Church of Jesus ChristOak Grove Restoration Branch

Zion the beautiful beckons us on . . .

Volume 27 Number 1 Autumn-Winter 2017

2 Zion's Call

Live Internet Streaming of Sunday Morning Services (except Communion Sunday)

Go to www.ogrb.org and click “Video.”

Please use the enclosed addressed envelope to send

in your donation to help support Zion’s Call!

You may also use it to submit a testimony!

Zion’s Call is a newsletter published by theChurch of Jesus Christ, Oak Grove RestorationBranch. It is published with the intent ofglorifying God and helping to preserve HisRestoration Message. All correspondenceshould be addressed to our editor:

Debbie Norman, 9664 Gillespie RdNapoleon, MO 64074

Or e-mail: denorman8165@gmail.com

The Church of Jesus Christ Oak Grove Restoration Branch is located approximately 3/4 mile

north of I-70 from the Oak Grove exit. We invite you to come and worship with us.

Sunday services are as follows:

Early Worship at 9:00 a.m. Classes begin at 9:15 a.m.

Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. Evening Service at 6:30 p.m.

Communion Sunday only: (the first Sunday of each month)

Combined Prayer Service and Communion Service at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.

Branch Pastor: Elder Ed StoryAssociates:

Elders Karl Anderson, Hal Chadwick, Don Cutshall,Mark Griffin, Bill Jones, and Mike Lidberg.

We are sorry to announce that Living Testimonies, Book Oneis out of print. There are no longer any copies available forsale. Because of this, we have decided to reprint selectedtestimonies from Book One in this and future issues.

Limited copies of Living Testimonies, Book Two areavailable for $5.00, if picked up at the Oak Grove RestorationBranch. Please add $3.50 for shipping if you want it mailed.

Living Testimonies, Book Three is available for $10, plus$3.50 if shipping is desired. (The higher price reflects thehigher printing costs of this more recent book.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Volume 27 Number 1

The Agency of Man: Freedom to Choose /

Elder Bill Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Will You Be an Ambassador for Zion’s Call? . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Oak Grove Branch Celebrates 70 Anniversary! . . . . . . . 5th

Our Father Which Art in Heaven / Mark Nunn . . . . . . . . . 6

Walk by Faith / Francis Harper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The Perfect Life / Patty Wood (Eklund) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

God Cares About Even the Smallest Things / Linda Ilgengritz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

God’s Provision is Sure / Christine Hedrick . . . . . . . . . . . 11

God Did Not Give Up on Me / Bill Green . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Zion’s Eternal Flame / James (Jim) Mulheron . . . . . . . 13

“Gram’s” Goodbye / Clayton Foss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

A Growing Desire to Know the Lord / Kaila (Foss) Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Contender for the Crown / David Strahan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Lord, Speak to Me / Frances Ridley Havergal . . . . . . . . 16

God Has My Back / Dean Odida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Thanks Be to God Who Is the Giver of All That Is Good /Wayne Godfrey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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An Experience During My Patriarchal Blessing / Judith (Harden) Hawley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Even the Wind and Rain Obey Him / Mary Lou Bartrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Kid’s Korner:

No Prayer Too Small / Lillie Jennings . . . . . . 20

Youth for Jesus:

It Amazes Me What God Can Do! / Abbey English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Wilt Thou Follow Me? / author unknown . . . . 21

An Angel Visitation / Jennifer Hawley . . . . . . 21

Glow-in-the-Dark Christians / Megan Norman . . . . . . . . 22

The Principle of The Gathering / Edith M. Watkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

That Zion May Become a Reality / Priscilla (Pat) Carrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Never Alone / Francis Harper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

“God Will Take Care of You” / Delores Champ . . . . . . 26

Always Pray “Thy Will Be Done” / Irma Ruth Renshaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Letting God Have Control / anonymous . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Thy Will Be Done / Margaret Pointon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

God Stopped the Fire! / Linda Ilgengritz . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Trust God! / Marilyn Kline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Valiant in Testimony / Francis Harper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Responding to the Lord’s Urgings / John Hederson . . . . 34

Come Walk with Jesus / Ira Brosam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

This is God’s Work! / Ted Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Onward to Zion / Frederick M. Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Faith in Prayers / Gary Rowlatt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Light up! Light Up For Jesus! / Edgar Pillsbury . . . . . . . 39

Precious Souls / Edgar Pillsbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Chosen Vessels unto God / Connie Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

A Chosen People / Elder Bill Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

The Agency

of Man: Freedom to Choose

-by Elder Bill Jones, former pastor, 1991

When God spoke to Enoch, He emphasizedtwo important gifts He had given to man. “Igave unto them their intelligence in the day thatI created them. And in the garden of Eden gaveI unto man his agency” (Genesis 7:39-40).These two gifts, “intelligence” and “agency,”mean freedom. We are free to choose. This isthe gift of life. Without this freedom we aredead.

Satan knew all this. And the evilness whichis his is that from the very beginning he came totake away the life of man—his intelligence, hisfreedom to choose, his agency. He came beforeGod saying, “Send me, I will be thy son, and Iwill redeem mankind all, that one soul shall notbe lost” (Genesis 3:2).

This was rebellion against God and His plan.Satan sought the spiritual death of man bydestroying the agency of man. He became thefather of all lies. He seeks to deceive and blindmen and lead them away captive at his will. Bythese means he seeks to destroy the world.

It is important to note that God said that inthe beginning He gave to us our intelligence.By our intelligence, we seek to know the truth.And the truth does make us free. ConsiderDoctrine and Covenants 90:5b: “All truth isindependent in that sphere in which God hasplaced it, to act for itself, as all intelligencealso, otherwise there is no existence.” Noticethe word “independent.” Notice that thissentence says that both truth and intelligence areindependent to act for themselves and thatwithout this action there is no existence.

The very next sentence, Section 90:5c says,“Behold, here is the agency of man, and here isthe condemnation of man.” This gift ofintelligence, this gift of truth, and the

4 Zion's Call

independence to use these gifts is our agency. Withinthis agency lies our condemnation, if we do notchoose to receive truth and light. If we ignore theGlory of God which is “light and truth,” if Satandeceives us and takes away our light and truth throughour disobedience, then we do lose our independenceand our agency. We cease to exist. We are dead untoGod. We are destroyed.

Satan knows our weakness. He knows we areprone to give away our agency. We are slothful. It iseasier to not use our intelligence. It is easier to notseek out truth and light and decide for ourselves whatis right and wrong.

Man is inclined to hope that God will commandand compel in all things, because it frees him from theresponsibility of making a decision, and of maybemaking a wrong decision. This is exactly the samething Satan wanted to do in the beginning, when hesought to take away the agency of man. Satan wantedto command and compel in all things.

For, behold it is not meet that I should commandin all things, for he that is compelled in allthings, the same is a slothful and not a wiseservant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged ina good cause, and do many things of their ownfree will, and bring to pass much righteousness;for the power is in them, wherein they are agentsunto themselves.

And inasmuch as men do good, they shall in no-wise lose their reward.

But he that doeth not anything until he iscommanded, and receiveth a commandment withdoubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness,the same is damned. (D&C 58:6c-f)

Let us be thankful for

the gifts of intelligence, agency, and freedom of choice, which God has given us. Let us refine the skill of using these gifts. May we never let these gifts slip from our grasp, nor die from lack of use. They are the difference between LIFE and DEATH.

Will You Be an Ambassadorfor Zion’s Call?

