The Ensign. Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. February Pastor s Corner Elder Brad Gault

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1 The Ensign Pastor s Corner Elder Brad Gault Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints February 2009 After the martyrdom of Joseph Smith Jr. and Hyrum Smith, the usurpation of power was clearly evident in men like Brigham Young. As he rose to power he coerced, forced and even threatened the saints to pay ten percent of their annual income as tithing. Because of this, in the early days of the Reorganization, many were reluctant to follow the financial law. During this difficult time, Joseph Smith III wrote a tract to the Church instructing them on the basic tenants of the law of tithing and letting them know that only when leaders were in apostasy that it was not appropriate to pay tithing. Many have had similar feelings during the past 25 or so difficult years. Without a Bishop and feeling that our liberties were in jeopardy we gave some to our local Branches but wondered whether or not (or how) we should pay our tithing. Given the recent events in the life of the Church and the appointment of a Bishop s Agent in our Branch, perhaps the wise counsel that Joseph gave the early saints of the Reorganization is worthy of our consideration today. In his tract he concisely states the law of tithing; Here, then, is the law and the only law, by which Zion and her stakes can be built up. The standing law for the priesthood, as well as the people forever. 1 st. The saints are to be tithed of their surplus. 2 nd. Those who have paid their surplus are to pay one tenth of their interest [which is their gains] annually. 3 rd. The tithing and consecrations are to be used for the relief of the poor, for their support, also for the building of the temple, laying the foundation of Zion, for the priesthood, &c. 4 th. The tithings and the consecrations should be laid before the bishop and his counselors; and, therefore, not be put into the hands of the president of the church. 5 th. Those who gather to Zion, or her stakes, and will not obey this law, shall not be found worthy to abide among you. 6 th. Every man is accountable to God, a steward over his own property, whether he gained that property by his own labors or received it by gift (consecration), from the bishop. Our nature wants us to view the law of tithing as onerous. We want the bounty and goods that the world offers and we find it difficult to give because we will not be able to get what we want. What we fail to see is that this is bondage. The principle of stewardship and the law of tithing are what free us from the bondage of materialism and want. When we realize that what we possess does not belong to us but rather belongs to Him who gives us life and breath, giving becomes what we want. Again in his tract, Joseph III says; The law of tithing, when faithfully executed, oppresses no one, deprives no on of any thing they really need. It is designed to supply want, instead of creating and increasing it. The law of tithing, as found in the books, proclaims equality, and liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1). It lifts up, and gladdens the heart of the poor, of the aged, and of the infirm. As it is the offspring of love, so it is sustained by love. The church cannot be organized fully without it, and Zion cannot be sanctified without it; and if the saints, in their gathered condition, are not organized to it, they will be cut off (D. & C. 51:1a). Pastor s Corner continued on next page.

2 ( Pastor s Corner continued from previous page) Jesus clearly taught the same principles in the parable of the foolish rich man. And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast in the oven; how much more will he provide for you, if ye are not of little faith? Therefore, seek not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind; For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your Father who is in heaven knoweth that ye have need of these things. (Luke 12:17, 30-32) Our focus in February will be on stewardship and the law of tithing. Scriptures have been selected for Sunday s and Wednesday s for your consideration. Early in the month, Doug Trahern, our Bishops Agent will be teaching a class on the mechanics of filing a tithing statement. For many of us, this is not something that we have done in a number of years. As we begin this year and especially this month, we would like to encourage each member of our Branch to give serious and prayerful consideration to the law of tithing and the principle of stewardship. And, whether you have done so every year, or have not done so in a number of years, to give the same serious and prayerful consideration to filing a tithing statement. The promise is sure; whoso is found a faithful, a just, and a wise steward, shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life. (Section 51:5b) Let our richness be toward God. Amber Marshall was baptized by Priest Brian Marshall. February 1st MORNING DEVOTIONS FOR JANUARY 2009 Lloyd Stilwell Family Amber Marshall was Confirmed by Elder Charles Zerr and Seventy Neil Simmons. February 8th February 15th February 22th Bonner Davis Family Doug Trahern Family Joshua McKay Family

