The Restoration Letter

Transcription

1 The Restoration Letter ZION'S OUTPOST BRANCH 1733 NORTHEAST PARKWAY, WICHITA, KANSAS July/August 1990 Vol. 5 No. 4 ZION'S CAMP CITIZEN'S OF THE KINGDOM - A REVIEW Zion's Camp 1990 consisted of nine classes that centered on the theme "Citizen's of the Kingdom." This years camp was held on July 6,7,8. Class 1 Steve Anders taught the first class on Friday night. He spoke about the qualities which must be in the lives of those who seek to enter the Kingdom of God. Steve reviewed the Restoration scriptures about the Kingdom and pointed out the need for us to develop the Kingdom within our hearts as well as projecting these qualities into our daily activities. Those who enter the Kingdom of God must sense the unholiness of their worldly live and in faith through Christ so they may become "the pure in heart." Class 2 David Newman taught the first class on Saturday which dealt with the grace of God. He began by asking the question, "Is man by nature a citizen of the Kingdom of God?" Of course the answer is no, none are worthy of the Kingdom. In spite of this Jesus offers the Kingdom to us and this is by the grace of God. David said the grace is the love and protection of God which he freely gives to man as an act of love. Mercy, he said, is a synonym for grace. He described that while all are under the grace of God, not all are aware of it or participate fully in its benefits. This class promoted much good discussion. Class 3 Sister Barbara Giertz led a class on "The Ministry of Women and Zion Building." This class offered good insights into the kinds of ministry that women can, and must, offer for the flourishing of the Kingdom of God. One excellent "pearl" for women was the use of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as a key to understanding Proverbs 31, about the virtuous woman. She is described as doing so many things that many women are discouraged by thinking that they must do all of these things all the time. Barbara said that the Lord helped her to see that the virtuous woman does these things only as they are required in their season. Class 4 Gary Whiting taught a class on agency. He reviewed what agency is and why it was given to mankind. He said that the scriptures do not teach that agency is freedom of choice, but the freedom to choose. It was given for specific reasons by God and we are accountable to God for how we use it. He said that this life is designed by God so that we must make a choice in all things. Our use of agency is the basis upon which God can make a fair judgment of us all. God wishes for us to taste the bitter so that we may prize the good. As we choose the good, the Holy Spirit works

2 in us to make us holy, i.e., fit for the Kingdom of God. Class 5 Robert Giertz, through the use of some key scriptures, explained the ministry of the Aaronic priesthood in building Zion. The various offices in the Aaronic order are given to be shepherds and teachers to the people. Like shepherds the Teachers and Deacons, in particular, are to watch over the Church to protect it from harm and strengthen the Church through promoting unity and a love for the things of righteousness. The Priests are to be diligent in keeping the family life strong in the Church and promote the understanding and love for the Word of God. They are to be ministers of prayer. The ministry of the Aaronic order is to help the Saints grow up into the full stature of Jesus Christ and learn to trust in him. Class 6 We were happy to have Brother John Davies with us to teach this class. John is from Independence, MO. He taught about the ministry of the Melchisedec priesthood and its work in building Zion. He said, "The purpose of the Priesthood, as designed by God, is to bring souls unto Christ so that He can present them, without spot, unto the Father." John also said that it is a difficult thing to talk about because none of us know very much about this kind of ministry. In spite of this, John gave a very thought provoking class. Class 7 Jim Crawford, our Presiding Elder, spoke on the importance of keeping the commandments of God. Those who love Jesus, will keep his commandments, but in the final analysis there are only two commandments which we need to keep. Jesus said that if we love God and our neighbors, we have keep the greatest of the laws of God and everything hangs from these. Brother Jim pointed out that if those two laws are kept, the rest fall neatly into their proper places. Class 8 This class was taught by George Fowler, who lives in Odessa, MO. He was accompanied by his wife, Barbara. We are not sure if George is a visiting minister or not since he spent some time with us before he moved back to Odessa, but we are sure that it was good to have the Fowlers with us. George spoke about the covenant pattern which the Lord has established. By understanding the covenants, we can better appreciate the service we are to render to God. He also talked about the significance of the Jewish marriage patterns which are frequently referred to in the scriptures, especially by Jesus and Paul. Class 9 Laura Harris spoke about the importance of music and especially singing in the work of building Zion. The Lord's people have always sung and the Restoration has been no exception. From the earliest days, the Lord encouraged the Church to sing. Sister Harris reviewed many of the special hymns of the Restoration and the history of the Church's hymnals. Her class proved to be a very excellent prelude to the preaching ministry which followed. During the adult classes a number of people, under the coordination of David Price, provided teaching and oversight of the younger children of the branch. We are also thankful for the women who fixed Saturday's lunch and served the potluck on Sunday. Sister Marian Crawford and others worked very hard to provide this needed ministry. The weekend closed with a 2

