Official Church Statement: Terror Attacks Condemned

The First Council of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ would like to express our deep sorrow and heartfelt sadness with much of the world in the wake of the evil terror attacks that have taken place in Belgium today, and condemn all those that have brought this evil upon the land, the news is heart breaking and hard to understand. We extend our prayers to the families of the deceased and injured. We also pray for the people of Belgium and all of Europe as they continue to deal with the devastation that has been caused by these evil acts of terror. We call upon the Lord to heal the broken hearts of all effected and ask him to be with and comfort them at the terrible time.

 

 

How Did Noah Build The Ark

It is the most seminal moment in the history of the world. The building of the Ark by Noah is a moment that has and will live with civilisation until the end of days. It is a moment in human history that is still being debated and talked about across the religious world from Christians to Muslims and on to Mormons and beyond. It is a moment that almost every culture in the world have a legend about and it is a moment that we as Bible believing Latter Day Mormons see as divinely appointed and divinely inspired. As the world stood on the brink of destruction God command that an Ark be built to save the righteous and the pure.

 

However even after all that is written and spoken about the building of this great spectacle it still amazes me and I shake my head when I read or hear some of the comments people make concerning the building of the Ark. Some of the arguments given are amazing and and I want to address a few here in my sermon to try and explain our position on how Noah and what Noah was able to use in building his Ark, because to many people are still stuck in the mind set that we are the greatest civilisation that has ever lived  upon the earth and they ask with this in mind how such a thing was possible.  Some of the arguments people make are, how could Noah have built the ark without using modern tools, it's impossible. Noah wouldn’t have had the adequate tools he needed to do the job! Didn't ancient man use stone on stone to build. Besides the fact that we don’t know what tools Noah had, we point out that many people wittingly or unwittingly have an evolutionary view or evolutionary influenced view of the history of mankind. Many think Noah must have been some primitive person using primitive stone tools. When God made man, man was made highly intelligent in the image of God. Genesis 5:31-33 tell us that within a few generations people were making musical instruments and working in brass and iron. By the time of Noah, and with people living for hundreds of years before the Flood, who knows what sort of knowledge was accumulated and the kinds of sophisticated technology that might have been developed? We stand by the conviction that the civilisation of Noah was a type two civilisation that it was very advanced and would have had tools and other impressive technology that we would be jealous of even today! It is important for us to remember that we don’t know how ancient people built many of the stone structures in Great Britain, Europe, South America or even the remarkably constructed Egyptian pyramids. The ancients obviously had technology at a level that we just aren’t aware of, as it seems no record was kept or the records were destroyed. In this area of ancient technologies, we need to think in terms of a Christian Latter Day Mormon worldview based on the history in the scriptures and when the scriptures give us an insight in to advanced technologies we should embrace that idea and not be jealous but rather praise them and embrace the idea that we are not the highest that the children of God have ever been.

 

But still again and again we hear their problems and their evolutionary based history shouting above the evidence and the recorded history. What about cranes and metals, Noah didn’t use metals because it would have been too early, man didn't use metals back then. Well the Bible does not tell us whether Noah did or did not use cranes made of metal. From a Christian Latter day Mormon worldview, ancient people, including those living before the Flood, would have been highly intelligent, and no doubt would have understood about remedial things such as leverage. Noah may have had ingeniously designed cranes and levers that would make us stand in awe today!  Yet again we know what the Bible says about metal it did exist and man did work it in fact, in Genesis 5:31-32, just a few generations after Adam, we read, “And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron.” So if they were using bronze and iron then, by the time of Noah people may have developed all sorts of sophisticated uses of metals. Noah may have used more metal than we do today. However we know why these question keep being asked, because mans mind has left the road that God put them on and has gone down a road of corrupt science. Our answer is simple. Where are we ever told what tools Noah used? There is no mention in the Bible or even any hint as to what tools Noah used. So the answer to this argument is, we don’t know what the tools were, and no one knows! So why do you keep making that argument? Well we know!

 

Yet another argument that is made is that it took Noah took 120 years to build the Ark, First of all, we don’t know how long Noah took to build the Ark. The 120 years reference in Scripture (Genesis 8:5) is not in the context of Noah building the Ark. The best explanation of the 120 years seems to be that it was the length of God’s patience, and then He sent the Flood. Shem was 99 when the Flood ended and he came out of the Ark, this indicates that when God spoke to Noah about building the Ark, he already had sons and they were married. So it seems logical to say that the Ark took fewer than 99 years to build. Second, Noah may have taken quite a number of years to build the Ark. Perhaps Noah took several years to build the Ark to give plenty of time to warn the population that they needed to believe God’s Word, that he would indeed flood the earth. Noah Built his Ark because God said there was a flood coming he didn't say when he just said it was coming and we don't know how long he took to build it, but the important thing is he did build it. Yet they still say again and again there’s no way Noah could have built a wooden ship that size, especially not by himself. Actually, there are records going back over 2,000 years of ancient wooden ships as big as and even bigger than the Ark. It’s just that we are not used to seeing such massive wooden ships today, and, therefore, many people think it couldn’t be done! Also why do they think he did it alone, Noah had his three sons to help him, and there’s no reason to doubt he would have hired people as well has having help from God in the form of Angelic helpers. We don’t know what materials Noah did or didn’t have, as we are not told and we don't know how he built it or how long it took. According to material experts, the ancient Egyptians who are the descendants of Noah’s grandson Mizraim/Aegyptus used a highly advanced form of concrete while constructing the Great Pyramid. We do know that Noah used timber to build an Ark, and we are given the dimensions in Scripture. We know it was built to float because a massive Flood was coming and that all we need to know.

 

However time and time again these arguments are made and more than ever even more absurd arguments are made, like how did he fit all the animals of the world in that one boat, how did he get the whales in. I could go one. Much of what is said about the Ark and its construction by these so called men of knowledge is utter rubbish and they do all they can not to look at the text of the scriptures to find answer but continue to look at other texts like the epic of Gilgamesh which is nothing like the story of Noah. It is our duty to educate the world and bring them to an understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the scriptures and through fact not fiction. We believe in our church that our past pre-history is littered with great achievements and technologies, that we have been high beyond the starts and brought low again to learn from our mistakes many times in human history. We are told that the world will be as it was in Noah's day before Christ comes again and I believe that means more than just sin and evil but that it also refers to our achievements in technology as well.

