Scripture Reading Book of Jeraneck 14:55-56 "“Now the followers of Christ who were arrayed on the other side of the valley were indeed righteous."

“Now the followers of Christ who were arrayed on the other side of the valley were indeed righteous.  For it was through them that a record of this great war was preserved and it was through them that the records of the people were kept from destruction and it is thanks to them that I do now compile this record, for it was through them that the ways of the Almighty were preserved upon this land.  The armies of Christ were arrayed in great armour and they had weapons. Their weapons were also great and they were met to do battle.”

- Book of Jeraneck, Chapter 14:55-56

On the Value of Honesty: A Statement by the Prophet Matthew Gill

     "We Believe in being honest..." 
- Article 14, Articles of Faith of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ

On the Value of Honesty

A Statement by the Prophet Matthew Gill

Honesty is the glue that holds our civilization together. It helps us remain true to ourselves and makes us men and women of integrity. Honesty builds trust and character in ourselves and in our dealings with others. And it is the thread that, when unraveled, tears human beings apart from one another, destroying families and individuals alike.

In scripture, we learn of many powerful examples of honesty that illustrate honesty's importance and its ability to make our lives more whole and meaningful. The Lord Jesus Christ taught that those are with "an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it," will "bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15)

How, then, can we be less than honest, if the Lord commands it?

Heavenly Father tells us that He considers a lying tongue to be "an abomination" (Proverbs 6:19) and that the lips that tell truth are "established forever." (Prov. 12:19)

In ancient Israel, God’s chosen Prophets often spoke honestly to warn of dangers - those that were hazards to both the moral and spiritual well being of God's people.

The people of Nephi, the Book of Alma says, were "numbered among the people who were of the church of God." They were said to be "perfectly honest and upright in all things." (Alma 27:27 Utah)

As Latter Day Mormons, we believe that God has never left us without Prophets - men of God who were tellers of Truth to God's people. These men told the Israelites, the Nephites on the American continent and the People of Light in the British Isles the Truth about God, and the need for God's people to be truthful.

In the Book of Helaman, Nephi said he was an "honest man" sent "unto you from God." (Helaman 9:36 Utah) “And then shall he say unto you, that I, Nephi, know nothing concerning the matter save it were given unto me by the power of God. And then shall ye know that I am an honest man, and that I am sent unto you from God.” The Book of Mormon Helaman 9:36)

To the Gentiles in the Ancient Roman world, the Apostle Paul urged men to hold fast to honesty and honest dealings with men, saying, "Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.” (2 Corinthians 13:7) “Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.” Hebrews 13:18) “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” Romans 13:13)

The Latter Day Prophet Joseph Smith, in Doctrine and Covenants, calls upon us to seek honesty in our dealings with others, and to seek out honest men with which to associate.

The Prophet Joseph calls for us to "let every man deal honestly, and be alike among this people, and receive alike, that ye may be one, even as I have commanded you.” (D&C 51:9 Utah; 23:2 1835) And: “Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.” (D&C 98:10 Utah; )

Today, in these latter days, I urge you to heed the Prophets and Apostles of old to provide  for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men (2 Corinthians 8:21) and to reflect upon their holy words about the sacredness of honesty.

All things of value are wrapped in honestly and truth. Those who tell the truth revere Heavenly Father and His Prophets. Those who shun truth shun God Himself. Be honest for the sake of Heavenly Father and His people, and blessings will be upon you.

Matthew Gill

Prophet, Seer and Revelator,

Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ 

Scripture Reading: 2 Nephi Ch. 1 "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which is expedient unto man..."

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which is expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the mediation of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and the power of the Devil: for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. And now, my sons, I would that ye looked to the great mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit.”

- 2 Nephi Ch. 1 (2:27 Utah version)

Scripture Reading: Book of Jeraneck 9:5 "Now the children of hte People of Ridnon and Limndon were taught by their mothers..."

"Now the children of the People of Ridnon and Limndon were taught by their mothers and they were taught that they were to be prayerful and to be contrite and be examples to the people around them, and it is from these people that we have learned the value of motherhood, for before we joined ourselves with the People of Ridnon and Limndon we held motherhood in no great esteem."
- Book of Jaraneck 9:5

Scripture Reading: D&C 12:9 (1835 ed.) "..I give unto you a commandment..."

"And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded. And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness. And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so. Amen.”
D&C 12:9 (38:40-42 Utah)

Scripture Reading: Book of Jeraneck 1:1-2 "..It is from my Mother that I have learnt a greater understanding of humility..."

"My name is Jeraneck, son of Isnah, from the house of Isnah. I have been taught the gospel of the Christ and the Almighty God by my Father and Mother. But it is from my Mother that I have learnt a greater understanding of humility, respect and love and it is to her that I give thanks for the man I am today."
- Book of Jeraneck 1:1-2

Scripture Reading: Book of Jeraneck 1:12-13 "The Prophet Araneck being a mighty man in stature went before the Lord..."