3 July/August 1990a Volume 5 Number 4 preaching service. Gary Whiting preached, but God did the work through the Holy Ghost who edified all who were present.for this blessing we are grateful. We wish to give glory to God for his love and mercy. Praise also belongs to Jesus Christ, through whom we are saved into God's Kingdom. BRANCH SUPPORTS CALL FOR ORDINATION At the end of June, the call of David Price to the office of Aaronic Priest was presented to the people of Zion's Outpost Branch. Many of the Saints rose to bear witness to the divinity of the call's divine origin. Brother Price spoke of his assurance that the call was from God and pledged to serve to the best of his ability. The vote to support Brother Price in this calling and to accept his ministry was without dissent. He will be ordained in September. The branch looks forward to his ministry. GARDEN UPDATE Despite the hot weather which has covered our part of the country this summer, the Lord has still blessed us with produce from the garden. We have harvested some tomatoes, onions, green beans and squash. A few cantaloupes are now ready to pick. We also had a good crop of corn. Happily, some of this produce has gone to help families in Park City. We are grateful for the chance to help others from our labor, but are less quickly thankful for the blisters gained from weeding the garden. PRIEST QUORUM MEETS IN WICHITA The Oklahoma Priest Quorum met in Wichita on Saturday, August 11. Reports are that the meeting was graced by the Holy Spirit. We often hear good reports from the branches in Oklahoma that the Priests of the Quorum are doing a good job of ministry. ELDERS QUORUM MEETS IN SPERRY OKLAHOMA The Second Restoration Quorum of Elders met for the third time this year in Sperry, Oklahoma. Only about a third of the Quorum attended this meeting which was richly blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. After a period of prayer and testimony, the Quorum studied the question of the Sabbath day with Mike Hogan as our teacher. After lunch Dwight Burford led a class on faith and charity. A short worship closed the days activities. This Quorum will meet again in Sperry on November 10, KEVIN CORDER JOINS THE ARMY Several months ago Kevin Corder (his father is Cecil Corder) joined the Army on a delayed entry program. At the end of August, Kevin reported to Army boot camp in Georgia. His address is PVT Kevin Corder B. Co. 4/30 INF P.O.Box Ft. Benning, GA Room #215 His family and the saints of Zion's Outpost ask that you remember Kevin in prayers. You are

