Sermon: Everlasting to Everlasting

It is a pleasure to be able to speak to you today and for us to be here again on this Sabbath set aside for us by the Lord to worship. As members of The latter Day Church of Jesus Christ and followers of Christ we are always striving to live the gospel within our capacity to live it. As we walk along this path we call life we become aware that there are standards that our Father in heaven and Jesus Christ live by and so we in turn are expected, and required to live up to these standards, not just for a little but for all our time upon our journey. These standards given unto us by our Father in Heaven and through the Saviour Jesus Christ are based upon preciseness, and exactness to eternal principles, which do not, and will not change because our father is everlasting to everlasting and unchangeable and in turn his son who serves him and is of him is also the same. In this wonderful period of the revealed gospel, and with the rise in technological devices we are blessed in need for all these advances assist us in our work towards godhood.

 

A closer perspective is really at a micro level. Take for example the unit of length.(meter). Building a ship over 100 meter long. One meter error would not make a much of a difference. But it would if building the ships engines. The French originated the meter in the 1790s as one/ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the north pole along a meridian through Paris.  It is realistically represented by the distance between two marks on an iron bar kept in Paris.  The International Bureau of Weights and Measures, created in 1875, upgraded the bar to one made of 90 percent platinum/10 percent iridium alloy. In 1960 the meter was redefined as 1,650,763.73 wavelengths of orange-red light, in a vacuum, produced by burning the element krypton (Kr-86).  More recently (1984), the Geneva Conference on Weights and Measures has defined the meter as the distance light travels, in a vacuum, in 1/299,792,458 seconds with time measured by a cesium-133 atomic clock which emits pulses of radiation at very rapid, regular intervals. None of the definitions changed the length of the meter, but merely allowed this length to be duplicated more precisely. Our English foot has not been so constant.  The U. S. Congress legalized the use of the metric system in 1866 on the basis that one meter is exactly equal to 39.37 inches.  In 1959 a number of English-speaking countries agreed that an inch is exactly equal to 2.54 centimetres so that the International foot is exactly equal to 0.3048 meters.  The United States retained the old 1866 equivalency and called it the U. S. Survey foot so that 1 U. S. Survey foot equals 1.000002 International feet.

 

So as we consider therefore the principles of the gospel. We will see that they do not change in any way. They are exact. God does not change, he is everlasting to everlasting. So is his church everlasting to everlasting doing all in his name. 

 

We read in the Book of Mormon the following:-

 

1  NOW it came to pass that after the end of Korihor, Alma having received tidings that the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lord, and that Zoram, who was their leader, was leading the hearts of the people to bow down to dumb idols, his heart again began to sicken because of the iniquity of the people.

 

2  For it was the cause of great sorrow to Alma to know of iniquity among his people; therefore his heart was exceedingly sorrowful because of the separation of the Zoramites from the Nephites.

 

3 Now the Zoramites had gathered themselves together in a land which they called Antionum, which was east of the land of Zarahemla, which lay nearly bordering upon the seashore, which was south of the land of Jershon, which also bordered upon the wilderness south, which wilderness was full of the Lamanites.

 

4 Now the Nephites greatly feared that the Zoramites would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites, and that it would be the means of great loss on the part of the Nephites.

 

5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just? yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them? therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

 

6 Therefore he took Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner; and Himni he did leave in the church in Zarahemla; but the former three he took with him, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, who were at Melek; and he also took two of his sons.

7  Now the eldest of his sons he took not with him, and his name was Helaman; but the names of those whom he took with him were Shiblon and Corianton; and these are the names of those who went with him among the Zoramites, to preach unto them the word.

 

8 Now the Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites; therefore they had had the word of God preached unto them.

 

9 But they had fallen into great errors, for they would not observe to keep the commandments of God, and his statutes, according to the law of Moses.

 

10 Neither would they observe the performances of the church, to continue in prayer and supplication to God daily, that they might not enter into temptation.

 

11 Yea, in fine, they did pervert the ways of the Lord in very many instances; therefore, for this cause, Alma and his brethren went into the land to preach the word unto them.

 

12 Now, when they had come into the land, behold, to their astonishment they found that the Zoramites had built synagogues, and that they did gather themselves together on one day of the week, which day they did call the day of the Lord; and they did worship after a manner which Alma and his brethren had never beheld; For they had a place built up in the centre of their synagogue, a place for standing, which was high above the head; and the top thereof would only admit one person.

 

13 Therefore, whosoever desired to worship must go forth and stand upon the top thereof, and stretch forth his hands towards heaven, and cry with a loud voice, saying: Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever. Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ.

 

14 But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God.

 

(Book of Mormon)

 

We In The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ are blessed above measure to have as the head of the Lord's church a living prophet Matthew Gill. He is sustained by our Father in heaven to lead us in the light, and truth being led always by the Lord who is unchangeable and so is his church. As we continue upon our journey in Christ and look at the things God asks of us we need to remember that what God asks us to live now he has asked of very generation and so I appeal to us al to live by the Lords command and to do what has asked. I leave you with these words and my testimony. Amen

 

Apostle Elder Peter C. Barber

Official Statement: Baptism of Brother Paul Barber

Dear brothers and sisters. What a wonderful day we have been blessed with today. It is our pleasure to inform you all that after a spirit filled service this Sunday, the 15th of February 2015 in the early afternoon Brother Paul Barber took the first step on his road to fellowship with Christ by being baptised. Brother Paul was so filled with the spirit that he asked to be baptised following our sacrament meeting. The baptism took place in a stream not to far from our meeting place, although not ideal it served its purpose in allowing brother Paul to be baptised by immersion. The spirit was in abundance and all who participated felt overcome. Following the baptism of brother Paul the presiding Elders bestowed the Holy Spirit and set Paul apart as a member of the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ.

