The Ensign. Zarahemla Branch Members of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. October, 2004 Newsletter

Transcription

1 The Ensign Zarahemla Branch Members of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints October, 2004 Newsletter Pastor s Corner Elder Bob Moore Perhaps it is simply marketing numerous competing businesses vying for customers. Perhaps it is materialism American s want to accumulate more goods than their parents or their neighbors. Perhaps it is a matter of mobility people wanting to go more, do more, and see more. Perhaps it is a matter information unlimited access in books or the Internet to countless bits of data. Perhaps it is a matter of opportunity a seemingly unending assortment of offerings for self-gratification, selfimprovement, and self-fulfillment. Perhaps it is a consequence of affluence too much luxury and too few challenges. Perhaps it is a conspiracy a vicious, outside attempt to undermine our culture, nation, and religion. Whatever the cause, we are continually assaulted by a variety of competing and overwhelming forces. Not only do they assault us individually and besiege us as a body of believers, their worse work is against our respective families. As our families go, so goes the nation. Our families are not doing very well. Over half of our marriages end in divorce. Over half of our school-age children come from broken homes and blended families. Too many elementary students are latchkey kids. Child abuse and sexual assaults on minors occur almost daily. We entertain ourselves with stories about dysfunctional families. These family problems are reflected in our institutions such as our church and nation. Lack of commitment to each other and to the larger group is a growing problem. Loyalty and sacrifice are waning. If we are going to improve our institutions, we must first improve our families. Each year over a million children graduate from high school to take their place in our society as voters, workers, and parents. For every year that we allow our families to reflect the eroded values circulating in our culture, we send over a million children into their adulthood carrying those diminished values. By improving the quality of our homes, we can improve the quality of our children that we send into the adult world. One way our branch can improve the quality of our families is through family devotions. Daily Christian devotions within a family s activities provide a host of advantages. They provide a purpose that is greater than the individual, a nobleness that is worthy of loyalty and sacrifice. They provide a check to temptations, a knowledge that tomorrow we must face the God whom we are now enticed to disobey. They provide trust, faith that God is watching over us as we try to do his will. They provide optimism, a belief that God is working all things to our good. They provide equality, each family member, whether child or adult, has the same relationship to God. They provide communication, each family member exposes his heart in his prayers and devotional expressions. Despite the advantages, many families find it difficult to hold daily family devotions. The press of work, school, and household chores often overrides the need for devotions. Scheduling family devotions is simply a matter of discipline. But discipline without an agenda and materials is fruitless. A family may set aside time for devotions, but without planned activities that provide sufficiently meaningful devotions, ones that increase excitement for future devotions, the will to regularly schedule family devotions becomes difficult. At this September s meeting, the priesthood advised the creation of a position called Family Coordinator. Its task is to provide outlines, themes, resources, and perhaps materials for family devotions. I am in the process of trying to fill that position. Our families can prepare for its implementation by discussing how and when they want to schedule family devotions. I believe that every family, whether it be one with just small children, to those with no children, should schedule a regular time for family devotions. Once our Family Coordinator begins providing devotional helps, we invite our families to implement them. Regular observance of our Family Devotional Activities by all our members will increase the quality of our families, bond our family members more closely to each other, increase the quality of our corporate spirituality, bond the members of our branch more closely together, and better insulate all of us from the forces that assault our lives, besiege our homes, and threaten our peace.

