The Ensign Zarahemla Branch Members of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints August, 2004 Newsletter Pastor s Corner Elder Bob Moore Faith and belief have gradually evaporated from our society under the hot glare of arid intellectualism and the dry wind of self-indulgence. Over a century ago academics began to question the existence of God. They proposed a series of natural laws that they thought produced our universe, regulated matter, and generated life. Few Americans embraced their proposals immediately, but influential academics repeatedly asserted evolutionary-based views until they became socially acceptable. Proponents even went to court to gain legal protection for teaching their theories in public schools. It took several generations, but Americans eventually endorsed evolution and adopted an intellectual perspective that ultimately questions belief in God. The repeated success of scientific research and technological advancement has drastically bolstered popular opinion of the academic perspective. Consider all the wonderful advancements made during the last century. Revolutionary breakthroughs in medicine, communications, travel, industry, business, and space exploration, to name just a few areas, have drastically changed our world. Every human endeavor has received innumerable benefits. With such a track record, people came to believe that science and education held the means to discover and produce all the blessings and benefits that people need for a happy and prosperous life the same blessings that most once believed came from God. Despite the numerous and varied advancements, Americans were not necessarily convinced of the value of the academic view by results alone. In a way, they were bought off. Technology created jobs and produced more efficient and practical products. More jobs meant better income, increasing the ability of the average American to buy the better products as they became available. During the time that evolutionary ideas infiltrated society, society grew in prosperity. Its affluence allowed it to pursue and fulfill basic appetites. One result of modern technology is a materialistic, often hedonistic society. Christianity, with its moral principles firmly encoded in the Bible, stands opposed to selfish acquisition and self-gratification. It not only teaches generosity and self-sacrifice, but it promises eternal judgment on those who spend this life appeasing themselves. One value of the evolutionary view for the irreligionist is that no one will be accountable for their misdeeds. That belief allows its adherents to be worldly, selfish, and wonton without feeling either accountable or guilty. Recent scientific discoveries reveal the presence of a supervising intelligence that designed, directs, and permeates our universe. A growing number of scientists call that intelligence God and maintain that evolution is a debunked theory. It took almost a century for the godless view developed among academics one hundred years ago to infiltrate public opinion. Today s scientific understandings that suggest an intelligent designer will take almost that long to re-win the public back to belief. One obstacle making the task difficult, even with advanced communication techniques, is that people will naturally resist belief. The reason that they will resist it is because disbelief allows them to act worldly and still think themselves good. Our society is fast approaching a level of depravity that cannot sustain freedom. Like the addict who knows his habit is detrimental, but lacks the will to resist, our culture, even if it learns the dangers of worldliness, lacks the fortitude to return to Christian discipline. The Bible speaks to this dilemma: Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues (Rev 18:4).
Congregational Tidbits Michele Euritt has been selected to serve on the Youth Advisory Council of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation for 2004-2005. Vern Drown was recently honored by a former student of his at Fort Osage High School. The Fort Osage Band commissioned a special piece of music this year entitled Osage Sketches. The composer selected was Andrew Yates, who graduated from the Fort in 1979. The third movement of five of his divetimento was a waltz based on the melodies of the school song and fight song written by Vern in the 1970 s. Mr. Yates told the audience at the premiere performance of his work in May that Vern was one instructor/mentor who greatly influenced his musical pursuits through his career. He said Fort Osage is privileged to be one of the few high schools in the country that has its own original school song and fight song. (Mr Yates is currently an arranger/ composer and co-host of the Mike Murphy radio show.) Rolland and Marilyn have disconnected their land line phone number. The number to reach them is 215.2299 A Swim Party is scheduled for August 7th at the home of Rolland and Marilyn James. This will begin around 3:00 p.m. The address is 818 North 18th Street. Directions from the church are as follows: north on 15th street to Willowbrook, left on Willowbrook to 18th, right on 18th to 818. The house is tan color with blue trim and has a flagpole in the yard. If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please call Marilyn (215-2299 or work 300-0689) OR e-mail it to Marilyn (mholey1@comcast.net), put