 

Let us not be out done by these naysayers, but rather let us cling to the sure word that is God and try him and see if he will indeed bless us with the knowledge and answers we need to understand these wondrous things.

In The Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Matthew P Gill

First Elder & Prophet

Differences That Define Us

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3. There is no question that our relations with the LDS Mormon Church and its membership along with other Mormon groups is less amicable than we would like them to be. Without a doubt This church believes that as religious neighbours we should endeavour to promote mutual good will and eliminate the hostile feelings between our faiths. It is the goal of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ and its leadership to explain that although we wish there to be no ill feelings we are very different and we view the restored Gospel in a very different light, however we should not let these differences stand in the way of mutual good will and cooperation.

 

The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ like the LDS Mormons and other Mormon groups believe in the restoration of the church of Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith. So in considering this we have at least this in common as distinguished from all other so-called Christian denominations, a belief in “the Restoration” of the church of Jesus Christ. This is an important point that is so often overlooked when we discuss our faith with others, there are many things we agree upon but lots that we do not and these things can seem to us any way as massive insurmountable hurdles that can not be overlooked. However let us for a moment remember that we hold in common the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ as given through the prophet Joseph Smith.

 

Let us therefore look at the revelations contained within the seminal works of the Prophet and the early church. We all believe in the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, although we differ radically in our understanding of some of its teachings. We all accept and publish many of the revelations given through the Prophet Joseph Smith in our respective versions and editions of the Doctrine and Covenants. However differences come in here at two points. First, the LDS Mormons include in their book some sections, most notably a purported revelation on celestial or plural marriage (Section 132) that we challenge deeply, indeed that we proclaim it to be fraudulent and not written by the prophet at all. Secondly, our Doctrine and Covenants continues as an open canon of Scripture and we have added and continue to add revelations as they come to us from time to time from the Lord through the prophet of the church. Many other Mormon and restored braches do not even hold the Doctrine and Covenants as scripture and many do not use it and many believe it is a dead book meant for another age. Many Mormons in many restored churches have added nothing to their book of revelations that has been received by them including the LDS Mormons who have done little to add to it at all with the noted exception of the declarations which are published as revelations. However there remain some that have added to this book, but I would argue that many do not have a living prophet at the head of their churches and so no medium is in place for the Lord to send revelations unto them for their churches.

 

Let us now look at the subject of the Gospel.  On the surface, all Mormon faiths or churches believe in and affirm the fundamental principles of the gospel, all of them make these the basis of their missionary work and the basis of their statements of faith and doctrinal belief. However many differences develop soon when these Mormons deviate from the doctrines laid down in the Doctrine & Covenants and do things contrary to the will of God. For example one of the  biggest principles that we disagree with is set forth in the LDS Mormon church and embraced by many other Mormon faiths. It is the doctrine of celestial marriage, including polygamy, and this is indeed added revelation of  their doctrine, as a new and everlasting covenant, through which salvation and exaltation are assured, whereas we hold that the principles of the gospel referred in the standard works are themselves quite adequate to assure salvation and any degree of exaltation possible and this can be achieved through righteous living in obedience to the will of God contained within the standard works of the church and those written in the life time of the prophet Joseph Smith. It must be remembered that any new revelations would not contradict those already given but rather testify of them and support them in their doctrinal basis.

 

What then of Zion?  Well all of the Mormon faiths and churches that I have come across have a major objective in mind when they say the word Zion. However many have opposite views on what this means and what this stands for. Many of us have come to differ over the question of location, meaning and purpose, at least temporarily it would seem so. For the LDS Mormons, since their settlement in Utah, they have designated it as Zion, indeed any place that a stake is established is called Zion hence the doctrine that Zion is any place that the saints can be found. This is of course contrary to what was said and written by the prophet. Other restored churches or restoration churches hold that Zion has passed that it was and is for another age, that the church found itself unworthy to fulfil that promise and it is now over. We on the other hand hold to the position that Missouri in the United States was and still is designated as Zion, with Independence as the central gathering place for the saints and the people of the church, and that the revelation is specific on this and as God spoke it can not be wished or washed away to suite our present circumstances. For we read “Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered. They that remain, and are pure in heart shall return, and come to their inheritances, they and their children, with songs of everlasting joy” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:4).   It is only fair to add that we look beyond the immediate horizon to a time when Zion shall be established in Missouri. It would seem that at the present time many are content to be left alone doing what they see fit, either writing of the concept of Zion our as the LDS have done have found themselves content to entrench themselves in Utah as far as their spiritual headquarters and commercial interests are concerned and have talked of it and thought of it as their Zion, while we and many others of the Mormon faith have given immediate attention to gathering in the place designated as Zion and are this very day endeavouring to develop the conditions that will lead to a Zionic life and settlement now, not in a distant far off time but now.  My point is it would seem that there is a starting point of common belief for many Mormon faiths and groups, however on the whole we have many developing differences that instead of bringing us together keep us apart.

 

One of the biggest differences and one that is fundamental to our lives as Latter Day Mormons is our understanding of the character and nature of God. I don't know of any Mormon faith that does not join with us in the initial statement of the Epitome of Faith drafted by Prophet Joseph in which it says “ We believe in God the Eternal Father.” However as we endeavour to interpret and understand the character of God there comes the widest imaginable divergence in views between many of us and one that can seem like a hurdle that is to high to over come. As Latter Day Mormons we take the view and the opinion of God as given to us in the scriptures as eternally unchangeable, and we assume that there can be no other view taken, but we know this is not true. Many of our Mormon friends in many other churches take a very different view. There has been a saying among many Mormons for many years that has polluted and distorted the very nature of God, this saying is “As man is, God once was, as God is, man may become.” This very statement given by LDS Mormon representatives has been official doctrine since its inception not just for them but for other Mormon faiths and churches as well and has continued to be carried down to current generations to this very time. It accounts for more problems amongst Mormon sects than any others doctrine I believe. It is a point that in many respects keeps us from uniting and will do for as long as it is accepted by those that teach it.  In his book entitled The Articles of Faith James E. Talmage, author makes the following statement, “We believe in a God who is himself progressive. In spite of the opposition of all other sects, in the face of direct charges of blasphemy, the church proclaims the eternal truth, ‘As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become’” (pages 442,443).   Another LDS Mormon church authority John A. Widtsoe, stated in a book for the Melchizedeck priesthood, given by the General Priesthood Committee, “As man is, God once was” (page 25). In this same vain they have taught but no longer believe that Adam was God that he came here with eve ,one of his many wives and that he made the world and came in to being as a man, the Adam-God theory as it is called is still taught by many Mormon groups and held as a true doctrine by many Mormon faiths and does a lot to stop our union one with another. In deed we read in Brigham Young’s theology the particular man who progressed to the stature and power of God was Adam:   "When our father Adam came into the Garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is Michael, the Archangel, the Ancient of Days, about whom holy men have written and spoken, he is our father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do." (Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, Volume 1, page 50). This doctrine is evil and blasphemous and should not be taught by any Mormons whatever their faith. many will claim they have rescinded it and it is no longer taught, however anyone who has been through a temple in the LDS Mormon faith knows that much of this is still taught and the essence is still believed the doctrine of a progressive God is still very much alive. Let us therefore let our attention rest on the position that many Mormon faiths hold that God is progressive and has climbed up from man’s stature and station. This view would argue that at one time He God our Father was an experimenting, blundering personality, that He passed that stage of evolution and it would also carry the weight of the argument that it is a possibility of an ensuing process of devolution, that He could therefore begin a process of decline in power and wisdom, such an idea is absurd and heretical that it blows out of the water any teaching of Joseph Smith to the extent that Joseph was not a prophet, that he did not understand the nature of God at all and that the lectures on faith that he brought forth were and are just a footnote in the history of the Mormon movement, not worth the paper they are written on.