 

Today truly has been a wonderfully spiritual day, a day that all who were part of the occasion will not forget for many years to come.

Sermon: Our Church Heritage

Joseph Smith junior’s first known autobiographical sketch states the idea that his birth,  was "of goodly parents, who spared no time to instruct me in the Christian religion." The year before his martyrdom, Joseph Smith spiritedly defended religious liberty for "any other denomination" and then became personal: "…love of liberty… was diffused into my soul by my grandfathers while they dandled me on their knees."  The Prophet’s paternal great-grandfather, Samuel Smith, gave considerable public service to his town and state legislature. He was characterized in his obituary as "a sincere friend  of his country, and a strenuous advocate for the doctrine of Christianity." His son Asael promoted this patriotic tradition as a soldier in the American Revolution, though then a father with five children aged eight and under. An enterprising farmer, Grandfather Asael Smith was prominent for years in several communities of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The Prophet’s memory of his grandfather is easily provable in its continuity, for Asael looked forward to the spread of liberty from the United States to the world. Political views merge with religious ones, since Asael believed literally that the second chapter of Daniel would be fulfilled as all the monarchical and ecclesiastical tyranny will be broken to pieces. It is no wonder then that on hearing of the Book of Mormon prior to his death in 1830, he said it was true, for he knew that something would turn up in his family  that would revolutionise the world. He never joined any permanent congregation although he did worship. In 1797 he joined the Universalist society in Tunbridge along side Jesse Smith and Joseph Smith senior.

 

In 1803 Asael wrote "We believe there is one God, whose nature is love, revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ, by one Holy Spirit of Grace, who will finally restore the whole family of mankind." Six years before the birth of the prophet Asael wrote to his wife and children starting with the phrase "My Dear Self's." The priceless original of this document (now housed in the LDS Church Historian’s Office) reveals the profound Christian piety of Asael. Asael wrote to his family "Do all to God in a serious manner—when you think of Him, speak of Him, pray to Him, or in any way make your addresses to His great Majesty be in good earnest. Trifle not with His name nor with His attributes, nor call Him to witness to anything but is absolute truth." True religion for him consisted not of empty ceremonies, but of personal goodness, it should be tested by the "two witnesses" of "the scriptures" and "sound reason.” Such a heritage of commitment does not die easily. Grandfather Asael spoke to the parents in his family one of whom was Joseph Smith Sr.

 

Once the known convictions of Asael Smith, Solomon Mack, and their wives are identified, they become significant in understanding Joseph Smith in two ways. First, the Prophet’s parents obviously possessed characteristics formed in the Smith and Mack homes. Second, the Prophet had some direct contact with his grandfathers, who (as he said) taught him to value the freedom that they had fought for. Most significantly, however, their achievements and ideals were clearly respected and taught to the young Joseph Smith by his own parents. Smith commented on accompanying them at the beginning of their westward trek. The parting scene was the grandmother’s "last admonition" to Lucy Mack Smith "to continue faithful in the service of God to the end of your days, that I may have the pleasure of embracing you in another and fairer world above."  No informed biographer can deny the sustained exposure of the young Prophet to profound ideals and rational religious commitment. The intelligent sincerity of Joseph Smith’s grandparents goes a long way toward proving his own. In doing so we have been left with a lasting heritage, a heritage that shone forth from our founding prophet and leader and had come don to us today in all his character and his teachings. Our church heritage is therefore linked with the smith family and is an intrinsic part of who we are as a people. I for one value our church heritage and what it stands for and i bare testimony of it here in this sermon. My brothers and sisters I encourage each and everyone of you to gain a firm grasp on the history of our great church and the heritage that it has left us, for without it we stand naked and exposed to the world, but with it we are enwrapped in the joy and commitment that has been handed us by God. Let us remember that we to will leave a lasting heritage to those that come after us, and let it be a good one, let it be one that rings true and sincere just as brother Joseph's rang true for us. Amen.

 

Apostle Elder Philip A. Gill

Sermon: Choose The Latter Day Church

The main reason you should choose to worship and join with The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ is because the work of the Church as restored by Joseph Smith in 1830 still lies undone and the work has need of willing hands.  Indeed it must be understood that Zion is yet to be redeemed in the eyes of the Lord.  We at the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ testify that Jesus Christ restored His church to earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1830, gracing it with the Saviour's pristine gospel, returning His original ordinances and authorising new Apostles and Prophets to proclaim the glad tidings of the gospel.  The Restoration of 1830 began with the revelation that scattered Israel would be gathered in and cleansed. The Lord even provided a book, written by an ancient remnant of native Americans of North America to facilitate that work. Translated by the gift and power of God, the Book of Mormon is one of the foremost witnesses to the Restoration.  Its appearance, coupled with marvellous manifestations of spiritual gifts similar to those endowing the apostolic church, attracted thousands to the restored church and to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

 

Today the Lord has seen fit to finally redeem Zion and also to call forth those that are willing to shine a light upon the truth and so he has called a new Prophet and Seer and has brought forth new scripture to help redeem Zion and his church. The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ stands as the only true church of Christ upon the face of the earth and it is through the Lords anointed Prophet that he has given us direction and has set right what was once torn down and has made what was hidden once again to stand in the light of truth. So with this the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ is established and has brought forth new scripture called the Book of Jeraneck which stands as a witness to Christ along with the Bible and the Book of Mormon and we are ready to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of us all even God and to bring the world his truth and light again the path of mankind even unto salvation.

