1 Remnant CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints Marlin Texas Branch 204 Live Oak Street Marlin, Texas 76661 THE REMNANT April 2010 VOLUME 11 Number 4 THEME: To Be Valliant In Testimony SUNDAY MORNING DEVOTIONALS ---------------- 9:45AM SUNDAY SCHOOL ---------------- 10:00AM SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE ---------------- 11:00AM SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE ---------------- 6:30PM (WHEN ANNOUNCED) WEDNESDAY EVENING SERVICE ---------------- 7:00PM (WHEN ANNOUNCED) AVAILABLE PRIESTHOOD: 1 HIGH PRIEST, 1 ELDER, 1 Aaronic Teacher APRIL 4, 2010 COMMUNION MESSAGE OBLATION REMARKS ELDER RICHARD HOOVER ELDER RICHARD HOOVER ELDER RICHARD HOOVER APRIL 11, 2010 MESSAGE ASSISTING MESSAGE ASSISTING MESSAGE ASSISTING APRIL 18, 2010 APRIL 25, 2010
2 ATTENDANCE Attendance for March was very good. We are very thankful that the various problems affecting Our attendance during the last few months has decreased and we expect our attendance to continue To be good. TRACT AND TAPE MINISTRY It should be noted that all requests for tracts and tapes must include Name, Mailing Address and E- Mail Address when ordering from our Web Site www.theremnantchurchmarlintx.homestead.com Items requested from the web site are sent to the requestor free of any cost. We suggest you review our home page and review changes that have been made. APRIL BIRTHDAYS Jenny Hoover April 9 Johnnie E. Hounsel April 15 Laura Ann Huseby April 6 Heston Krumnow April 20 Kara Saxton Apr 3 OUR WEB SITE Our web site, www.theremnantchurchmarlintx.homestead.com, continues to be updated. Our Web Site has been registered with the Marlin Chamber of Commerce and now appears under Church s on the Marlin Chamber of Commerce Web Site. For those of you that are new to our Web Site, our Web Site is linked to the General Church Web Site, www.theremnantchurch.com, and can be found under church congregations. The Web Site is updated each month to include new information that may be of interest to members of the congregation as well as too many others. Lists of available sermons have been added to our web site and you can now listen to these sermons while using your computer in other work. It is suggested that you visit the Web Site regularly. The Branch News Letter is posted each month. It should be noted that material listed on the web site under Tape and Tract Ministry is furnished upon request free of charge GENERAL CHURCH WEB SITE Click on to the General Church Web Site for the latest information about activities going on in the general church. www.theremnantchurch.com Changes are made regularly to the Web Site. You can register with the web site and can receive regular updates by E-Mail. Please check out all of the information furnished on the Site. Our General Church Mission Statement FROM THE PRESIDING ELDER The Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been called in renewal to preach the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen,
3 and to prepare and gather, a righteous people for the building of the Kingdom of God on Earth, Zion. Our Marlin Branch Mission Statement The Marlin Branch is to provide the most personalized, trusted, valued, comprehensive spiritual ministry for all that Come and See. March was a very busy month for members of the Branch..The Roger Schuelke s were tying things together getting ready for their gathering to Missouri, plus preparing for the General Conference. Sharon Cantrell and Charles Allen were busy getting ready and sharing in a Trail Ride at Bandera, Texas. They were joined in this event with Sarah, Brady, Samuel and Ellington Whitaker. The Trail Ride is an annual event and this year it was held in Bandera, Texas. The Kenneth Scafes that had been in Texas and had been sharing their ministry with the Marlin Saints were finishing up their business activities in Texas and returned to their home in Missouri. Sister Lillie Mae Blann, who had been living in the Dallas area moved to Kosse, Texas and will now be able to share her church life with the Saints in the Marlin area as well as living near to her Sister, Johnnie Hounsel who also lives in Kosse. It is noted at this time that this Branch has lost two families, the Ricky Welch family in 2009 and the Roger Schuelke family who are now completing their gathering to Missouri. These two families had provided much needed ministry here in Marlin. Brother Ricky Welch and Brother Roger Schuelke both shared their Priesthood ministry and Brother Schuelke served as a Counselor to the Branch President. We have always considered our branch as a Way Station preparing our members for the gathering; however, we are all saddened in seeing them go, but happy for their compliance with the gathering process. We wish them well as they continue their Trail Ride into the future. We are happy to have five members of the branch that planned and did attend the General Conference. What a blessing for this branch to have participants at the Conference. Charles Allen had heart surgery after his return from Conference; however, he is now at home and is making satisfactory recovery. Also, Sister Mary Shelton continues to make progress from her surgery and she and her husband Walter were able to attend one of our recent services. Further, Walter was able to attend the General Conference. Our branch will continue to meet the many challenges as we all continue the Trail Ride into the future. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DO YOU THINK GOD CARES WHAT YOU BELIEVE? What do you mean? Do you think God Cares What You Believe! This question has been asked many times when religion is discussed. Some people do not think it makes any difference what a person believes if that person accepts Christ. Today I want to examine some scripture that pertains to the subject, Do You Think God Cares What You Believe. BACK TO BASIC
4 ACTS 10:1-20 - Cornelius has vision and Peter has vision. ACTS 10:34-48 Witness of the Holy Spirit. Cornelius and his household were baptized. In Acts 10:6 Cornelius was told that He shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do And he was told that it was Peter that would tell him. Now we are told in Acts 10:2 that Cornelius was a devout man, and one that feared God with all of his house which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. It should be noted that Cornelius was a good man, one that feared God with all of his house. He also gave alms to the people and prayed always to God. We know that God will respond to men that have such attributes. Once again we see how God responds to the prayer of a righteous man. It appears that his standard of life would compare favorably with that of many Christians, both ancient and modern. YET HE LACKED SOMETHING IMPORTANT for he was visited by an angel of God who gave him instruction. Instruction to send his servants to Joppa for Peter, who was or would tell him what he ought to do. Peter, in turn, had went up to the housetop to pray; He also had