 

To some it might seem a little absurd that it matters what view we take on the question of God, since we cannot change God’s nature, whatever it may be, but we believe sincerely that it matters very much. Let us not forget that our entire Mormon thought and philosophy of conduct is shaped by our fundamental beliefs concerning God. It must be understood that such differing views as those held by the many of the Mormon and restoration churches inevitably results in vastly different systems of theology. If we think of God as progressive, feeling his way through eternity, his personal attitudes and his laws undergo radical and irreconcilable changes. However if we believe in an unchangeable God, as the scriptures tell us he is, both old and new, we expect his laws and we find ourselves not deviating from the fundamental principles laid down  to us in holy writ. Let us consider what is written in the scriptures “I am the Lord, I change not.” (Malachi 3:6)  “There is a God in heaven...from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God.” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:4)  Book of Mormon: “He changeth not, if so, he would cease to be God.” (Book of Mormon). It would seem that the law on God our Father has been written and was given by holy write, and so could not be challenged, at least it is not challenged by us, but unfortunately it is not the same for all Mormon sects.

 

The biggest problem, the biggest issue witch separates many Mormons still today is the law set down by Brigham Young, that is the doctrine of polygamy which was publicly proclaimed in Salt Lake City in 1852. It is clear that the early church during the days of Joseph Smith never officially received or sanctioned the doctrine or practice of polygamy, it is no longer in dispute that Joseph fought all his life along with Emma to stamp out this evil and vile practice. But still today this issue plagues us and stops much work being done. We must remember that much of the damage was done by the LDS Mormon church, it took eight years after Joseph's death for Brigham Young to bring this doctrine before his people and he layed it before them as a hidden revelation given to Joseph Smith, July 12, 1843. He claimed to have kept this document secretly after the death of Joseph Smith until he chose to make it public. In Brighams own words he stated "This revelation has been in my possession many years, and who has known it? None but those who should know it. I keep a patent lock on my desk, and there does not anything leak out that should not" (Supplement to Millennial Star, Volume 15, page 31)   Unable to produce the original document, he declared that Emma Smith had burned it (Millennial Star Supplement, Volume 15, page 30). To this Emma Smith replied that she had never seen such a document, and added concerning the story that she had destroyed the original "It is false in all its parts, made out of whole cloth, without any foundation in truth" (Church History, Volume 3, page 352). We vigorously maintain that no word from the pen of Joseph Smith was favourable to polygamy, that no authentic publication representing the church on this issue was published prior to his death. We also state that the teachings of the Standard Books of the church all encourage monogamy in all its forms, these books include the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Inspired Version of the Bible, and the latest book of scripture the Book of Jeraneck, all of these apart from the Bok of Jeraneck he left to the Mormon faith as its law, presumably representing his own mind and will as well as the mind and will of God. Furthermore, the official organ of the church, the Times and Seasons, shortly before his death, contained his signed denunciation of polygamy and notice of expulsion from the church of one who had advocated it (Times and Seasons, Volume 5, page 423, see also Volume 5, page 474; Volume 5, pages 490,491). 

 

In an interwiew given in 1857 by officials of the reorganised church the wife of the prophet Emma Smith stated “I was threatened by Brigham Young because I opposed and denounced his measures and would not go west with them. At that time, they did not know where they were going themselves, but he told me that he would yet bring me prostrate to his feet. My house was set on fire several times, and one time wood was piled up at the side of the house and set afire. It burned the siding considerably and went out before we discovered it. It was either set on fire, or by accident or carelessness caught afire a number of times, and went out of itself when we did not discover it and put it out; but I never had any fear that the house would bum down as long as the Inspired Translation of the Bible was in it. I always felt safe when it was in the house, for I knew it could not be destroyed.” . The Interviwer Edmund C. Briggs was also present when his bother, Jason Briggs, asked Sister Emma about the purported revelation on polygamy, published by Orson Pratt in 1852, and she again denied that her husband ever taught polygamy, or that she ever burned any manuscript of a revelation purporting to favour polygamy, and that “the statement that I burned the original of the copy Brigham Young claimed to have, is false, and made out of whole cloth, and not true in any particular. I  never saw anything purporting to be a revelation authorizing polygamy until I saw it in the Seer, published by Orson Pratt.” Several were present at the time, and I shall never forget the candid manner of her expression when she, without a single hesitancy, with honesty and truthfulness marking her countenance, gave the lie to Brigham Young’s assertion on the twenty-ninth of August 1852 in Salt Lake City, when he said, “The original of this revelation was burned up.... Sister Emma burned the original. The reason I mention this is because that the people who did know of the revelation, supposed it was not now in existence.” Mark the thought: “The people who did know of the revelation, supposed it was not now in existence.” (Early History of the Reorganization, Apostle Edmund C. Briggs, pp. 88, 93-95).