"The Prophet Araneck being a mighty man in stature went before the Lord and offered up a sacred prayer saying. 'Almighty God, Lord of Heaven and of the Earth spare the people, forgive them of their wickedness. Pour out the spirit upon their hearts, that they might have a great and mighty change of heart, that they may kneel before thee in solemn repentance for the wickedness they have done.' As Araneck finished his prayer unto the Lord a great fire appeared before him in which stood the Lord of hosts the very Saviour."
- Book of Jeraneck 1:12-13

Scripture Reading: Book of Jeraneck 16:13-16 "As I write these things, my mind is turned to the Prophets of the past.."

"As I write these things, my mind is turned to the Prophets of the past, the great prophet Zioneck who lived during the unification of the people, the great Prophet Raynon and his wife Morion and the great Golden age of peace and love that they ushered in and how great it would have been to have lived then. My mind is turned to the many great things that they did for the people, their great deeds and works and their wonderful sermons and their preachings unto the people. And I have thought to myself these many days past while I have been camped in the great council chamber with the remainder of the People of Light, what was the need for these sermons and preachings?"
- Book of Jeraneck 16:13-16

Scripture Reading 2 Nephi Ch. 3 "...concerning the prophecies of which my father hath spoken, concerning Joseph"

"And now, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my father hath spoken, concerning Joseph, who was carried into Egypt: For behold, he truly prophesied concerning all his seed. And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations: and they are written upon the plates of brass. Wherefore, after my father had made an end of the speaking concerning the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of Laman, his sons, and his daughters, and sayeth unto them, Behold, my sons, and my daughters, which are the sons and the daughters of my first born. I would that ye should give ear unto my words: for the Lord God hath said, That inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments, ye shall be cut off from my presence."
- 2 Nephi Chapter 3 (4:1-4 Utah)

Scripture Reading: D&C 3:44 ""Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty..."

"Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence."
- D&C 3:44 (107:99 Utah)

Scripture Reading: Ether Chap. 5 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness."

“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Behold, I will shew unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will shew unto them that faith, hope, and charity, bringeth unto me the fountain of all righteousness.” Ether Chapter 5 (12:27-28 Utah)

Scripture Reading: 1 Nephi Ch. 4 "...What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw..."

“And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things.”
- 1 Nephi Chapter 4 (15:23-25, Utah)

Scripture Reading: Book of Jeraneck, Records, 1:63 "...Be holy and sanctified, Be baptised in his name..."

“Behold them and practise [these commandments] for they are from the Almighty God and they shall not be held in disregard by any one. They are thus: Be righteous and obedient and clean, Be holy and sanctified, Be baptised in his name, Bring your self to the holy temple to become one and be cleansed before the Almighty, You are to come into the holy temple and be married to your husband or wife and become one, just as the Son and the Father have done. Follow the teachings of the Almighty. Whether they be written upon plates of metal, whether written upon Zerith, whether written upon Amarith, whether written upon paper. Meet together often so that you may feel of the blessings of the Lord with others of like mind.”
- Book of Jeraneck, Records of the Religious Practices of the People of Light, 1:63

Scripture Reading: Alma Ch. 13 - “And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the Church, have ye spiritually been born of God?"

“And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the Church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God, to be judged according to the deeds which hath been done in the mortal body?”
- Alma Chapter 13 (1830 ed.) (5:14-15 Utah ed.)

Scripture Reading: D&C 91:8 (1835) "“But behold and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world..."

“But behold and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the sea shore, and heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever: for they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared; And they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end.”
Doctrine & Covenants 91:8 (76:109-112 Utah)

Scripture Reading: Mosiah Ch. 2: “Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things..."

“Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in Heaven and in Earth; believe that he hath all wisdom, and all power, both in Heaven and in Earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. And again: Believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God, and ask in sincerity of the heart that he would forgive you: and now, if you believe all these things, see that ye do them.”

- Mosiah Chapter 2 (4:9-10 Utah edition)

Sermon: The New Passover

The New Passover: The Resurrection Faith of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ

Sermon for 8 April 2012

The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ is a Resurrection Church – a church celebrating and honoring with all dignity the atonement, sacrifice and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The time of year set aside for such a remembrance has long been called “Easter.” But  “Easter” did not always symbolize Christ's resurrection from the dead and the Christian meaning of  the celebration was originally quite different from today’s celebration of eggs and bunnies.

The feast day of Easter was originally a pagan celebration of renewal and rebirth. Celebrated in the early spring, it honoured the pagan Saxon goddess Easter. When the early missionaries converted the Saxons to Christianity, the holiday, since it fell around the same time as the traditional memorial of Christ's resurrection from the dead, was merged with the pagan celebration, and became known as Easter.