We need your help! The biggest challenge weface in publishing each issue of Zion’s Call Magazineis collecting enough testimonies to fill the pages. Godcontinues to work in our lives, and the testimonies arethere; it’s just hard to get them written down.

There are two ways YOU can help: First of all,please take time to write and submit your owntestimonies and the testimonies of your children!(We love to receive testimonies of young people!)

Secondly, you can be an ambassador for Zion’sCall! Simply listen for encouraging testimonies fromyour family, friends, and members of your homebranch. When you hear a testimony that you feelwould be suitable for Zion’s Call, please ask theperson to write it down and submit it for publication.Usually, people need a couple of reminders to get thisaccomplished, so follow up with them as needed.

Testimonies can be handwritten or typed. They canbe submitted via email or regular mail. (See theaddresses for submission on page 2.) We can evenaccept testimonies recorded and submitted as audiofiles! Do you have a smart phone? You can recordand submit testimonies!

Don’t worry about writing skills! We can help edityour testimony while making sure it says what youwant to express.

Zion’s Call accepts encouraging testimonies of theway God is working in our lives. Testimonies can bebig or small, short or long. We love testimonies aboutconversions to the Restored Gospel or gathering to theCenter Place. Testimonies of healing, guidance,protection, or even finding your lost keys are allwelcome! We also print some inspiration poems.

We do not print testimonies containingcontroversial topics. We generally do not printprophecies or inspired messages.

We all have busy schedules, but won't YOUplease take time to write your testimonies of howGod has blessed you? Won’t you please encourageyour friends, family, and those with whom youworship to do the same? You never know whose lifeyou might touch! Be valiant in testimony for JesusChrist!

Zion's Call 5

Oak Grove Branch

Celebrates 70th

Anniversary!

Highlights from our History

This year the Oak Grove Branch turned seventy!On February 6, 1947, Elder Ward Hougas, Presidentof the Central Missouri Stake of the RLDS Church,met with a few Saints in the Odd Fellows Hall in OakGrove to organize a congregation. The records showthere were twelve families present, with one elder,one teacher, one deacon, and three priests.

The first official service was held in a small rentalbuilding known as the Rebecca Hall, at 207 East 12thStreet. Records show that there were eighty-fivepeople present and that during the service, two menwere ordained to the priesthood. Two of the chartermembers of the Oak Grove Branch are still living:sisters Patty (Wood) Eklund and Carol Darlene(Wood) Atherton.

As the congregation grew, a larger building wasneeded and a building fund was established. InAugust 1948, a large house and two lots werepurchased on 706 North Broadway. The houseunderwent extensive remodeling, and the first servicewas held on March 29, 1949.

By the mid 1950’s, the congregation wasoutgrowing that facility, and under the leadership ofElder Leonard Smith, the building fund grew and afive-acre tract was purchased on South Broadway. OnJuly 17, 1960, plans were presented and approved.Ground was broken on August 21, 1960.

Just seven months later, the first service was heldin the completed lower auditorium, with one hundredfive people present. The congregation had grown to a

total membership of about two hundred fifty and therewere thirty-one priesthood serving.

In January 1989, because of serious differencesover doctrine, all but a few of the Oak Grove Branchmembers left and started meeting in the Oak GroveCivic Center.

Churches all over Oak Grove supported us in ourtimes of trouble, and Saints from the Buckner branchcame to join us in our first prayer service. BrotherOran Whisler’s cowboy hat was passed to gatherenough money to meet expenses. The church wasestablished as the Church of Jesus Christ, Oak GroveRestoration Branch.

As the membership grew, a new building wasplanned. Land was purchased on North Broadway,the current location of the church, and ground wasbroken in the spring of 1992. The first service washeld in the building in April 1994, even though it wasnot finished. Services continued in the Civic Centeruntil August 1994, when the new church building wasfinally completed.

The debt on the building was officially retired in2001. The lower level classrooms were completed inSeptember 2004. The parking lot was paved in 2007,and a new roof was installed in 2016.

Throughout the years, our branch has been veryblessed both spiritually and temporally. We are unitedin our desire to serve the Lord and further the work ofHis Kingdom!

6 Zion's Call

Our Father Which Art in Heaven -by Mark Nunn, Oak Grove, Missouri

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:9-14).

“And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answeredthem well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all thecommandments is: Hearken, and hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord; And thou shalt love the Lord thyGod with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the firstcommandment. And the second is like this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none othercommandment greater than these” (Mark 12:33-36).

There is a special bond between a loving father andhis children. We call God “Our Father in Heaven” inrecognition of the loving relationship between us andHim. This Father/Son relationship is one that wasdeclared by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ duringHis ministry in the flesh.

Prior to Jesus’ teachings, with the exception of afew verses in which God declares His love for manand man is commanded to love Him, God wasreferred to in terms more aligned with a Lord and Hisservants. Man was given commandments to follow inorder to regulate their behavior and to remind them ofGod. Covenant relationships were developed todeclare the blessings or rewards God would give to allwho complied with the commandments and thepunishments for those who would not.

Although it was evident that God cared for thewelfare of His people, it was a different kind ofrelationship, a bit more removed. For example, menhad to go to the priests who would take their concernsto the Lord on their behalf. This was an imperfectsituation but served as a type and shadow of what wasto come.

When Jesus began His ministry (even as a youngboy), He began to refer to God almost exclusively asHis “Father in Heaven.” This changed the entireperception of our relationship with God from one ofa Lord and His servants to the love of a Father for Hischildren, and of the love of children for their Father.

We now know a loving Father who is full ofmercy—eager to forgive us when we falter as we are

learning and growing into spiritual maturity. Thecovenant relationship has not changed, but rather hasbeen fulfilled. We are still required to be obedient toHis commandments, but not because they are the law.Now we understand that to find and enter into theKingdom of God we are to follow His commandmentsout of our love for our Father in Heaven and His wishthat we love one another with this same love.

Jesus’ devotion to His Father in Heaven reveals tous what our relationship with Him should be like.Because Jesus loved His Father in Heaven with aperfect Love, He also loved all mankind, includingyou and me, with the same perfect love of the Father.Therefore, Jesus takes the place of the Old Testamentpriests. Each individual now has a personalrelationship and no longer needs an intermediary toapproach God. We now have hope for salvationbecause Jesus promises to intercede on our behalfwhen we stand in judgement before our Father inHeaven if we remain steadfast in our faith. Andbecause He loves us, He weeps, just as I am sure ourFather does, when we reject Him.

In 1992, I was a 1 Lieutenant in the Army Nursest

Corps assigned to the 10 MASH battalion, 44th th

Medical Brigade, 4 Infantry Division at Ft Carson,th

Colorado. I was married at the time with two youngboys who had just turned eleven and eight years old.I had been home from Iraq (after having served inDesert Storm) for about eight months when I wascalled upon for an individual tasking to go to theNaval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GITMO) toprovide medical support for Haitian Refugees who

Zion's Call 7

had fled their country following a violent militarycoup.

It was originally intended to be a one hundredeighty-day rotation, but was later reduced to ninetydays due to the long hours and stress of the operation.On average there were about 10,500 refugees dividedup into five camps located on an old airfield on theeast side of the bay.

The hospital facility established to support themedical needs of the more seriously ill and/or injuredrefugees was in an old, condemned restaurant inwhich a few walls were torn out to create a large bayarea with about fifty cots for the patients. Four largetents were also set up behind the building toaccommodate the overflow of about one hundredmore patients. There was also a Navy MobileEmergency Room just outside the back door of thehospital building.