4 The Restoration Letter ENCOURAGED!!! to write. YOUTH CAMP IN OKLAHOMA BRINGS GREAT BLESSINGS Reports from this camp have been excellent. There was a powerful presence of the Spirit noted. We will give a full report in the next issue of this newsletter. INFLATION HITS THE PRICE FAMILY Everything seems to be going up these days. Like the number in the Price family. Victoria Marie Price was born on August 14. She weighed 9 lbs and 14 oz. and was 211/2 inches long. Her parents are David and Becky Price. Victoria is the third child born to the Prices. She has two big brothers, Matthew and Dustin. Congratulations David and Becky!! P.S. By the time the next newsletter arrives we should have some news about a new baby Burford also. FOUR CHILDREN BORN INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD On August 19, 1990 Jenny Meyer and Carmen Robles were baptized at Zion's Outpost Branch. On August 26, Cecil (C. J.) Corder and Mark Smith were baptized. All four were confirmed on August 26. After a baptismal charge by Priest Cecil Corder, Jenny Meyer was baptized by Elder David Newman and Carmen Robles was baptized by Elder Jim Crawford. C. J. Corder was baptized by his father, Priest Cecil Corder and Mark Smith was baptized by Elder Dwight Burford. Priest Bob Giertz brought the charge for C. J. and Mark. The confirmation service was presided over by Elder David Newman and Elder Gary Whiting brought remarks and instruction on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Following this the four were confirmed as follows: Carmen Robles by Elders David Newman and Jim Crawford, Mark Smith by Elders Gary Whiting and Dwight Burford, Jennifer Meyer by Elders Jim Crawford and David Newman, and C. J. Corder by Elders Dwight Burford and Gary Whiting. After each was confirmed they were given a special gift to remember this special day. It was a description of the 4 work of the Holy Ghost and how he can lead and change their lives. We are very happy to announce these baptisms and ask the Saints to pray for the welfare of these news souls in the Kingdom. NEW ADDRESS Our presiding Elder and his wife had to move this month and now have a new address. Fortunately, they only changed sides of Wichita and not states. Jim and Marian Crawford may now be reached at: 101 S. Colorado Wichita, KS (316) By the grace of God, we are happy to report that the move went well. However, it was not without adventure and suspense. FIRST SERMON PREACHED A few months ago we announced the ordination of Lance Springfield to the office of Deacon. In August Lance preached his first sermon. Lance approached

5 July/August Volume 5 Number 4 this task with humility and a willing heart. The Lord blessed his effort with the Holy Spirit. Those of us who were there bear witness that Lance served as a minister for Jesus Christ on this day. We are grateful to God for his blessing to Lance and to Lance for being willing to serve. PASSING OF A DEAR FRIEND On August 10, Eva Watters passed from this life at her home in Wichita. Eva had been battling a cancer for many years. She is survived by her husband Glen and several children and grandchildren. Eva was a woman who gave a lot to other's lives. One great gift she gave to us all was her tremendous faith in God. Despite the long and often painful illness, I (GRW) can never remember hearing her complain against God. She trusted his wisdom in all things. Please pray for this family. WHEAT & TARES MAT 13:22 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his field; 23 But while he slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 24 But when the blade sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 25 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? Whence then hath it tares? 26 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. 27 And the servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 28 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 29 Let both grow together until the harvest The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked. 38 The enemy that sowed them is the devil. 39 The harvest is the end of the world or the destruction of the wicked. 40 The reapers are the angels, or the messengers sent of heaven. 41 As, therefore, the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world, or the destruction of the wicked. 42 For in that day, before the Son of man shall come, he shall send forth his angels and messengers of heaven. 43 And they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them out among the wicked; and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. SEC 98:9 a. Again, verily I say unto you, I will show unto you wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be guided in a right and proper way for their salvation, that the work of the gathering together of my Saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest is come, and my word must needs be fulfilled. 9 b. Therefore I must gather together g people according to the parable of the wheat and Is tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father, to reward every man according as his work shall be; 5

