Seventy George Thomas in the Northwestern U.S.

Seventy George Thomas traveled through Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon in July and August of 2015. He had two major goals for this trip. He was searching for scattered saints to whom he could minister. He was also desiring a way to make contacts with various first nation peoples in the northwestern United States.

He started the journey with his wife, Jeanette. She accompanied him for the first three weeks. When Jeanette flew home, Elder Glenn Vreeland joined George for the remainder of the trip.

Brother and Sister Thomas ministered on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota where they had some opportunity to witness of Christ. In Montana, contact was made with a member of the Flathead nation who was seeking a witness of Jesus Christ. Brother Thomas was able to share with him and left contact information for follow up.

He reported that several areas in Colorado and Montana where Saints had previously lived, were now dead or had moved on. He and Brother Vreeland we able to visit with several of the Saints in Idaho, but they are widely scattered.

While staying at a state park, Brother Thomas reported this event,

A sixteen year old young man had accompanied his aunt to camp and fish for a few days. The trout were large and plentiful. I went to the dock the first night to just visit with the young man. I could tell by his body language that he was not happy being there. I talked to him about Jesus and we had prayer together. The next morning early he was down fishing alone. Once again we talked about Jesus. The young man was from a broken home and was really not wanted by his mom or dad. Religion was not a part of his life. Soon it was time for him to help his aunt break camp and prepare to drive back to Washington. We had prayer and I encouraged him to find a bible based church and begin his walk with Jesus Christ. He thanked me and said he felt we were guided to meet.

The trip ended with a return to the Pine Ridge Reservation. The pair of ministers were able to teach some classes and encourage the Saints.

Restoration Seventies Minister in Utah

Seventies Jim and Patrick McKay were invited as guests of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah to attend the Sperry Symposium. The symposium was the 44th annual gathering of this scholarly event. It was held from October 21-24, 2015. This year the event theme was "The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder." Fourteen presentations were delivered covering various aspects of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the miracle of its translation and publication.

Patrick was asked to address the faculty from the Religious Education and Church History Departments. He shared with them the changes that had occurred in the Reorganized Church as well as the tension they too face with the same or similar issues confronting them as a church; such as women's ordination, the pressure to accept alternative life styles altering our Judeo-Christian concept of marriage and progressive thinkers who question the historicity of the Book of Mormon, and how they might respond to preserve the unique Restoration message. He concluded by sharing with them the common future we all share as believers in the Restoration.

The McKays attended several classes on campus, interacting with both the faulty and students and were asked to join the dialog. They were also invited to share in a fireside in one of the homes and testified of the wonderful things the Lord is doing among all Restoration believers.

They also meet with several professors to work on the details for the next Book of Mormon Festival to be held this May in Independence, Missouri.

Seventy Gary Metzger Ministering in Honduras

(Sent August 6, 2014 ) Greetings from Honduras. The Lord has blessed me with many opportunities to share with the saints and be with my grieving family in Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, Honduras. Thanks to all for their prayers. My health is good and I have an important meeting this afternoon with some of the Honduran Priesthood. I pray for peace and light to be prevalent. Best wishes to all. I leave tomorrow at mid-day to return.

Ron Smith's travels

We spent 3 wonderful weeks in North and South Carolina.  We met with saints in the Winston-Salem and Carey, NC areas for church services, and visited in a number of homes.  The saints in the Upstate Restoration Branch in Taylors, SC invited us to come on the weekend of June 14-15.  On Saturday, they had a nice dinner for us, and we visited for a long time before and after with a number of the Saints.  On Sunday morning, I taught the Sunday School class and preached.  There was a very good spirit there.  The whole congregation went to dinner at a nearby Hibachi Grill so that we could all sit at one table.

