The Ensign Zarahemla Branch Members of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints February 2006 Newsletter Pastor s Corner Elder Bob Moore Faithful Unto the End Every gym and workout facility finds that its greatest attendance and new enrollments occur in January. The New Year marks the time when many people vow to lose weight and get in shape. Unfortunately, many workout newcomers, although initially committed, lack sufficient discipline to maintain a daily exercise routine. Within a few months, they drop out. Before the end of February, the gyms and workout facilities, return to their December attendance. Like fad diets, people are attracted to easy ways to shape up their spirituality. In the excitement that can attend a conversion, particularly if it is a shallow conversion, they may make devout vows and offer religious commitments that they are later unwilling to fulfill. Jesus described these people: He also who received seed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful (Mat 13:20). Our nation has become very affluent. The opportunity for educational, professional, and financial success has substantially increased, attracting the attention of church members. Good stewardship suggests that the saints give better consideration to money matters. Sometimes, that closer attention has turned into desire, even greed. It takes a very disciplined person to surround himself with the benefits available in our affluent culture and refrain from pursuing them. People attracted to worldly things often try to court them at the same time that they try to live righteously. That rarely works. Jesus said, No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon (Mat 6:24). Eventually, those charmed by worldliness end up ashamed of either their temporal desires or the Savior s gospel. Those ashamed of the Savior s gospel compromise their faith. The greatest tragedy attending last generation s nasty debate between progressive and conservative elements in the Reorganization was the failure to develop sufficient resources that could help the saints resist the growing quantity and quality of secular and profane allurements. Church members were pretty much left to themselves to find ways and reasons to say no. Saintly sacrifice, a hallmark of the saints a century ago, gradually became an uncommon, almost rare trait as members succumbed to the numerous invitations and slick ads soliciting participation in selfish pursuits. The more the saints were attracted to temporal goals, the more the saints grew weak in the faith. Some began leaving the church. As some saints lost their faith in the gospel as restored by angels, they began to actively invite others to follow their example. Relying on anti-mormon propaganda and resurrected, but outdated criticisms, they besieged church members, many of whom were unprepared and uninformed. The decades of debate had not only caused the church to inadequately educate their members, but it had wearied the membership through constant wrangling and hateful accusations. Many were simply worn out and ready to move on to more positive fellowships. (Pastor s Corner continued on next page)
(Pastor s Corner continued) The errors of church leaders or the saints themselves does not invalidate the divinity of the latter-day work or the righteousness exhibited by past generations. The restored gospel remains true. The task of believers in the angel message is not any different today because some saints prove unstable or disobedient. Faithful saints remain faithful to the end. We are living at the end of the Gentile reign. The scriptures clearly state that the time of the Gentiles will end. That is happening because the Gentiles rejected the restored gospel when it was offered to them in purity. God has responded, as promised, by taking the gospel from the Gentiles. As our culture severs its ties to the simple message of Jesus Christ, it is encountering a vast host of difficulties, most of which affect and afflict the saints. Those saints who remain faithful in the midst of those difficulties will be privileged to receive the blessings that are promised when the gospel grows again among the remnant of Jacob and the outcasts of Israel. Athletes like to say, When the going gets tough, the tough get going. It may be tough for believers in the restored gospel to remain faithful today. The discipline of daily devotion, of regular church attendance, of sacrificial living, and of missionary zeal may prove burdensome, even exhausting to some, but regardless of the hardship, the faithful remain faithful. May the saints of the Zarahemla Branch remain faithful, abounding in Christian virtues and saintly conduct unto the end. Musical Schedule February 5th Evening Jill Moore February 12th Devotions Joy McKay Helen Guinee Evening February 19th Devotions Jill Moore Evening: Joy McKay February 26th Devotions Jill Moore Debbie Bellville Evening ****************************************************************** Special Music Schedule February 12th Dean Alberti February 19th February 26th Jesseca Hattey Rolland James Devotion Schedule for February 02/12/06 Rex Curtis Family 01/19/06 Doug Trahern Family 01/26/06 Dohn Ford Family A PRAYER FOR ALL AMERICANS O God, Whose name was on the lips of the men who founded this nation, and on the lips of men who died for it...be with us yet. Guide us through this period of crisis, confusion and insecurity. Keep us steadfast in remembering the truths our forefathers lived by. Restore our innocence, renew our vision, enter our hearts and keep us brave. Give us, as Americans, the strength to do Your work and to make this country worthy of Your blessing. Amen. (From the Pastors Exchange)