 

In closing I would like to say that today there remain many issues which unite us but far more that divide us. I have heard the argument that many of these issues can only be solved once the Saviour returns and then we will all know the truth and embrace the change, however I do not agree with this. While Christ, the Son of God walked the earth there were many that knew who he was n had that witnessed to them and still did not follow him, indeed some even betrayed and helped to murder him, let us not forget that Peter, probably one of Christ's most ardent followers denied him thrice. I think it is a massive miss calculation to say that our problems can only be solved when He returns, it gives us an excuse to continue on the paths we are on, it allows us to indulge in our own self importance and our own egos, but most of all it allows us the continue to be divided and weak. We must learn that when God calls a man to stand as a prophet of God under the conditions laid down in holy scripture it is for a reason, to set right what has been wrong for so long. We must lay aside our egos and our pride if we are ever to fulfil the wish of the Lord in uniting the Mormon faith and redeeming Zion, because if we fool ourselves in to waiting for the perfect time and the perfect place and He who shall come in triumph through the skies then it will never be done and we shall stand accountable before Him at the last day. I for one proclaim this is His work and His glory and we ought to be about the work of doing that work, or what else are we other than those professing to be of Christ but in their heats are men of the world full of pride and puffed up unto their own importance. The call for unity must go forth and it has gone forth today from this pulpit, that we must unite or fall. Let us not fall, but unite under the banner of God and lay to rest our differences and bring in to being what is written before us in Holy Scripture.

 

In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Prophet & First Elder Matthew P. Gill

Sunday's Sermon: Recognising Our Personal Guidance of The Spirit

A serious difficulty that we experience in our desire to receive guidance of the spirit are as to our thoughts, impressions, and opinions are generated by our own thoughts or from the Holy Ghost.

 

Most of us do not receive great visions, or visits from angels. So the question is how can we know for certain when we are being guided by God. We can find an exceptional example of personal revelation from an experience by Oliver Cowdery. Two important revelations, and counsels were revealed to him in April 1829.

 

1 Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit. Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

 

2 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground. (D&C 8:1-2)

 

The second revelation to Oliver defines a very clear format, or structure.

 

3 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me. (D&C 9:3)

 

Another example is found in Acts. Philip was travelling along the road to Gaza and passed by a chariot of a high Ethiopian court official. The spirit said unto Philip go near and join thyself to this chariot.

 

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

 

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

 

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

 

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (Acts 8 26-29)

 

There are three specific physiognomies to understand any message by the Holy Ghost. A definite message; a definite purpose, and a persistence until they are either accepted, or rejected. There is a physical sensation connected with these revelations from the Holy Ghost. A burning in the bosom and a feeling that the inspiration, decision, or instruction is correct. As we read in Luke 24:32

 

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (Luke 24:31)

 

In closing Moroni taught that the testing process can only be carried out in faith, and without doubt as we read in Mormon 9:49-51

 

49 And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth. And now, behold, who can stand against the works of the Lord? Who can deny his sayings? Who will rise up against the almighty power of the Lord? Who will despise the works of the Lord? Who will despise the children of Christ?

50 Behold, all ye who are despisers of the works of the Lord, for ye shall wonder and perish. O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need.

51 Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

 

In closing we can experience the blessing of personal guidance, and have these feeling of Certainty, joy and happiness, peace, calmness, and security, fearlessness, an attraction, and a heavenly feelings.

 

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Apostle & Third Elder Peter Barber

Sunday's Sermons: Be happy With Yourself A Body Principle & Doing What Is Right Again and Again

Be Happy With Yourself

A Body Principle

The prophet Joseph Smith stated  “we came to the earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the Celestial Kingdom”.  Our spirits will be united with our body that is the great principle we are taught. D&C 88

 

Joseph taught that Satan’s punishment for open rebellion is that he shall not have a mortal body and without this he cannot progress.

 

The natural man is led by his bodily passions. To control these is important just as it is important to control our spiritual passions. We must not forget that before our mortal probation and before we came to earth and gained a body we were still capable of sin, hence the third of hosts who followed Satan.

 

The doctrines of many modern religions maintain that the spirit is immaterial and therefore only the spirit is immortal. At death accordingly, the body ceases to be: The resurrection is of the spirit only. After death our immortal selves will be spirit only. Modern day revelation states we will receive a uniting of the body and the spirit, only God the father is of spirit only.

 

Amulek taught that in the resurrection men are raised “from the first death unto life. That they can die no more: their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided …. They can no more see corruption (Alma 11.45)

 

D&C 88-4 states “the spirit and the body are the soul of man” The famous theologian James Talmage wrote “it is peculiar to the theology of followers of Mormonism that we regard the body as an essential part of the soul…. Nowhere outside of our faith is the solemn and eternal truth taught. The apostle Paul spoke of the glory of the body when he asked the Corinthians, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God” (1cor. 3:16) the Lord often brings the holiness of our bodies to our attention. Read section 93 of the D&C. Having a body is a blessing. It is a gift we received for following the plan of salvation and keeping our first estate. It is fundamental to our theology that the process of sanctification involves. Not only the spirit but the body as well. The Lord promises “your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.

 

To be truly in tune we need an eye single to the glory of God our Heavenly Father. He is a being who has through obedience to the laws that govern our very existence become deity an exalted entity that does not need a physical body, we however not only need it but it is our duty to understand we will be resurrected to have both. It is a wicked teaching that says our Father has a body of flesh and bone, our Prophet Joseph Smith never taught this as a law. And so I proclaim that this doctrine taught by the prophet Joseph Smith and re-taught by our living Prophet Matthew Gill will remain as it is an eternal truth and one that will follow us from this life unto the next whatever kingdom we achieve.

 

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Apostle Elder Philip A. Gill

 

 

 

Doing What is Right Again and Again

The first cordless phone was made by God. It was the model called Prayer. It never loses its signal. The recharging is done by the holy spirit and sending text through the scriptures. When we spread His word around the world, we're not only smart, we also shine brighter than the sun!! Use our resources of prayer to connect with God.

 

"Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we". (GK Chesterton).

 

“No sight so sad as that of a naughty child," he began, "especially a naughty little girl. Do you know where the wicked go after death

"They go to hell," was my ready and orthodox answer.
"And what is hell? Can you tell me that?"
"A pit full of fire."
"And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there for ever?"
"No, sir."
"What must you do to avoid it?"
I deliberated a moment: my answer, when it did come was objectionable: "I must keep in good health and not die.” (Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre).

