultimate example. In every situation, He was guided by the instructions given to Him by His Father. This is shown clearly in Matthew 4:1- 10 when after having been led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be with God, and fasting for 40 days and nights, and had communed with God, was left to be tempted of the devil. Jesus, in all three temptations, used the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, when He said, "It is written...."
We must know the Word of God well enough so that at every encounter with the adversary or those who work with the adversary, we will know how to use the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, as we are told in Ephesians 6:17. Remember, often the adversary's helpers are wolves among the sheep. As Jesus responded in the first temptation, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Amen and Amen!
The Saints of Australia are to be commended for taking advantage of modern technology to stay in touch with each other. This is most vital to us in these trying times.
Most Branches in the US are back to meeting regularly in their buildings. Centre Place Restoration School (CPRS) is functioning very well this year with an enrolment of over 200, which is good.
The Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE) and Pastors of Zion (POZ) are doing the best they can. Many things are still being done with Zoom technology, but the Spring Conference Summer Reunions and other events have all gone very well. Four to seven Branches in the Independence area have been meeting on the first Sunday evening and third Wednesday of each month. These have gone very well so far. The purpose is just for worship and fellowship.
Missionary teams are active in Africa and the Philippines but the efforts are still curtailed in some parts of the world. A strong effort is also being made to encourage Saints to witness to their neighbours. Each One Win One has been a church motto since the 1940's. It is still our calling today.
Nevertheless, the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God.
Alma 4:6
All CRE services and many Branch services are available on live stream. Two services you might want to watch were at Waldo Avenue Restoration Branch on October 29 and November 19.
God bless. Love to all. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
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Fellowship for Christ By Elder Andrew King, Independence Missouri
Fellowship, or companionship, is a key aspect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and is absolutely essential to building Zion. For how could God call His people Zion, meaning a people who were of one heart and one mind in Christ and who dwelt in righteousness, if they never spent time in fellowship with each other? If you really want to understand how important fellowship is to God, then let's turn to the second chapter of Genesis. Here, we read how God created Adam and placed him in the garden of Eden to dress and keep it. Then one day, the Father turns to His Only Begotten Son and says, "it was not good that the man should be alone; Wherefore, I will make a help meet for him" [Genesis 2:23-24].
It's important to remember that Adam walked with God in the garden, and yet, even despite this, God said that it was not good for Adam to be alone. This is an insight into God's plan for mankind. God wanted Adam to have someone like himself to help him in his daily life.
God wants us to live in fellowship with one another, and we can see this very clearly in our baptismal covenant. For not only are we covenanting with God, but we are also entering into a covenant with each other.
When we entered into the waters of baptism and received the gift of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands, we promised God that we would do these things. We promised that we were willing to:
(1) Come into the fold of God and be called His people;
(2) Bear one another's burdens that they may be light;
(3) Mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who need comforting;
(4) Witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places; and
(5) Keep His commandments.
And now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life: Now I say unto you, If this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptised in the name of the Lord? Now I say unto you, If this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
Mosiah 9:39-41
How do you think you have fared in fulfilling your promise? Not only this, but we promised also to do the following from Section 85.
Section 85:41 "Art thou a brother or brethren, I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant, in which covenant I receive you to fellowship, in a determination that is fixed, immovable, and unchangeable, to be your friend and brother, through the grace of God, in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in thanksgiving, for ever and ever. Amen."
Why does God want us to be in fellowship with one another? The answer is simple. It's because we can't fulfill our promise to God on our own. We need one another! As we read in Hebrews, it's important that we provoke one another unto love and good works, it's important that we do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as others do, and it's important that we exhort one another.
This is fulfilling the law of Christ [Galatians 6:2]. I can't tell you how many times I have felt spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically drained. But when I gather with the Saints, I am always refreshed. Satan wants to isolate us so that he can exercise power over us. However, this is not possible when we are in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
How do we build the ends, the fellowship will come as a byproduct. Don't work for fellowship, but fellowship for great causes." What greater cause is there than the cause of Christ? The cause of Christ is Zion. The cause of Christ is spreading the Gospel into all the world. This is definitely a cause worth fellowshipping for!