On this trip we felt especially blessed that the Lord had placed us at the right place and time.  One night we got a text asking us to visit a lady in the hospital at Gastonia, NC.  Her name is Antonia, and she had been in a diabetic coma for three days.  Josh Pederson is one of two young men who are currently studying Spanish in Oaxaca, Mexico.  He met Antonia's brother, who expressed the desire for someone in North Carolina to go and administer to her.  Josh called his father in Independence, Missouri to see if there was any elder who could go.  One of Josh's good friends, Tyler Ramirez, had been asked to go to North Carolina with me, but had not been able to go.  Tyler remembered that I was there, so I got texted.  As it turned out, we were within 200 miles of Gastonia, and had nothing scheduled the next day, so we went to see Antonia.  We found her niece, and she took us to the intensive care ward of the hospital to see Antonia.  We found her awake and alert.  As the family spoke mostly Spanish, we sang a few Spanish songs and had a wonderful "Spanglish" conversation.  I administered to her, and we enjoyed a good spirit. At the end of our trip, we stopped by to see Antonia once again.  This time, she was not in the hospital, but had been moved to a rehabilitation center, so we know that she had improved a lot. 

Ron Smith in North Carolina

Ron Smith and his wife Di have gone to North Carolina for a missionary trip.  Yesterday (June 1) we shared in the communion service in Winston-Salem held in the Alan Step home.  There were at least 19 in attendance. After the service, we enjoyed a pot luck.  In the evening, we shared in singing and scripture study with Daniel and Lauren Nixon in their home in Carrboro.

KANSAS - COLORADO - UTAH MISSION TRIP

Mission Report 

Seventies Jim and Patrick McKay

Kansas

   We traveled to St John, Kansas to meet with two elders from The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonites).  This community was originally settled by William Bickerton and called Zion Valley.  He believed this was a Stake of Zion with a purpose of ministering to the American Indians, which their church likes to identify as the "Seed of Joseph."

   We spent several hours discussing the commonalities of our organizations and discussed the possibilities of healing the breach.  They offered some testimonies to us, which were new regarding the prophetic promise of this event-taking place. We spent the night and left rejoicing in finding those desirous to be yoked together in the cause of Zion.

Colorado (Colorado Springs)

   We continued our trip taking us to Colorado Springs to meet with a group of saints who are without any resident priesthood.  We stayed in the home of sister Cindy Webb.  We gathered several of the group for a class on the prophetic trajectory of the Book of Mormon and then continued to discuss the work with those in the home we stayed in.  On Sunday morning we again taught a class on the Letter's of Oliver Cowdery and the commencement of the latter day work.  We also occupied the pulpit and spoke on the power of faith.  Two asked for administration following the preaching, both testified of receiving a blessing, one was immediate.  We continued to discuss the angel message throughout the day and evening and moved on our journey Monday morning. Upon leaving, the group wanted to assist in our travel expense and made us a generous gift.

Utah

   We visited the Provo Campus of Brigham Young University and met with the Chair of the Ancient History Department and two of her colleagues.  They treated us to lunch and we were able to share seven testimonies regarding the healing of the breach in the Restoration.  They were amazed at what we shared and asked for copies of the testimonies.  We meet for 31/2 hours and at the end of our visit they expressed a desire to create a Book of Mormon Symposium Committee to produce a yearly Book of Mormon Festival.  Our impression of them and the greater Salt Lake Basin was somewhat paradoxical.  The LDS Church carries some beliefs which other portions of the Restoration do not embrace and have cause many to keep this Branch of the Restoration at arms length, yet they have seemingly an exhaustless amount of Book of Mormon Scholars who truly love this record and have blended their academic learning with their faith to testify of the books divine authenticity.  We were reminded of one of Joseph Smith III's revelation that "the places we occupy should shine as Zion the redeemed of the Lord," and witnessed that to a very large extent they have done this.  We realized they have created a system which has served their people well and has enabled them to grow the work with the understanding they posses.  We could see the blessing these saints will bring when the Lord moves to unite the Restoration.

Colorado  (Aurora)

   We returned to Colorado and met with the Rocky Mountain Restoration Branch.  They have two elders, although presently one is hospitalized and is in his ninetieth year.  We stayed in the home of the presiding elder, Brother Mark Nunn and his lovely wife, Sheri.  We had the opportunity to teach 3 classes, two dealing with the office work of the Book of Mormon and the other on the gospel of the kingdom which Jesus taught as recorded in the New Testament.  We preached on the atonement and the power to live our lives after the manner of happiness. Our discussion throughout the four days with these saints centered on the need to find common ground in the Restoration branches and prepare for the coming storm of judgment which is just before us.  We felt impressed in our visit that the hand of The Lord's protection over this land was soon to be removed.  These saints were active, hungry and ready to receive the ministry we were able to provide.