 

Now The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ welcome in fellowship those who wish to join with us from around the world to become members of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ and members of the Lord's Restored Church for this age. We welcome those to membership who are committed to leading Latter Day Mormon and Christian lives, who accept our Articles of Faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the teachings of the Prophet of Joseph Smith, Jr. and the leadership and moral guidance of the living Prophet in our day who has been called to stand in brother Josephs stead, Matthew P. Gill. All Members of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ agree to support the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ financially by regular tithing and donations, according to one's conscience, and to support it spiritually by upholding it by prayer, sacrifice and to worship regularly with others who are joined in membership. As you learn more about the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will experience feelings of peace and comfort. Some of our members have expressed that they feel a familiarity with the truths they are being taught and feel that they are coming home. If you have a desire to follow Christ’s restored teachings and obey His commandments, you are encouraged to contact the church and the Prophet will introduce you to the basic principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Then, when you are ready, you can become a member of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ after you have been received in to the ordinance of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. It is after baptism that hands will be placed upon your head and it is then that you will be confirmed as a member of the Church and a blessing will be placed upon you that you may receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 8:18-20).

 

As a member of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ, you belong to a young but growing congregation of dedicated members. While at church you are taught the truths contained within the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, you will have many opportunities for service, have access to the living Priesthood and all its ordinances, and find fellowship with other Latter Day Mormons within the church, it is there that you have a Prophet and teachers who help to teach you and serve you. Another promise of membership is the promise to serve. Having callings extended or responsibilities within the church is a wonderful blessing and opportunity. When you serve, you will grow spiritually and temporally and you will experience the joy of following Jesus's example in service. As a member of the church you will form friendship and love with those you serve as you reach out to help others on the path to eternal life in the kingdom of the Father. As you serve within the church you will find that you will be strengthened on your journey that you started at baptism. There are many ways that you can serve in The Latter Day Church. You may be asked to teach a Sunday class, lead the congregational singing, organise social activities, coordinate food storage preparedness, or fulfil a variety of other responsibilities. In addition to whatever formal assignments you receive, you can often serve best by just being a friend to the members of the church congregation, as well as those not of our faith. We must remember that as members of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ we are blessed to be guided in our day just as the early saints in the 1830’s and 40’s by a living Prophet who receives ongoing revelation from God. We know that Gods plan is a plan of happiness and that if we are faithful, He will give us peace in this life and glorious blessings in the life to come. It is in these truths we find joy, and for these reasons we help one another on our journey.

 

If you are interested in joining with us please contact us via our contact page and we will do all we can to assist you on your path to the restored gospel.

Sermon: Redeeming Zion

Let me first say that we the church are grateful beyond any measure for the very excellent work being done in the Church by everyone. We extend our high commendation to those who serve in this church. We feel that a foundation has been laid for great progress and development in the days, weeks and months to come. We foresee a day when the Church will be an ever present influence in the world. I would like to make my first address of 2015 one of great importance and one that follows with it great gravitas, for I wish to speak of the building of Zion in these last days. As we also know the Lord God is now in the process of gathering in the lost sheep of and laying upon them the obligation to build up his Latter Day Zion. This is something that the Lord has spoken to us about ever since he parted the veil again and helped to establish his kingdom again in glory upon the earth, it is not something that is just being spoken of or that has just this instant sprang to mind, it is something that we have been proclaiming now for sometime. By the mouth of an ancient prophet who lived 3,000 years ago, the Lord sent a message to us. The holy prophet spoke as he was moved upon by the Holy Ghost and he spoke these words: “This shall be written for the generation to come” it is sent to “the people which shall be gathered” to a people who “shall praise the Lord.” (Ps. 102:18.) We are that people, a people who once again receive revelation, a people to whom God has given a gain the fullness of his gospel. The message which has come to us is that the Lord will “have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.” The message is that “when the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.” (Ps. 102:13- 16.)

Zion has been established many times among men. From the days of Adam to the present time, whenever the Lord has had a people of his choosing, whenever there have been those who have hearkened unto his voice and kept his commandments, whenever his people have served him with full purpose of heart, there has been a Zion always and forever, for he has placed them in his protective care in a city that is for him and him alone to be worshiped. The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ is in the process of a period of change and realignment where one of the basic doctrines of the Restoration is concerned. We were directed in the days of Joseph Smith to do one thing, a thing of such importance the prophet tried and tried again and again to do it, and that was the building up of Zion. Today we are counselled again and again in the revelations of the Lord to once again establish Zion and to turn away from the world entirely. Since the glories days of our beloved first Prophet Joseph Smith the keys of the building up of Zion and of the gathering of the ten lost tribes from the land of the north, we the church of God have been using what little means and strength we have to recover the remnant of that once favoured blessing, to establish once again Zion upon the earth. Some success has attended our labours; we have brought forth the Book of Jeraneck, we have established scriptures to be used in Gods kingdom, we have also established laws by which Zion shall be governed. Our message has gone to unto all the nations and many seeking the truth have come unto us for baptism and membership, we have sent word inviting them to come “to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths" fulfilling the words “out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord” (Isa. 2:3.)

Now the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ and its membership need to know now that we are sent to redeem Zion, that is our work, this is what we have been asked of God to do so let us play the part assigned us in the Lord’s eternal drama concerning his people, we ought not to struggle trying to determine, as did the New Testament saints in what part we should play in the building up of Zion for the building of Zion and the establishment of Zion in this latter day is set before us we know what it is we have been asked to do. We should all be aware that we are now living in the days before second coming of God, we know that we are living in the tribulation and that we are here not just to proclaim truth but to establish it in a tangible edifice and that edifice is Zion, Zion is to be touched, it is to be walked upon and to be seen now in our lives, not in some distance far of tomorrow but now and our work lies ahead of us. The Lord has spoken again and again on this subject and I have been reminded to proclaim again that If we do not rightly follow the word of God, we will face confusion and uncertainty and we will keep wondering if and when and how. But If on the other hand we correctly envision our proper role and know what should be done today, then we shall then be able to use our time, talents, and means to the best advantage in building up Zion and preparing the people for the second coming of the Son of Man.