2 Quote from compilation of quotes called: God of Our Fathers May the God of Wisdom, Strength, and Power, the Lord of the armies of Israel, inspire us with prudence in this time of danger; take away from us all the seeds of contention and division, and unite the hearts and counsels of all of us, of whatever sect of nation, in one bond of peace, brotherly love, and generous public spirit. May He give us strength and resolution to amend our lives, and remove from among us every thing which is displeasing to Him; afford us His most gracious protection, confound the designs of our enemies, and give us peace in all our borders. Benjamin Franklin Plain Truth November 14, 1747 Brad and Family Brad was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan and raised in Michigan. Jeri (Bauman) was born in San Bernardino, California and raised in California, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri just about everywhere. She met Brad at a pool party for a coed softball team at the campus pool. Her roommate, Darcy Brotherton then proceeded to Set her up on a blind date with Brad while Darcy went with someone that Brad worked for. The rest is HISTORY. They were married September 1, 1984 at the Blue Ridge RLDS Church. Brad is an IT manager for GE Insurance and Jeri keeps busy with the awesome occupation of wife and mother, as well as being an aerobic instructor. They have two daughters: Ashley and Heather. Brad serves as an elder in our branch and enjoys reading, cycling, hunting and fishing, while Jeri enjoys exercising, cross-stitching, cooking and playing the piano. Ashley likes to read and play the piano. As a senior, she keeps very busy with school activities. Heather enjoys sports, music and playing with their animals. Relatives include her sister Kelly Canfield and family and Brad s parents, Roger and Georgia Gault. Tim was born in Buchanan, Michigan and raised there and in Independence. Kelly (Bauman) was born in Claire, Michigan and raised in Oregon, Iowa and Missouri, (also just about EVERYWHERE). They met at Enoch Hill and were married March 23, 1984 in Miami, Oklahoma. Tim is a US Postal carrier and Kelly teaches at CPRS. They are blessed with three children: Jenna Marie, Alyssa June, and Andrew Victor. Tim holds the office of Elder in the church. He enjoys old church books, fishing, canoeing and camping. Kelly likes to cook, sew, crochet, music, decorating and serving others. Jenna (19) is a freshman at Truman State majoring in micro-biology. She loves to cross-stitch and watch the West Wing. Alyssa (18) is a senior at CPRS and works at Auntie Annes Pretzel at Independence Center. She loves reading and watching movies. Andrew (9) is a third grader at CPRS and loves playing soccer at BVAC. He plays on a team named the Extreme. He has a gentle and loving spirit and serves the Lord as best as he can, this matters greatly to him. He also loves animals. Tim also is skilled as a stone and brick mason, and he and Kelly love history, especially how our country was founded. Family and friends mean a great deal to Tim and Kelly. Relatives in and around the area include: Kelly s sister, and family, Vic and Wilmajune Canfield, Don and Bernie Schoenamann, Todd and Cindy Schoenamann, Dennis and Judy Seymour, Robin & Sonny Hahn, Roy and Tara Heart, Ryan Schoenaman, Chris and Crissandra Seymour, Scott and Christy Seymour, Denise and Carl Barker, Tina and Scott Duncan and Tracy and Tina Craig. If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please call Marilyn ( or work ) OR it to Marilyn (mholey1@comcast.net), put it in the NEWSLETTER BOX OR give it to me at church. Deadline for the November Newsletter will be October 24th, This Newsletter will be distributed on Sunday, October 31st, 2004 Thank you for supporting the congregational newsletter. Marilyn James

3 Musical Schedule October 3rd Jill Moore Jill Moore October 10th Debbie Bellville Sylvia Thomas October 17th Jill Moore October 24th October 31st Jill Moore Linda Drown Special Music Schedule October 10th DJ Falconer & Jennifer Rafferty October 17th Verlma Engle, Sharon Francis & Shelley Lierz THIS MONTH IN CHURCH HISTORY October 31, 1833 A mob attacked a branch of the Church in Jackson County, Missouri despite Governor Dunklin's promise to enforce the law. October 27, 1838 Governor L. W. Boggs, to his lasting infamy, sent out his order for exterminating the Mormons. The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State, if necessary, for the public good. October 30, 1838 A mob attacked the Mormon settlement at Haun's Mill killing 17 and wounding several others. October 31, 1838 Joseph Smith and several other brethren were betrayed by George M. Hinkle and turned-over to the mob militia near Far West. October 21, 1848 At a special conference at Council Bluffs, Iowa, Oliver Cowdery made these remarks: Friends and brethren, my name is Cowdery- Oliver Cowdery. In the early history of this church I stood identified with her, and one in her councils. True it is that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. Not because I was better than the rest of mankind was I called; but, to fulfill the purposes of God, he called me to a high and holy calling. I wrote, with my own pen, the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages), as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as he translated it by the gift and power of God, by the means of the Urim and Thummin, or, as it is called by that book, 'holy interpreters.' I beheld with my eyes and handled with my hands the gold plates from which it was translated. I also saw with my eyes and handled with my hands the 'holy interpreters.' That book is true. Sidney Rigdon did not write it. Mr. Spalding did not write it. I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the Prophet. October 24th October 31st Elaine, Rachel, Janet & Ruth Linda Drown & Sylvia Thomas BOOK OF MORMON TRIVIA Question: Which Book of Mormon personage is the first and only to mention the name of the Liahona? Devotion Schedule for October 10/03/04 Patrick McKay family 10/10/04 Tim Canfield family 10/17/04 Lloyd Stilwell family 10/24/04 Dean Falconer family 10/31/04 Rolland James family Tim and Kelly Canfield Family BOOK OF MORMON WORD SCRAMBLE Unscramble the following names found in the Book of Mormon: 1) HRSIAA 2) PIHEN 3) LAAM 4) KALUME 5) ROAMZ ANSWERS TO LAST MONTHS TRIVIA 1828