Conclusion

   The scattered saints are anxious for ministry; many feel exiled in their isolated areas and are looking for direction to prepare for the unfolding events that are now happening.  The need to remember the saints in the US should not be abandoned as opportunities present themselves for ministry in other parts of the world.  We have witnessed a general senses that the saints are troubled by our times and the condition of the church.  Hope should be our watchword as we seek to strengthen these faithful members in their remote condition. Many have not been able to retain their children following their displacement from the larger church with its various helps and governments. 

Baptisms in Chile

On April 20, 2014 there were two baptisms in the Peñaflor Branch in Chile. Pastor Erwin Schnettler performed the baptisms. Following are pictures of the beautiful setting. Oh how the heavens rejoice when a soul is brought under the holy covenant with Jesus Christ, Messiah and King. This branch has developed through the ministry of Seventy Nathan Sherer, Seventy Micah Bates and Elder Jonah Bates.

Seventy Arturo Gomez's Dream

On April 14, 2014 at sundown there was a shofar service held at the Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri. It was initiated by the Lord through Elder Aaron Taylor to herald the beginning of a special Passover; special because it is the first blood moon, of a tetrad of blood moons, where a lunar eclipse will occur on Hebrew Feast Days in 2014 and 2015. 

This shofar service was confirmed to be of the Lord through Seventy Arturo Gomez, who was shown the service in precise detail in a dream seven years prior. The Lord then told him not to share it until after the event occurred. 

Fulfillment of Dream given to Arturo Jose Gomez - March 2007

In my dream I saw I was with a small group of people at the temple lot in Independence, Missouri. We were all standing in the middle of the Temple Lot as the sun was setting on a clear day; but it was very cold outside.

Then a voice from heaven came as say,

“You see what you have in your hands?”

            Yes Lord, I have a horn in My hands.

“You see what they have in their hands?”

            I see two people with a horn; but one no have a horn.

I saw an older man with a walking stick and knew he was using it to point the direction where the horn going to blow.

The Lord say, When the time you see this happen, is going to be close to that time when the Lamani going to build My house. It will be a house of prayer, a house of meditation, a house consecration... and My presence going to be there.

But not tell nothing to nobody until what you saw is fulfilled.

After the trumpets blow, I and another elder I no recognize administered to one lady sitting in a chair on the grass at the Temple Lot site. I not know this lady either.

Praise the Lord, This dream was fulfilled this year on Passover eve, April 14, 2014, between the hours of 7 and 8 PM.

                                    Arturo Gomez, Seventy assigned to Central America

Furthermore, it was confirmed by the immediate healing of Sister Rebecca Humphrey's knee under the hands of administration, as part of the gathering. Let us carefully consider the importance of this time, and the need for labors to go forth and bring in the harvest.

Randy Vick testimony Part 1

A DIFFERENT ROAD -
Late in November 2013, I was in Kansas City to pick up supplies for my café. The restaurant supply store is located just off of I-670 on 12th Street, West of downtown Kansas City, near Kemper Arena. When I pick up supplies I want to get them to the café as soon as possible. This means taking I-670 East through downtown to I-70 East for about 40 miles to Mo. Hwy 13 South to the café. 