 

My brothers and sisters let us not forget that we live in the age of restoration. Peter called it “the times of restitution,” meaning the period or time in the earth’s history when that which once was shall be restored in all its original glory and perfection, what better example of this do we need than this church and the fruits that it brings forth. have we not been shown that the church fell because of unrighteousness amongst the saints, have we not been shown that the Lord has had his hand in restoring what was once left abandoned to the wolves in sheep's clothing? Let us not forget that the things to be restored include “all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:21.) And there are few things of which the prophets have spoken with more fervour and zeal than the building of Zion and the gathering of the Lords  favoured people. Many things have already been restored, and many things are yet to be restored. The Lords people have been gathered in some small part, but the greatest part of the gathering is ahead. The foundations of Zion have been laid in our hearts, but the promised City has yet to be built. We have done some of the things destined to be accomplished in this dispensation; we are now engaged in doing the very things reserved for our time; and there are many things ahead to be done not by our children and grandchildren but by us for we have been chosen as the ones who shall build Zion, we and we alone have been charged with this act, we can not keep kicking the can on down the street, the time has come when the Lord has put an end to this prevarication and asked us to sacrifice all, everything we have to establish Zion, I ask once again are we building the foundations of Zion are we living the principles of God? are we proclaiming that which God has asked or are we like those that dwell in the western desert and doing as we see fit for ourselves and only ourselves. This church has been asked to call everyone to establish and build Zion, and so we must and in doing so we must give all we have not just spiritually but also temporally as well holding nothing back, so that we may be redeemed as well as Zion. Amen

 

Prophet Matthew P Gill

Five Quotes That Show Us the Charector of The Prophet Joseph Smith

Latter Day Mormons know that Joseph Smith was generous and charismatic, however we can always learn more and there is no better way to learn about his attributes than to study his own words. Here are five quotations from Joseph's own writings that reveal more about his character:

 

1. “I was grieved to hear that Hiram [Hyrum Smith] had lost his little Child I think we Can in Some degree sympathise with him but we all must be reconciled to our lots and Say the will of the Lord be done.”

 

Letter to Emma Smith, 6 June 1832

 

By 1832, Joseph and Emma Hale Smith had three children born to them. All three died, either soon after birth or in infancy. In addition, Joseph Murdock, one of the twins Joseph and Emma adopted, had died just a couple of months earlier at the age of 11 months. No wonder Joseph said that he could sympathise with his brother Hyrum and sister-in-law Jerusha, who lost their nearly three-year-old daughter, Mary, in May 1832.

 

2. “I know that Zion, in the own due time of the Lord will be redeemed, but how many will be the days of her purification, tribulation and afflictions, the Lord has kept hid from my eyes; and when I enquire concerning this subject the voice of the Lord is, Be still, and know that I am God!”

 

Letter to Edward Partridge, 10 December 1833

 

Sometimes we struggle when we don’t get an answer to our prayers, thinking that perhaps it is because of a lack of faith or that God has forgotten us. This passage, written in a letter to Edward Partridge after Joseph had heard about the Saints’ expulsion from Jackson County, Missouri, shows that even the Prophet did not always receive immediate answers from the Lord. Just six days after Joseph wrote this letter, however, he received what is now section 101 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which provided answers to his questions. That section also reiterates what Joseph said the Lord had been telling him: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

 

3. “Zion shall yet live though she seemeth to be dead.”

 

Letter to the Church in Caldwell County, 16 December 1838

 

In December 1838, Joseph and the Church were suffering through some of their darkest days. Joseph was imprisoned in Liberty Jail, Missouri, on charges of treason against the state of Missouri, and his followers had been driven from the state after an extermination order was issued by Governor Lilburn Boggs. Rather than giving into pessimism about the future of the Church during this time the Saints had been expelled from their homes and the place Zion was supposed to be built, Joseph told the Saints to take heart. Zion would yet rise in its glory.

 

4. “And as to yourself if you want to know how much I want to see you, examine your feelings, how much you want to see me, and judge for yourself, I would gladly walk from here to you barefoot, and bareheaded, and half naked, to see you and think it great pleasure, and never count it toil.”

 

Letter to Emma Smith, 4 April 1839

 

While still in Liberty Jail, Joseph wrote this poignant letter to his wife Emma, expressing his love for her and for their children. His expression of love stands as an indication of the deep affection he felt for them. 

 

5. “Mormons can testify whether I am willing to lay down my life for a Mormon; If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a Mormon I am bold to declare before heaven that I am just as ready to die for a Presbyterian, a Baptist or any other denomination.”

 

Joseph Smith Journal, 9 July 1843

 

Sometimes we forget how important the concept of religious liberty was to Joseph Smith. Not only did he pen the 11th article of faith, proclaiming the right of all humans to worship as they wished, he also counselled the Saints to exhibit that same religious tolerance. As he told church members at this Nauvoo meeting, he was just as willing to give his life for a member of another faith as he was for the Saints in the church.

Sermon Given By Brother Joseph Smith The Prophet

I thought that it would be great before we continue our traditional services that we should here from the Prophet Joseph Smith before we move in to our normal church sermons that are posted every week. There will be lots written and said about the early church this year and so this sermon taught by Joseph Smith would give us a very good example about the sorts of issues that the early church were going through. So I give the time over to Brother Joseph.