My duties were divided between working in theemergency room (my specialty) and being in charge ofthe medical wards. It was a pretty austere workenvironment with limited medical supplies andsupport staff. As a result, the nurses and medics wereresponsible for keeping the place clean. This meantwe had to sweep and mop the floors every eveningonce things settled down.

During the ninety days I served there, we had athree-year-old boy with cerebral palsy come to us whowas very sick with aspiration pneumonia. As was thecase with mothers and children being hospitalized,this was a family affair since there were no day careservices. Therefore, both this young boy’s mother andolder brother stayed at the hospital with him, sharing his cot.

The older boy, Phillip, was about the same age as my oldest son at ten or eleven years old. He was a very bright and friendly boy who always wanted to help “the American soldiers” whenever he could and was always found with a broom or mop in the evenings helping to clean the floors. During our time together, we formed a special bond and he would follow me around as I went about my business, eager to help whenever possible.

During the day, I would play games with himwhenever time permitted, and in the evenings, hewould sit on my lap while I read Bible stories to himout of a collection of children’s picture books that hadbeen donated. This was always an entertaining timebecause the books were in French Creole, thelanguage of the Haitians, and I didn’t alwayspronounce words right. He would laugh at me andcorrect my pronunciation, making me repeat it until Igot it right. Sadly, at ten or eleven years old, he wasunable to read.

About two weeks before I was scheduled to rotateback home, I was sitting on a cot with Phillip on mylap, reading one of these books to him. Suddenly, heinterrupted my reading. He reached up and took holdof my face to turn me toward him, just like my ownboys used to do, and started asking me a question.My language skills were pretty rudimentary andmostly involved medical assessments, so I couldn’tunderstand what he was saying.

I had him repeat himself more slowly about threetimes trying to discern what he was asking. Aboutthat time one of our interpreters (a Haitian man)walked by, and I asked him what Phillip was saying.He had Phillip repeat his question, then turned to meand said, “He is asking if you will take him home withyou when you leave.”

Right then my heart melted. I broke down in tearsas I picked him up into a big hug. This boy who hadbecome my surrogate son while I was away fromhome had also been looking to me as a surrogatefather, since he had none. Now he was asking me toadopt him—to become his father and take him homewith me.

I was completely heartbroken, because I knewthere were regulations that prevented me from beingable to sponsor or adopt any of the refugees and takethem home with me. If I could have brought himhome with me, his life would have been filled withlove, and hope, and a promising future.

Because I was bound by regulations and unable tobring him home, he was destined to return to Haitiwhere he would live a life of poverty and hardship,with poor or no education, limited opportunities, littlehope, and fewer dreams.

8 Zion's Call

God wants to be your Father, your EverlastingFather in Heaven, bringing you into His home to livewith Him. Jesus shared the parable of the prodigal sonto reveal our Father in Heaven’s great desire for us toreturn to Him, to dwell at His side in His Kingdom inHeaven. But just as I was constrained, bound by rulesand regulations, God, too, is constrained, bound bythe rules and regulations of His very own command-ments and covenants.

If we do not comply with our responsibility in ourcovenant with Him by following all His command-ments, Mosiah tells us we effectively bind His handsand prohibit Him from bringing us home and beingour Everlasting Father in Heaven. God’scommandments are perfect in Him and cannot be setaside, even by Him.

He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to intercede on ourbehalf because He knows we are incapable offollowing all His commandments perfectly. We are,however, still required to give a full effort tofollowing them, ever learning, and growing strongerwith the effort.

Yea, even all those that have perished in theirsins ever since the world began, that havewillfully rebelled against God, that have knownthe commandments of God, and would not keepthem; these are they that have no part in thefirst resurrection.

For salvation cometh to none such; for the Lordhath redeemed none such;

Yea, neither can the Lord redeem such: for hecan not deny himself; for he can not deny justicewhen it has its claim. (Mosiah 8:62, 64-65)

My heart was broken because I loved Phillip butwas unable to become his father and bring him homewith me. How much more then is God’s heart brokenfor each and every one of us whom He is unable tobring home, unable to become his or her Father?Without Him as our Father, we are lost. WithoutHim, we are destined for spiritual poverty, andhardship, and ultimately death! And He weeps overall who are lost.

Then Jesus began to weep over Jerusalem,saying, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Ye who willkill the prophets, and will stone them who are

sent unto you; how often would I have gatheredyour children together, even as a hen gathersher chickens under her wings, and ye would not.(Matthew 23:36-37)

Therefore, we must do as the Scriptures exhort us,and come unto Christ with our whole souls that wemight become the sons and daughters of God.

And now, my beloved brethren, I would that yeshould come unto Christ, who is the Holy Oneof Israel, and partake of his salvation, and thepower of his redemption.

Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole soulsas an offering unto him, and continue in fastingand praying, and endure to the end; and as theLord liveth, ye will be saved. (Omni 1:46-47)

Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men, andwomen, all nations, kindreds, tongues andpeople, must be born again;

Yea, born of God, changed from their carnaland fallen state, to a state of righteousness,being redeemed of God, becoming his sons anddaughters; and thus they become new creatures;and unless they do this, they can in no wiseinherit the kingdom of God. (Mosiah 11:187-188)

Zion's Call 9

And be ye kind one to another, tender-

hearted, forgiving one another, even as God

for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

Walk by Faith -by Francis Harper, Iowa

Dear ones, we need to improve our abilities to seethe invisible and unseen. During an evening serviceat a Saints’ reunion this summer, an elderly ladysuddenly came to sit by me. It was obvious that shewas upset. She began to quietly sob when I asked herto explain the cause of her tears. The theme for theday was “Having love one to another.” She said, “Ifeel like an invisible woman. No one seems to knowor care that I am here.”

I thought we were a loving and caring communityat reunion! How could this happen here? Perhaps wewere so happily engaged in greeting our old friendsthat we had ignored the new person in the camp?

Later in the week the lonely lady was doing muchbetter. On the last day of reunion she was expressingher desire to return again next year. Hopefully thisexperience has taught us to watch for the unseen andinvisible persons in our communities and neighbor-hoods.

A college student shared a lesson he had learnedabout invisible persons. One of his professors gave apop quiz during one of his classes. He wrote:

I was a conscientious student and had breezedthrough the questions, until I read the last one:“What is the name of the woman who cleansthe classrooms?”

Surely this was some kind of a joke! I hadseen the cleaning woman many times. Shewas tall, dark-haired and appeared to be in herfifties, but how could I know her name? Ihanded in my paper, leaving the last questionblank.

Just before class ended, one student asked ifthe last question would count toward our quizgrade. “Absolutely,” said the professor. “Inyour careers, you will meet many people. Allare significant and important. They deserveyour attention and care, even if all you do issmile and say hello.” I have never forgottenthat lesson. I also learned her name wasDorothy.

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sightof God” (D&C 16:3c).

None were neglected or went unnoticed by theLord. It is recorded that when Jesus appeared to thepeople in Meso-America, “the multitude went forthand thrust their hands into his side, and did feel theprints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; Andthis they did do, going forth one by one” (3 Nephi5:15-16). Later when he blessed the children “he tooktheir little children, one by one, and blessed them, andprayed unto the Father for them” (3 Nephi 8:23).

The Lord knows every one of us and is aware ofour needs and every heartfelt desire and concernwithin us. We need to ask Him to assist us in seeingthe invisible persons and the unseen needs of those wemeet on life’s pathway.

