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Thursday, April 2, 2026
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Give Back Hope International News
Give Back Hope International News Help Launch These Young Lives Into Their Future For some time now, we at Give Back Hope International have been prayerfully considering how best to equip the young people in our Youth Home to become capable, independent adults—able to support themselves in the challenging economic environment they will face in Malawi. Since opening our doors in 2015, we are now seeing the fruit of that investment. Several of our young people have reached the age of responsibility, with more soon to follow. We are especially proud of one young woman, Chisomo, who is completing her second year at university, studying to become a math and science teacher. She already has promising job prospects, and we are incredibly encouraged by her future. In addition, we have five students—three young men and two young women—currently enrolled in vocational training programs. As they prepare to graduate and step into independence, we have been intentionally teaching them life skills, especially in financial management. To support this, we introduced an Allowance Program. Each student receives a weekly amount to manage on their own, with two guiding principles:
At first, spending was focused on small pleasures like snacks and sodas, which was expected. But as graduation draws near, we’ve seen a remarkable shift—these young people are choosing to save more and think ahead. Each week, they submit an expense report to the Board, tracking both spending and savings. We also asked each student to reflect on their future: where they would live, whether they had family support, and how they planned to earn a living. With limited employment opportunities in Malawi, most expressed a desire to start their own small businesses. To help them prepare, each student created three detailed budgets:
This exercise was eye-opening. They quickly realized how quickly expenses add up. When asked how they would bridge the gap between their savings and their projected needs, each student presented thoughtful, creative plans—raising chickens or ducks, working part-time, running small food stands, or combining multiple income streams. Not one was discouraged. Instead, they showed determination and resilience. Finally, we asked if they felt prepared for life after graduation. Each one responded with confidence—they are ready. The three young men are training as welders, and the two young women as seamstresses. However, one significant barrier remains: the cost of equipment needed to begin their work. They have reached Graduation in April of this year . Our on-site teacher, Mike Chilumpha, has helped us determine the startup costs:
These tools are essential—they represent the difference between having skills and having a livelihood. If you feel led to help give these young people a true start in life, we invite you to partner with us. Contributions can be made to Give Back Hope International and designated to the: Education Fund P.O. Box 108 Independence, MO 64051 Or, you can make a one time donation on our website link to PayPal. www.givebackhopeintl.org Questions or additional information on individual students please send an email to: Your support would be a tremendous blessing and a life-changing investment in their future. With gratitude, Rowena Hughes Youth Vocational Leader Give Back Hope International |
Mary "Pamela" Price Obituary
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Mary "Pamela" Price Obituary October 17, 1926 — March 18, 2026 Loving mother, faithful wife, and servant of Jesus Christ, Mary Pamela (Kirksey) Price of Independence, Missouri, passed on to her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 18, at age ninety-nine, after living a life of devotion and service to the Lord. Pamela was born on October 17, 1926, in Fisher, Arkansas, to Jesse LeRoy and Ethel May (Sanders) Kirksey. As an infant, she was blessed by Elders A. E. Ziegenhorn and S. S. Smith of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). She was baptized into the RLDS Church at age twelve in August 1939. She started serving the Church as a pianist and Sunday school teacher when she was twelve, and she continued serving in various RLDS congregations and independent Restoration branches for many decades. In her later years, she attended Glendale Restoration Branch in Independence, Missouri. Pamela graduated from the Fisher, Arkansas, high school in 1944 as class valedictorian. After moving to Independence, Missouri, she met Richard David Price. They were married on July 6, 1948. From 1949 to 1950, they lived in Washington State where Richard was employed as a teacher and Pamela attended Yakima Business College, before the family returned to Independence. Always eager to promote the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, she and Richard were instrumental in founding Cumorah Books in 1975 and Restoration Voice magazine in 1978, which were both dedicated to that goal. She served there as a board member and editor until 2001. In 1984, she and Richard founded Price Publishing Company, and in 1989, they opened the Restoration Bookstore and began publishing Vision magazine. Pamela remained active as a contributing member and decision maker on the company's board of directors to the very end. Richard and Pamela co-authored several books, including the set of books, Joseph Smith Fought Polygamy. In addition, Pamela wrote many books and articles of her own, and edited hundreds more. As a result of their combined writing efforts, as well as their establishment of the Restoration Bookstore, Pamela and Richard kept alive the fundamental beliefs of the RLDS Church. Pamela was predeceased by her husband, Richard; both parents; her sister, Rachel Ione Brewer; and her brothers, Joseph LeRoy and Nathan Paul Kirksey. She is survived by her brother, Anthony Richard Kirksey and his wife, Marsha, of Lebanon, Missouri. She is also survived by her three children: Amelia Fay (Price) Villers, of Independence, Missouri; Lila Rae (Price) Costa and her husband, Albert, of Forney, Texas; and David Mark Price and his wife, Charney, of Newton, Kansas. She also leaves nine grandchildren: David Villers and his wife, Sarah, of Independence, Missouri; Norman Kaleimamahu and his wife, Ashley, of Forney, Texas; Keenan Costa of Dallas, Texas; Matthew Price and his wife, Joanna, of Wichita, Kansas; Dustin Price of Wichita, Kansas; Victoria (Price) Gilmer and her husband, Josh, of Jacksonville, Florida; Tiare Akana of Oahu, Hawaii; Jason Blank and his wife, Crystal, of Spring, Texas; and Aaron Blank of Wichita, Kansas. In addition, she leaves eleven great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th Street, in Independence, Missouri. The funeral service will also be held at Speaks Suburban Chapel on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The burial will follow the funeral and will be held at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, Missouri. Donations in memory of Pamela Price may be made to Price Publishing Company (or Restoration Bookstore), 915 E. 23 rd Street S., Independence. |