Sermon given by Joseph Smith, Jr. May 14, 1843, Hancock County, Illinois

(The Words of Joseph Smith, pp. 200-202.)

 

It is not wisdom that we should have all knowledge at once presented before us, but that we should have a little; then we can comprehend it. The prophet then read the second epistle of Peter, 1st chapter, 16th to last verse, and dwelt upon the 19th verse with these remarks.

 

The principle of knowledge is the principle of faith unto salvation. The principle of knowledge can be comprehended, for any one that cannot get knowledge to be saved will be damned. The principle of salvation is given to us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Salvation is nothing more or less than to triumph over all our enemies and put them under our feet, and when we have power to put all enemies under our feet in this world and a knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are saved; as in the case of Jesus, he was to reign until he had put all enemies under his feet, and the last enemy was death. Perhaps there are principles here that few men have thought of. No person can have this salvation except through a tabernacle. Now, in this world, mankind are naturally selfish, ambitious, and striving to excel one above another, yet some are willing to build up others as well as themselves. So it is in the other world, there is a variety of spirits, some who seek to excel. And this was the case with the devil. When he fell, he sought for things which were unlawful, hence, he was cast down. And it is said he drew away many with him. The greatness of his punishment is that he shall not have a tabernacle. This is his punishment. So the devil, thinking to thwart the decree of God by going up and down in the earth seeking whom he may, destroys any person he can find that will yield to him. He will bind him and take possession of the body and reign there, glorying in it mightily, not thinking that he had gotten a stolen tabernacle. And by and by, some one of authority will come along and cast him out and restore the tabernacle to its rightful owner. But the devil steals a tabernacle because he has not one of his own. But if he steals one, he is liable to be turned out of doors. 

 

Now there is some grand secret there, and keys to unlock the subject. Notwithstanding the apostle exhorts them to add to their faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, yet he exhorts them to make their calling and election sure. And though they had heard the audible voice from heaven bearing testimony that Jesus was the Son of God, yet he says we have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light shining in a dark place. Now wherein could they have a more sure word of prophecy than to hear the voice of God saying this is my beloved Son. Now for the secret and grand key. Though they might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made sure, that they had part with Christ, and they were a joint heir with him. They then would want that more sure word of prophecy that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Then having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightning's flash and earthquakes bellow and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble, and tribulation. Then, knowledge through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the grand key that unlocks the glories and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Compare this principle once with Christendom at the present day, and where are they, with all their boasted religion and piety and sacredness? While at the same time, they are crying out against prophets, apostles, angels, revelation, prophesying, and visions, they are just ripening for the damnation of hell, they will be damned for they reject the more glorious principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and treat with disdain and trample under foot the main key that unlocks the heavens and puts in our possession the glories of the celestial world. Yes, I say such will be damned with all their professed godliness. Then I would exhort you to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy and wait patiently for the promise until you obtain it.

 

By Joseph Smith the Seer.

 

The Prophet Speaks

As the year of the end approaches I thought that it was important that I speak to the church and also to those searching for truth or who have had a taste of the restored gospel of Joseph Smith at a Mormon church but now find themselves no longer attending or members of said churches. I make my remarks in the hopes that my words reach you and your families and help you make a change for the better by reaching out to us in membership. To those already members I say that we need to make more of an effort in reaching out to those who stand in need of the eternal truths that we posses. In doing this I say that the main reason you should choose to worship and join with The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ is because the work of the Church as restored by Joseph Smith in 1830 still lies undone and the work has need of willing hands.  Indeed it must be understood that Zion is yet to be redeemed in the eyes of the Lord.  We at the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ testify that Jesus Christ restored His church to earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1830, gracing it with the Saviour's pristine gospel, returning His original ordinances and authorising new Apostles and Prophets to proclaim the glad tidings of the gospel.  The Restoration of 1830 began with the revelation that scattered Israel would be gathered in and cleansed. The Lord even provided a book, written by an ancient remnant of native Americans of North America to facilitate that work. Translated by the gift and power of God, the Book of Mormon is one of the foremost witnesses to the Restoration.  Its appearance, coupled with marvellous manifestations of spiritual gifts similar to those endowing the apostolic church, attracted thousands to the restored church and to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

 

Today the Lord has seen fit to finally redeem Zion and also to call forth those that are willing to shine a light upon the truth and so he has called a new Prophet and Seer and has brought forth new scripture to help redeem Zion and his church. The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ stands as the only true church of Christ upon the face of the earth and it is through the Lords anointed Prophet that he has given us direction and has set right what was once torn down and has made what was hidden once again to stand in the light of truth. So with this the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ is established and has brought forth new scripture called the Book of Jeraneck which stands as a witness to Christ along with the Bible and the Book of Mormon and we are ready to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of us all even God and to bring the world his truth and light again the path of mankind even unto salvation.

 

Now The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ welcome in fellowship those who wish to join with us from around the world to become members of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ and members of the Lord's Restored Church for this age. We welcome those to membership who are committed to leading Latter Day Mormon and Christian lives, who accept our Articles of Faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the teachings of the Prophet of Joseph Smith, Jr. and the leadership and moral guidance of the living Prophet in our day who has been called to stand in brother Josephs stead, Matthew P. Gill. All Members of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ agree to support the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ financially by regular tithing and donations, according to one's conscience, and to support it spiritually by upholding it by prayer, sacrifice and to worship regularly with others who are joined in membership. As you learn more about the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will experience feelings of peace and comfort. Some of our members have expressed that they feel a familiarity with the truths they are being taught and feel that they are coming home. If you have a desire to follow Christ’s restored teachings and obey His commandments, you are encouraged to contact the church and the Prophet will introduce you to the basic principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Then, when you are ready, you can become a member of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ after you have been received in to the ordinance of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. It is after baptism that hands will be placed upon your head and it is then that you will be confirmed as a member of the Church and a blessing will be placed upon you that you may receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 8:18-20).