 

My Brothers and sisters. I love the gospel and I love God and I love prayer and speaking to God and as long as I live I will always do it repeatedly over and over again until the day I die so that I may be in good standing with God when I meet him in the world to come. Although it may be hard and sometimes it may feel as if the phone line is busy, keep calling because God is always listening he never forgets. let us remember that he asked us to pray unto him in secret and promised that he would answer all prayers. With this sure knowledge that God our Father does answer prayers we should strive all our lives to pray and offer our supplications unto him in a and through the name of our saviour Jesus Christ. I know prayer works I have seen it in my own life many times ands o I bear witness that it is a true principle and something that is right and we should be doing what is right again and again.

 

In The Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Priest Sister Alyson Gill

Church Compassionate Service Provider

 

Sunday's Sermon: The Priesthood

Dear Brothers and sisters, it is an honour to be standing up here today for the first time as a conducting Elder and been given the chance to give this sermon. Today my talk will be about the priesthood.

 

The priesthood is the power and authority of God given to man, to act in the name of God within his church. The priesthood is the power of God on earth given to worthy males and females it includes the power Jesus gave his apostles to perform miracles such as the casting out of devils and the healing of sick (Luke 9:1). As Latter Day Mormons we believe that the Biblical miracles performed by prophets and apostles were performed by the power of priesthood, including the miracles of Jesus, who holds all of the keys of the priesthood. Priesthood is the authority by which a bearer may perform ecclesiastical acts of service in the name of God. Latter Day Mormons believe that acts performed by one with priesthood authority are recognised by God and are binding in heaven, on earth, and in the afterlife. In addition, Latter Day Mormons believe that leadership positions within the church are given with the aid of priesthood authority. For the most part of the history of the Mormon movement, only men have been ordained to specific offices in the priesthood. However we know that this is not what God wanted for his people. The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ in accordance with the will of God and the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1842 allow all women under revelation the privilege of holding the Aaronic Priesthood of God and holding all the offices with that priesthood office. We do this not because it is popular or because it is easy but because it is what the Lord wishes and is what has been revealed to us by the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Lord. What follows is an explanation on how the Priesthood blessings were conferred upon the women of the early church and in turn have now been conferred upon the women of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ.

 

Two weeks after he organised the Relief Society of Nauvoo, Illinois, and gave them complete autonomy in running this organisation Joseph Smith announced his intention to confer the priesthood upon women. He told the gathered sisters at Relief Society on the 30 March 1842 that “the Society should move according to the ancient Priesthood” and that he was “going to make of this Society a kingdom of priests as in Enoch's day and as in Paul's day.”  It must be remembered that the early Mormon sisters did not request the priesthood; however the Prophet Joseph Smith would soon confer it upon them as part of the restoration of the gospel. His private journal, called the Book of the Law of the Lord, specified the priesthood promise in his instructions to the women on 28 April 1842 it states, “gave a lecture on the priesthood showing how the Sisters would come in possession of the privileges & blessings & gifts of the priesthood & that the signs should follow them. Such as healing the sick casting out devils & that they might attain unto these blessings. By a virtuous life & conversation & diligence in keeping all the commandments.”  It is clear for all to see who wish to see that our dear and much beloved Prophet Joseph Smith clearly intended that Mormon women in 1842 were to be bestowed  the “gifts of the priesthood”  upon them not merely as simply ministrations of faith but as actual holders and partakers of the gifts of the priesthood. The conferral of the priesthood on individual women occurred on 4 May 1842, six days after his remarks to the Relief Society. Emma Smith the wife of the Prophet became the first women to receive the “fullness of the priesthood”. Thus Emma Smith began the fulfilment of the Prophet's promise to make the Relief Society “a kingdom of priests”. She was anointed to become a “queen and priestess” and was ordained to the fullness of those offices by the Prophet himself. Joseph Smiths first counsellor and friend Sidney Rigdon later commented on this event in his history of the church when he stated, “Emma was female to whom the priesthood was first given.”  Unfortunately over time many Mormon have relegated the role of women in their churches and have made every attempt to whitewash this from the history of Mormonism. However today The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ not only recognise the importance and independence of the Relief Society program but that the women of the church have the right given them by God to have bestowed upon them the Aaronic Priesthood of God.

 

I am so grateful that I have a chance to hold the priesthood of God and that I am now ordained an elder in his church. I have been blessed with the Melchizedeck priesthood to do a duty to God to help others to bless them and to fulfil my role within his kingdom. I pray that I may be able to live up to the standards that God has asked of me. Thank you for listening to me today, sorry if I was a little nervous but I have many years left to improve. God bless you all in his holy name Amen.

 

Elder Levi M. Gill

Sunday's Sermon: The Sciptures Hold The Answers

Today we live in an age that has yielded some of the most spectacular scriptures known to man. We have the Book of Mormon, The Book of Jeraneck, soon to be added upon and we have the D&C. These books along with the Bible have allowed us to more fully understand the mind of God and what he wants of us. At the start of this year we are studying the Inspired Version if the Bible and it is to that book that I want to focus my sermon on today. Throughout the history of recorded scriptures we have been told that God is the same yesterday today and forever. He gives us commandments and a code of ethics to live by. In the restoration some of these things were forgotten or misunderstood, that is why we needed Joseph Smith and the book of Mormon to help us more fully understand what our place was and what God wanted for us. However even in this time of great enlightenment there came those who wished to do things their own way and as a result practices were introduced in to the church like polygamy for example. I know that you know that God forbids such things and that Joseph himself fought tirelessly all his life to stop the church from falling in to this sin. Josephs fight ended with his death.

 

Today I want us to look at what the Bible says about polygamy. I often thought whilst studying that Joseph must have had such a hard time trying to teach unreachable wilful people and he must have quoted these scriptures time and time gain along with the new revealed word of God to try and get the people to be righteous. So for our own sake as we study the Bible lets see what it says about polygamy and what we can do to strengthen our testimonies that this is not a policy given to us by God but by corrupt men.

 

1 Kings 11:3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. 1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober–minded, of good behaviour, hospitable, able to teach . 