Celestial Law God's Law
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Book Notes March 25, 2026 We have a NEW BOOK! Celestial Law • God’s Law by Harvey William Bennett 142 pages $8.00 Elder Harvey Bennett wrote this book in 1980 and revised it in 1982 and 1998. With the permission of his children, I have edited his work and prepared it for printing. When we read these paragraphs, do we wonder what they mean? “Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise, I cannot receive her unto myself” (Doctrine and Covenants 102:2c). “For he who is not able to abide the law of the celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory” (Doctrine and Covenants 85:5b). What is the law of the celestial kingdom? Where do we find it? And how do we abide it? Evidently we need to learn more about the celestial law if it is so important to the establishment of Zion and to celestial glory. Most of us are so accustomed to living according to man’s law that we may not realize that the celestial law is God’s law. This book will assist us to learn and to practice the principles of God’s law. We have used this material in our adult church school class for several months and have found it to be quite worthwhile for both discussion and action. Here are the chapter titles: Launching Out into the Deep The Nature and Purpose of Celestial Law God’s Power within the Celestial Law Love—The Foundation of the Law Agency—Response Through Self‑Will Accountability—Stewardship for Eternity Faith—Moving toward Knowledge Obedience—The Vehicle to Fulfillment Prayer—Communication with God Fasting—Attitude and Action Testimony—Affirmation of Involvement Diligence—Perseverance by Faith Sacrifice—Our Reasonable Service Endowment—The Channel of Divine Power Unity—That We May Be One Harmony—Concert in Righteousness A Closing Message from the Author We suggest that you get more than 1 copy of this title so you can read and study together with others. Remember that we offer a $1.00 discount on each new or used book that is priced at $5.00 or more when you purchase three or more books at a time (mix or match titles). This discount does not apply at conferences and reunions. We are offering the following new books at sale prices through April 30, 2026. Preview these books at Newbookman.blogspot.com. (Note: Books on sale do not qualify for an additional $1.00 discount.) This is a great time to purchase some excllent reading material—for yourself and/or for friends. 70 Favorite Restoration Hymns $4.00 Book of Mormon Stories for Beginning Readers $4.00 Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy compiled by George Gross $5.00 Discovering the Book of Mormon and Its Gospel Gems by Frank L. Stribling $6.00 Emma Smith, the Elect Lady by Margaret Gibson $6.00 God’s Great Enterprise by Priscilla (Pat) Carrick $5.00 Gomer T. Griffiths: An Autobiography $6.00 Master’s Touch I by Mildred Nelson Smith $8.00 Master’s Touch II by Mildred Nelson Smith $10.00 Ministry in the Home $4.00 Miracle of the Cardinals by Pat Chadwick $8.00 Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, The, by Evan A. Fry $6.00 Samuel the Lamanite by C. Houston Hobart $6.00 Study Guide to the Endowment by Priscilla (Pat) Carrick $5.00 Study in Isaiah, A by Priscilla (Pat) Carrick $5.00 Tell My People by Walter Weldon $6.00 Tower Cookery by Graceland Mothers Club, 1950 $6.00 What’s Your Heart’s Desire? by Barbara Wilkinson $6.00 To order, e-mail to PaulVLudy@gmail.com or call 816-210-8450. I will ship with an invoice and envelope for your payment or deliver in the Independence, MO, area for $2.00. |
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD MARCH 26, 2026
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD MARCH 26, 2026
Blessings and greetings to the Saints,
Are you living in God’s Kingdom, your own kingdom, or the Babylon kingdom?
If not sure, it may be time to take stock of ourselves, or as Paul says in I Corinthians 11:28 and II Corinthians 13:5 (...examine yourself…” It will be better if we examine ourselves and seek to set our lives in a more perfect order in Jesus Christ than to face the judgment of God. Of course, we will find ourselves at the Judgment Bar of God, but it will go better if we have made the effort to cleanse ourselves first.
Doctrine and Covenants 85:20 makes this much clearer. 20a Behold, I will hasten my work in its time; and I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last kingdom, a commandment that you assemble yourselves together, and organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves; 20b yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands and your feet before me, that I may make you clean, 20c that I may testify unto your Father, and your God, and my God, that you are clean from the blood of this wicked generation, that I may fulfill this promise, this great and last promise which I have made unto you, when I will.
It certainly seems that God is “hastening His work,” as we are near the end of the third month of this year, and in light of DC 83:16 e, f; 16e Woe, I say again, unto that house, or that village, or city that rejecteth you, or your words, or your testimony of me; for I, the Almighty, have laid my hands upon the nations to scourge them for their wickedness;
16f and plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness,
16f and plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness,
How should we respond to God’s plan? By obedience! By choosing to act according to His will as revealed in reason, our conscience, and above all in His written Word, we ascribe to Him the glory due Him. We must jealously guard our affections, reserving the adoration that He deserves for Him alone. We must lovingly care for His creation, including the many fellow souls whom He brings across our paths.
Above all, we must avail ourselves of His gracious provision of mercy and forgiveness through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ. At that point, He performs another creative act, for “if any man live in Christ, he is a new creature [or creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
This Sunday, March 29, 2026 is Palm Sunday, which many refer to as “Holy Week” or the last week in the earthly life of Jesus Christ. Take time to review the last chapters in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and refresh your memory regarding the great sacrifice Jesus made for you.
God bless
Paul Gage
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