Jesus was born,
Emmanuel - God with us By Elder Murray Broughton, Kelvin View Branch, Euroa, Victoria
Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son and call his name Immanuel."
Matthew 2:6 "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, (which, being interpreted, is, God with us.)"
Luke 1:26-32 "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her and said, Hail, thou virgin, who art highly favoured of the Lord.
Don't work for fellowship, but fellowship for great causes.
Kingdom? The answer, in part, is that we need more fellowship! However, as E Stanley Jones once said, "Don't try
The Lord is with thee, for thou art chosen and blessed among women. And when she saw the angel, she was troubled at his saying and pondered in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt to have fellowship; work together for great ends and fellowship will follow. If you try to have fellowship, you will achieve only stilted niceties. But if you work for great kingdom conceive, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David."
Luke 2:1-12 "And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all his empire should be taxed. This same taxing was when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, everyone in his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), To be taxed, with Mary, his espoused wife, she being great with child.
treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a vision, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and tarry thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. And then he arose, and took the young child and the child's mother by night, and departed into Egypt, And was there
And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was none to give room for them in the inns. And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt
For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
flocks by night. And lo, an angel of the Lord appeared unto them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. But the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the way you shall find the babe: he is wrapped in swaddling clothes and is lying in a manger."
Matthew 3:9-16 "When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child, with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped him. And when they had opened their have I called my Son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
Matthew 3:19-21 "But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a vision to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead who sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel."
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Christmas time
By Elder Chuck Sperry, Honduras
When was Christ born? We know from Luke 2:8-11 that shepherds were diligently watching over their flocks at night when the angel of the Lord came upon them, and in that same evening the shepherds went to see the newborn Jesus.
However, shepherds in Bethlehem would not keep their sheep outside in the snow at night during Christmas time, because of the lack of grass, temperature and snowy ground. So, Jesus could not have been born on December 25.
Bethlehem in June
Bethlehem in December
Biblically, the year begins near the end of March or the beginning of April. [Exodus 12:2, 12:17]. This time is Passover, and the Unleavened Bread Feast.
As Christ was crucified one day before the celebration of the Passover [Matthew 26:2; Luke 23:52-54], and Christ was crucified at 33 years and 4 days old [3 Nephi 4:6], then Christ was born at the beginning of the biblical year [3 Nephi 1:4; 1:12-13].
God also tells the Americas that the new year starts with the day of Jesus' birth [3 Nephi 1:45].
Christ rose Sunday [Mat 28:1] and was in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights [Matthew 12:40]. Therefore, he was crucified on Wednesday at Roman time 9th hour (modern time 3PM) [Luke 23:44-47], and four days before is the day of his birth - Saturday evening.
According to the Catholic Encyclopaedic Dictionary "the date of Christ's birth was set on the day of the winter solstice (December 25) because on this day the pagan followers of Mithras celebrated the 'dies natalis Solis invicti' (the birth of the invincible Sun) when the sun began its return to the northern (hemisphere) sky."
"The pagan festival, with its festivities and debauchery, was so popular that Christians looked for excuses to continue the celebration with very few changes. The Christians of Mesopotamia accused their Western brothers of having fallen into idolatry and worship of the sun for having adopted this pagan holiday as if it were a Christian holiday." [New Schaff Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge vol. 3 art. Christmas.]
"The church tried to unite the old religion with the new and incorporated pagan ceremonies into the solemn Christian holidays... The result has been a strange mixture of pagan rites with Christian rites which make up today's
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Christmas festivities." [Chamber's Book of Days vol. 2 art. Dec 25.]