 

As a member of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ, you belong to a young but growing congregation of dedicated members. While at church you are taught the truths contained within the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, you will have many opportunities for service, have access to the living Priesthood and all its ordinances, and find fellowship with other Latter Day Mormons within the church, it is there that you have a Prophet and teachers who help to teach you and serve you. Another promise of membership is the promise to serve. Having callings extended or responsibilities within the church is a wonderful blessing and opportunity. When you serve, you will grow spiritually and temporally and you will experience the joy of following Jesus's example in service. As a member of the church you will form friendship and love with those you serve as you reach out to help others on the path to eternal life in the kingdom of the Father. As you serve within the church you will find that you will be strengthened on your journey that you started at baptism. There are many ways that you can serve in The Latter Day Church. You may be asked to teach a Sunday class, lead the congregational singing, organise social activities, coordinate food storage preparedness, or fulfil a variety of other responsibilities. In addition to whatever formal assignments you receive, you can often serve best by just being a friend to the members of the church congregation, as well as those not of our faith. We must remember that as members of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ we are blessed to be guided in our day just as the early saints in the 1830’s and 40’s by a living Prophet who receives ongoing revelation from God. We know that Gods plan is a plan of happiness and that if we are faithful, He will give us peace in this life and glorious blessings in the life to come. It is in these truths we find joy, and for these reasons we help one another on our journey.

 

If you are interested in joining with us please contact us via our contact page and we will do all we can to assist you on your path to the restored gospel.

Winter General Assembly 2014 Video

You can now watch The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ's 2014 Winter General Assembly on video at our video page on our website  http://www.latterdaymormon.co.uk/#!church-video/ca58

Please take the time to watch and enjoy. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year.

Official Church News: The Prophet Joseph Smiths Birthday

Today The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ observes the birthday of our founder and first Prophet Brother Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith was born in Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont on December 23, 1805 to Lucy Mack Smith and her husband Joseph Smith Sr. Brother Joseph brought forth the restoration of the gospel and was responsible for bringing forth The Book of Mormon. In his short life brother Joseph changed the way we see God and our relationship with him, he was responsible for bringing forth much truth and setting right what had been wrong. Today we say thank you and happy birthday to the man who changed our lives.

2014 Winter General Assembly Sermons

Prophet Matthew P Gill's Sermon

We like many others celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ at this season of the year. On Christmas eve we join with millions of Christians from around the world in celebration of the birth of the Saviour. How grateful we are that the baby Jesus was born for the Saviour came “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”. His birth transcends everything that we know.

 

We remember the shepherds that watched on that eventful night. We picture them sat in an open cave to protect them from the night’s coolness, yet still able could watch their flocks. They sat in the dark, looking out into the starry sky and suddenly they beheld angels, angels dressed in exquisite whiteness in the centre of infinite glory, and then they spoke un to the humble shepherds: “Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10–12). Did not the angels sing that night? Sometimes we, too, may seem to hear faint music, not loud, but in symphonic harmony it can penetrate deeply in to our hearts. The never-to-be-forgotten melody, the cry of the ages: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

 

As Latter Day Mormons at this beautiful season, we pledge ourselves to his work and invite all people everywhere to join us in our prayers of joy and love and gratitude for the life and teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Each year as Christmas comes around one problem that faces nearly everyone in the Mormon and Christian world, parents especially is the question of Father Christmas. I have asked many times upon my knees while in fervant prayer, should we continue to make Father Christmas a part of our Christmas celebration at all? Is the idea that Father Christmas is a false notion and should have no part in Christmas and valid one? Can we have a proper balance in Christmas activities, including both the worship of Christ and the spirit of giving embodied in Father Christmas? Should we even be celebrating Christmas on December 25th at all, but instead on April 6?

 

I stand here today as the Prophet of God and proclaim that as a church we feel that those who say they don’t want Father Christmas in Christmas because he is a lie, a fictional character, seem to have overlooked another deception of a sort. That is, they overlook the fact that the Lord was not born on December 25, he was born on April 6, in the springtime remember the “beauty of the lilies.” So maybe we shouldn’t be celebrating anything on December 25. Frankly, it’s hard not to be cynical about the whole subject of Christmas these days what with the world falling ever deeper in the clutches of commercialism and agnosticism, nevertheless, I proclaim that we The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ have encouraged there to be a good healthy balance at Christmastime where the worship of the Saviour and the spirit of giving embodied in Father Christmas work well together. Let us not forget that Father Christmas is based on someone called St. Nicholas, this man loved children and often gave them gifts with no ulterior motive. I think it is important to tell them that St. Nicholas really is embodying the spirit of the season the idea of giving and remembering to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ because the wise men gave gifts to the child Jesus and so we give gifts at Christmas and we tell our children that this man Father Christmas brings to them gifts as did the wise men to the Christ child.

 

Christmas gifts should be in memory of the divine gift, the life of Jesus Christ. His gift gave us eternal life; our gifts should be given with joy to those who receive. His gift was the sacrifice of his earthly life. We have arrogantly reversed the proper order. Our first gift at Christmas should be to the Lord; next to the friend or stranger we meet; then, charged with the effulgence from giving, we would enhance the value of our gifts to our very own. How can we give to the Lord? What shall we give to him? Every kind word, every help given, is as a gift to God, whose chief concern is the welfare of his Brothers and Sisters. Every gentle deed to our neighbour, every kindness to the poor and suffering, is a gift to the Lord, and in doing these things we thereby fit ourselves for our divinely planned destiny. The desire and the effort to give to the Lord, born of the surrender of man to the plan of salvation, stamp every Christmas gift with genuine value. They who identify themselves with the plan, who do not resist it, who earnestly seek to tread the path of the plan, are true givers to the Lord, and their gifts to men come with the flavour of heaven. The Lord and his plan must have pride of place in all our Christmas celebration.

