Sermon: A Gathering Place

Much of what we take for granted in this church comes from the very foundation that God speaks to us, that he does indeed minister and revel things to us as his Latter Day Church. There are many things that we cling to in assurance that we are His people and much that we take for granted. One such thing is the gathering to Zion. many people speak of this as it is a forgone conclusion that the time will come when the call will go forth and all the righteous saints, no matter their denomination will heed and follow. I do not agree with this for many reasons, some of which are to many to mention in this sermon. However the gathering is one of the most seminal points on which the restored gospel is based, it is or was the life blood of the restoration, until things fell apart and the church was scattered and things changed and people imprinted their own world view upon the restoration and what it meant and why. In this next segment, which I have taken and altered myself for our church i would like to try and explain why it is still important and why it is still very much necessary for us to remember that the Lord has commanded that it is our Duty to gather to Zion when the Call comes.

 

This proclamation is created to help principled people find safe places to take there families during the days of tribulation that are ahead of us. Without this information you will most likely be forced to take up the sword against your neighbours in order to protect your family and your property. This document will help you to understand what it means to be free and how you retain your freedoms. This document will help you understand where to gather, when you should be prepared to start your journey, what you should bring with you when you come, what you should expect when you arrive, and who should come.

 

In the course of events of all free nations, there comes a time when men must stand up for the principles of Liberty. If they fail to stand they will find themselves in bondage to evil men who will create evil government in the attempt to subjugate their citizens. For such men to gain power they must remove God so that evil can fill the void left when God is removed from society. These evil men are surrogates for Satan. They do not want you to believe in God, to pray to God or to worship God. They will teach you that there is no sin. They will pass laws that repress your religions beliefs. They will pass laws to prevent you from praying. They will in the course of time, take away your Freedom of Speech. They will control your schools so that they can indoctrinate your children in their wicked ways. They will control your judges. They will control the media so that there is no voice of opposition. They will burden you with heavy taxes that are hard to bear and with those tax’s they will buy up unions, special interests groups, and other government officials all in a attempt to deprive you of your Liberty. They will pass laws to murder unborn children causing young mothers to suffer spiritual death and to look fearfully forward to their day of judgement. These evil men are in the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity and in due time, shall suffer the wrath of a just God.

 

Many men do not realize that Freedom is based on Eternal Principles. Principles that were true yesterday are true today and will be true forever. If you fail to live those principles you will lose your freedom and you will be in bondage. For example, if there is no law against theft, so that anyone can steal your property at any time, are you free? Likewise, if there is no law against adultery so that any man can rob you of your wife and destroy the lives of your children, are you free? God created the laws upon which Freedom and Liberty are based and gave them to all of his children. If you will be free you must live the laws that preserve and protect and create Freedom. These are Eternal Laws that come from a loving Father in Heaven. When you fail to live these laws you are in bondage.

 

God will sweep the wicked off the face of the earth when they are ripened in iniquity and that will of course lead God to pour out the fullness of his wrath. In the days of Noah when God poured out the fullness of his wrath the wicked died, all of them died. In Matthew Chapter 24 the Saviour tells us that he will cause a great tribulation to come upon the inhabitants of the earth, that except those days shall be shortened none shall be saved but for the elects sake those days shall be shortened. In this scripture, relating to our time, the Saviour tells us that the wicked will be destroyed by famines, pestilence and earthquakes. Latter day revelations have warned us that these days will come as a result of economic failures by bad government and at a time when our liberties are being destroyed by evil practices and principles. Remember that when people become wicked they elect wicked rulers and soon Freedom is gone and bondage remains. Freedom can only survive when righteous principles are lived. Joseph Smith Jr said:- ‘without Zion, and a place of deliverance, we must fall; because the time is near when the sun will be darkened, and the moon turn to blood, and the stars fall from the heaven, and the earth reel to and fro. Then, if this is the case, and if we are not sanctified and gathered to the places God has appointed, with all our former professions and our great love for the Bible, we must fall; we cannot stand; we cannot be saved; for God will gather out his Saints from the Gentiles, and then comes desolation and destruction, and none can escape except the pure in heart who are gathered’.

 

As you see from the words of our first Latter Day prophet Joseph Smith Jr wickedness will destroy this all nations. The only safety will be to flee to those who have accepted and lived the principles of righteousness.  I know that this is not what the world wants to hear and it is probably not what you want to hear but the only safe and secure place you can take your families when mob rule is upon us, is to where the Saints have gathered. Where is that and how will living with the Saints make me safe? The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ is the Lord's church restored to the earth by Jesus Christ through a young 14 year old boy by the name of Joseph Smith Jr. All the ordinances, doctrines, and principles of the gospel have been revealed to Joseph and now to a modern day living prophet. God has warned his people through his prophet of the destruction that is upon us. He has commanded us to store food and clothing for this time of tribulation. We are completely aware that we will be providing safety and security for each other. Many people form other Churches despise our efforts. Due to the persecutions they have heaped upon us, they have a lot to lose if we are God's People and I proclaim with every fibre of my being, we are his people.

 

The Lord through his church has designated two specific gathering places for the Saints; they are of course the main permanent settlement in Missouri in the United States and also Zion’s Camp in Scotland in the United Kingdom which will serve as a gathering place for those who will be chosen to proceed to Missouri. However so for now let me tell you that you will need to go to the places that the lord has commanded are to be established for the gathering places of the saints in order for them to be preserved in times of tribulation. I think this is your only secure option. If you can find members in your area and can ask them to keep you informed as to any direction given to them by the church but if you take this approach you may get caught when the destruction begins.