On May 9, 1994, I prayed, “Lord, send someone tome today whom I can bring to you.” He brought ahigh school student—a person I least suspected wouldcome, a co-captain of our football team.

He asked, “Francis, can I join your church?” Afterbeing taught, he was baptized. Today he is happilymarried and he and his wife have two children. Theyattend church regularly and assist in the ministry.

On January 11, 1995, I prayed that the Lord wouldsend someone I could help that day. I waited forsomeone to come, and in the afternoon a man came.The first words he spoke were, “Francis, I need yourhelp!” He was facing foreclosure on his home. Iloaned him the amount he needed, and he later paidthe loan in full. Needless to say, I gained a lifelongfriend.

The Lord will help us see the unseen ministryneeded by people who may be our next-doorneighbors!

10 Zion's Call

Patty (Wood) Eklund is an Oak Grove RLDS Church charter member (now age eighty-three), along with her parentsCecil and Florence Wood (deceased), and her sister Darlene Wood (Carol Atherton, age seventy-five). Patty wasborn in January 1934, and she was age thirteen in 1947 when the Oak Grove church first opened its doors—seventyyears ago! She wrote the following poem somewhere around that time:

The Perfect Life

Are you prepared to see His day,To live like Him, and do you do His way?

For His way of life you should yearn.His way is right

And for it you should fight.

Live good, live rightFor His Kingdom is soon in sight.

Live only for that day,Seek and pray that you might help

someone else to find the way.This is a life that is full of strife;Let us strive for the Perfect Life.

—Patty Wood (Eklund)

God Cares About Even the Smallest Things

-by Linda Ilgengritz, Missouri

This happened quite a few years ago, but it is stillfresh in my mind. When my husband and I first gotmarried, we bought a wedding ring set for each other.We paid what we could afford, so my diamond wasnot very large. I still loved it though and loved what itmeant to us.

One day, I noticed that the setting that holds theactual diamond had broken and the diamond wasmissing! Right away, my first thought was to prayand ask God to please help me find my tiny diamond.It wasn't even as big as a BB and was thin and flat,seemingly insignificant in size. There were so manyplaces where it could have possibly been lost.

But God is aware of even the smallest things thatwe worry about. Obviously, He must care abouteverything that we bring before Him in prayer! Iprayed with my whole heart and asked God to pleaseshow me where my little diamond was. I really didn'teven go on a mission to hunt for that diamond. I just

“happened” to get up, after praying, and “happened”to walk to the bathroom—and there it was, laying onthe dark blue little bathroom rug—right in the centerof the little carpet.

That diamond could have fallen anywhere! It couldhave fallen outside in the grass and disappearedforever. But God knew where that diamond fell. Andas small and insignificant as that might seem (for itwas a very tiny diamond back then) God still cared,and He still listened. He directed my steps to find thatlittle diamond!

We have been married for over thirty-eight yearsnow, and since that time, my husband has bought mea larger stone.

I am a firm believer that God cares about even thesmallest things in our lives. If we pray and ask Him tohelp us, I know that He can help us and direct us tofind even something as small as a diamond.

Zion's Call 11

God’s Provision is Sure -by Christine Hedrick, Odessa, Missouri

I’ve spent yearsbeing treated forcancer. God hasprovided manymiracles for me,my family, and

others around me. In the summer of 2016, I began tohave breathing troubles. I went on a short trip with myhusband, and by the time we got home I had to beadmitted to the hospital for respiratory distress. Mylungs didn’t respond to antibiotics. What they thoughtwas pneumonia was actually cancer which had spreadinto my lungs. I spent ten days in the hospital, andthey didn’t release me until the day beforechemotherapy with new drugs began.

I came home on lots of steroids, breathingtreatments, and oxygen twenty-four hours a day. Itwas like breathing through a sponge and miserablewhen I slept. I quickly gained thirty-five pounds or sofrom steroids over the course of four months,sometimes waking up screaming from muscle spasms,and very darkened in my mind from all themedications. Though all this, God carried me andplaced His hope continually in front of me.

There was a new medicine my doctor wanted to trywhich had shown great promise to help patients likemyself with stage four HER+ breast cancer that hasmetastasized to other parts of the body. Sadly, myhealth insurance did not cover the cost of these newtreatments, saying they were not FDA approved. Ineeded to continue trusting the Lord. It is difficult toexplain how terrifying it can be not to be able tobreathe well. Through all trials, God sustained me.The staff at University of Kansas where I was beingtreated sought and received grants from themanufacturer that provided the medicine for me freeof charge! God’s provision is sure!

The medication worked well but not terribly fast;I spent at least six months getting off of oxygen andcutting the steroids back, and as a result losing someweight. Fatigue and pain were a daily routine. Littleby little, I improved with cancer blood markersdropping. Imagine my great joy to be present at myoldest son’s high school graduation! I was ecstatic tobe there with my family after such a rough year.

Just a week ago in July 2017, my husband and sonhad been approved for vacation, but my lungs werehaving crackles again. I knew something was wrong,and it took me back to reviewing the year prior,fearing to go back and live that terrible trial overagain. I had to fight everything within me to overcomethe spirit of fear, which God does not give. God givespower, love, and a sound mind. At church that day Irequested and received administration from the eldersthrough the laying on of hands.

We were scheduled to leave for our cabin and riverfloat in the morning. My rational husband, Grant,recounted the situation over with me knowing that ifI went away without medical help, I would likelycome home in a potentially life threatening situation.We knew we had to seek help but it was also quitelikely for the doctors to recommend hospitalization.Oh, how I needed a vacation of good memories awaywith my family after such a tough prior year! I reallydidn’t want to cancel our trip and have disappoint-ments multiply for my teens as there were alreadymany things that we had skipped through the yearsbecause of my fatigue or medical problems.

We decided to just trust God, who knows our everyneed and desires of our hearts. After a visit to theEmergency Department and consult with a doctor inmy oncologist group, I was released to go home onoral medications and told to have a good trip! PraiseGod who grants us our hearts desires! We joyfullypacked the oxygen and breathing treatments in the carwith everything else and headed off. Through thosefew days away, I had plenty of energy and stamina toleisurely float the river in a canoe and even hike twiceto the top of a waterfall (with oxygen and severalbreaks, of course)! God certainly did support me andgave me such a great joy in my heart for thesemiracles that mean so much to me.

We returned home from our vacation, and the nextSunday morning we went to church for sacramentservice. During the prayer meeting, I just had to standand lift gratitude to God in prayer for His great andmarvelous works unto His faithful children. Our Godis faithful and marvelous, and there is no end to Hismighty works.

12 Zion's Call

God Did Not Give Up on Me -by Bill Green, Blue Springs, Missouri

I am a late in life convert to the Restored Church.The way it happened could only have been engineeredby God. I was raised in a good Baptist home. WhenI was seventeen years old, I started questioning somethings I was being taught. There were a couple ofissues that I felt if true, then God was a very unfairGod. I posed my concerns to the pastor, looking forserious answers, but the response I got was that I waswrong and to shut up about it. I was then ridiculedfrom the pulpit and made an example of. This mademe very angry.

After I graduated from high school, I startedbecoming very cynical and decided that all thechurches were interested in was money, and I did notneed organized religion. My mother died suddenlywhen I was twenty years old and that completed myalienation from God. I spent the next twenty years ofmy life going down a path that was not the one Goddesired of me. I never stepped foot in a church exceptfor weddings during those years.

