Tidings Zion Conference of Restoration Elders October-November-Decemberof 2018 Issue 125 The Tidings of Zion is published quarterly by the Conference of Restoration Elders. It is under the editorial responsibility of Table of Contents the Coordinating Council, Richard Neill, Chairman. It is sent to The Prince of Peace all who desire to receive it. by High Priest Paul J. Gage ..................................................... 3 An annual contribution of $20 is appreciated. A Book of Mormon Reading Challenge to the Saints by Elder Benji Pedersen .......................................................4-6 Purpose of the Conference of Restoration Elders Women’s Retreat 2018 “To bring solidarity to a growing number of Restoration by Barbara Dutton ................................................................6-7 branches and Latter Day Saints in general during this period 2018 Women’s Retreat of disruption and fragmentation” (Conference Operating by Amy Jo Gillam .....................................................................7 Guidelines accepted in 1996). Kirtland Priesthood Gathering on Sept. 22-23, 2018 The Conference exists to: by the Coordinating Council .................................................7-8 1. Organize the coming together of Melchisedec priest- Message in Kirtland Temple, Sept. 23, 2018 hood, as well as the Aaronic priesthood members, for: by Seventy Richard Neill ........................................................10 • Spiritual preparation and to unify our efforts on behalf of the work to which we are called. Life Preserver by Elder Bill Barrett .................................................................11 • Much needed fellowship and fraternity to prepare us to defend and preserve the faith. CPRS Retreat and Flag Raising. ........................................11 • Identify and seek divine guidance concerning the Reflections Regarding Righteousness critical issues now confronting the Church. by Elder William “Vim” Horn ............................................ 12-13 • Chart a course of action that will maintain the gospel A Vision as restored in 1830 (Original Letter of Intention and by Anita (Guin) Brotherton ............................................... 13-14 1993 Conference Materials). 2. Support Restoration branches in their efforts to work Waldo Avenue Restoration Branch Witnessing Weekend together. by High Priest Paul J. Gage ...................................................15 3. Provide needed resources to branches and members as Fall 2018 Witnessing Weekend to Lexington, Tennessee they are requested. by Elder Andrew King ...................................................... 16-17 4. Offer ongoing support and resources to Restoration Lexington Restoration Branch Groundbreaking ...... 17-18 priesthood. Branching Out in Lima, Ohio 5. Offer support to the elders to take the gospel message to by Elder Sean Telljohann ................................................. 18-19 the world. My Priesthood Call and Confirmation The Conference is not the Church, but a gathering of the by Deacon Ivan Telljohann ............................................... 19-20 Melchisedec priesthood to share in testimony, prayer, legislation, and preparation to return to our branches better equipped and Testimony of Kirtland Temple unified to perform our duties to minister to our brothers and by Sharon Goldsberry ............................................................20 sisters in Christ. A Dream Come True by April Erwin .................................................................. 21-22 In addition, the Conference of Restoration Elders provides a forum for Aaronic priesthood and member alike to share in The Common Princess fellowship and to be nurtured in the Word. The Conference by Saralee Rhoads .................................................................23 helps the scattered Saints and isolated branches throughout the world to enjoy the hope that we find in Jesus Christ and each News from Maine other. by Elder Brian K. Mundy ........................................................24 Domestic Outreach Ministry CRE Office Contact Information by Elder Brian K. Mundy ........................................................25 Education Council Activated Phone: (816) 836-3421, (816) 836-2730 by High Priest Paul J. Gage ...................................................26 or Toll Free: (877) 748-8947 Fax: (877) 748-8947 (Please call before faxing.) A Testimony of God’s Power by Crystal Mahoney Lavigne ..................................................27 Website: http://www.eldersconference.org Email: [email protected] Around the World: “Go Ye Therefore And Teach” .........28 Mailing address: Calendar of Events .............................................. 29-30 PO Box 4085, Independence, MO 64051 Announcements ........................................................31 The Prince Problems arise across the world, in each nation, the Church, and our families. It is amazing how of Peace many conflicts there are in our families and the Church, and many of these stem from things that happened or did not happen many years ago. By High Priest Paul J. Gage Independence, Missouri As a people, we seem to prefer carrying grudges or posting our problems on email, Facebook, and all the other forms of social media rather than going to The Prince of Peace and resolving our problems and moving on to the Kingdom. The Scriptures are so plain about this issue. Doctrine s we move on through 2018 to the end, we and Covenants 42:23, “And if thy brother or A consider the life of our Lord and Savior, sister offend thee, thou shalt take him or her Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus was foretold by between him or her and thee alone;...” That is the prophet Isaiah around 600-700 years before step one. Jesus says in Matthew 5:25-26, “...and Christ was born. there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee...go thy way unto thy brother, and In Isaiah 9:6, we find these words: “For unto us first be reconciled...” a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his We cannot be called children of God when we are name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The at “war” with each other individually, in families, mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince and even branches. Every one of us MUST be a of Peace.” This indicates that Jesus is the only true peacemaker if we want to be in Zion. Genesis source of real peace, whether it be among nations, 7:23, “…they were all of one heart and one peoples, kindreds, families, or individuals. As a mind, and dwelt in righteousness...” Zion waits sign once read: “Know Jesus, Know Peace. No upon us to set our spiritual lives in order. Zionic Jesus, No Peace.” It is really that simple, but we conditions are no closer nor any further away want to make it difficult because we want to do than ___________________ (you fill in the blank.) things our way. In Matthew 5:11, as Jesus was preaching the Jesus came to save us from our sins, but He Sermon on the Mount, He said, “Blessed are cannot save us in our sins. Our standard is not all the peacemakers; for they shall be called the one another; our standard is JESUS CHRIST! children of God.” So, what is a “peacemaker”? Merry Christmas! The 1828 Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a peacemaker as “one who makes peace especially by reconciling parties at variance.” This goes far beyond just breaking up a fight or signing a peace treaty. There must be reconciliation to bring about a lasting peace. So, what is reconciliation? Again, from the same dictionary, reconciliation is changing the relationship between God and man and/or person and person.” It is not that we won’t have problems, but will we follow God’s counsel for resolving those problems when they manifest themselves? Tidings of Zion 3 A Book of Mormon Reading truth and allows us to know truth when we hear or read it. Challenge to the Saints Now, more than ever, the Restoration needs to find ways to come together. By Elder Benji Pedersen Can we try a challenge together? Independence, Missouri Are you willing to participate in a reading challenge of the Book of Mormon? s there anything that all of the Restoration Are you willing to organize others to participate I gospel peoples can agree on? If there is, one as well? thing is probably the validity and powerful truth of the Book of Mormon. The early missionaries Outreach Restoration Branch took on this led with the Book of Mormon because it contains challenge at the start of 2018. We were accountable words that speak to our soul—words that were to each other and came together often to discuss written specifically to us as Saints and for this our readings. We organized our Sunday school very monumental time in history. classes to discuss what we read that week. We involved the children by having them read Wouldn’t it be pretty powerful if we decided to Between the Covers of the Book of Mormon by Verda read the Book of Mormon together? Bryant and rewarded their successful completion of the challenge. We organized small groups that Many in our membership have never read the met every other week. We started a Facebook entire Book of Mormon. Some haven’t read it in group for the reading challenge. We encouraged years. This is a great way for us to come together each other to keep going. We prayed, testified, to gain a testimony of the truthfulness of this and celebrated throughout the reading challenge. book and to remember the powerful messages The result was that