 

Who Should Gather to Zion & Zion’s Camp
This is my list of the kind of people who would want to live among the Saints.  The word Zion in this text refers to where "The Pure in Heart" dwell.

• You believe there is a God of Heaven and that he loves his Children.
• You believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He Suffered for the sins of those who repent.
• You believe in living a righteous life (i.e. The Ten Commandments etc.)
• You love your family and will sacrifice your own safety to protect them.
• You love your fellow man.
• You love Freedom and Righteousness.
• You are not one of those who persecute God's people or his Prophets.

How should You prepare to Gather to Zion & Zion’s Camp

• You must be prepared to leave immediately when you see society turning into mob rule. When people are rioting and plundering the stores and looting in the big cities you can not delay, you must leave. In my opinion you will only have a few days. If you wait you will not be able to obtain petrol for your journey nor will you be able to get substantial food to take with you and you may have to take up the sword to defend your family.
• Determine now where you will be going and purchase enough petrol to get there.
• Purchase survival food right now for one year. This would include wheat, rice, beans, sugar and oats. You need 400 lbs of survival food per adult per year. You need this to make it easier for you to fit into a community of people who have already stored food. So that it is not hard for people to share the food they have stored for their children, we will be storing food centrally in the Bishops store house, this way everyone gets according to their needs, not their wants. You can find good places to purchase your food by contacting the church direct. You can contact the church by email 24 hours a day. You can also search for "Food Storage" on the web.
• If it is time to leave and you do not have the food you need, start your journey anyway, and get away from the big cities or the coastal areas. If you get to one of the gathering places without food do not worry you will be taken care of.
• There are many survival items that you will need to have. Some of them are: medications, extra pairs of jeans, work shirts, work socks, thermals, walking shoes, boots, gloves, coats, bedding, sleeping bags, feminine products, bathroom products, plastic cooler, paper plates, matches, forks, and knifes.
• If you have two cars or a trailer you may need them to bring all of your food and survival items. If this is the case make sure you have enough petrol to make your destination. There are many people who will be walking and you do not want to be one of them.
• When you arrive you will need a place to stay. Everyone will be given a place to live with their family. Be aware that this will not be what you have left behind. You may very well be living in a bell tent for a while before other possibilities can be worked out. You may be living in with a family of saints. You may be in a trailer or caravan.

What Laws Will We Live in Zion
First we must live the laws of God and live righteous principles. Nations are not only governed by Law, they are preserved by Law. Where there is no law or the laws are not enforced, there can be no Freedom. A Nation that does not enforce its laws will cease to be a free Nation and chaos will ensue.

 

Second, these gathering places that we call Zion and Zion’s Camp are choice above all other lands and places. They are to be an “Ensign of Freedom", the "Light on the Hill" for the entire world to see. Zion and Zion’s Camp are these things because they were created by God for a special purpose and it they are to be established upon Eternal Principles. The Freedom of Religion and the Freedom of Speech allow us to teach righteous principles to all of Gods Children, to prepare the way for the Second Coming of the Saviour, when all men in all nations will be free and peace will reign upon the face of the whole earth. God established this church to help prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. We alone can not stop the ravages of the wicked. Only God can do this. The famines, pestilence, and plagues will wipe the wicked off the face of the earth and the righteous will be left to inherit the earth. So what laws will we live in Zion and Zion’s Camp? We will live the laws of God, the laws of righteousness, the laws that insure our Freedom and Liberty.

 

Third, when the years of tribulation are over, and the people of Zion and Zion’s camp begin to spread out upon the face of the earth, we will re-establish the eternal laws of God as the rule of law and peace and Freedom will abound through the whole world. If you are to be saved from the tribulations which shall shortly come upon the world, you must forsake evil and hold to that which is good. You are a child of God with great opportunities living at a glorious time. Put on the whole armour of God that you may overcome the fiery darts of the ungodly. Stand tall for truth and righteousness. Come and join the Saints of God at the gathering places and stand together all who believe on his name.

 

The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ

The Office of The Prophet of The Church

Sermon: Our Royal Standard

From the days of my childhood to the present day. I look back and see how things have changed in the world. What was once considered to be not good, and to be bad are now considered to be good.

 

The word SIN is rarely us now in general in the world. However in the different religions in the world Christianity has become very diverse. Some fractions are saying certain behaviour is acceptable to God, and others as an abomination. Good, and evil have often been portrayed on colours as white, and black. And in-between various shades of gray. Linear measurements have also be used if one deviates from a standard measure. For example. Physical standards. One of the oldest yard-rods in existence is the cloth yard of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors. It consists of a hexagonal iron rod  5⁄8 inch in diameter and  1⁄100 inch short of a yard, encased within a silver rod bearing the hallmark 1445. In the early 15th century, the Merchant Taylors Company was authorized to "make search" at the opening of the annual St. Bartholomew's Day Cloth Fair. In the mid-18th century Graham compared the standard yard of the Royal Society to other existing standards. These were a "long-disused" standard made in 1490 during the reign of Henry VII, and a brass yard and a brass ell from 1588 in the time of Queen Elizabeth and still in use at the time, held at the Exchequer a brass yard and a brass bell at the Guildhall; and a brass yard presented to the Clock-Makers Company by the Exchequer in 1671. The Exchequer yard was taken as "true" the variation was found to be + 1⁄20 to − 1⁄15 of an inch, and an additional  graduation for the Exchequer yard was made on the Royal society's standard. In 1758 the legislature required the construction of a standard yard, which was made from the Royal Society's standard and was deposited with the clerk of the House of Commons; it was divided into feet, one of the feet into inches, and one of the inches into tenths. A copy of it, but with upright cheeks between which other measuring rods could be placed, was made for the Exchequer for commercial use. Spiritual Standards as we can read this in the Book of Mormon.