On this particular day, at a stop sign at the bottom of the onramp to I-670, I noticed two young men a distance away in a large open area under the elevated overpass, begging for money. Normally I would not pay them any attention at all and would probably mutter to myself, wondering (judging) why they were there rather than working for a living. As wrong as that attitude is, that is how I have come to feel about people who do that. This time was different. As I glanced at them I noticed the young white man not paying any attention to me, but the young black man looked at me and when we made eye contact I felt a touch of the Holy Spirit and felt sudden compassion for him. Then I did something I would never do. I reached for my wallet. Even from the considerable distance he could see what I was doing and walked to my truck. I rolled down my window, handed him some money and said, "God bless you!" I don't even remember if he said thank you, but it didn't matter, I just felt compassion for him. As I climbed the long onramp and headed East on I-670, the Holy Spirit continued with me and I found myself wondering how that young man came to be in that situation and I said a prayer for him. In a bit of a spirit induced daze, I was nearing the merge with I-70, and was in the far left of three lanes. Before getting to the I-70 merge, I came upon the exit to I-49/Hwy 71 South. Suddenly "something" urged me to take the exit onto Hwy 71. I had no reason to go that way, but I swerved across three lanes of traffic at the very last minute and headed South on 71. I had not gone far when I was flooded with the presence of the Holy Spirit. So much so that when an inaudible voice told me, "Plant a branch here." I did not question it. I knew it was the Lord and I immediately began asking the Lord where and how. I was scanning the neighborhoods on both sides of the highway, basking in the presence of the Spirit, while expecting the Lord to give me some indication of a particular neighborhood or a particular building that might be available. I had worked in these neighborhoods when I was a Special Agent for the State of Missouri, so was familiar with the general layout and condition of that part of town. I had not received any specific indication when I came to a traffic light at the intersection of Hwy 71 and Gregory Blvd and it was red. I was the first vehicle in line at the intersection and as I waited for the light to change to green, my attention was drawn to my left and I saw an older red brick church. It was a pleasant observation, but I glanced back at the light, waiting for the green. Again, my attention was drawn to that red brick church and I wondered if the Lord was trying to tell me something, as I continued to bask in the Spirit. The light changed and I started through the intersection when once again, "something" urged me to go to the church and just before getting through the intersection I made a sudden hard left turn onto Gregory Blvd. As I drove in front of the church I saw a signboard which read, Skylight MISSIONARY Baptist Church. Yes, the word missionary jumped out at me, but I also noted the word Baptist. Being a missionary myself, I felt a connection with that word in the name of the congregation, but at the same time I realized that Baptists are not generally enamored with the Book of Mormon, so how could this be a lead in the "plant a branch here" instruction I had received? I knew I had to stop and pray, so I pulled into the parking lot behind the church. In my prayer I acknowledged the Lord had brought me to the church, and I asked Him what I was supposed to do next. Lynn Ridenhour's name came to my mind and I knew it was the answer to my question. I had never met Bro. Lynn, but we had had limited email contact in the past and I knew he was a Baptist pastor who believes in the Book of Mormon. I was given to know that Bro. Lynn could probably find someone to contact the pastor of this church and help me connect with him. Believing I had received an answer to my prayer, I left the parking lot and drove to the front of the church to write down the information from the signboard. I wrote the name of the church and the service times and as I read and wrote the name of the pastor, Rev. Troy Walker, the Holy Spirit, which had not left me, poured over me in greater power and it was made known to me that Rev Walker is a servant of God, a man the Lord is pleased with and I am very anxious to meet him. 

Continuing South on Hwy 71, the Holy Spirit continued with me in such power that I felt a pressure in my chest to the extent I was short of breath. I had to share the experience with someone, so I called Bro. Doug Patterson and related my experience to him. He confirmed the experience was of the Lord, and he said the Lord had also given him Lynn Ridenhour's name as I was sharing my testimony with him. Then he told me the Lord was telling him something else, that this was something for "right now," not to be put off, or planned for the future. 

I called Sr. Joy Muir who was able to give me Bro. Lynn's number. I called and shared my experience with him, and he too confirmed it was of the Lord and asked if we could meet and talk in person. A couple days later we met in Warrensburg and visited for two hours. He was very excited about the possibilities and thought he knew someone who could contact the pastor. 

A couple weeks later, Rev Walker called and left a message on my voicemail. I felt an assurance when I heard his voice and when I called him the Holy Spirit poured over both of us and we had a marvelous visit. He was anxious to meet and hear my testimony in person, but was leaving Kansas City the next day for a Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta. He assured me he would call me when he returned to Kansas City. 

I did not hear from him for several weeks and when I called there was no answer and I did not get a voicemail option. I wondered if he had learned I was a Book of Mormon believer and had decided not to meet with me. I also considered that he might have lost my number. I posted a message on Skylight's FB page but there was no reply. 

Then one day while on my way to Kansas City I felt prompted to call Rev Walker again. He answered and when he realized it was me he became very excited, praising the Lord for my call, telling me he had lost my number and he and his congregation had been praying I would call. With another outpouring of the Holy Spirit we agreed to meet a few days later at his church.