JANUARY BOOK OF MORMON Answers to Fill in the Blanks I say unto you, that there shall be 1. (3 words) given nor 2. (3 words) nor 3. (1 word) whereby salvation can come unto 4. (4 words), Only in and through the name of 5. (1 word) the 6. (2 words). To check your answers read Mosiah 1:116 1. no other name 2. no other way 3. means 4. the children of men 5. Christ 6. Lord Omnipotent 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), or (marilyn. counts@gmail.com) put it in the NEWSLETTER BOX OR give it to me at church. Deadline for the March Newsletter will be February 19th, 2006. This Newsletter will be distributed on Sunday, February 26th, 2006. Thank you for supporting the congregational newsletter. Marilyn James Answer to Book of Mormon Trivia To Whom was God speaking when He said: I will visit thy brethren, according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.? Answer: Enos (See Enos 1:14 16) FEBRUARY BIBLE TRIVIA Question: Q: Who in the Bible said the following: "...let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew." (See Judges 6:39) THIS MONTH IN CHURCH HISTORY February 4, 1831 Edward Partridge was called to be the first Bishop in the Church. February 7, 1844 Joseph Smith completed his "Views of the Powers and Policies of the Government of the United States" pamphlet which would be used in his presidential campaign. February 9, 1846 A fire broke out in the Nauvoo Temple but was quickly extinguished. February 14, 1835 The first Quorum of the Twelve was organized in Kirtland. February 16, 1832 Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received the vision on the three degrees of glory. February 17, 1834 The first stake in the Church was organized in Kirtland, Ohio with Joseph Smith as President. February 23, 1839 The saints driven from Missouri gathered in Quincy, Illinois, where they were aided by the citizens of the town. February 24, 1829 Martin Harris showed a partial translation of the Book of Mormon to scholars in New York, including Charles Anthon. February 28, 1835 The first Quorum of the Seventy was organized in Kirtland. FEBRUARY Book of Mormon Fill in the Blank And we 1 of Christ, we 2 in Christ, we 3 of Christ, we 4 of Christ and we 5 according to our 6, that our 7 may know to what source they may look for a 8 of their 9. -II Nephi 11:48 A huge thank you to Laura Petentler for providing the monthly Church History and Puzzles!!!
February theme: Faithful Unto the End. ONGOING SCHOOL SUPPLY COLLECTIONS Lori Fua and Olivia Lori (Jones) was born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in Missouri. She is a Para Educator for the Fort Osage School District. She enjoys studying history. She has one daughter named Olivia Fua and is engaged to Brendan Bellamy from Downsville, New York. Her sister Kim and brother-in-law Russ Berry attend the Belton Branch. Her parents, Garrett and Helen Jones atten the Farview Restoration Branch and her grandparents, Garrett and Laura Jones and Aunt Diana attend Zarahemla. Our branch in the past collected school supplies which we contributed to Thomas Ultican Ele- mentary School in our church neighborhood. We are hoping to make this same contribution this coming March. Please keep this need in mind as you shop looking for various school supplies: Pencils, rulers, erasers, notebook paper and sciss- sors. This school has indicated it could also use facial tissue, Wet Wipes and boys and girls un- derwear. A marked box will be placed in the foyer for these collections. Thank you for your consideration of this project to assist st those children in our neighborhood. A bit of humor A boy who loved to go fishing with his dad was reciting the 23rd Psalm in Sunday School. When he got to the fourth verse, he said, Thy rod and Thy reel, they comfort me. An usher passing the offering plate in church overheard a small child exclaim: Daddy, you don t have to pay for me, I am only four. The quickest way for a mother to get her children s attention is to sit down and look comfortable.
ACTIVITY CALENDAR Zarahemla Branch february 2005 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 Dean Falconer Women s Meeting Matthew 25:21 5 2nd Nephi 1:122-123 9:15 10:30 : Chuck Perry Preaching: Tim Canfield 6:00 Evening : Chuck Perry Go Ye and Teach 6 7 7:00 PM Priesthood Meeting at the church 8 Chuck Perry DC 30:4c 9 10 11 Valentine Dinner 6:30 p.m. 12 Matthew 24:52-53 9:15 Morning 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 : Ken Simmons Preaching: Marlin Guin 6:00 Evening : Rex Curtis Go Ye & Teach 13 14 15 Bob Moore Mosiah 1:90 16 17 18 19 Isaiah 1:26-27 9:15 Morning 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 : Bill Anderson Preaching: Rolland James 6:00 Evening : Patrick McKay Interbranch preaching 26 Alma 20:68-69 9:15 Morning 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 : RCE Preaching: RCE Zion s League Pot Luck 6:00 Evening s : Chuck Perry Go Ye & Teach 20 21 22 27 28 Rex Curtis Luke 16:10 23 24 25
Zarahemla Branch Members of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 502 Southwest 17th Street Blue Springs, MO 64015