 

1  AND now I, Nephi, make an end of my prophesying unto you, my beloved brethren.  And I cannot write but a few things, which I know must surely come to pass; neither can I write but a few of the words of my brother Jacob.
2  Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying.
3  For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men.  For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding
4  Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptise the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 31:1 - 4)

12  And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized
in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me;
wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.
13  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Saviour down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 31:12 - 13)

We know the our Farther in Heaven is unchanging in his laws. Therefore His standards do not change over time. Regardless of what the world says.

Apostle Elder Peter Barber

Official Church Statement: Transgenderism

The beauty of the restored gospel is that we know for a surety that we lived before we came here to this mortal realm, that we did indeed have a life and that we lived it in the presence of our Father who created us and that we were created in his image. We know that we had bodies were defined in to genders that we were both male and female before our mortal birth and that we were created thus by our father, our creator God. We have this knowledge because of the restoration of truth handed down to us by our founder and prophet Joseph Smith and through the restored scriptures. This doctrine gives us clear and distinct answers to questions that have plagued men for generation, Who are we? and where do we come from? I believe that we are the only people in the world to have this knowledge and because of this we should know better when it come to accepting corrupt ideologies of the world and teaching them to our children and young people. As holders of this knowledge it is our responsibility to tech the truth and tech that we are what we are because we have been created this way by a God who loves us. There are those who belong to the latter day faith that believe in the pre-existence but have taken hold of the corrupt teachings of the world and folded them in to one t make the gospel seem more appealing to the world and the younger generation. It is our duty to teach truth no matter how distasteful it is to the world and no matter how unpopular it may be to the younger generation.

 

What must be understood if we are to tackle the dangers of transgender thinking is that we lived as spirits before we were born. We lived in the presence of God in the spirit before we came here, we desired to be like him, we saw him, we were in his presence and sought to become like him. There is not one soul who has lived that has not seen both the Father and the Son and in that same state in the spirit were formed in to their gender states as they were created by God. It is true that we did not have bodies of physical flesh but we had bodies of spirit formed in full likeness of God in all their glories, in short we were full personages in reflection of our Father. However this knowledge in all its beauty has been forgotten or distorted and the dangers of the world have crept in to our homes. The world would have us think that much of what is written in the Bible and other sacred texts is of little consequence for our lives today and so dangers have arisen and one danger that I find worrying is the danger of transgenderism. The issue of transgenderism isn’t going away anytime soon, it may only become more prominent in our society. It’s just one symptom of the fierce spiritual battle that is raging in our wicked world. A secular mindset is increasingly capturing the hearts and minds of not only our young people but our society as a whole and they are being deceived into believing that morality and gender can be whatever they want it to be. Without the foundation of the absolute authority of God’s law, the world is adrift in a sea of moral relativism where man makes the rules and determines “truth.” and when this happens nothing good comes of it, in fact death and destruction follow in its wake.

 

The gospel and the restoration provides the only true foundation for our thinking on this issue. Starting with God's law laid down in the scriptures we know that gender was created by God and that people were created “male and female” (Genesis 1:29–30) from the beginning. Of course, sin has affected everything, including gender, and, as a result, some people have a real struggle with gender identity. We need to have compassion for these individuals of course, but that doesn’t mean we should accept and embrace sinful behaviours and choices! It means that we should lovingly and gently expose sin and share the life-changing message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with all people and the joy and knowledge of the pre-existence. We should as a church stand firm on what we hold true, we should never bend to popular opinion or belief just because we are under condemnation from the world, after all the world is in the pay of the great evil, Satan and are we in his pay? NO! we are in the service if God and he is for truth always.

 

As Latter Day Mormons I think that sometimes we can forget that we have a wonderful resource in the Bible, that was and is given to us by God for our education in life. So it is to the Bible I look. The Bible teaches that manhood or womanhood is not incidental, it has been given us by God as a gift. We inhabit our God-created bodies as vessels of delight, temples of the Holy Spirit, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:19. Our sexuality points to what theologians call “complementarily.” Men and women are one “kind” (1 Corinthians 15:39), but we are not the same. This is true in several respects. As Scripture indicates and common sense shows, men and women are different anatomically. Adam named his wife “woman” because she was distinct from him, a man (Genesis 2:29). Only a man can provide the raw material by which to procreate; only a woman can bear children and nurse them. However from the start Gods wonderful plan for mankind was the target of Satan. he looked and beheld a wonderful perfect design and wanted to distort and twist what God had crated and ordained and has attacked the family and self identity ever since Adam and Eve walked out of the Garden of Eden. The word wide flood was sent because mankind was neck deep in sin and sinful behaviour similar to what we have today and I believe gender identity plays a big part in that. We know through scripture that the “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9), As a church we recognise that there will always be those who will use situations like gender identity to try to fulfil their own sinful lustful desires. This has created a dangerous situation as there’s no doubt sexual predators will and have always used these development to their full advantage and with Satan as their ally its easy in a sinful world for them to succeed and drag young impressionable minds with them. It is important for us to remember this comforting Scripture:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) What people need is not accommodation of a sinful lifestyle. They need the gospel of Jesus Christ! After all we read again:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9–11) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) And we as believers need to be equipped with solid, answers to meekly and gently engage the culture for Christ.

