Bountiful Dedication/Consecration

Bountiful

Dedication/Consecration: September 9, 2018

By Aaronic High Priest W. Kevin Romer

“As an ensign to the world, and a demonstration that man can live together in peace and harmony with his neighbor, exercising stewardships, utilizing inheritances, and not being unduly influenced by Babylon, it is necessary to provide for close community living. To that end, as it has been revealed previously at the Kirtland Assembly of 2004, preparation for a community of my people should be developed utilizing land in eastern Jackson County.” 

—Doctrine and Covenants R-150:6a

On September 9, 2018, the Bountiful Community in Zion dedicated and consecrated their recently completed new church building. The Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been called into renewal with a unique mission to the world, “to preach the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen, and to prepare and gather a righteous people for the building of the Kingdom of God on earth, Zion” [emphasis added]. This dedication was a
significant step forward as we continue to respond to God’s revelation concerning Zion.

“let the Bishopric, with the temporal law, and the First Presidency, with the spiritual law come together under the celestial law, such consummation making the secular become sacred and culminating in the attainment of the kingdom of God on earth.”
—Doctrine and Covenants R-152:4

President Frederick N. Larsen was in charge of the service as president/prophet of the church, signifying the importance of the occasion for the church as a whole, and the celestial implications as the spiritual and temporal come together.

President James A. Vun Cannon offered the invocation.

President Larsen offered opening remarks. We did not miss the significance of the grandson of Prophet Frederick M. Smith dedicating the first community in Zion that Frederick M. Smith had so long hoped for, taking another step in fulfilling the long called for establishment of the kingdom in Jackson County, Missouri, as prophesied and called for since the beginning of the Restoration.

Bishop Joe Ben Stone gave a talk on the history of Bountiful’s development.

Presiding Elder Sean Purvis spoke concerning the construction of the church building.

Megan Romer shared in special music with the hymn, “Holy Spirit, Come with Power.”

Fred Williams and Trevor Purvis offered affirming testimonies of their calls to gather into close community.

Presiding Bishop/Aaronic High Priest W. Kevin Romer made dedicatory remarks.

The service was closed with a congregational
hymn, “The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning.”

Presiding Patriarch Carl W. VunCannon, Jr., then offered a special prayer of blessing and benediction.

As the First Presidency, with the spiritual, and the Bishopric, with the temporal, come together in the celestial, it is our testimony that indeed the time has come for the establishment of the celestial kingdom, even Zion, upon the earth. May the holiness we experienced that day permeate the church, and the entire earth, as we continue to prepare for Christ’s return.

Bountiful Prayer of Blessing and Dedication
The following is a transcription of the prayer by Patriarch Carl VunCannon, Jr.

“Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” Father, we have desired and dreamed for this day for many years. We gathered together on this spot
early on in the Remnant Church to dedicate this land unto you and the building of this community. This day we not only dedicate this land, but we also dedicate this building unto you and the opportunities that we will have to meet you here and to allow your Spirit to teach us and to bring us to that spiritual height that we might someday be able to find ourselves in the midst of those heavenly beings that shall come as we have prepared ourselves on this earth to find ourselves worthy of that experience.

Father, we come to bring a benediction upon this service, and pray that which has transpired here this morning might be written upon our hearts and upon our minds. We pray that there will be nothing that would stand in the way of fulfilling the purpose of this community, that our hearts might be open to each other and to thee, that we might find the true expression of brotherly love. May we be more concerned about our brothers and sisters and the children in this community than we are of ourselves, that we will work diligently to become of one heart and one mind and dwell in righteousness, that we might find the true meaning of “there are no poor among us.”

Our Father, may your Spirit seal this day the dedication of this place upon all those who enter the doors to worship here. May they always find you here because of this dedication, as well as the preparation we make to come into
this place to be in your presence.

Father, we look upon these young families with young children, and with teenagers. We would offer a blessing upon them, that your Spirit might bless them with understanding and patience and love beyond anything they’ve ever known. May the children know that you are in their midst, and have the opportunity to sit at your feet and to learn of thee and thy love. May they rely heavily upon thee as they grow and mature, and have the opportunity to give themselves unto thee and present their gifts and talents to your people in Zion.

Father, as a blessing of your love and your peace, of your joy of knowing that this community is accomplishing that which you have placed us on this earth to accomplish, may they prosper in those spiritual conditions and qualities that will allow this place to be a light shining upon a hill out over all mankind unto thee. This is the desire of our hearts, and this is the blessing that we pronounce and seal upon this congregation and upon this community.

For we ask it all in the precious and worthy name of your son, Jesus, who came to save the world. May we also
have that as our objective. In his name we pray. Amen.