 

As we look at the Bible, it is clear that polygamous relationships are presented in the Bible. But, does that mean that they are acceptable in God’s eyes? We also see instances of lying, murder, and rape in the Bible, but these are clearly not acceptable. Just because the events are described does not mean they are condoned. There is no passage in the Bible that condones polygamy. From the beginning in Genesis it is clear that God intended marriage to be between one woman and one man. Genesis 2 records the creation of one woman for Adam, and in verse 24 we see that because of this “a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” If two makes one flesh, then three or more cannot also make one flesh. This is confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:3–9 as He is being questioned about divorce. Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24 as support for the idea of marriage being between one man and one woman “from the beginning.” God’s plan, from the beginning, was not for polygamous relationships. As the Israelites were in the desert after the Exodus, God announces a prophecy through Moses. The Israelites will eventually call for a king to be set over them (Deuteronomy 17:14). Following that, God pronounces standards for the kings to come. In Deuteronomy 17:17 we see the command that the king shall not “multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away.” God clearly commands that the king should not practice polygamy. So, why would He condone its practice for anyone else?

 

Many Jewish leaders and patriarchs, including kings, were recorded to have polygamous relationships. However, these relationships brought about judgment and hardship. David was punished for his relationship with Bathsheba; Abraham’s relationship with Hagar brought strife into the family; and other examples would also bear out this point. Some may argue that Jacob’s polygamous lifestyle was blessed by God, but just because God used a sinful relationship to fulfil His plan does not mean that that action was right. Likewise, Jesus’s lineage can be traced back to Bathsheba. Polygamy was popular in many cultures, and still is today but that does not mean that it was or is right in God’s eyes. Divorce was also allowed because of the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites (Matthew 19:8), but it was not part of God’s “very good” creation. Jesus called the Jews of the day an “adulterous generation” who chose to live outside of God’s rules and, instead, made their own. Just because the Jews (or any other peoples) tolerated polygamy does not mean that God condoned it. We must never lose sight of what is important. We must realise that God has given us scriptures to help us in our lives to help us walk the paths that the Lord wants us to walk. We must never allow ourselves to think that we know better than God or that social sins that have become acceptable are right in his sight. Even if the law of the land allowed the practice of polygamy God doesn't not and never will, and so it is up to us as his chosen people to always look to what he wants for us and then to the scriptures for in them is our salvation, in them lies Zion and if we are ever to be able to be ready to build Zion we must be one in thought an din spirit.

 

So study the word of God, only God has the answers and he is and was and will always be our God.

 

Matthew P Gill

Winter General Assembly 2015

The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ held our Winter General Assembly on the 6th of December 2015. It was a great occasion which we all enjoyed. The video is now available on our website http://www.latterdaymormon.co.uk/#!church-video/ca58 and you can also read the sermons here on our blog page. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

My Christmas Traditions

 

CHRISTMAS was always a tradition within my family and extended family in my home through my childhood, I never remember seeing a Christmas Tree up until a few days before Christmas day in our road and surrounding area. I remember the religious part of Christmas, when I used to be in church and at school Nativity plays, how my parents used to make the costumes for both and attend both on different days. 

 

These are just some of the scripture and verses that were read out in the Nativity plays that I was in. Luke chapter 2: verses 4 – 7.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David.) To be taxed, with is espoused wife, she being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought fourth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was none to give room for them in the inns.

 

I was an angel dressed all in white, with some tinsel for my headdress and a cotton bed sheet for my dress, with the rope from my dressing gown to tie a round my waist. For my wings my Dad made some out of card board with tinsel around the edges and then some cotton tape to tie them on with. Then once at another time I was a Shepherd with a tea towel with a rope around my head (from a dressing gown) a cotton bed sheet for my robe and more dressing gown rope to go around my waist, my Dad made me a shepherd’s crook with brown wrapping paper and tape that is used to rap around a parcel. 

 

Leading up to Christmas! I always remember the weather being really cold and snowy. I remember having to wear wellington boots, woolly hat, scarf, mittens, and a thick winter coat, I also remember that we went out side to play and make snowmen. I also remember how diligent my parents were in getting to church on the Sunday leading up to Christmas, my family tried to get to church on two buses in the snow with five children in tow, so we could worship the Saviours birth and to sing Christmas Hymns and read from the scriptures. How cold it was on the buses, because they didn’t have doors on them, we heard the bus conductor shouting move along the bus Please so my youngest brother Christopher and I would always try to go and sit at the front of the bus where the engine was to keep us warm and pretend to drive the bus, with the bus driver in his little cabin next too us.

 

When I was a lot older, and had children of my own, I remember the time my Mother told me of the Christmases we had, when I was quite young, after our Christmas dinners, we would all get our coats wellington boots and coat and gloves and go on a walk through the deep snow, with my Dad carrying me on his shoulders down to is Moms house at 9 Perton Grove. I tried to instil that tradition in my own family and we had many wonderful walks after Christmas dinner. I remember when I was a child on those walks with y mom and dad, It must have taken a couple of hours with five children in tow.  Once there I would see my little old Nan sitting in her armchair, surrounded by my fathers brothers and sisters and there families, we must of filled her living room. We would sit and play games, sing Christmas songs and have a great time. I remember when I was about six or seven when I got up to do my party piece, it was a song that I had learnt in church, it was called 'Jolly Old Saint Nicolas'.  Then later on in to the evening we would hear the loud church Christmas bells ringing outside, so the children  would start to singing Jingle Bells, and in walked Father Christmas. He would sit down on a chair, handing out to each child, Bags of Cadburys Milk Tray waste in a pea green paper bag. So I think buy know that you have guessed what my talk was about. 

 

Now I have children of my own and they have had children of their own, who have done the same Nativity plays within school and church, and as a Mother and Nanny I have seen them all however, I think it’s better as a Nanny you don’t have to make the costumes for them. I find now in this world we live in today outside of my family and the church, that Christmas doesn’t seem to have the same meaning as it does to me.  Nobody seems to want Christ in there lives especially at Christmas. The world in which we live in a cold and hard place. There are things happening in the world, people fighting other people over religion and intolerance and I wonder what they will do, when Christ comes knocking on their door? 

 

For me Christmas in a time to reflect on Christ, it is a time for me to spend with friends and family who like me love the Saviour. I will strive always to live my life in accordance with the laws of the Saviour and at this festive time of year when our minds are turned to Him, let us remember that His light needs to live with us not just for one day but every day of the year, in many ways we need to be like we were as children, full of excitement and anticipation because one day soon He will return and when he does it will be Christmas everyday.

 

God bless you my brothers and sisters. I pray that you all have a very merry Christmas and that the light of Christ is with you on Christmas day and in the new year to come.

 

In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Sister Alyson Gill

The Childhood of Jesus

 Dear Brothers and Sisters.

 

As we come close to the end of the year and close to another Christmas I wonder how many people truly think about the Christ in Christmas.