Then God started the process of putting people inmy path that helped guide me back to Him. I metCindy Goins when I was thirty-seven, and the nextyear we were married. She was a member of theRestored Church and took her faith seriously. I didnot. She would ask me to go church with her, but Ialways had an excuse. She would then continue toread her scriptures and kneel by the bed in prayer eachnight. She never pushed me—just kept giving megood examples.

One day after several years of marriage, I looked inthe mirror and didn’t like what I had become. I finallystarted listening to God again, but I didn’t knowwhere to start. I startled Cindy one week when sheasked if I would go to church with her, and I said yes.

I didn’t know anything about the Restored Church,and some of the things I heard and saw confused megreatly. I started asking questions to see if this Churchwas something I could believe in. Cindyrecommended church books to me. I read the Book ofMormon and was confused about a lot of it. I startedattending Sunday school and morning services

regularly. Then Iheard that AaronSmith had beenm e e t i n g w i t hanother man onWednesday nightsbefore prayer service studying books on Churchdoctrine. I asked if I could attend and spent the nexttwo years meeting with Aaron and learning.

Cindy also mentioned that were some lectures atthe Book of Mormon foundation going on, so Iattended. They were taught by Lyle Smith, SherrieSmith, and Don Beebe. They taught the archeologyevidence that was coming out which supported thestory and time lines the Book of Mormon taught. Thiswas exciting news to me. After the classes Kerry andKaren Burns, who I did not know at that time, stayedand talked to me about their testimony of the truth ofthe Book of Mormon.

I then started asking more questions about what theChurch believed. Cindy suggested that I attend thisthing she called cottage meetings. Three members ofthe priesthood met with me every week and patientlyanswered my questions and explained their beliefswith me. Finally at the age of forty-eight, I decidedthat I wanted to be part of this Church and asked forbaptism.

I still had a lot of questions about the Book ofMormon though. Cindy then told me about this classthat was meeting at the church studying the Book ofMormon. I showed up one night and discovered thatit was all women, and I almost turned around andwent back home. One of the ladies saw me and wavedme in. That group ended up being some of the mostimportant people in my life.

The class was taught by Louise Gregson and therewere about eight regular members of the group. I didnot know any of them when I started, but they allaccepted me and my sometimes different opinions.Louise was an excellent teacher and made the Book ofMormon come alive for me. I spent the next threeyears of my life meeting with these ladies.

Zion's Call 13

I discovered that the Book of Mormon had answersfor the questions that had been bothering me all thoseyears ago. One of those was that I felt that God was avery unfair God because He condemned a large groupof people to an eternity of damnation simply becausethey had never heard His gospel. This really botheredme. I then learned the principle of the prison house,where people would be given a chance to hear themessage of Jesus and accept it after their deaths. Thechurch I went to never covered those areas ofscripture.

The other question I had was that I felt God was avery arbitrary God who would send His Son, but Hewould only be received by a few people in a small partof the earth. Then I discovered the teachings of ThirdNephi, and I found out that God also sent His Son tothe Americas. This was an answer that I had beenseeking for thirty years.

God put people in my path who could lead me tothe only Church that could answer my questions fully.That’s when I discovered that even though I hadturned my back on Him and did not evenacknowledge that He existed, God did not give up onme and never left my side.

He patiently waited for the day when I would onceagain listen to His voice. This was the only way itcould have worked with me. I had to be shown theway. I could not be forced. If Cindy would have triedto force me or shame me into going to church, Istubbornly would have gone in the opposite direction.

It still amazes methat God could acceptme and welcome meback in spite of thethings I had done. Hehad a work for me inHis Kingdom if only Iwould allow Him. I amproof that it is never toolate to turn your lifearound and come backto God’s presence. Ifyou have loved onesthat have left the path,just keep loving themand praying for them.God will do the rest.

Zion’s Eternal Flame

Oh Lord, what hour is this In which we live and hope,

An hour of doubt and hopelessness With which we all must cope?

I really think not, dear Saints, For the Lord I call my friend,Has been with me all my life, And now His hand extends.

The day is now upon usWhen we each must choose our way. Fear not, dear flock of Israel,For God will show the way.

His servants He has calledIn which His gifts He’s placed.They’ll speak with words of soberness And with Jesus—face-to-face.

For they shall speak the word,The word in Jesus’ name, To bring blessings to His childrenAnd His wonders to proclaim.

Across the earth their words shall goAnd will not be denied, For all that God has spokenTo earth shall come—’tis time.

Their words shall not be mixed With half-truths found below,But from their lips shall God reveal The mysteries we must know.

Again—we ask, what day is this In which we live and cope?A day that soon within Thy arms Will find us filled with hope!

A day when Zion’s eternal flameFrom His holy mountain we’ll see,And God’s most wondrous plan unfolds To set His people free.

—by James (Jim) Mulheron, Oak Grove, Missouri

14 Zion's Call

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

Marjorie Foss departed this earth for her heavenly abode on February 22, 2017. “Gram” will long be rememberedas a kind, generous, hard-working lady who deeply loved the Lord and her family. Her son, Clayton Foss, wrotethe following poem in her memory.

“Gram’s” Goodbye

Don’t cry for me as I’m not sadI’m free of all the pain

The things I’ve done to follow HimAre counted now for gain

It’s good to grieve, but not too longThere’s just too much to do

My race is run, I finished strongAnd now it’s up to you

We’ve lived and loved and laughed and sharedHe’s give me long years

But now my treasured, precious onesIt’s time to dry your tears

I know it’s hard, we loved so muchIt is so hard to part

But you can keep a place for meInside your wounded heart

So take His nail pierced hand in yoursAnd follow where He leads

For I’ll be in that loving touchAs He tends to your needs

For somewhere on the path you treadThere’s some who’ve never heardYou need to share the promises

That we find in His word.

For you must love your neighborIt’s hard to do with some

But you must look past what they areTo what they can become

For God looks on the inner manAnd sin He won’t condone

You need to stand for righteousnessEven if you stand alone

I’ve tried to follow in the stepsOf He who had no sin

There’s many paths to choose fromBut only one way in

So take upon you Jesus’ nameAnd follow in His way

And when the path is rough or steepHe’s told us we must pray

Remember God makes all the rulesWe should not ask Him whyThe victory will be glorious

In the sweet bye and bye

When Zion comes again to earthWe’ll rejoice with a son

I’ll be looking for your faceWithin that happy throng

Zion's Call 15

But behold, if ye will awake

and arouse your faculties,

even to an experiment

upon my words, and exercise

a particle of faith;

yea, even if ye can no more

than desire to believe,

let this desire work in you . . .”

(Alma 16:151)

Ryan, Kaila, and children, November 2016

A Growing Desire to Know the Lord -by Kaila (Foss) Forbes, Sidney, Montana

I’d like to startoff by thanking theO a k G r o v eRestoration Branchfor live streamingtheir services. Ihave found them tobe a huge source ofstrength for myfaith. I live outsideSidney, Montana(just across theborder from NorthDakota). I’ve beenmarried almost sixy e a r s t o m yhusband, Ryan, and

we have a four-year-old son and a one-year-olddaughter. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom since ourdaughter was born. Ryan and I ranch.

I was baptized into the RLDS Church when I waseight years old by my Grandpa Clifford Foss. My dad,Jerry Foss, and my Uncle Clayton became members ofthe priesthood at the same time back when mygrandparents and Clayton and Glenda still lived inMontana. We used to have church services in ourhome when I was growing up.

My dad tired hard to lead us in the right direction,but there seemed to be strong, constant rebellion inmy brother, sister, and me. About the time my brothergraduated high school and moved out, we stoppedhaving our church services. I think we still had themoccasionally, but when I graduated and left forcollege, we never did again.