 

However I am afraid that all to often we see the profound tension between God’s design and Satan’s attacks on this design everyday in our lives. The Lord created man and woman and gives them specific roles to play for His glory; Satan targets man and woman and induces them to upend God’s design. God orders and structures, Satan tears down. God brings life, Satan destroys it. These tragic patterns are as old as the earth. They are not new, but they do morph with the times as we are seeing today. Western culture is making good on this rebellion. It denies the distinctness of divine creation, it tears down the uniqueness of the sexes, and it rebels against the lordship of Jesus Christ. The wisdom and design of God is rejected, and the Word of God, in sum, is reviled. I see this all to often in my home having a young man growing up in the gospel and also in the world. We as parents teach the principles of Christ to all our children and I see the dangers of how the world captures the hearts and minds of the young and the power of Satan.

 

I guess in summing up I want us to remember that we must always show love and compassion to those caught u in sin, but we must never condone their behaviour or their choices, we must never allow their lifestyle to permeate our church or our culture. The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ stands firm on the foundation that we do not allow or condone homosexual relationships or the LGBT movement in our church, but we do not hate. I make an appeal to all those living under this cloud to seek the Lord and he will seek you in return. let us not condone sine and let us remember that we are who we are because of God and because we were created this way by him and it is not an accident but a design and meant to be.

 

Matthew P. Gill

Prophet & First Elder

Sermon: Our Duty As Parents

In the beginning the Lord created male and female and instructed them to multiply and replenish the earth. He told them to look after their children and teach them righteousness.

 

Our Heavenly Father placed the responsibility upon parents to insure that their children are well fed, well groomed and clothed, well trained and well taught. Most parents protect their children with shelter, they tend and care for their diseases, provide clothes for their safety and their comfort, and supply food for their health and growth. But what do they do for their souls?

 

When children go off to school or to play with their friends, parents cannot be totally sure of what the children are learning. But if parents take time at home each evening to explain the gospel program to their children, it will replace the negative things they may learn during the day. As parents we know only to well the daily struggle it is to teach our children the moral principles they need to live a life in the footsteps of God, they do not learn this at school but in the home at the feet of their parents. We like many generations before us must respond today to the wicked situation that we find our children living in today, when such sins as same sex marriage, gender swapping, bisexual relationships and other sinful and prideful activities are encouraged in the world, we must stand firm on the foundation of the gospel and teach correct and just morals to our children, if not all else fails. If it were not for our size I would recommend that all children belonging to this faith be educated at home or within the confines of a church school, however our situation does not allow for this and so we must do as well as we can. Do not despair. Parents can develop respect for others’ property and rights in their growing children by example and precept. Parents who require their youngsters to apologise and return, perhaps even double or triple, that which they have taken, broken, and destroyed, those children will be honourable citizens and will bring honour and glory to their parents. Those parents who themselves respect law and order and observe all the rules can, by that example and by their expression of approval or disapproval, discipline and protect their children against disorder and rebellion. Inner disciplines are substituting for the outer ones as the outer ones become habitual and effective. As one is obedient to his own sound principles, it is far more important and gratifying than obedience to others.

 

We often find men capable of governing a world who cannot rule their own household or the restless minds of their own children and cannot control their own passions. Is it possible that the shocking irreverence of many of the rising generation can be traced to the irreverence of their parents? Can children be expected to be spiritual and religious and reverent if their parents show no such interest themselves. As parents read the newspapers and magazines and see what the world is trying to teach their children, they should become all the more determined that their children not be influenced by such sin and error. Parents should then provide the home life, the discipline, and the training that will offset and neutralise the evil that is being done in the world. As children learn of the ugly things in the world, they must also learn of the good things in the world and the proper responses and proper attitudes. If parents understand that many children do not have family prayers and spiritual attitudes and proper teaching in their lives, then those parents should redouble their energies and their efforts to see that their own children receive good, wholesome training. Let us remember that the scriptures condemn fathers and mothers when they fail to do their duty. Eli, the high priest, was charged with the serious sins of his sons. The Lord whispered through Samuel, “I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house. “Because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.”.

 

How sad it would be if the Lord should charge any of us as parents with having failed to teach our children. Truly a tremendous responsibility falls upon a couple when they bring children into the world. Not only food, clothes, and shelter are required of them, but loving, kindly disciplining, teaching, and training is required. For we are the guardians of these beings, true we create the body but the true personage is and always will be Gods and it is our duty to raise that personage that we have been blessed with in the image of God and in his likeness, so that if he or his son were to grace us with his presence we would no be ashamed of our conduct as parents, for it is our responsibility for the way our children become adults we are the ones who train them and if we neglect that training and do not do it in the sight of God then woe be unto us at the day of judgement and woe be unto the future generations that shall come after us.

 

I pray that we shall stand as guardians and teachers and do as we have bee asked so that our young people grow to stand as we have stood in the sight of God.

 

In The Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Matthew P. Gill

Prophet & First Elder

Sermon: Overcoming Adversity

This is the story of Louise Laflamme . She now heads up one of Hawaii’s largest insurance companies. She was first recruited into the industry as a junior aged 17 and quickly became a senior field agent looking after about 50 small personal clients. After a period of learning from a number of

Senior colleagues at age twenty she was moved to senior sales consultant and given a portfolio consisting of about 100 small corporate clients. Over the next 5 years Louise became the first female in the companies history to achieve induction into the world acclaimed MDRT ( Million dollar round table) For producing sales of at least ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

After a further five years and after reaching the position of Vice president she decided to leave and set up her own business in Hawaii . she was now 38 and a mother of two girls and served as a school governor and a local alderman.

I met louise Laflamme at a international MDRT meeting at the Royal Albert hall where she was presiding as international MDRT president. I was proud to be a new member and was thinking I had achieved quite a lot I was 34.