an experience. The LORD TOLD HIM THREE TIMES THAT WHAT GOD HATH CLEANSED, THAT CALL NOT THOU COMMON. It should be noted that Cornelius was a good man, but his goodness did not excuse him from Church Membership in accordance with the word of the angel. Cornelius was baptized into the fellowship of believers. If this experience is to guide us, we must conclude that it does MATTER TO GOD WHAT WE BELIEVE AND WHAT CHURCH WE JOIN. People today are being deceived by the concept that it does not matter what we believe so long as we are sincere. Hand in hand with this concept is the idea that it does not matter what church we join so long as we profess Jesus Christ as our Savior. These two concepts are accepted without examination on every side. Those that reject these concepts are thought of as stragglers in the procession of religion. These concepts are wrong. We must build our Spiritual lives on a sure foundation as specified in many scriptures, including Matthew, Chapter 16. LUKE wrote, They continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42 When Jesus stood before Pilate, at the close of his earthly ministry, he said, to this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. My mission and your mission is to bear witness unto the truth. If we fell to do so, we must stand accountable before God. Paul bore witness of the truth as well as all of the early disciples. They gave their lives for the TRUTH. The question for me and for all of us Will we give our lives in order to bear the TRUTH. It is true that many of us have witnessed for our God and in some cases have been cast out of places of worship; however, the time will come when much more will be required for TRUE followers of Christ. Paul writing to the Galatians Saints: Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Galatians l:8. MATTHEW 28:18-20 The commission is given All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world.
5 JOHN 7:17 Jesus told his disciples: My doctrine is not mine but his that sent me. If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. PROVERBS 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth, and forsaketh them shall have mercy. JOHN 3:5 Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. And then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost Acts 8:17. GALATIANS 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. MATTHEW 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. SUMMARY: God does care what you and I believe. He has given us a road map. We have the program the plan that God has given us. Let us have the COURAGE to accept the TRUTH and be willing to give our life for the cause of the Kingdom. Arthur Allen Presiding Elder Marlin Texas Branch Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints January 26, 2003 (Revisited April 2010) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspired Document, April 2010 In the early morning hours of February 11, 2010 after a restful night, I was awakened with a clear mind and an understanding of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Instruction regarding certain offices of leadership in the General Church was given in a clear and positive manner. Additional counsel and direction to the Church as a body was conferred. To the Quorums, Orders, Councils and membership of the Remnant Church: The following is presented as the mind and will of God for consideration and action of the General Conference of April, 2010. It is my will that Lane W. Harold, having served faithfully as a Counselor to the President of the Church and member of the Quorum of the First Presidency, shall be released from that office effective January 1, 2011. This is to provide for a smooth transition from administrative duties and the various publication responsibilities throughout the remainder of the calendar year. He will then be more free to devote and share his time and many talents in teaching, writing and preaching from his knowledge of world events, history and the scriptures. Well done my good and faithful servant.
6 My servant Gregory Turner has been taken unto myself and now has extended his ministry to the heavenly realms, thus leaving the Presiding Bishop of my Church without a second Counselor. To fill this vacancy, High Priest Jerry A. Sherer, is called to serve in this office. If he accepts and is approved by the Conference, he should be set apart as soon as possible. As given in previous counsel, he and his companion should continue preparations to gather to the Center Place of Zion, where their time and talents can be shared with the larger body of Saints. The needs of missionary outreach of my Church will be augmented by the call and setting apart of Elder Derek J. Ashwill to the office of Seventy. Though young in years and experience, if he accepts and is approved by the Conference, I will magnify his calling and bless him in this ministry. The Spirit directs further: Even as the earth rolls upon her wings in time and space throughout my universe, she groans and changes as she fulfills her purpose in my creation. As the world ripens in iniquity, my arm of mercy and justice will be extended to fulfill that which has been prophesied. For, as surely as you understand time, time shall come to an end and it is for you to speedily be about building my earthly kingdom. To this end you must continue to make preparation. To escape the coming economic calamity, free yourselves of monetary debt. To withstand the approaching collapse of moral and family values around you, established family altars must be in place. Even though you may have to pass through many trials in these last days, be strong and be cheerful, for in my gospel and in my word you shall find strength to overcome. Seek me in your quiet places and you shall have peace in your souls. To my servants in the foreign missions: Your devotions to preaching and teaching the Restored Gospel of my Son, Jesus Christ, to each of your own cultures, though very difficult at times, is commendable. It is wise and appropriate that you should come to this the Center Place, for further training and education in magnifying your callings. You should always be alert to those forces of evil that will try to destroy you as you witness and profess Jesus Christ. Be valiant in your testimony of Jesus and the work of converting souls to Him, even as my servant Rommel
7 Desoloc, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his testimony. Elder Desoloc having laid down his life for the testimony of my Son, is now freed from earthly bonds and resides with me. And further: Continue to press forward, my Remnant Saints, seeking unity in all things. Be alert to the signs of the times, for they are upon you. As iniquity and strife continue in the world and even unto this the Promised Land, the gathering of my people, though not yet, will soon come. Remember that the Bridegroom awaits for the Bride to be prepared. Let it be so. Your servant in Christ April 1, 2010 Frederick N. Larsen President of the Church