For years, my Grandma Marjorie Foss—to whomI was very close—would send me literature about theChurch and ask me frequently if I was doing anyScripture studying. More often then not, I wouldguiltily tell her no.

I never threw away anything she sent. I knew Ishould read it, but I didn’t have the desire. I was toobusy with every other aspect of my life.

I cannot pinpoint exactly when or how it happened(I highly suspect my Grandma’s prayers were a bigpart of it), but recently, I have had a newly growingdesire to know the Lord, and to have my husband andchildren know Him, too.

I really didn’t know exactly how to handle thisdesire. Finally, I decided to start with a phone call tomy Aunt Glenda and Uncle Clayton for advice andhelp. They sent me more Church literature andsermons on tape from their home branch inChilhowee. They have also been willing to answer allmy questions, look up scriptures for me and withme—and most importantly—to pray for me and mylittle family.

Two days before my grandma passed away, shecalled me, and I was able to tell her that I had startedreading The Call at Evening—a book she had sent meyears ago.

I have read and studied regularly since then andfeel my faith growing daily. I stumble often andsometimes fall flat on my face, but faith and prayerpick me back up. I am thankful for the Lord’sgoodness and mercy, and for the way He has given myheart the desire to know Him.

16 Zion's Call

Contender for the Crown

-by David Strahan, Oak Grove, Missouri

I was wondering, “What have I done for Christ inthis life?” Not much. Before the RLDS Church wasbroken up in the 1980’s, I had my patriarchal blessing.The first word I was told was, “I am pleased with thyworks. Keep it up.”

I thought, “What works?”

A few years before the blessing I would ask God inprayer to help me be a righteous man. I was told,“Attend church three times a week.” The only thingI ever did as “works” was to attend church three timesa week like I was told and to read my scriptures everyday. The scriptures tell us it is a commandment ofJesus Christ to attend church often. I like to say, “Asoften as possible.”

I was also told in my patriarchal blessing, “Do notbe so shy. Speak up when sharing the gospel. Therehave been times when you have been given words andyou never knew it.” That has been hard to do. Thebigger the crowd, the harder it is to speak up.

I, myself, have never felt righteous, for I am asinner. When one is obedient to the commandments,it is counted unto them for righteousness.

I had a dream. In the dream I was in a wrestlingmatch. It was a very serious match. The coach wasthere. Everyone was fired up. The adrenalin waspumping. I could not wait to start the match. Theinterpretation of the dream was that I was a contender.Ready to give it my all!

I was not sure what the word contender meant. Acontender is a person who tries to win something in acontest, especially a person who has a good chance ofwinning. If one is a “contender” for the Lord, theyhave a good chance of making it to celestial glory. Itdoes not say they will make it, but they have a goodchance.

In my patriarchal blessing I was told, “Never getmad again. Do not let anybody take thy crown away.”

I was told that twice. Doctrine and Covenants 80:1h:“And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt havea crown of immortality and eternal life in themansions which I have prepared in the house of myFather.”

I looked up “crown” in the dictionary. It said,“Crown—winner of a contest; mark of victory orreward; a reward or honor given for merit; theposition or title of a champion in a sport.”

The race we run in this life is very serious. It is forlife—life everlasting. One can get caught up in manythings while running. Satan always has things tothrow at us, to slow us down. You compete with noone. Everyone runs at their own speed. Sports, TV…there are so many things one can get caught up in. Atthe end of the finish line, there is a lane that leads toa pasture. God’s sheep find rest in His pasture.

“And he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shallfind pasture” (1 Nephi 7:59).

Lord, Speak to Me

Lord, speak to me that I may speakIn living echoes of Thy tone;As Thou has sought, so let me seekThine erring children lost and lone.

O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,Until my very heart overflowIn kindling thought and glowing word,Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.

O use me, Lord, use even me,Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,Until Thy blessed face I see,Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.

–Frances Ridley Havergal

Zion's Call 17

God Has My Back

-by Dean Odida, Independence, Missouri

My name is Dean Roro Odida. I am twenty-fiveyears old, and I want to be one of the greatest chefs inthe world. My love for cooking pushed me to join aculinary school, and for the past two years I havewatched God work His miracles in my life. I’m aboutto share with you one of the greatest testimonies thathappened to me.

I am far from perfect and more times than I cancount I have strayed from the path of righteousness,but I never have forgotten what my parents taught meand how I was raised. Despite all my shortcomings,during times of need I always remember to pray and,true enough, He has never abandoned me.

Being a chef means you entirely need your hands.Everything in the kitchen requires a hands-onapproach, and it has to be perfect. From preparing themeals to plating, you will need your hands. A coupleof months ago, my hands started this weird thingwhere they would shake uncontrollably. Doingsimple tasks in the kitchen started to become achallenge for me.

Now, I take my cooking very seriously and doeverything to the best of my ability, and this has beenrewarded by the chefs’ having faith in me. Though Iam just a student, the chefs had so much confidence inme I was able to run my own station unsupervised.With the tremors, I was afraid the chefs would noticeand what I had worked hard for would all be lost.

True enough, it happened. Simple tasks likechopping and cutting became complicated. My cutswent from being perfect to being sloppy andunrefined. It got to the point where I couldn’t worknext to people for fear that I might hurt others. Withno change in sight, I was demoted to tasks such asarranging or greeting guests.

My dream was slowly slipping away from me. Itseemed the harder I tried, the more my hands shook.I broke a couple of knives and cut myself multipletimes. I was mad! I was sad! This is all I had left. Idid not know what else I could do, and I was about tolose something I was really good at.

Multiple times, I had called my mother to complainabout how hard this was and how much it hurt. I

wanted to drop out, but I did not know how to tell mydad I was done, and that I was now useless in thekitchen. I sat in my room one night and decided thatthe next morning was going to be my last day. I wasgoing to quit. Maybe there was something else outthere for me.

As I sat there contemplating what I was going totell my dad, a thought came to me, “You shouldprobably pray about this.” I immediately got down onmy knees and asked God to help me, because I didn’twant to lose this. The next morning, I went to thekitchen like always, even though for the past twoweeks I had been on stocking duty and had nointeraction with the chefs in the kitchen, for goodreasons. My shaking hands had done more thanenough damage.

This morning was different though. I walked intothe kitchen. Of course, everyone was surprised andnobody wanted to be next to Dean. I closed my eyes,said a little prayer, and started cutting. My hands didnot shake. I was doing good. I was doing better thangood! Every time I put the knife down, my handswould shake violently, but anytime I picked up aknife, my hands were calm and steady—even betterthan before. This went on for the entire period I wasin the kitchen.

The tremors did eventually decrease, but I did notcare if they shook any more. I knew God had myback. I knew I was going to be fine. I knew that Iwill one day become a great chef because He wasthere with me and continues to be with me througheach step.

18 Zion's Call

Thanks Be to God Who Is theGiver of All That Is Good

-by Wayne Godfrey, Nebraska

God visibly manifested His Holy Spirit andanswered prayers during the Thursday eveningpreaching service at the South Crysler RestorationBranch Reunion on June 16, 2016. The followingmorning in the family prayer service, Renae Edsontestified she had witnessed a bright translucent glowof medium bronze and gold surrounding each of thefour priesthood members up front, especially thespeaker, Michael Brown.