 

We all know the story of Christ's' birth, how his mother and earthly adoptive father travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, how Jesus was born in a stable with a manger for a bed and how wise men and Sheppard's came to visit him. Little children hear this story every year when the nativity plays are on and they all want to be Joseph or Mary. But what happened afterward, we have the story of Jesus' birth and before we know it he has disciples, heals many people and teaches many more and then he dies. We don't know much about his childhood, was he good? was he intelligent? and the question that I always ask is, was he naughty? We know from the Gospel of Thomas that the baby Jesus healed people and that while in Egypt he healed a prince. We know that as a chided he healed the foot of a lame boy saying 'Arise, return to your work, and as you do so, remember me' Jesus also healed his brother James who was bitten by a viper snake, he healed him as well.

 

However two stories which I think outline the child in Jesus really well are found in the gospel of Thomas. In the first account Jesus is playing with his friends on top of the roof tops of the houses running and jumping between the houses. Why is he doing this? well like most children he is probably doing it against the wishes of his parents. Now during this dangerous game one of the boys falls and dies and all his friends scatter leaving Jesus alone on top of the houses. When the family of the dead boy come out they only see Jesus and they say to him 'you threw our son down from the housetop' Jesus of course denies having done this and says they shouldn't accuse him. The family of the dead boy shout out 'our son is dead and this boy, killed him.' Jesus then climbed down from the roof top and stood before them and said 'do not accuse me with a crime of which you are nor able to convict me. Let us go ask the boy himself. He will tell us the truth.' So Jesus went over to the boy and stood over the head of the boy and said with a loud voice 'Zeinunus, who threw you from down from the housetop?' Then the dead boy arose from being bead and answered saying 'You did not throw mew down, but someone else did' all those who saw and witnessed this and head the boys words fell down and worshipped God. In the second story the child Jesus is playing with his friends down by the river and they are drawing the water from the river in to small pools to have fun in. While they are splashing about and making trouble Jesus makes twelve birds out of the clay made by the water in the pools. The boys are having fun splashing throwing clay and water about when the son of Hanani who is a leading Jew sees them and says to them 'Why do you make noises and throw water and why are you making birds of clay on the Sabbath day?' He then goes to destroy the pools of water and the birds which Jesus had made and stop the boys having fun. Jesus seeing this runs to the clay figures clasps his hands over them and makes them fly away, as they do they fly away chirping. After this the boy Jesus shouts out to the man 'What have these pools of water and these birds ever done to you?'  I am often amused at these stories, they show us a human child side to the boy Jesus, they show us emotion, fun, mischief and real human feelings which I think are important when we think if the child Jesus. We also hear a little about Jesus' childhood in Luke Chapter 2 how when his family went on a trip to Jerusalem that he stayed behind... 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

 

well we've covered the Intelligence bit there...So to carry on...

 

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

 

Jesus didn't tell his parents that he was staying behind to do his Fathers work, they didn't know where he was and he had to be told that he had done wrong, not for doing his fathers work but for making them worry.

 

I wonder how many other things did Jesus have to be corrected on? I'm sure there were many things, just as we have to teach our children not to touch fire or not to run out onto road, so would Jesus have to be taught too. Jesus was a child and we are told that children are innocent, that they have to learn and grow, that they need to be nurtured and shaped into the adults that they become. Just because Jesus was given the extra privilege of being able to talk to our Father above and was therefore able to learn of the spiritual rules does not mean that he knew the temporal rules, he needed a temporal family, a mother and a father, to learn those. Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15 tells us that Jesus was tempted just as we are but that he was without sin.

 

So as we go forth into 2016 I would like you to think of Jesus the child and what mischief he would have gotten into, leaving his toys all across the floor, walking mud through the house and even asking for pudding without finishing his tea. Lets see if we can help our children learn the spiritual rules. Teach them the gospel, the 10 commandments, the word of wisdom and most of all that Jesus and Heavenly Father loves them very much, just like you do.

 

I leave these thoughts with you in the name of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

Sister Vicki Gill

 

 

Discerning of Sprits

I am grateful beyond any measure, for the blessings the Lord has so abundantly showered upon me, upon my family, and upon this church. I now seek, most sincerely and devoutly, to be guided by the power of the Holy Ghost in bearing testimony of the truth. I pray also that the spirit of light and truth and edification so far present in this meeting may continue to rest in your hearts, so that you, being edified, will know of yourselves that those things about which I shall testify are true. I am pleased that I have been asked to speak again at General Assembly. This address will be my second and I am becoming accustomed to speaking at these events, which I hope not only fill me with the spirit but you as well. At this season time of year I have chosen to speak about the ability to discern spirits. Our Saviour Jesus Christ was a master of this and I believe that it was he who set the president for what we should be looking out for. Jesus Christ the Master was able to identify the nature of Nathanael to be able to identify his qualities before meeting him. Jesus had power to know the intentions of His betrayer Judas before he did what he did. We read:-

18  I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

19  Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am The Christ (Inspired Version New Testament John 13:18 - 19)

 

Although Jesus already knew who would betray him from teh start he still asked who would betray Him.

 

26  Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.  And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the  son of Simon.

27  And after the sop Satan entered into him.  Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. (Inspired Version New Testament John 13:26 - 27)

 

John the apostle also had a sound understanding of the gift, and to those he came in contact with gave the flowing  admonition  as we can also read in 1 John.

 

1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (Inspired Version New Testament 1 John 4:1 - 3)

 

Peter another Apostle of Christ also possessed this gift when he rebuked Simon the sorcerer a baptised member of the church as we can read in Acts 8:18-23

 

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. (Inspired Version New Testament | Acts 8:18 - 23)

 

The Book Of Mormon is also very informative concerning this gift. Alma when debating with Korihor discerned the spirit which motivated that antichrist. We read.

 

42  Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you, and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may destroy the children of God. (Book of Mormon Alma 30:42)

 

3. When Amulek opposed  the wicked lawyer Zeezrom he testified that he discerned the lawyers thoughts through the gift of the spirit. Now Zeezrom, seeing that thou hast been taken in thy lying and craftiness, for thou hast not lied unto men only but thou hast lied unto God; for behold, he knows all thy thoughts, and thou seest that thy thoughts are made known unto us by his Spirit; (Book of Mormon Alma 12:3)

 

I think I speak for each one of you, I know I do for myself and my family, when I say that in this solemn general assembly with the outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord that has been present as we have sustained the authorities of the Church, I think all of us desire to rededicate our lives to the principles of truth and righteousness. Let this then be our covenant, whatever the past has been, let this then be our covenant, that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord blameless. Let this be our covenant, that we will keep the commandments of God and be living witnesses of the truth and divinity of this glorious work. I pray that God, may grant that I and my family and all the faithful members of the church near and far may walk in truth and light, that is found nowhere else on earth outside the Church.