Know you might think that louises story up to now was not that inspiring But, In the middle 1950’s on a small farm in California the Laflamme family worked mainly wheat and corn . The family Consisted of mother and father and two children David 14 and Louise who was 4. On a sweltering summer day the family and the farm labourers had just finished for lunch, Mrs Laflamme served up a hearty meal on trestle tables in the farm yard. They had all taken their seats around the table when Mrs Laflamme noticed her daughter louise was missing. She asked David to go and see where she was after a few seconds david was heard to scream for help.

It was his sister louise she had fallen into a small threshing machine. Later in hospital it was revealed that Louise had lost an arm and both legs and the doctors thought she would not make it through the night. As we know she did live and overcame life changing disabilities to be a mom and a business leader of international renown .

We can learn from Louise Laflamme that whilst we may be challenged in many ways god will lay out a path that can be challenging but at the same time not insurmountable. I hope and pray that we can all mirror louises life and reach for the sky.

In Gods Name. Amen

Elder Philip. A Gill

Official Church Statement: Remembering 9/11

It would be remise of me as the leader of the church if I did not mention that 15 years ago the world stood still, shocked and shaken by what was happening in the United Sates of America in the city of New York. It is important that we mark the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the world trade centre in New York because the worldwide consequences of that day have been immense and have changed our lives forever. The world has not been the same since, we have not know peace since and many lives have been taken in the pursuit of peace since that fateful day.

 

Here we stand on the anniversary of the day when the world changed and imploded, here we stand remembering those that have gone on to a better life. Here we stand people of faith, and religion praying that the world can find a way to make sure that this kind of tragedy would never happen again, but all to often we have found that hate and suffering and pain and evil have won the day. However as people of faith let us gird our faith about us and remember those that have fallen and never forget them and why they fell and as long as we remember why they fell we shall overcome. Since September the 11th 2001 I think there has been bit of New York in all of us so that no matter what happens, with faith we can be stronger and united, and together we can overcome all evils. We will always remember.

 

Matthew P. Gill

Prophet & First Elder

Official Church Statement: Child Vaccinations

As the leader of the church and of a faith I am often asked questions on a daily basis on a range of questions some to do with religion others to do with more mundane things however the main thread of these questions is the same what is my counsel on the matters at hand. One question that keeps coming up from time to time and has again this week, is does the church have a stance on child vaccinations? Do we believe in vaccines for children or not? What do I council young parents to do? What have I done with my own children?

 

This is an emotive subject and one that is still rumbling on today despite the governments of many countries trying to kick the issue in to the long grass and cover it up. The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ advises all its members and parents to fully engage in the argument that it raging today about immunisations in children. As a church we would advise young parents to do what is in the best interest if their child and also what is in the best interest of their family. We do not command families to take or not to take up immunisations, however I would advise that they give their children the best chance in life from the very start and for us that would mean not pumping an innocent baby full of chemicals that could and in many cases do harm them. I would never advise any one not to immunise but rather to do it in a way that is best for their child. I would recommend that they be given over a longer period of time rather than all at once as is the prescribed method today. I would advise any parent not to have the MMR triple all in one vaccine but rather to find a clinic that will give their child the vaccines individually over a longer period of time.

 

The Lord has given us as parents guardianship over these young spirits and it is up to us to do what is best for them, not just to do what is easy because the government of the day tells us it is easy but rather to do what is morally and ethically right by our charges and we would therefore encourage our young people to take their time and think about what they are wanting to put in to your child's body and ask the question is it right and is it necessary? As a parent of three young boys I had to ask myself those same questions and with the help of the Lord and the counsel of my wife we decided that we would not allow our children to be subjected to the MMR triple vaccine but rather opt for them individually and at separate times allowing the body and the immune system time to adjust to what was being imposed upon it. I am happy to say that none of my children have suffered because of vaccines in any way, but I believe that is because of the actions we as parents have taken. I know many parents who did not take the actions we took and have regretted it ever since.

 

On a more religious tone. I believe as the leader of the church and the standard bearer of my faith it is my job to make sure tat I am advising the membership of our faith and counselling them in the correct ways and actions that should be taken in this world. I believe that as a church we should have options on issues such as these and for us not to would be a gross neglect of our duty. I believe that as leaders we should have firm views on these subjects and the church as well, and that we should make sure that we stand by those views and support our members in the actions they take. In short The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ would recommend that parents should try and refrain from giving their child the combined triple MMR vaccination and instead do all they can to obtain the vaccinations individually at separate times and try and limit the amount of vaccines your child receives overall.

 

I hope this has answered the question adequately and that you now understand the church's position on this issue. 

 

Matthew P. Gill

Prophet & First Elder

Official Church Statement: Extraterrestrial Life

As the leader of the church I am constantly sent emails and Facebook messages about varies issues and topics and one topic that comes up time and time again these days is the issue of extraterrestrial life and life on other planets. The question keeps getting asked of us "Do you believe" "Do you think there are Aliens and life on other planets" Well that is a very interesting question and one that keeps cropping up time and time again and a question that seems to be important to a lot of you out there so I thought that I would take the time and give you all on official answer.

 

The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ believes in life on other planets we believe in extraterrestrial life and we believe that God has created other worlds and has peopled them. We believe that some have passed away and some are in existence today. We make this bold stance because we have been told so by God himself. In a revelation given to the prophet Joseph Smith in June of 1830 which is now at the beginning of the inspired version of the Bible states in verses 21through to 24 this is what it says concerning life on this earth and others.