The glow was about one inch thick around each ofthem and extended up two inches at times from nearthe waist on both sides up and over their heads. Sheremoved her glasses, and rubbed her eyes severaltimes, seeing no change, she asked her husband, Dan,if he could see the glow. He said, “Yes, I can.” Itremained visible to them throughout the serviceglowing brighter or dimmer at times.

Renae shared with me Friday evening that she andDan had struggled with deciding whether to attendreunion due to other commitments. They thought ifthey stayed, they would be making several trips backto Independence during the week (a two-hour driveeach way). They had mostly decided not to attend,except on Tuesday evening when she and Dan were toorganize a gospel sing for the reunion. However, shefelt like God kept saying, “Go!” She even asked Godwhat about this reunion would be so special that theyneeded to be there.

They decided to attend all week and as of Fridayhad not made any trips back to Independence, whichshe considered to be a second answer to her prayer. Ilater found out that circumstances permitted them tostay all week. In addition to Renae’s testimony,Harold Edwards, Jr. testified to having also witnessedthe glow.

Also during the day Friday, another individual toldRenae she too had seen the glow. After hearing this,I later realized God had also answered my prayer asthe presider for the service, before entering theauditorium with the priesthood. This prayer was basedon a promise given early in the Restoration, inDoctrine and Covenants 96:1b, “And whoso receiveth

you receiveth me, and you shall have power to declaremy word in the demonstration of my Holy Spirit.”

My prayer was that Michael would be given powerto declare God’s word in the demonstration of theHoly Spirit. I had not anticipated a revelation ofGod’s Holy Spirit in this way, which I should have.My prayer was also answered. It was a good reminderwe need to notice God answering our prayers.

I am grateful for the humble service of DeaconsBill Faunce and Darrell Newell, who God was able toinvolve in this blessing to His people. Most of allthanks be to God who is the giver of all that is goodand desires to interact with His people in ways wemay not anticipateunto the blessing ofour souls.

May we keep ourspiritual eyes opena n d c l o s e o u rphysical eyes often inprayer.

An Experience During My Patriarchal Blessing

-by Judith (Harden) Hawley, Independence,Missouri

I received my patriarchal blessing on August 3,1973 at Camp Chihowa, located north of Lawrence,Kansas, from Patriarch C. B. Constance. I had nevermet Brother Constance before that week. In fact, thatwas my first reunion as I was a convert to the Church,having been baptized on February 7, 1971.

Patriarchal blessings had been explained to me,and I sincerely desired to have mine. Still, in my heartI wondered if God could really speak to usindividually?

Two things were given in my blessing which gaveme confirmation that this prayer of blessing truly wasfrom God and God alone.

Zion's Call 19

Before the time or date of my blessing had beenset, I met alone with Brother Constance. In ourconversation he asked if I desired to know my triballineage? I told him I did, that it was most important tome. He counseled me that it was not often given any-more. I accepted his words, but still longed to receivethat in my blessing.

After our conference I went back to our trailer torest. Before rising, I was given to understand from theLord that I was of the tribe of Ephraim.

Thus at 1:00 p.m. on August 3, 1973, I met withBrother Constance in a back room of the main lodge.He placed both his hands upon my head and began tospeak to me in a gentle voice, yet as one havingauthority. I listened carefully. Then I heard somethingonly God knew was an important longing in my heart.

I had always been concerned that I, to myknowledge, had never brought a soul to Jesus Christ.Brother Constance spoke to me in my blessing saying,“Many have found the Christ through you and theexample you have given, by the workmanship of yourheart and hands.” I wept with joy at this revelation.

Then as I listened, the words I desired so muchcame. “As one who has the right of the children ofEphraim there shall come that everlasting peace, shallyou prove faithful.”

I could not deny that God, Himself, had trulyspoken to me personally through Patriarch C. B.Constance.

But one other thing happened. As I left that room,which had seemed to grow holy, I felt as if I wereentirely cleansed—every inch of me, washed clean byGod’s Spirit. I did not want anyone to touch me as Ifelt I might become unclean again. A heavenly peacecame over me as I exited the lodge. I longed to stayalways filled with that peace.

God had been there for me. He had known thedesires of my heart and spoken to them. He hadanswered my prayers. How abundantly He hadblessed me.

May this testimony be a blessing to many is myhope and desire.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the wavesbeat over into the ship; and he was in the hinder part ofthe ship asleep on a pillow; and they awoke him, andsaid unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto thesea, Peace; be still; and the wind ceased, and there wasa great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How isit that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another,What manner of man is this, that even the wind and thesea obey him?

Mark 4:30-33

Even the Wind and Rain Obey Him

-by Mary Lou Bartrow, Independence, Missouri

During Hurricane Irma, I watched the newscarefully as the storm headed to Tampa, Florida. Myhusband, Wayne, has cousins who live in Tampa. Icalled to check on how they were doing.

They told me they had boarded up their house andthat they and their daughters were staying in a shelter.They were even helping run it! They asked me toplease pray, which I had been.

On Sunday, September 10, as we were at church,a choir sang. One of the verses of the song said,“Even the wind and rain know His name.”

I added to my prayer, “Please God, tell the windand rain to not take any lives.” As I continued topray, along with many others in our country, Iwatched the storm go from a potential category five toa category one.

My husband’s cousin texted me to say that theywere on their way home to check the damage on theirhouse. She later texted that there was no damage, andthey even had electricity. She thanked me for theconcern, and we praised our Lord.

We have a wonderful, loving, caring God, and Ipraise Him and His matchless Son, Jesus Christ inWhom we love and trust!

20 Zion's Call

No Prayer Too Small

-by Lillie Jennings

Elder T. W. Williams was a well-knownmissionary in our Church years ago. Once hewrote a story for a church paper about a boynicknamed “Whistling Will.” We believe thisstory is about himself, so we shall try to tell youwhat happened to him.

Will got his nickname because he was such ahappy boy, always whistling some tune. Hismother had long been a member of the Church.His father had been a member, too, but he haddied when Will was a little fellow. SisterWilliams was having a hard time making a livingfor her family. Food and clothing cost so muchfor active, growing children. Besides, in thosedays each family had to provide schoolbooks forits children. Many times Will did not have thebooks he needed to keep up with his class.

When Will was nine years old and had beenpromoted to the fourth grade, his teacher said hewould have to get a new reader. The boy told hismother. “Willie, my boy,” she said, “I haven’tenough money to pay the rent this month. I can’tspare any money to get books for you.”

Will felt very bad. He knew he must have thisbook to keep up with his class. What should hedo? He was a member of the Church, having beenbaptized the year before. He believed in God andprayer. So Will decided to ask God to help himget the new reader.

Next Sunday he went to afternoon prayermeeting. He sat down in the very last row. Therewas no room for anyone to be seated behind him.All through the meeting he was thinking of thebook he needed and silently asking God to send itto him.

Just before the meeting closed, Will heard avoice speaking to him. It seemed as if someone

was behind his chair saying, “If you will be a goodboy and obey your mother, you will get thatbook.” Even though Will turned quickly, he couldsee no one. And looking at the other peoplearound him, Will saw they were all thinking aboutthe meeting and had not heard the voice. He didnot quite understand, but he felt sure that in someway the book would come.

Right there and then Will made a promise insilent prayer. He said if he could only have thatbook, he would be a good boy and do all hismother asked him to.

Monday morning came. Will went to schoolwithout the book. “Unless you bring your newreader tomorrow,” said the teacher, “I will sendyou home.” Will felt so unhappy, for he knew hismother could not buy that book for him. He didnot know anyone to give him one. All day heprayed that God would make good His promise.In the afternoon when Will reached home, hismother handed him the very reader he needed.“Oh, Mother, where did you get this book?”exclaimed Will.

