SECTION 175

This message was shared by President Terry Patience during the evening service held in the Holy Sanctuary on April 5, 2025, as a part of the Men’s, Women’s, and Youth Retreat. The congregation had just sung a hymn called “More Holiness Give Me” by Philip Paul Bliss. Brother Patience then shared a few remarks and read from Psalm 95:1-7, after which he shared this message. His eyes were closed as he felt what the Spirit wanted to share. The message was not penned prior to the service. As the meeting was audibly recorded, the words were later transcribed so that they might be shared.

1a. I feel we have been blessed by hearing His voice, for the last two days. But He would say further unto you,

b. “Oh my children, I weep for you, for you have read my words. You have been in communion with me and yet, you have not responded as I would have you to do. Those commandments that I have given you are for your benefit.

c. They are so that you might be able to find greater love with me; greater relationship with me, and a greater strength. Indeed, the world of chaos is all about you, and unless you seek refuge in me, you will become weak. You will become less than you ought to be and that I have created you to be. Do not forget who I am.

d. Do not forget what has been done for you. Cherish each other. Cherish me.” Thus saith the Spirit unto His people.

After the service, some in the congregation wanted to know if copies were available. Others were curious as to what the Spirit was referring to when it said that “you have not responded as I would have you to do.” The members of the church will each need to pray about what they personally need to change. We have been given guidance over the days of the Remnant Church as found in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is good also to consider the words given in Section 151:4a, which states:

“You, my people, wait for further direction from on high. This cannot be so until you have responded more fully to that which has been given thus far.”

Other scriptures might also be words to reflect upon: Sections 158:5c and 167:2a.

During the days following the April 5^th service, President Patience reviewed some of the recent scriptures given during the Remnant Church’s existence to seek out those words we might need to heed. President Patience noted the following:

We are counseled to develop a higher level of relationship with the Father, and then to allow His Spirit to flow through us. (see 170:1c)

We are counseled to move away from those current patterns in our lives which are influencing us. We are to do that with trust and faith in God. We should consider how babylon is affecting us. (see 170:9) We should consider how self-interest and contention are in our lives. To help us make the changes we are being counseled to make, we need to surrender our lives to God. By doing so, we are sanctifying our lives. (see 167:2b)

Also, to help us make the personal changes, it would be good to increase our worship of God and His Son. To have awe of what has been done for us, which is the path to truly repenting of our sins, which means that we no longer find those sins in our lives.

To help us increase our church fellowship, we should consider how much we cherish each other as sons and daughters of God, who are also striving to have a deeper relationship with God. And because we all fail sometimes, we should apply forgiveness and grace to others. We also need to consider applying that forgiveness and grace to ourselves.

For many years, we have been called to strengthen the Center Place. (see 164:4a) This counsel means that we apply the above guidance that we might live in community. It means that we are open for worship in community, study in community, (see 154:5a) and to change as God directs.

We have been called to respect the Lord’s day. (See D&C 119:7b and Rev. 1:10) It is to be a day of rest and rejuvenating our focus upon God. It is to be a day of worship and praise. The Lord’s day was meant for us, and it has spiritual and physical benefits when followed.

We have been counseled to live in the light and joy of the gospel. The saints ought to be a happy people, because we remember the work of the Savior. Our attitude towards ourselves and others is in the light of the gospel and will be reflected in our countenances.

Also, during a class at the retreat, a question was asked as to whether the call to gather had been given. This prompted President Patience to respond to the inquiry. He read the words found in Section 167:1 which reads: “For your protection from the effects of Babylon, it is urgent that you gather closer together geographically and spiritually.” Another person in the class referred to Section 170:7.

Brother Patience was asked directly when members should gather to Zion. His response was now. This prompted other conversations as to what this means. Brother Patience mentioned that people have interpreted the call as a time-of-emergency, and that the saints should come quickly for their protection. He noted that if we wait for the proverbial bomb to go off, it will be too late.

The call to gather has always been, first-of-all, a call to come and build Zion, the Kingdom of God. A place where Christ is to return. This takes time and preparation, as each person, family, and worshiping group needs to make preparation to make the move, and to be able to supply their needs once they have gathered. It will also take time for people to become the people of God once they are there. We need to consider that there are benefits to being a “close” community, where support and activities can nurture and help to assist us in the changes we all need to make. We need to gather to help replace our babylonian philosophies and concepts with the teachings of God, and to put them into practice. Currently, the world has more influence on us than God does.

And as the world gets stronger, it will have a greater pull on us.

As stated earlier, the church has interpreted the call to gather to Zion as fleeing to Zion because the world has fallen apart, either through natural disasters or due to a financial crash. Zion needs to be built before these sudden “falls” occur. Thus, the time to gather is now so that the building up can be done. When it is too

late, it is too late. No one knows when these crises will occur. It may or may not be soon, but that is not the primary reason for gathering now.

Before we can go out as an endowed people, we must gather to become stronger in our spiritual union with God. We must gain in our knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom and how to share what we know. We need to be able to support each other, strengthen each other, and to increase our priesthood skills and understanding. We are still a small church. The difficulty of sustaining and supporting each other when we are so spread out is difficult, let alone working on our needed growth. Please see the gathering as a chance to grow closer to Christ, to the Spirit, to God, and to each other. In this sense, the time to gather is now.

Respectfully Submitted,