 

21 And the Lord God said unto Moses, For mine own purpose have I made these things. Here is wisdom, and it remaineth in me. And by the word of my power have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth. And worlds without number have I created, and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten. And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many. But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you; for behold there are many worlds which have passed away by the word of my power; and there are many also which now stand, and numberless are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me; for they are mine, and I know them.

 

22 And it came to pass, that Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof; and also the heavens, and then thy servant will be content.

 

23 And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying, The heavens, they are many and they can not be numbered unto man, but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine; and as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof, even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words; for this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality, and eternal life of man.

 

24 And now, Moses, my son, I will speak unto you concerning this earth upon which thou standest; and thou shalt write the things which I shall speak. And in a day when the children of men shall esteem my words as naught, and take many of them from the book which thou shalt write, behold I will raise up another like unto thee, and they shall be had again among the children of men, among even as many as shall believe.

 

So you see God has made it very clear that there have been other worlds that have passed away and some that are now standing, and they all have life on them but he was only going to instruct Moses on the life on this planet. As the prophet and leader of The Latter day Church of Jesus Christ I will not stand back and give a politicians answer but rather I will state what the Lord has stated, yes we do believe in life on other worlds and we do believe that they are out there and they have a loving God and they have a creator who has placed them as he placed us on a planet fit for them to live and thrive and grow. So we are not alone and there is no need to think otherwise because we have Gods word that tells us so. So if you believe as we do then you have a home with us, we will not ridicule you but fine you the answers that you have been missing and those answers are found with God.

 

Matthew P . Gill

Prophet & First Elder

The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ

Official Church Statement: The Book of Mormon

With the following words spoken by Elder Russell M. Nelson on 6 July 2016 “There are some things the Book of Mormon is not,” President Nelson said. “It is not a textbook of history, although some history is found within its pages. It is not a definitive work on ancient American agriculture or politics. It is not a record of all former inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere, but only of particular groups of people.” The LDS church has now taken a position of distancing itself from the validity of the book of Mormon in a way which many other restoration faiths have done.

 

It is the firm belief of The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ that although we may not understand all of the ways in which the book of Mormon was translated, it is however true. We stand by the book of Mormon and proudly proclaim it is true. We stand by this belief know matter how hard it may be for us to say such things. While all around us the Mormon and restoration world is shrinking from its belief in the book of Mormon and he Prophet Joseph Smith and the way in which the Book of Mormon was brought forth and therefore its worth as a true historical and religious document we at The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ stand firm in our conviction that it is true and it is a real historical document of a part of the Heartlands of the North American Continent and that it speaks of three different people groups who travelled to the North American continent.

 

We stand firm in our conviction that Joseph Smith is and was a prophet of God, no matter his faults and short comings and through him the book of Mormon was translated and came to us today. The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ continues the work left by the early church and our prophet brother Joseph, we build on the foundation he laid which includes the book of Mormon and we stand by its truth and validity.

 

Matthew P. Gill

Prophet & First Elder

Sermon: Scriptures

Dear brothers and sisters.

 

I really struggled with this talk for today, although I was given half a week to complete it, I Procrastinated. I admit it; I found numerous other things to do other than start on my talk and that included watching TV. So last night I sat at the table and though what can I do my talk on, I thought, how about procrastination? Nope I've done a talk on that before. I looked through the friend for inspiration, none came. Matthew came down and said just read something from one of your books; I said nope cant do that as I told Levi that he had to write his from scratch. I thought how about Levis chores that we chose, how we wanted to keep his mind, body and spirit active during the holidays, nope to boring. I'll have a look at the personal progress online for some more ideas for Levis chore list, which was me procrastinating again. Do you know they have changed it so much, there used to be 'find and name a certain number of constellations' 'learn how to tell the time using the sun' and so on, now its boring, I cant think of another word for it, they want the women to learn homemaking skills, how to clean the house properly, how to clean clothes properly, to write about our feelings with regards to certain scriptures and to memorise hymns... so obviously I wont be using that for too much inspiration for levis chore list.

 

So in the end I came back to one of my first thoughts, its not one I mentioned before.

 

Pokémon Go...

 

There are so many people outside at this very moment with their phones in their hands looking up, looking down, looking left, looking right and missing the whole world around them, their aim is to catch Pokémon and train them. Imagine if they had to catch or find scripture characters and complete a task for them instead, would the game be as great, no, not because it would be boring because it wouldn't be, anything can be made exciting if you advertise it right but it wouldn't be as great because of that one word 'scriptures', scriptures mean God, scriptures mean rules, scriptures mean loads of text that is sometimes difficult to understand.

 

I read a book recently and it took me two days to complete it from start to end but I struggle to read the scriptures, on a Sunday during Sunday school I am fine but during the week on my own, I really struggle, to be honest I don't even think about them, I've lost count how many times I've read 1st Nephi.

 

But Heavenly Father never said that he wanted us to read it all in a few days or even a few weeks, he didn't say that we had to start at first Nephi, although it is a good starting point, what he did tell us was to search, ponder and pray. If we have to read the same verse 5 times over before we understand it then we have to read it 5 times over. Instead of saying to ourselves I'll read a chapter a day or 10 verses a day instead we should say that we are going to read for 30 minutes a day, if that means that we've only read 2 verses in that 30 minutes then so be it. I remember when I was little and my mum was even more busy than she usually is, she used to read her scriptures whilst eating breakfast, 10 minutes, but that 10 minutes she was not only nourishing her body but also her soul.

 

I am going to task you all to read 5 minutes of scriptures per day and try to build it up so that by the time you get to the end of august you are reading 30 minutes of scriptures per day. I am. Let's give Pokémon Go a run for its money.