3 HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINTS Eliminate ear mites. All it takes is a few drops of Wesson Corn Oil in your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing. Kills fleas instantly. Dawn Dishwashing Liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas. Rainy day cure for dog odor: Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh. Did you know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers? Did you know that Colgate Toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns? Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose. Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 tablespoon horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles. Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria. Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-even though the product was never been advertised for this use. Honey remedy for skin blemishes...cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight. Listerine therapy for toenail fungus: Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine Mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again. Easy eyeglass protection...to prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear Nail Polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them. Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer...if menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly. Smart splinter remover: Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue. Be sure to pull in the direction the splinter went into the skin. Hunt's Tomato Paste boil cure...cover the boil with Hunt's Tomato Paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head. Balm for broken blisters...to disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic. Vinegar to heal bruises...soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process. Quaker Oats for fast pain relief...it's not for breakfast any more!ï ½ Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

4 February 1st February 8th February 15th February 22th Musical Schedule Devotion - Becky Pement Worship - Jeri Gault Evening - Sharon Francis Devotions - Jeri Gault Worship - Jill Moore Evening - Jeri Gault Devotion - Kevin McMilian Worship - Sharon Francis Evening - Jill Moore Devotions - Sharon Francis Worship - Jill Moore Evening - Becky Pement FEBRUARY Activities 2 Priesthood meeting at the church at 7 District conference at Independence from 2:00 until 4:00 pm 8 District Worship Service at Zarahemla 6:00 pm 9 Women s meeting at the church at 13 Zion s Builders 6:30pm-8:00pm Make Valentine table decorations 14 VALENTINE S DAY DINNER 6:00 pm 15 Pot Luck after church - Theme is Your Presidential Favorites February 8th - ************************* Special Music Jenna Canfield February 15th - Curtis Family February 22th - Rolland & Marilyn James 15 District Worship Service at Zarahemla 6:00 pm 20 Zion s League 6:30 pm at Josh & Danielle McKay s home. Pizza and a Movie 22 Religio 6:00 pm Bring snacks 26 Youth Class at Shirley Andrews Feb JCRB Priesthood Retreat at Geneseo, Illinois FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 1 Brad Gault 1 Heather Gault 1 Roger Gault 1 Shane Prather 4 Jake Trahern 8 Patrick McKay II 13 Michelle Nelson 13 Lloyd Stilwell 16 Penny Curtis 25 Rebekah Trahern 28 Rolland James If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please call Marilyn OR it to Marilyn (mholey1@comcast.net)(marilyn.counts@gmail.com) put it in the NEWSLETTER BOX OR give it to me at church. BUT PLEASE JUST SHARE WITH US IN THE NEWSLETTER. Deadline for the March, 2009 newsletter will be Sunday, February 22, 2009 and will be distributed on Sunday March 1, Thank you for supporting the congregational newsletter. Marilyn James

5 ACTIVITY CALENDAR Zarahemla Branch FEBRUARY 2009 S M T W Th F S 1 D & C 42:8-9 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Chuck Perry Preaching: Stew Williams 6:00 pm Evening Service Doug Trahern Class 2 Priesthood Meeting at the church 3 4 D & C 51:5b Prayer Service Presiding: Rex Curtis Assisting: Rolland James District Conference 2:00-4:00 pm at Independence Branch 8 D & C 72:1c-d 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Brad Gault Preaching: Craig Moore 6:00 pm Evening Service District Preaching 9 Women s Meeting at the church Mosiah 2:43 Prayer Service Presiding: Ron Buckles Assisting: Jerry Gerber Zion s Builders 6:30-8pm Make Valentine Table Decorations 14 District Youth 12:30-2:30 pm Sugar Creek Gym Valentine s Day Party 6:00pm 15 D & C 70:3 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Doug Trahern Preaching: Al Gatrost POT LUCK AFTER CHURCH Jacob 2:22-24 Prayer Service Presiding: Tim Canfield Assisting: Josh Trahern Zion s League 6:30pm At Josh & Danielle McKay s Pizza and a Movie 21 6:00 pm Evening Service District Preaching 22 D & C 101:2c-g 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Bob Moore Preaching: Neil Simmons Alma16:220 Prayer Service Presiding: Bob Moore 26 Youth Class at Shirley Andrews 7:00pm :00 pm Evening Service Dean Falconer Assisting: Max Hawley

6 Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 502 Southwest 17th Street Blue Springs, MO 64015

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