 

Once again I am thankful for all the wonders of the gospel of Christ. I am grateful that I to have the gift of discernment and I know that the power to do these things comes from God. I pray that you all have a very Merry Christmas and in this most special time of year give a small thought to Him who made us all and has placed us in this church to do the work we are doing. I am so grateful for the privilege that I have of serving the Lord and being his Apostle here at this time and serving in His church. All of this I say humbly and gratefully, in the spirit of testimony and of thanksgiving, and in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Apostle Elder Peter Barber

 

 

The Living Prophet

 

This is my first ever General Assembly sermon and I am a little nervous, but I hope that what I have to say today will touch your sprit and testify of the truth of the words that I have prepared. So here I go.

 

The Lord closed section 1 in the Doctrine and Covenants, with these words: “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” (D&C 1:38.)

 

So I ask. What is a living prophet? His age? He may be young or old. He need not wear a tunic or carry a shepherd’s staff. His physical features are not important. A prophet does not need educational degrees nor does he need to come from any special social class. He may be rich or poor. He needs no credentials from men. What is it, then, that qualifies a man to be a prophet?

 

Well, foremost, God must choose him as his prophet! This is entirely different than for man to choose God. The Saviour, speaking to his apostles, said, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit. …” (John 15:16.) 

 

Some may wonder at such power and authority being given to one man. Some might say “Could he not lead us astray?” I say in answer to that, the Lord will never permit the man who stands as prophet and first elder of this church to lead you astray. I say that if he were to attempt to do anything wrong then the Lord would remove him from being a prophet.

 

A prophet, then, is the authorised representative of the Lord. While the world may not recognise him, the important requirement is that God speaks through him. A prophet is a teacher. He receives revelations from the Lord. These may be new truths or explanations of truths already received. It is an easy thing to believe in the dead prophets of the past. Many people do. However for some mysterious reason there is an aura of credibility about them. It is not so with the prophet who lives among us, who must meet life’s everyday challenges. But it is a great thing to believe in the living prophet. Our salvation relies upon our belief in a living prophet and adherence to his word. He alone has the right to revelation for the whole Church. His words, above those of any other man, ought to be held with great care and considered by the Church as well as by the world. One day this truth will be understood. I know just how hard it is for a man to be a prophet. My dad is a prophet and I see just how hard he works and how much he feels the responsibility of his calling. My dad, the prophet. It sounds weird in a way to say it, but that is what he is. The Lord chooses to speak through him and chooses to direct his church through him and I appreciate the work he does. For most of my life my dad has been a prophet. He has brought forth new scriptures and has under direction from God established a church, this church The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ I have been baptised by him and I have been given the priesthood by him and now I stand as a priest in the kingdom of God because of him. I know that one day I too will be called by God to stand as his mouth piece upon the earth, I hope that its not soon because I still have lots to learn, but I know that if I follow the counsel of my living prophet here today then I shall be ready when the Lord calls me to stand as his prophet. I hope that I can lead as my father has done in the ways of God, I am proud that my dad is a prophet, sometimes its hard but I know that my dad is a prophet I can learn from him in a way that no other person can.

 

In closing I encourage us all to listen to the prophets voice and then we will hear the word of God in our day, I know that it can be hard sometimes, but I know deep down that if we will do these things that we will be blessed as a people and as a church.

 

In The Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Priest Levi M. Gill

 

Prophets Address at Winter GA 2015

 

My dear brothers and sisters. As we now come to the closing of another great general assembly of the Church, I wish you to know that my heart is full of gratitude for the generous outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord which we have enjoyed today. I wish to express my heart felt thanks for those that have spoken to us today, to Elder Gill for conducting this meeting.

 

We sit here have been fed the bread of life, and our desires to serve the Lord and keep his commandments have increased. It has been good for us to be together today in solemn worship as we start this very special Christmas month.

 

May I express before you all today the profound appreciation I have for the faith, devotion, and service of the two great men who stand beside me in the Presidency of the Church. Apostle and Second Elder Philip A. Gill is a spiritual giant with faith like that of Enoch of old. He has the spirit of revelation and magnifies his calling as the Second Elder and Standing Apostle of the church.

 

Apostle and Third Elder  Peter C. Barber is also one of those great and noble spirits who was prepared from eternity to render the important service he is now performing in this, the Lord’s church. He is a man of great ability and integrity.

 

The First Council of the Church is united as one, and it is my prayer that we may forever be one, even as Jesus said that he and the Father and the Holy Ghost are one. This same oneness should prevail across the entire church and within everyone that holds the priesthood of God.

 

I am also very grateful for the labours and ministry of all the priesthood who help make this church continue to faith and strength, I want you to know that I love the priesthood of this church.

 

I also feel in my heart that I must bless the faithful and diligent members of the Church and all those that contribute to the church . Just as surely as they continue to walk in the paths of truth and virtue, they shall have the desires of their hearts in righteousness and shall go on to eternal reward in our Father’s kingdom in due course of time.

 

I have sought all my days to keep the commandments and to do those things which will please the Lord, and I desire to bear testimony of his goodness to me and likewise his goodness to all his children who have promised to keep his commandments. As I stand before you now, I am reminded that one day I shall be called upon to give an account of my stewardship, that one day I shall be asked to step aside in order for a new younger and more able man to fill my shoes. I bear testimony again of the truth and divinity of this great work. I know that God lives and that he sent his beloved Son into the world to atone for our sins. I know that Joseph Smith was and still is a prophet, moreover, that this is the Lord’s church, and that the gospel cause shall roll forward until he shall call in his Day.

 

I am sure that we all love the Lord. I know that he lives, and I look forward to that day when I shall see his face, and I hope to hear his voice say unto me: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matt. 25:34.)

 

And I pray that this may be the happy lot of all of us. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, enjoy this very special time of year with your families and loved ones and try in all the chaos to give a thought to Him who's birth we celebrate at this wonderful time of year.

 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prophet Matthew P Gill