4 If I were the devil By Paul Harvey I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world; I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man s effort, instead of God s blessings; I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around; I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue; I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership; I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies; I would make it socially acceptable to take one s own life, and invent machines to make it convenient; I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that the life of animals are valued more than human beings; I would take God out of the schools, where even the mention of His name was grounds for a lawsuit; I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I would get sports heroes to advertise them; I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the mind of every family member for my agenda; I would attack the family, the backbone of any nation; I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family crumbles, so does the nation; I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movie screens, and I would call it art; I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that their lifestyles should be accepted and marveled I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who call themselves authorities and refer to their agenda as politically correct; I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, and the Bible is for the naïve; I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional; I guess I would leave things pretty much the way they are!!! MEMORY VERSE FOR OC- TOBER Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is His grace sufficient for you, that by His grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in no wise deny the power of God. Moroni 10:29 Beginning this month, we will provide monthly themes. October s theme is The Savior s Grace. In addition, a specific scripture is selected for each Sunday and Wednesday. They are chosen as aids for our worship. Each member, as well as those who will be providing ministry in our serves, can use those scriptures to focus his attention on the theme. Families may choose to use the theme and scriptures in their devotions. Using a monthly theme not only allows each member to focus on the same topic, it helps unite our thinking. In a time of diversification, it helps to draw us together. We invite members and ministers alike to implement the monthly theme and selected scriptures. Congregational Tidbits If you have any testimonies that you would like to share with the congregation and the readers of our newletters, please write them down and put them in the newsletter box. You would be surprised at how much everyone loves to read testimonies of their brothers and sisters. This can serve to strengthen everyone who reads the newsletter. If we have been blessed with a testimony from our Lord, then it is our responsibility to share that testimony with as many as we can. This is what helps us develop our faith. Please sit down and write them NOW. Share your thoughts with us. Also as always, share any news of your children, parents, grandparents or family. Everyone is interested in sharing the joy of others with newsworthy items. Verneil Simmons will again be teaching the adult Sunday School class through October.

5 ACTIVITY CALENDAR Zarahemla Branch october 2004 S M T W Th F S II Nephi 1:71-72 : Patrick McKay Preaching: Tim Canfield 6:00 : Ren Thomas Topic: Wesley Hymns 4 Priesthood meeting at the church 5 6 Ren Thomas II Nephi 7: Helaman 4:71 : Bill Anderson Preaching: Rolland James 6:00 : Dean Falconer Speaker: Patrick McKay Preaching: 17 D&C 50:8d : Vern Drown Preaching: Cloyce Coffman POTLUCK 6:00 : Bob Moore Religio 24 I Corinthians 15:10 : Dean Falconer Preaching: Rex Curtis 6:00 : Jim McKay Speaker: Brad Gault 31 Ether 5:41 : Bob Moore Preaching: Ren Thomas 6:00 : Tim Canfield Speaking: The Howens Patrick McKay Ether 5:27-28 Vern Drown Jacob 3:8 Brad Gault Joint Retreat with South Branch. Friday night and Saturday. Wait and Watch for details

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