 

Obedience, sacrifice, love, once these tests have been met, the gifts of Christmas, small or great, become more pleasing to the Lord, by a subtle, spiritual sense, more acceptable to the recipient, and leave permanent joy with the giver. So I say unto you all, would it not be better this Christmas to give first to the Lord, directly through obedience, sacrifice, and love, and then to give to him indirectly through gifts to friends and family? If we do this, perhaps many of us would discover a new Christmas joy, a Christmas in Christ, at last a Christmas that has him, the Lord of us all, at centre stage. Amen

Apostle Elder Peter C Barber's Sermon

In the New Testament we read about the 3 wise men who visited Jesus, just after his birth. However, it was Bible scholars who came up with the number 3. Nowhere in the Bible does it specify the number of wise men who came to visit Jesus. The scholars came up with 3 because of the number of gifts that were given to Jesus. The gifts Frankincense, gold, and myrrh.

 

In the book of Matthew, chapter 2 verse 1 it says:- “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.”

 

Reading down further in the book of Matthew, chapter 2 verse 11, it says:- “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

 

As these gifts were given to the Son Of God I thought I would take a closer look at the properties of these gifts.

 

Frankincense apart from being used as a cosmetic and as a fragrance, frankincense oil has numerous medicinal uses. Immune System: Frankincense Oil is effective as an antiseptic, and even the fumes or smoke obtained from burning it have antiseptic and disinfectant qualities that eliminate the germs in the space where the smoke filters out. It can be applied on wounds without any known side effects to protect them from tetanus and becoming septic. It is equally good on internal wounds and protects them from developing infections. Oral Health: Those same antiseptic qualities also make frankincense oil a useful preventative measure against oral issues, like bad breath, toothaches, cavities, mouth sores, and other infections. Look for natural oral care products that include frankincense oil if you enjoy the flavour or aroma, and want to include a strong antiseptic in your health regimen. You can even create your own all-natural toothpaste with frankincense oil and baking soda, or a mouthwash with water and peppermint oil. Astringent: The astringent property of Frankincense Oil has many benefits, because it strengthens gums, hair roots, tones and lifts skin, contracts muscles, intestines and blood vessels, and thereby gives protection from premature losses of teeth and hair. This astringent quality also reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and combats the loss of firmness of intestines, abdominal muscles, and limbs associated with age. Above all, frankincense acts as a coagulant, helping to stop bleeding from wounds and cuts.

 

Myrrh is a very powerful antioxidant making it protective against aging skin. The Arabian people believed it helped wrinkled, chapped, and cracked skin. Today, myrrh is widely used in oral hygiene products. It is purifying, restorative, revitalizing, and uplifting. We also know that Myrrh was given to Baby Jesus along with Frankincense and Gold. So, Myrrh and Frankincense were considered luxury items used by the wealthy and highly regarded next to gold.

 

Now for gold, it is a chemical element. It is a bright yellow dense, soft, malleable and ductile metal. The properties remain when exposed to air or water. Chemically, gold is a transition metal and a group 11 element. It is one of the least reactive chemical elements, and is solid under standard conditions. The metal therefore occurs often in free elemental form, as nuggets or grains, in rocks, in veins and in alluvial deposits.

 

In the Book of Jeraneck Chapter 5 verses 19-30 we read:-

 

19. And Hadjaneck said unto the people:

 

20. “Listen to my brother.” And Sharaneck told the people with the power of the Lord in his voice:-

 

21. “I have prayed unto the Lord and he has loosed my tongue so that I may testify of his greatness, and because I have prayed with a sincere heart having faith, and the Lord not only loosed my tongue but he also blessed me with the desires of my heart.”

 

22. And so it was that as Sharaneck was about to tell the people what the Lord had blessed him with, the heavens opened

 

23. And out of the heavens there came a man unlike any man they had seen before behold he was clothed in white and shone with great brightness.

 

24. And he stood in the midst of them and said:-

 

25“I am he who will bleed for you at my first coming.

 

26. I am he who will be born of a virgin pure, and clean.

 

27. I am he who is the only begotten of the Father.

 

28. I am he whom the Prophets testify of.

 

29. I am the Saviour the very Christ.

 

30. My servant Sharaneck, I bless you with the desires of your heart, for I know those desires and I bless you that you will never taste death, but more than this you shall come to me two times in the flesh, once at my birth you shall bring gold to my bedside and second when you shall meet me at the mount of Olives when I shall come the second and final time.

 

As we look forward to this Christmas season let us remember that the gifts given at the birth of or saviour Jesus Christ were given for reasons far beyond the reason for just giving a gift. As we look to the birth of Christ and to the gifts given we also look to the men who brought those gifts, and because we are led by a living Prophet and we are living in a time of revelation upon the earth we have been given a knowledge of one of those men who visited the Christ child, Sharaneck brought gold and we are privileged to know this for ourselves today. As we look forward to the celebration of the birth of Christ we also look forward to the holy event of the Saviour’s appearance at the Mount of Olives and when we shall all be united in our love for him. In closing let me say that I am glad that I have the opportunity to chare my love for the Saviour on this day and that I have the opportunity of celebrating the birth of Christ with my family on the 25th of December with so many across the world.