it in the NEWSLETTER BOX OR give it to me at church. Deadline for the September Newsletter will be August 22nd, 2004. This Newsletter will be distributed on Sunday, August 29th 2004 Thank you for supporting the congregational newsletter. Marilyn Devotion Schedule for August August 1st, 2004 Bob Moore family August 8th, 2004 Dean Falconer family August 15th, 2004 Brad Gault family August 22nd, 2004 Jim McKay family August 29th, 2004 Fitzgearlds fam- Rolland and Marilyn James Rolland was born and raised in an Italian family in St. Louis, Missouri. His grandfather had come through Ellis Island from Bari, Italy, when he was 16. Marilyn (Hole) was born in Topeka, Kansas and raised mostly in St. Louis. Rolland was raised in the RLDS church and Marilyn began attending in the 7th grade. They met at church but also went to the same school and began dating. He was already playing and singing in bands, so he began taking her to band jobs. His older brother also played for the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team, so he also took her to many games. They broke up when Marilyn s family moved to Houston, Texas her senior year. Rolland graduated from Southeast Missouri State University and Marilyn went 2 years to Graceland and married Ron Millard. Rolland also married and both found themselves single in 1986. They married in 1986. They have 5 children between them. Denni (Millard)Zborowski lives in Denver and is a statistician computer programmer. Shauna Millard lives in Prairie Village and is a computer program tester for credit unions. Brad Millard lives in Omaha and is a math teacher, coach, and has a lawn business. Lara (James) Veon lives in St. Louis and is a high school counselor. Jason James lives in St. Louis. They now have three granddaughters: Kara (Brad) is 1 year, Emma (Jason) is 6 months and Eliana (Lara) is 1 month. Rolland was ordained to the office of priest in 1995. He works for American Century Brokerage as a bond trader. Marilyn went back to school in 1996 and graduated with her accounting degree in 1998. She is currently working for a property management company. Rolland loves singing, biking, playing softball, bowling and being outside. Marilyn loves to sew, write, cross word puzzles, cross-stitch, bowl, bike, hike and to cook. Rolland s cousin Joan Gurski lives in the area and Marilyn s mother, Loma Putnam and sisters Barbara Harris and Boni McKee live in the area.
August 1st Musical Schedule Devotions August 8th Devotions August 15th Devotions August 22nd Devotions August 29th Devotions August 8th August 15th August 22nd August 29th Debbie Bellville Sylvia Thomas Linda Drown Special Music Schedule Rachel Howen Heart Strings Ronda O Brien Kelley Manning MEMORY VERSE FOR AUGUST Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 THIS MONTH IN CHURCH HISTORY Thanks to Laura Petentler for this monthly addition. August 2, 1831 Joseph Smith, Jr. Assisted the Colesville Saints to lay the first log for a house as the foundation for Zion. It was consecrated and dedicated by Elder Rigdon for the gathering of the Saints. August 3, 1831 The spot for the Temple, a little west of the center of Independence, was dedicated. August 7, 1831 Funeral of Polly Knight, mother of Newel Knight. This was the first death in the church in the land of Zion. August 7, 1831 D&C 59 was received. The events of August 1st through the 7th constitued the background for this revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr. August 8, 1831 D&C 60 was received. This is the last of four revelations given through Joseph Smith, Jr., during the first visit of the leading elders of the church to the land of Zion. During their stay in Independence, the Center Place and the spot for the temple had been pointed out, and some sound basic instruction had been given. Now the work in Kirtland demanded Joseph s attention, and he and some of his immediate associates prepared to return. This message was addressed to those who were returning, and to the elders who were known to be on their way but had not yet reached Independence. BOOK OF MORMON TRIVIA How much did e.b. Grandin charge to print the first 5,000 copies of the book of mormon? BOOK OF MORMON WORD SCRAMBLE Unscramble the following words found in the Book of Mormon: 1. Itlet fo rybelti 2. Rete fo flie 3. Saltep fo sarbs 4. Gnki hano 5. Patinac rinomo The answers will be found in the August Newsletter. Thanks again to Laura Petentler for these fun games for the young and the young at heart Last month s answers 591 BC Rod of iron Liahona Promised Land Nephites Zarahemla
ACTIVITY CALENDAR Zarahemla Branch AUGUST 2004 S M T W Th F S 1 9:30 10:30 Sacrament : Bob Moore Preaching: Harold Sharkey 6:00 : Ren Thomas Missionary Trivia 8 10:30 : Bill Anderson Preaching: Terry Emerick Summer Series at Waldo 2 3 4 9 10 11 Ren Thomas Vern Drown 5 6 7 12 13 14 SWIM PARTY 3:00 p.m. At the home of Rolland James SCHOOL DRIVE At the church Picnic 22 29 15 10:30 : Vern Drown Preaching: Brad Gault 6:00 : Dean Falconer Religio 10:30 : Patrick McKay Preaching: Dean Alberti 6:00 : Jim McKay Activity: Brad Gault 10:30 : Cliff Herod Preaching: Doug Webb 6:00 : Tim Canfield 16 17 18 23 24 25 30 31 Brad Gault Bob Moore 19 20 21 26 27 28
Zarahemla Branch Members of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 502 Southwest 17th Street Blue Springs, MO 64015