One of the most popular pagan traditions is the use of the "Christmas tree." This tradition comes from the belief that gods lived inside trees. Pagans believed that evergreen trees had a more powerful god than other trees because they never lose their leaves during the winter. When the days of the year began shorten, the pagans looked for a very large pine tree and offered sacrifices under its branches and placed silver and gold decorations on its branches so that the tree god would help the sun to overcome the darkness and be "reborn" or start to shine brighter.
God tells us in Jer. 10:2-4, "Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not..."
Another common pagan tradition is the belief in Santa Claus (St. Nicholas). Many pagan societies have worshiped a red-robed household god who came down the chimney to bless those who worshiped him and curse those he disliked. Homeowners always left him food near the fireplace to appease him. Today, in China and India people still worship these household gods. Today's Santa Claus is a composite of several pagan and Catholic traditions that come to us from the fourth century. In this legend there was a Catholic bishop named Nicholas. He always gave gifts to the children. For this reason, they mixed the legend of him with pagan traditions and thus we have the tradition of Saint Nicholas today.
If we mix pagan traditions with our celebration of the birth of Jesus, we make an abomination in the eyes of God. We must worship our God in purity and truth. We should not follow the customs of unbelieving people, mixing our worship of Christ with paganism. Let us leave these false traditions behind and look upward to the kingdom of heaven.
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God. As God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye the separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Cor 6:16-18
Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things, cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye, therefore, partakers with them. For ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of light, (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth.) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Eph 5:6-11
Abstain from all appearance of evil. 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.
Thess 5:22-23
If perhaps you are still not convinced that we should remove these pagan traditions from our lives, please remember that paganism in your life, whether innocent or on purpose, is an open door through which the devil has the right to enter to bring us discomfort, illness, and problems. If we do not want these things in our lives we must hold on to the truth. Let us recognize that these traditions can be very important to us and our families and can be very difficult to abandon. Many understand the truth of this information and immediately put these traditions aside. For others, it is more difficult. Sometimes it takes a few years. The important thing is that you hand over your traditions to the Lord and that you are willing to let Him change you. If you do this, you will be blessed and you will grow in your walk with God. May He bless you.
Kevin Simba's Communion By Elder Doug & Sister Judi Smith, Kenya
Before we returned to Kenya this past July, we found out that Job Simba, Hulda Simba's last born child, had died. Job was a nurse in Tanzania, and was young (35), fit, and healthy.
This was a big blow to the family because he was the only one with a good education, a job, and supported the extended family financially.
We arrived back in Kenya and made plans to visit Hulda on Sunday morning. The Simbas worship at home as they don't have extra money to travel to their nearest church. This family has a good understanding of the restored church. The gospel of Jesus Christ changed Hulda's life, saving her from alcoholism and the lifestyle that resulted. So, she teaches and prays for her children and grandchildren.
Getting ready for worship in front of Hulda's home.
Betty, Hulda, and Kevin
Since it was the first Sunday of August, we had communion. As Doug served, he noticed that Hulda's remaining son, Kevin, did not take communion. Later, Doug asked him why, and Kevin explained that he had "back slid", and wondered if he should be rebaptised. This gave Doug the opportunity to explain that it isn't our sin that makes us unworthy but our unwillingness to repent and forsake our sin. He encouraged Kevin to think about this, as communion reestablishes our connection with the heavenly Father.
Weeks after Job's burial, when Doug was back in the US for the priesthood assembly at Kirtland, Ohio, I visited Hulda's family for Sunday worship. I learned that the 3 younger grandchildren were wanting to be baptised, and that day I had talked about the ordinances of the church, so the idea of baptisms was timely. I prayed that God would provide the opportunity for all this to come together.
Doug returned from the U. S, and plans were made the following Sunday to do the grandchildren's baptisms at the closest branch in Lisana, since there were also a few young people there wanting to make their covenant too. Picking up the Simba family at their home in Katolo, we travelled to Lisana and had the baptisms in the water hole.