This is far from its original meaning. The first Christians honoured the Lord with reverence and dignity, without the admixture of paganism and frivolity.

But the Church fell away, and was lost, only to be restored and resurrected once more in Ancient Britain, amongst the People of the Light, as has been revealed in modern times with the restoration and translation of the Book of Jeraneck.

There, in Chapter sixteen, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Jeraneck, saying, “and I saw that he was in a garden and I saw that he bled from his skin and the Lord said unto me ‘Behold I bleed for you and your people behold I bleed for all that have lived and will ever live.  I bleed and take upon my self the sins of the entire world.’ and then I saw that the people spat on him and whipped him and they placed thorns on his head and they nailed him to a tree in the form of a cross and there he died.  And my heart sank that the people would do this.  Now the Lord commanded me to look and I saw that he had risen from the dead and that he walked upon the earth once again and that he did many great things unto the people.”

Thus, the proper focus of this holy and sacred holiday was restored to His people.

And again, the Lord appeared unto His people in the Americas, and in the Book of Mormon, the Lord testifies that there is a resurrection, “therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death, is swallowed up in Christ.” (Mosiah Chapter 8)

In today’s restored Latter Day Church, which has been resurrected in our time just as it has been in ancient times amongst ancient peoples, these pagan additions have been stripped away from the original holiday and the wheat has been separated from the chaff, and the day is once again focused on the Lord’s sacrifice on our behalf.

On the 8th of March 2007, He gave to His church a new revelation and outlined His will concerning the celebration of Easter. The Lord said,

"I, the Lord, am most displeased with the world for they have taken my sacrifice and they have desecrated it and they have set it at naught. Behold I say unto you that it is not pleasing unto me that Easter be celebrated amongst my church in the manner in which it is being done. … Wherefore come unto me at the time you call Easter and lay a feat at your table in my honour and lay upon the alter table well prepared and cooked lamb which is a similitude of me and also bring before me unleavened bread mixed with bitter herbs that you may remember that I suffered in the garden and upon the cross for you. Behold I say that this is not to take away the sacredness of the sacrament but it is to prove unto me that I, the Lord, am remembered amongst you and that my sacrifice is not set at naught.”

Therefore, we choose to obey the Lord, and to stand firmly with the traditional teaching of Easter, the New Passover of the Lord, who has commanded us to keep this celebration special and holy. It is not just another holiday to be spent in frivolity and overindulgence, but a celebration and remembrance of the Lord’s sacrifice for us.

In these last days the Lord has seen fit to call a people forth to set right what has for so long been in error. He has seen fit to enlighten humanity with more revealed scripture and has enabled us to read the words of others who also worshipped at the feet of Christ. And so today he has chosen to do away with the errors of the Easter season.

In these last days the church of God has been commanded to set aside all the unrighteousness of Easter and has been commanded to remember the Passover of Christ from mortality to immortally from corruptible to incorruptible. The Feast of the New Passover is a true celebration of the true meaning of the celebration of a wonderful time of year named by the world as Easter.

To all our members worldwide, we ask that you remember the words spoken in the Book of prophecies and Revelations when the Lord said:

“Hearken, O my servant, my Prophet, for verily I say unto you that I, the Lord, am most displeased with the world for they have taken my sacrifice and they have desecrated it and they have set it at naught. Behold I say unto you that it is not pleasing unto me that Easter be celebrated amongst my church in the manner in which it is being done. For it is a celebration that mocks me and it is done in memory of a pagan God. Now I say unto you that it is expedient unto me that these things are done away with and that they not be done in my name, for my name is sacred and shall not be cast down amongst the swine for them to feast upon.”

So let us brace ourselves to our duty to do as the Lord commands and leave behind all the trappings of Easter eggs and bunny rabbits and let us instead look to Christ, for He is our Lord and it is to Him that our minds must be turned this time of year.

God bless you, my brothers and sisters, members of the Lord’s Resurrection Church in these Latter days, and may you all have a wonderful and happy and Christ-centred New Passover weekend.

Scripture Reading: Alma Chapter 8 "Now there is a death which is called temporal death.."

“Now there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death; the spirit and the body shall be reunited again, in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. Now this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked, and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but all things shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son of God, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.”
- Alma Chapter 8 (11:42-44 Utah edition)

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ..."

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
- Romans 1:16

Scripture Reading: 2 Nephi Chapter 13 (31:19-20) "...after that ye have got into this straight and narrow path..."

“And now, my beloved brethren, after that ye have got into this straight and narrow path, I would ask, If all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far, save it were by the word of Christ, with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save; Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”
- 2 Nephi Chapter 13 (31:19-20)