 

I leave these words with you in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

 

Sister Vicki Gill

Sermon: The Garden of Eden

Most Bible and religious commentaries state that the site of the Garden of Eden was in the Middle East, situated somewhere near where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are today, but what does scripture actually tell us? Based on the description given in Genesis 2:8–17:

 

The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden. . . . Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. The name of the first is Pishon. . . . The name of the second river is Gihon. . . . The name of the third river is Hiddekel [Tigris]. . . . The fourth river is the Euphrates.

 

Even the great theologian John Calvin struggled over the exact location of the Garden of Eden. In his commentary on Genesis he states: Moses says that one river flowed to water the garden, which afterwards would divide itself into four heads. It is sufficiently agreed among all, that two of these heads are the Euphrates and the Tigris; for no one disputes that . . . (Hiddekel) is the Tigris. But there is a great controversy respecting the other two. Many think, that Pison and Gihon are the Ganges and the Nile; the error, however, of these men is abundantly refuted by the distance of the positions of these rivers. Persons are not wanting who fly across even to the Danube; as if indeed the habitation of one man stretched itself from the most remote part of Asia to the extremity of Europe. But since many other celebrated rivers flow by the region of which we are speaking, there is greater probability in the opinion of those who believe that two of these rivers are pointed out, although their names are now obsolete. Be this as it may, the difficulty is not yet solved. For Moses divides the one river which flowed by the garden into four heads. Yet it appears, that the fountains of the Euphrates and the Tigris were far distant from each other.

 

Calvin recognised that the description given in Genesis 2 concerning the location of the Garden of Eden does not fit with what is observed regarding the present Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. God’s Word makes it clear that the Garden of Eden was located where there were four rivers coming from one head. No matter how one tries to fit this location in the Middle East today, it just can’t be done. Interestingly, Calvin goes on to say: From this difficulty, some would free themselves by saying that the surface of the globe may have been changed by the deluge.

 

This is a major consideration that needs to be taken into account. The worldwide, catastrophic Flood of Noah’s day would have destroyed the surface of the earth. If most of the sedimentary strata over the earth’s surface (many thousands of feet thick in places) is the result of this global catastrophe as creationists believe, then we would have no idea where the Garden of Eden was originally located, the earth’s surface totally changed as a result of the Flood.  Not only this, but underneath the region where the present Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are located there exists hundreds of feet of sedimentary strata, a significant amount of which is fossiliferous. Such fossil-bearing strata had to be laid down at the time of the Flood, this is nit a debatable issue.

 

Therefore, no one can logically suggest that the area where the present Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are today is the location of the Garden of Eden, for this area is sitting on Flood strata containing billions of dead things (fossils). The perfect Garden of Eden can’t be sitting on billions of dead things before sin entered the world! This being the case, the question then is why are there rivers named Tigris and Euphrates in the Middle East today? Many wrongly conclude that the Garden of Eden was somewhere in the Middle East based on the names of the rivers in Genesis 2.

 

In many places around the world that once belonged to the great British Empire, one will recognize many names that are also used in England (e.g., Newcastle, London, York). The reason is that when the settlers came out from England to their new lands, they used names they were familiar with in England to name new places/towns in their new lands. Another example is the names given to many rivers in the United States. There is the Thames River in Connecticut, the Severn River in Maryland, and the Trent River in North Carolina, all named for prominent rivers in the UK.

 

In a similar way, when Noah and his family came out of the ark after it landed in the area we today call the Middle East (the region of the Mountains of Ararat), it would not have been surprising for them to use names they were familiar with from the pre-Flood world (e.g., Tigris and Euphrates), to name places and rivers, etc., in the world after the Flood.

 

Ultimately, we have a march on the Christian world in as much as we have modern prophets and modern prophecy. In that great gift we have been told rough location of the Garden of Eden through the great restoration of truth and the great prophet Joseph Smith. The position of the Saints today, with respect to the much discussed location of the Garden of Eden is that its is located in North America in Jackson County Missouri. This is our firm belief given to us by the word of God and we stand by that. It is a fact that Adam, after his expulsion from the Garden of Eden, lived in the vicinity of the great Missouri and Mississippi rivers. As his descendants multiplied, they would naturally settle along the fertile and climatically acceptable river valleys. When the flood came in the days of Noah, the Mississippi drainage must have increased to a tremendous volume, quite in harmony with the Biblical account. Noah's ark would be floated on the mighty, rushing waters, towards the Gulf of Mexico. With favourable winds, given by God it would cross the Atlantic to the Eastern continents. There the human race, in its second start on earth, began to multiply and fill the earth and settle in what is now called the Middle East.

 

So we state with a certainty that no other Christian faith can, that, the location of the Garden of Eden is in America, and at Independence, Missouri. This fact clears up many a problem which the Bible account of Eden and its garden has left in the minds of students for many years. Still today many men, great men of God do not know what we know concerning the location of the Garden of Eden and its location. However it must still be remembered and understood that no matter where you believe the Garden was located to insist that the Garden was located in the area around the present Tigris and Euphrates Rivers is to deny the catastrophic effects of the global Flood of Noah’s day, and to allow for death before sin, this is of major importance and something that we must never forget. The flood again played an integral part in the garden story and as it does in all our lives brings us closer to the living God.

 

Matthew P Gill

Prophet

The Testimony of the Saviour

Enquiring of the Lord about the topic of my talk and after receiving the direction that I should bear testimony that Jesus Christ is the son of the living God and he died for us. As I am entitled as a follower of Jesus Christ to know through the Holy Ghost that Jesus is my personal saviour and the saviour of all mankind I pronounce that he was restored to life following his crucifixion.