Water hole, Lisana
Afterwards, we joined together for the confirmations and shared in communion. Kevin joined in taking communion this time, and later as we talked with him, we learned that he had not had communion for 10 years. My heart felt for him as I could only imagine how it would be to not feel like God loved me or couldn't forgive me because of the mistakes I made. Kevin wanted to walk in a new path, and said he felt the communion was like medicine for a spiritual healing. I had never thought of communion as a medicine, but it does make sense - medicine for a healing that brings love,
joy, peace and more when we remember the covenant we have made with God.
Scattered Saints' poetry
I came to the garden to pray,
Instead, I saw two toddlers play.
More ministering than flowers,
More beautiful the powers,
Are God's great plans for us each day. By Anonymous
The scattered Saints section needs Christ centred contributions from all the scattered Saints. Please pray about your composition, and email the editor at australianrestorationnews@gmail.com, or reply via post. All contributions will be considered anonymous, unless advised otherwise. Examples include yarns, memoirs, testimony, comic strips, poetry, short play scripts, eulogies, art, lyrics, book excerpts etc.
Saints' Birthdays
Rebecca Melling 8th; Neville Churchill 9th; Ted Morris 12th; Janice Kerswell 14th; Joanne Kerswell 17th; Nikolas Game 19th; Sue Parker 22nd; Luke Scott 27th; Del Churchill 30th
Prayer List
Jan Kerswell & family; Ron Mitchell, Gary Rowlatt, Ellen Sheppard, Rey Maranan, Menchie Baugan, Cecilia Cash, Jenefer Narino. We thank the Lord for Al Kerswell and Dawn Mackrell, who passed away in November.
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Activity schedule for December 2023
Kingston Restoration Branch
17-19 Juers Street, Kingston QLD
Pastor: Elder Neville Churchill
Phone: 07 3848 8209 (AEST)
Sun 3rd 8:45AM MORNING CLASS Elder Peter Churchill
9:00AM PREACHING SERVICE
Elder Murray Broughton
10:10AM SACRAMENT SERVICE Elder Gary Melling; and
Priest Glenn Kerswell
Tues 5th 6:30PM FAMILY CLASS Elder Peter Churchill
Wed 6th 3:00PM KIDS CLASS
Sister Charise Morris
6:30PM PRAYER SERVICE
Elder Murray Broughton
Sun 10th 8:45AM MORNING CLASS Elder Peter Archer
9:00AM PREACHING SERVICE
Elder Neville Churchill
10:10AM CLASS
Elder Neville Churchill
Mon 11th 6:30PM PRIESTHOOD MEETING
Tue 12th 6:30PM FAMILY CLASS Elder Peter Churchill
Wed 13th 3:00PM KIDS CLASS
Sister Charise Morris
6:30PM PRAYER SERVICE
Priest Glenn Kerswell
Sun 17th 8:45AM MORNING CLASS Elder Danny Archer
9:00AM PREACHING SERVICE
Elder Peter Archer
10:10AM CLASS
Elder Peter Churchill
Tue 19th 6:30PM FAMILY CLASS
Elder Peter Churchill
Wed 20th 3:00PM KIDS CLASS
Sister Charise Morris
6:30PM PRAYER SERVICE
Elder Danny Archer
Sun 24th 8:45AM MORNING CLASS Elder Danny Archer
9:00AM PREACHING SERVICE
Elder Peter Churchill
10:10AM CLASS
Elder Gary Melling
Tues 26th 6:30AM FAMILY CLASS
Elder Peter Churchill
Wed 27th 3:00PM KIDS CLASS
Sister Charise Morris
6:30PM PRAYER SERVICE
Elder Peter Archer
Sun 31st 9:00AM ONLINE WORSHIP Elder Neville and
Sister Del Churchill
If you would like to attend online, please request an email link through Elder Danny Archer at danny@inbeta.org.
If you have any Easter Reunion 2024 suggestions or questions, please contact Elder Peter Churchill at petenleechurchill@gmail.com or 0429 542 010.