6 The Restoration Letter Would you follow a man who is over 50 years old, and never preached in one place for more than three years? Some have labeled him a trouble-maker for causing disturbances and riots in some of the towns he has visited. He has been in jail on occasion, and is not in good health. He does not get along well with present day religious leaders. A good writer, but not too efficient at keeping records; known to forget whom he has baptized. Does this sound like the credentials of someone commissioned to establish the cause of Zion? It all depends on your point of view. This is a description of the Apostle Paul. How many today would reject him if this was the report we received from Zion? Paul almost did not begin his journey for Christ because of a false report. Ananias had doubt concerning whether he should administer to Paul because of the evil reports he had heard from Jerusalem. {See Acts 9:13} Fortunately, Ananias chose to listen to the Spirit of Christ and not the rumors concerning Paul. The counsel of Joseph Smith, III given to the Church in 1884, 122:16,17, affirms that we should not let disagreement separate ourselves from each other, or to the work whereunto we have been called. In other words, don't let internal struggles get in the way of proclaiming Jesus as LORD. We can not let ourselves become the victims of rumors. If we do, the possible results are that we will be afraid and not believe those men that God sends among us. Are we any different than the Saints who expressed grave doubts concerning Paul? {See Acts 9:26} Like the Church of Ephesus, {Revelation 2:1-5} we can become so determined to try the false apostles, and expelling evil from among us that we lose our first love! We must preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. The wheat and the tares must be allowed to grow together until the harvest. It is not our job to separate them. When new wheat springs forth from the ground, it looks very much like the weed (tare) that often grows besides it. I have often pulled my wife's young, tender flowers out in the spring because I thought they were weeds. Even though my motives were pure, I destroyed a thing of beauty because I did not recognize it. At harvest time, tares often have a fuller head than the mature wheat. The primary difference: ar tares bear no fruit. Many people, like the wheat and the tares, are similar in appearance, except they bear no fruit. Nevertheless, both must be given the opportunity to bear fruit. Christ will determine the time of the harvest. The most important impact this parable has on the restoration is that the Lord Jesus is interested in reclaiming all who have heard his voice, not just the Independent Branch Movement. There are many who proclaim to be the voice of God. There are also many who have given an evil report concerning the servants of God in the last days. Those that gathered at the temple in Mesoamerica to receive the resurrected Lord were the more righteous of the people. Third Nephi 4:66 defines these more righteous as those who received the prophets and did not stone them. They also were those that did not shed the blood of the other saints. Do we have a tendency to pick up stones when we have doubts about individuals, or groups that do not pass our criteria? Do we allow them the opportunity to grow together with us until the time of 6

7 July/August Volume 5 Number 4 the harvest? 119:4 should give us "food for thought" concerning our deliberations. There are chosen vessels who will return unto the Lord if they are not hindered by us. These chosen vessels may be Mormons, splinter groups of LDS origin, Cutlerites, The Church of Christ (Temple Lot), or Reorganization splinter groups including some of us. Brothers and sisters, there may just be chosen vessels in the Institutional Church as well. 98:9a addresses all the churches, who are willing to guided in a right and proper way for their salvation. God recognizes that we are not one cohesive body. We are divided by contention that has come as a result of our collective pride. Proverb's 13:10 instructs us that only through pride can contention come. Proverb's 22:10 also instructs us to cast out the scorners and contention will go. We have all been guilty of being scorners in the course of our spiritual development. If we are, or can not become ONE, we can not be HIS! If we are not His, we shall be cut down and cast out at the great harvest. Are we instructing those that oppose themselves. Do we offer the means that they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare? {2 Timothy 2:25,26) If a man be overtaken... ye which are spiritual... restore with meekness. {Galatian's 6:1} Charity is the cement which bonds together the building blocks of the Kingdom. Love for the household of faith is required of each Saint who seeks to establish the cause of that Kingdom. Don't allow evil reports to prevent the Apostle Pauls of this generation to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Judge them by the fruit that they bear. Priest Rebut E. Gertz, Jr. Church History, Volume 6, page 613 Joseph Smith, III, gave the following counsel to the general conference of "There is no absolute tribunal this side of the great judgment day that is authorized to determine exactly who is right and who is wrong in a dispute or controversy, such as arises frequently in our midst...." UPCOMING EVENTS October 3 - Women's Retreat at Zion's Outpost. The theme is Experiment Upon My Word (Alma 16: ). It begins at 9:00am. Classes will cover these topics: The Nauvoo Women's Relief Society, To Do, or Not To Do, Music to My Soul, Celebration of Endurance, Shoulder's Back, Head High, A Foot in the Water, A Hand in the Sky. For information or to register contact Debbie Newman, 382 Hillsdale, Wichita, KS October 28 - Branch Elections 7

8 The Restoration Letter ZION'S OUTPOST BRANCH NON PROFIT ORG Northeast Parkway U.S. POSTAGE PAID Wichita, KS WICHITA, KANSAS (316) PERMIT #