As we begin the new year, 2019, our minds quickly begin to think about the focus of the new year which the Lord has given to each in our sojourn here on earth. Businesses and industries are busy trying to implement new programs and products so the bottom line will show an increase and profit for the stockholders.<\/p>\n
How can this happen in the life of the church? In order to increase our bottom line, we need to increase our productivity and change our forward thinking and attitude. How? Suggestions may be: a 10% increase in our personal prayer life, a 10% increase in our study time in the Scriptures, a 10% increase in our obedience, a 10% increase in our giving, and a 10% increase in loving our neighbor. What would happen to our individual relationship with God and each other? And where would the church be in its stated mission at the end of the year?<\/p>\n
The Order of Patriarchs stand ready to help anyone develop a strategy to increase spiritual life and find joy in offering more of themselves to the work of building the kingdom.<\/p>\n
May the year 2019 be full of success as you find new ways to grow spiritually and move forward to Zion.<\/p>\n
Next year in Zion!<\/p>\n
From time to time I am asked, \u201cWhat is the mission of the Remnant Church? Where are we going, and what are we doing to get there?\u201d The mission of the Remnant Church, and the focus of the missionary arm of the Remnant Church, has always been, and still is, \u201cto preach the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen.\u201d From the time Joseph was in the grove where he heard the words, \u201cThis is my beloved Son, hear him,\u201d the message of the missionaries of the Remnant Church has always been to tell every word that Jesus Christ has given to the world. Jesus said, in Matthew 4:4, \u201cMan shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n If mankind is to live, in this world and the next, by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God, doesn\u2019t mankind need to hear those words? Don\u2019t we all, members as well as priesthood, need to tell all those with whom we come in contact that there is hope for a better tomorrow in the words of our heavenly Father? It must be the goal of every person who belongs to the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n If there is anyone you know who would like to hear more of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the seventies of the Remnant Church have been holding classes teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know they are always looking for more people for these classes, and I know if you give them the name and contact information of someone who is looking to know more of Jesus Christ, they will include them.<\/p>\n The apostles and seventies of the Remnant Church are ready to share \u201cevery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God\u201d<\/strong><\/em> to all who will listen. Our desire is to share this gospel with the world, one soul at a time.<\/p>\n For your part, you can invite everyone you can to come to the Remnant Church services and give them a chance to learn of the message of love, hope, peace, and forgiveness that Jesus Christ has for all mankind.<\/p>\n The monthly meetings of the high priests serve the purpose of providing instruction, fellowship, and unification for the men of this priesthood. This is important because Zion is mainly defined as a people who are of one heart and one mind, and for the people to be unified, the priesthood certainly must be united. In the final analysis, anything short of love for all people falls short of the zionic ideal, for God is love. When each can love all others, including those with whom we disagree, and even the unlovable, then a zionic condition will have been achieved. Paraphrasing 1 Corinthians 13, charity is patient and kind; therefore, we need to be understanding in our dealings with one another. We must be humble enough to acknowledge that our beliefs are often opinions, and the possibility exists that someone else could be right. The late high priest and my quorum counselor, Gilbert Marshall, once said something tongue-in-cheek to the effect of, \u201cOf course I think I\u2019m right; if I thought I were wrong I would change my belief.\u201d Every one of us operates in this manner, but often with the expectation that we could not possibly be wrong.<\/p>\n For many, the step that follows confrontation or disagreement is the tragic step of withdrawal. While we may think we have arrived at such a decision on our own, we need to recognize that we have received input to do this from an evil source. To rephrase a clich\u00e9 about marbles, we decide we will take our three books and go to our personal studies. F. Henry Edwards in his book, The Divine Purpose in Us<\/em>, wrote, \u201cPeople beyond number have permitted their Christianity to be shipwrecked simply because they are not vitally attached to the organic life of the people of God. One of the most insidious temptations of the devil is the temptation to continue in isolation, imagining a personal relationship with God is possible without a resultant relationship with his people. To yield to this temptation is itself a sin\u201d (p. 198).<\/p>\n There is no doubt that we must exercise great effort to work toward this goal. A healthy, rested body, doing acts of good will, and using the process of reconciliation all contribute to success in this. However, this is not all that is required, as this kind of love or charity is not innate; it results from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. King Benjamin put it this way: \u201cIf he [a person] yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit\u2026and becometh a saint, through the atonement of Christ\u2026and becometh as a little child\u2026humble, patient, full of love\u201d<\/strong><\/em> (Mosiah 1:120), [then a person can truly be a loving saint]. Finally, it should be noted that standing against injustice, immorality, and corruption does not contradict love; rather, to oppose these evils is a requirement of love.