When we met, it was as if we had been friends and brothers for years. Once again the Holy Spirit was poured out on us as we prayed together and visited. I was able now to share my testimony with him in person and he rejoiced at the Lord's involvement in bringing us together. During our conversation I mentioned being a Book of Mormon believer and while later in the conversation he told me he had not been aware of that, it changed nothing in the presence of the Holy Spirit or in our feelings about each other, or our belief that the Lord was in this. I told him I did not feel it was my calling now to convert him to a belief in the Book of Mormon, but I believed the Lord wanted us to work together to share His gospel and Rev. Walker readily agreed, also voicing his desire for us to work together.
Neither of us knows where this journey will take us, but we agree the Lord is leading us and we will try to follow where He leads. Rev Walker said he wants our branch to come and worship with his congregation and he would like for his congregation to come to Warrensburg and worship with our branch. When I mentioned I would be in the city in two weeks he invited me to come and worship with them. I asked if I could bring a few of my Seventy brethren (we would be meeting for a Seventy retreat) and he said he would be honored if we would come.

Randy Vick testimony, Part 2

What an amazing day of worship we had with our new brothers and sisters at Skylight Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City. 20 members of the East Gate Restoration Branch along with 8 other Restoration Saints from the KC/Independence area attended the joint worship service. We were welcomed with open arms and blessed in our worship and fellowship. Our pastor, Elder Bruce Vickery, Seventy George Thomas and Bishop Randy Porrett joined Skylight pastor Rev. Troy Walker to bring the word of God to those in attendance. The Holy Spirit was present in great power and a real spiritual bond is developing between this branch of Restoration Saints and congregation of Baptists.
Prior to the start of the 11 AM worship service, everyone gathered at the base of the rostrum and while everyone held hands and bowed their heads, Elder Bruce Vickery offered a prayer for all. The congregational choir then provided some inspiring music. Not what we're accustomed to in our services, but very uplifting and joyful and enjoyed by all. 

Rev Walker invited Seventy George Thomas to speak first and he shared testimonies of some of his missionary experiences and spoke about how God will protect us, be with us and guide us to those who need to hear about Jesus Christ, if we ask Him.

Bishop Randy Porrett spoke about the office of Bishop and shared about how God will put us in a place and a situation where we can help those in need and will provide a way for us to help, if we ask Him. 

Elder Bruce Vickery spoke of how God will bless us and meet our needs, and used a healing through administration testimony as an example of the possibilities, if we ask Him. All three messages were well received and fit perfectly together. 

Rev Walker shared several testimonies of how God redirected his life and called him to the ministry. His sermon detailed how isolation, (alone time/one on one time with Jesus Christ), prioritization, (learning to put God first in our lives), collaboration, (learning to work together to do God's work), organization, (allowing us to do things more efficiently) and delegation, (letting people with gifts and callings do those things God has for us to do). He called three young people forward, (2 of his congregants and one of the Restorationists) and positioning them and himself as actors, he illustrated how Jesus had delegated his disciples to obtain what food they could find to feed the multitude. They received 2 fishes and 5 loaves from a young boy and brought them to Jesus. Jesus offered them to God who multiplied them. Rev Walker noted that Jesus did not then distribute the many loaves and fishes to the multitude, but delegated his disciples to do so, teaching them to serve the people. After the multitude was fed, 12 baskets of loaves and fishes remained and the disciples were directed to give those back to the boy resulting in a wonderful increase for the boy who had given all the loaves and fishes he had. 

Following the two hour worship service there was great fellowship as members of both congregations hugged each other and visited happily with one another. 

It was agreed by all that the East Gate Restoration Branch will now arrange to host the members of the Skylight Missionary Baptist Church in Warrensburg in the not too distant future.

Orissa Kui Church in India 2014 Annual Conference

Greetings. I am glad to share a  few pictures taken during the Orissa Kui church annual conference, you can see the people sitting during the worship services, their singing, cooking, eating  and also some of the senior ministers etc. Hope you enjoy them.

Thank you  for upholding us in your prayers.

Regards, Fellow Servant,

Bro. Ananda Rao

Mount Ayr Branch Retreat at Jericho Hills

The Mount Ayr, Iowa Restoration branch had a Sprit filled retreat this weekend at Jericho Hills, a church campground in Lucas, Iowa. Seventy Ron Smith attended and led the campfire on Saturday night. The theme was "Ambassadors for Christ."  We had classes on our call to be ambassadors for Christ, led by High Priest Alan Smith, and on making our homes into embassies, led by Karen Bates.