 

My, our testimony comes from the Holy Ghost. We know from modern day revelation the identity of the third member of the Godhead. Through the priesthood we receive the witness from the holy ghost that guides and directs our decisions. I desire to convey to all who hear or read this address that your hearts may be opened and that you will know that I speak of truth. The words of the Hymn “I BELIEVE IN CHRIST” we take from this that salvation begins and ends with our Heavenly Father, and he is offering to us a life akin to his to posses and enjoy his power for eternity.

 

In our pre existent state we learned of the plan of salvation this plan would allow us to come to earth and progress, and go back to our father in glory and knowledge. Because of sin we needed a mediator this came in the guise of Jesus Christ who without him we would be unable to satisfy our Father in heaven.

 

In the Book of Mormon we establish the position of the Saviour in our earthly progression. Joseph Smith was once asked about the principles of our faith, he answered "the fundamental principles of our faith are the testimony of our apostles and prophet concerning Jesus Christ and that he died for us"

(History of the church vol3,p30)

 

We must always convey to the world and our followers the message that the atoning sacrifice of our saviour is at the heart of our faith. Without this there would be neither immortality or exaltation.

 

As followers of the gospel as contained in the Bible , Book of Mormon, and the Book of Jaraneck  we are able to live the glorious thing that has happened in this the last days the windows of heaven are open and through our Prophet Matthew Gill we receive the direction of our Father who wants us to know of the great work of his son. My voice as a witness of the saviour is to testify that of the divinity and truthfulness of his works amongst the children of our heavenly father on earth. The testimony I bear is one who knows for a surety that Jesus is the Christ echoing the testimonies of countless followers down the years from 1820. We owe much to Joseph Smith who ushered in this special Message by being instrumental in the bringing to the human race the message contained in the Book of Mormon this message of course is simple,

"Be led by the holy ghost" without this we are like a ship without a compass.

 

In this day we as followers of the Saviour and adherents to direction of our Prophet Matthew Gill who talks with our saviour and receives commands for our benefit. I proclaim  the truths and desires in my heart to have  people believe and obey. The salvation of mankind is in the gift of Jesus Christ and wishes us to gain exaltation and once again walk in the steps of our heavenly father.

 

In The Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Second Elder Philip Gill

Sermon: Marriage is Ordained of God

The use of the word Marriage in our world today is a far cry from what the Lord intended in the beginning. Our Lord corrected many false notions then existing on the subject of marriage (Matt. 22:23-30), and placed it as a divine institution on the highest grounds. The apostles state clearly and enforce the nuptial duties of husband and wife. As we read in Ephesians.

22  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.  He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband
(Inspired Version New Testament :- Ephesians 5:22 - 33)

9  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11  Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12  For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
( Inspired Version New Testament :- 1 Corinthians 11:9 - 12)

Marriage is said to be "honourable" (Heb. 13:4), and the prohibition of it is noted as one of the marks of degenerate times (1 Tim. 4:3).

3  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the
truth.
4  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
(Inspired Version New Testament :- 1 Timothy 4:3 - 4)

The marriage relation is used to represent the union between God and his people (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:1-14; Hos. 2:9, 20). In the New Testament the same figure is employed in representing the love of Christ to his saints (Eph. 5:25-27). The Church of the redeemed is the "Bride, the Lamb's wife" (Rev. 19:7-9).

We can look at a marriage from a negative, or positive perspective. There is a sad song which expresses the collapse of a marriage. The words read like this.

The congregation sang. We knelt and prayed

As we stood before God On that beautiful day
The church bells rang And the champagne flowed
As our friends gathered 'round For the wedding photo
But here we are barely 5 years on And our whole world's falling apart.

All the plans we had together Up in smoke and gone forever Poisoned by the lawyer's letters It's over
I don't want our kids to suffer Can we talk to one another
You were once my wife, my lover It's over.
Rumours and whispers tear you apart But I know you better than that
Inseparable were we With a breeze in our sails
Now I feel the chilled wind Of a marriage that fell
And our friends are divided They've taken their sides
Now they'll all sit back And watch the circus arrive
I don't stand here tryna focus the blame But I'm hurting deep down inside
All the pain and all the grieving When did we stop believing
Too late now to stop the bleeding
It's over
What's the sense in pointing fingers Who's the saint and who's the sinner
There ain't gonna be a winner
It's over
Oh my dear, what happened to us? Tell me where did it all go wrong?
What's the use in keep on fighting? All the tears, all the crying
Why do we keep denying
It's over
In all this time I thought I knew you Don't forget our children's future
I would do whatever suits ya

In contrast to the words of this song.

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you. I swear we've been through everything
there is. Can't imagine anything we've missed. Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do.
Through the years You've never let me down You turned my life around
The sweetest days I've found I've found with you Through the years
I've never been afraid I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed Right here with you
Through the years
I can't remember what I used to do Who I trusted whom, I listened to before
I swear you've taught me everything I know Can't imagine needing someone so.
But through the years it seems to me I need you more and more
Through the years Through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had I've always been so glad
To be with you Through the years It's better everyday
You've kissed my tears away As long as it's okay I'll stay with you.
Through the years.
Through the years When everything went wrong
Together we were strong I know that I belonged Right here with you
Through the years I never had a doubt.
We'd always work things out I've learned what love's about
By loving you Through the years
Through the years
You've never let me down You've turned my life around The sweetest days I've
found. I've found with you. Through the years It's better everyday You've kissed my tears away. As long as it's okay I'll stay with you Through the years.

In closing  how blessed we are to have a knowledge of the gospel that can bring about out eternal happiness.

In the name of Jesus Christ . Amen.
Elder Peter C. Barber