<\/p>\n The Presiding Bishop, the Bishopric, and leadership of the Aaronic priesthood have been working on plans for the 2019 Aaronic Priesthood Assembly on February 22nd through 24th. The restoration of Israel is the focus of the assembly this year. God has and will continue to bless our efforts as we accomplish this task. I personally have learned and been blessed a great deal so far. Time on one\u2019s knees speaking with God opens up a much greater vista of spiritual knowledge than I understood was possible. The more I learn, the more I understand that there is so much more to learn.<\/p>\n We all must spend time in prayer, study, and worship in the search for our part in God\u2019s will. Giving up our own will to be a part of God\u2019s will in the restoration of Israel and the building of Zion should be the goal. We are much stronger on our knees before God.<\/p>\n Once again I ask for an interest in your prayers for the event.<\/p>\n The year of 2018 is now complete. Budgets and elections are now compiled, and the themes for 2019 have been published and circulated. Looking back to the last several months, the Center Place of Zion has had many activities in the various congregations. There have been many potlucks and holiday dinners, many musical events, baptisms and ordinations, and a wonderful Christmas program. During the last year, we have been blessed with many inspirational and The crowning success for 2018 is in the number of home visits that were provided by our priesthood. We have completed 215 visits in the last ten months, and we look forward to our goal of 400 visits for 2019. The saints have been very accepting of Aaronic priesthood when coming into their homes. We appreciate everyone\u2019s response, and we are looking forward for the same for 2019.<\/p>\n The home visiting program is very important to the church. It allows the priesthood the opportunity to visit each member and bring the good news of Jesus Christ into the member\u2019s home. By visiting each home, the priesthood can know each family more intimately and bring guidance to issues, questions, and goals, thus unifying our congregations and entire membership. We are also able to talk about the mission of the church, recent and future developments occurring in the church, and in sharing the word of God in building his kingdom on earth, even Zion.<\/p>\n This past year has been both busy and productive for the South Central District. Our branch presidents have promoted home visiting and arranged for classes to be taught using the One Endeavor<\/em> materials from church headquarters.<\/p>\n Late last fall, our district hosted the General Church Men\u2019s Retreat at the Blackgum Campground with uplifting classes, wonderful food, and fellowship. Our theme for the weekend was The Eleventh Hour<\/em>. The district ladies also held the South Central District Women\u2019s Retreat at the campground. Their theme was Becoming Elect Ladies for Christ<\/em>. Those who attended the retreats were truly blessed.<\/p>\n Our final worship together for the year was a district Christmas program held at the Sperry Branch. During the Sunday School hour, we had a Christmas story program put on by our children and young adults. The Christmas story was taken from the Book of Mormon and was titled The Tree of Life<\/em>. The morning continued with an inspirational sermon from Patriarch Leland Collins, which was followed by a wonderful dinner supplied by the Sperry Branch.<\/p>\n The first district meeting of 2019 was a leadership meeting held at the Rogers, Arkansas, Branch. Those participating included our branch presidents, Elder Frank Potter from our Ava mission, our district president, secretary, women\u2019s leader, and youth leader, and our apostle. The 2019 district events discussed were:<\/p>\n Feb 15\u201317 Workday at Ava, Missouri<\/p>\n March 24 District combined service\/business meeting at Carthage, Missouri<\/p>\n April 26\u201328 Workday at Blackgum Campground<\/p>\n June 14\u201319 SCD Reunion at Blackgum Campground<\/p>\n July 24\u201327 Junior Camp (ages 8\u201311 or going into 4th\u20136th grades in the fall)<\/p>\n Sept 15 District combined service\/business meeting (if needed) at Sperry, Oklahoma<\/p>\n Sept 20\u201322 District All Priesthood Retreat at Blackgum Campground<\/p>\n Dec 15 District combined Christmas service at Carthage, Missouri<\/p>\n Thanks to Parker Tibbitts for setting up a district Facebook page. Check out the page for details on events as they come up. The Facebook page is usually updated weekly.<\/p>\n As a district, we are anxiously looking forward to a new year filled with promises, adventures, and miracles as we work hard and read, study, and obey the Lord daily.<\/p>\n \u2014Remember: 4 Nephi 1:17,19\u2014<\/p>\n\u2026The Quorum of High Priests
High Priest David R. Van Fleet, President<\/h3>\n…The Quorum of Teachers
Teacher Donald L. Evans, President<\/h3>\n…The Center Place of Zion Leadership
High Priest Thomas O. Moats<\/h3>\n
meaningful preaching services. The local priesthood have stepped up and provided their ministry in bringing the word of God to our membership.<\/p>\n…The South Central District President
High Priest Elbert H. Rogers, SCD President<\/h3>\n\u2026The Women\u2019s Council
Marci Damon, Chairperson<\/h3>\n