 

I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God bless to you wherever you may be. Amen

Apostle Elder Philip A. Gill's Sermon

Christmas in old Nauvoo was less commercial, yet the celebration was just as happy as it is today. Can you imagine school on Christmas day? What about having Christmas without trees, lights, Christmas cards, or  presents?  Christmas without these things seems hard to imagine, this describes Christmas Day for the early members of the Church living in Nauvoo. Joseph  was born December 23, 1805, just two days before Christmas is celebrated. There is no record of any specific ways the Prophet celebrated his birthday, but in 1843, on the Prophet’s 38th birthday, he recorded that he spent the day preparing for a celebration, but not his own. Rather he spent the day preparing for Christmas, the observed birthday of  Jesus Christ "At home on 23^rd December 1843 guiding the brethren who called on me, and attending to my domestic duties, making preparations for a Christmas party" ( History of Joseph Smith.)

 

When America was first settled in the 1600s, most of the early settlers did not believe that Christmas should be a time of festivity. They avoided the “impure” Christmas traditions of England. For Joseph and his family and many of the other Saints with links to England, puritan thoughts still permeated Christmas celebrations. However during the lifetime of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Christmas Day gradually became recognised as a day of celebration as well as a sacred day. Christmas was still much less festive in those days than it is today. Records show us that the Mormon children in Nauvoo even attended school on December 25th because Christmas was not a legal holiday in the state of Illinois. Christmas trees were not common, and very few of the Saints gave Christmas gifts or cards. Rather than focusing on giving and receiving gifts, the Saints in the 1840s spent Christmas evening with family and friends enjoying good food and sometimes festive music and dancing. Although there is no record of what the Saints in Nauvoo served at these dinner parties, the dishes likely contained ingredients used throughout the rest of the winter, flour, sugar, beans, corn, salt, dried meat, and dried fruit, certainly no Turkey dinners. Christmas celebrations also probably included some of the Saints favourite sweets such as ice cream made from snow, sugar, and flavouring, candy made from molasses and cookies made with dates or figs.

 

In the History of the Prophet, Joseph did record some memorable Christmas celebrations. These records show how much the Prophet enjoyed the Christmases that he could spend with family and friends. One such entry is on Christmas Day of 1835 in which he writes:- “Friday, December 25, 1835. Enjoyed myself at home with my family all day, it being Christmas, the only time I have had this privilege so satisfactorily for a long period” Eight years later, on Christmas Day of 1843, the Prophet recorded another memorable Christmas. Christmas day began quite early in the morning when carollers serenaded the Prophet’s home around 1:00 A.M. This surprise visit made the Prophet very happy; he recorded that the singing “caused a thrill of pleasure to run through his soul". The day continued with a large party. That afternoon Joseph and Emma presided at a dinner  party for  about 50 couples , and Joseph recorded the following in his journal about the gathering:- “Monday, December 25, A large party supped at my house, and spent the evening in music, dancing, , in a most cheerful and friendly manner”

 

Even though Christmas for the Saints in Nauvoo seems to have been very different from Christmas today, the purpose was the same, to celebrate the birth of the Saviour, very few men understand the glory of that birth as did Joseph himself. For Joseph had seen the Saviour, “even on the right hand of God,” and had borne witness through personal knowledge “that he lives The Christ child was born of meagre wealth and circumstance". In their comprehension of poverty and its solutions, most Mormons moved little beyond Ebenezer Scrooge's personally fulfilling but ultimately narrow patronage. Their sentimentalisation of worthy paupers at Christmas time, especially virtuous but destitute women and vagabond children, did not question the essential goodness of the market economy that had, directly and indirectly, produced the poverty. As in Dickens evocation of charity, the rich man escaped condemnation if he recognised that his money meant little compared to his responsibility to humanity. Mormons were a prime moving force in recognising welfare issues especially at Christmas, and tried to eradicate these issues.

 

And so my brothers and sisters we sit here today hundreds of years latter as the progeny of those first Mormons in Nauvoo and we hold with us the sacred flame that is Christmas and it is up to us to guard that flam and see that the winds of change and of worldly want do not shut out the flame that the birth of the Christ child caused to be lit. We as brother Joseph know the truth of our Saviour and we should remember that on the day we celebrate Christmas we are not just celebrating a national holiday but indeed are celebrating the birth of our own Saviour, Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that you all have a very Merry Christmas and that the light of Christ is with you and your families over this festive period. Amen

 

The Christmas Season Is Upon Us!

Once again we find ourselves only a few week until we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ but already we find ourselves beginning to revel in the Christmas season. As a church family we fully engage with the season of Christmas and all that it has to offer us both temporally and most important of all spiritually. December is a month where we mark the celebration of Christ's birth in our Nativity Sunday Special where all of the gathered congregation including the children are involved in this special celebration and season by singing carols and reading from the Nativity story. Our Nativity Sunday will be taking place on Sunday the 14th and will not include Sunday School in the programme ,this gives us the opportunity to concentrate on the Nativity and the spirit of the season and allows us to wear our festive clothing and sing Christmas carols and read the Nativity story, it is at this time that the spirit of the Lord is keenly felt by all.

In the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ December is also the month were we mark or winter General Assembly, which almost always includes a festive agenda and once again allows us to indulge in the spirit of the season. This years winter General Assembly will take place on Sunday the 21st of December and will include address from the presiding presidency of the church. This meeting helps bring to an end a year of services and worship and rounds of the year in the wonderful spirit of Christmas which helps see us through to the next year when we all meet again for regular Sunday services.

We hope you will join with us this Christmas season in recognising that it is Christ that takes centre stage in our very thoughts and actions. So in the spirit of the season, which warms our hearts and our spirits to give a little more, smile a little more and listen a little more we wish all of you wherever you maybe a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.