Now Sister Williams had been doing housecleaning for a rich woman. That morning she hadgone to work as usual. The rich woman had givenher the reader, saying, “Here is something yourboy might be able to use. My boy took it toschool last year, but it is nearly as good as new.”

Up to this time Will had not told his mother anything about his experience in the church on Sunday afternoon. Now he told her. Both Sister Williams and her son cried for joy because God had been so kind in answering the boy’s prayer. It was just a prayer about a little matter, but no prayer is too small to be heard by our loving Heavenly Father.

Zion's Call 21

It Amazes Me

What God Can Do!-by Abbey English, age 17,

Blue Springs, Missouri

About a week before we were about to

move to our new house last summer, I had a really scary experience happen to me. I woke up expecting it to be like any otherday. I had plans to go spend the day with my family.

While getting ready, I realized I had not heard mycat meow at me all last night or that morning, whichis quite unusual for my cat. My mom and I started tolook for her all over the house, but could not find heranywhere. We then remembered letting her outside toplay in our backyard the morning before but could notremember if we had let her back in again.

We looked around outside in the backyard for awhile, but she was not there either. Then we wentdoor to door asking our neighbors if they had seen herand put up missing posters all over the neighborhood.We checked our surrounding neighbors’ backyardsand drove around the entire neighborhood but did notfind her.

It soon got late, and we decided to call it a day andhead home, since it had been raining all day and wasgetting too dark to see anything. Before going to bed,we decided to say some prayers, and my dad wasgoing to administer to me. In our prayers we said thateverything was in the Lord’s hands and that we wouldcontinue to serve Him whether we found my cat ornot.

Not ten minutes after that we heard a loud, ugly,cat yowl. Immediately I knew it was my cat Sophie.We took off in the backyard with our flashlightscalling her name. We heard the jingle of her bell onher collar and knew she must be close by. I just sohappened upon her and was overjoyed to bring herback home again. We prayed and thanked God forbringing my little kitty home.

It still amazes me what God can do for us when we finally letHim have all of the control and layeverything down at His feet.

Wilt Thou Follow Me?

“Wilt thou follow Me?”The Savior asked. The road looked bright and fair; And filled with youthful hope and zealI answered, “Anywhere.”

“Wilt thou follow Me?”Again He asked. The road looked dim ahead; But I gave one glance at His glowing face:“To the end, dear Lord,” I said.

“Wilt thou follow Me?”I almost blanched, For the road was rough and new. But I felt the grip of His steady handAnd it thrilled me through and through.

“Still followest thou?”'Twas a tender tone, And it thrilled my inmost heart. I answered not, but He drew me close,And I knew we would never part.

–author unknown

An Angel Visitation -by Jennifer Hawley, at age 16

Reprinted from Living Testimonies Book One

The following testimony brings tears of joy to myeyes, because it reminds me of the constant protectionand love God has for me.

At the age of five or six, I remember going througha period of sucking my thumb. To add to that badhabit, whenever I had a bad dream, I would run to myparents’ room and crawl in bed with them. Night afternight this would happen. My parents came to the pointwhere they couldn’t stand either one of these habits.They decided to put tape around my thumb andmasking tape across my doorway, so that I wouldn’tcome running to them in the middle of the night.

22 Zion's Call

On the second night of this predicament, I awoketo find my bedroom all lit up in a bright light. I turnedover in bed and looked out my doorway. The lightwasn’t just confined to my room; it was in the hallwayalso. All of a sudden, I saw a figure ten feet tall walkin front of the doorway.

At that moment, I knew it was an angel of the Lord. I realized that the light was God’s Holy Spirit, and it filled me with a peace that I had never known before. The angel was beautiful and the Holy Spirit radiated from him. He had short hair, was clothed in white robes, and he didn’t walk; he glided through the air.

The angel stopped in front of my doorway for asplit second and then continued down the hall towardmy brother Jared’s room. I got out of bed. I wasamazed to see that the tape on my thumb and the tapeacross the doorway were gone.

I followed the angel into Jared’s room. He stoodover my brother, just watching him. Then he lookedall the way around the room as if to make sureeverything was all right. As I stood there, I could feelthe love he had for Jared. Without thinking, I took astep closer. Immediately, the angel turned around andlooked at me. Then all of a sudden, he disappeared.I went back to my own bed that night, instead ofrunning to my parents’ room. I felt so wonderfulinside.

Years passed before I told Jared about thistestimony. As I spoke, tears came to his eyes, andafter I had finished, he cried. I asked Jared why. Hetold me that he had had the same experience happento him. He had heard me get back into bed that night,and it woke him up. Then he saw an angel in front ofhis door. He followed it into my room.

I know that my testimony is truly of God. Jaredconfirmed it by telling me his half of the testimony.I have never forgotten how God loves us and I knowfor sure that He protects us.

Glow-in-the-Dark

Chr i s t ian s -by Megan Norman, Blue Springs, Missouri

I passed a church that caught my eye on the wayhome from dropping my son off at school. The sign outfront read “Be a glow in the dark Christian.” I pon-dered that sign the whole way home. What was aglow-in-the- dark Christian? Was I a glow-in-the-darkChristian? Do I want to be a glow-in-the-darkChristian, or is there something better? The more thatI thought about it, the more I came to the conclusionthat there are three types of Christians: CandleChristians, glow-in-the-dark Christians, and flashlightChristians (more specifically solar flashlightChristians).

The Candle Christian

A candle is easily lit by fire. Its light shines bright in a dark room. It does not just burn for itself, but it helps brighten a room for others to see as well. A candle is also easily extinguished. A simple breeze will make the flame flicker andgo out. There may be no warning that the flame isabout to die. One second it is burning brightly, and thenext second it is gone and it becomes part of the darkroom.

Candle Christians are the same way. They get lit onfire by God; they shine brightly and are strong in theirwitness, but sadly they lose that fire very easily. Thesmallest of trials will make a candle Christian waver,and before they know it and without any prior warning,they have joined the darkness. They can be lit againand again, but their fire is just not strong enough towithstand trials, and it keeps going out.

Glow-in-the-Dark Christians

Things that glow in the dark require a source of light to activate the glow. Once they are charged, they will glow in a dark room. The glow is dim, but cannot be blown out like a candle. It will slowly fade over time, which is a warning that it needs to be recharged by its source again beforegoing back into the darkness to glow.

Zion's Call 23

This is the type of Christian that sign was talkingabout, and it makes sense that we would want to beglow-in-the-dark Christians. Don’t we all want to beable to glow with God’s light in the darkness of theworld? No light breeze (or trials) can extinguish ourlight, and when we notice our light is growing dim,we can recharge by going to church, reading theScriptures, and by prayer before our light fully goesout. Sounds perfect, right?

But have you ever tried to light up a room or lightyour path while you are walking at night by just theglow of something that glows in the dark? Glow-in-the-dark things are only pretty to look at, but areuseless when it comes to illuminating a dark room ortrying to see where you are going. Do we really wantto be Christians who only shine bright enough withGod’s love that people take notice, but not brightenough to share that light with others? Are we contentto keep that light to ourselves?

The Flashlight Christian

A solar f l ash l ight is powered by the sun. Once it is charged, you can take it into the darkest of places, and it will continue to shine brightly. Just like things that glow in the dark, it will eventually start to dim as a warningthat it needs to get back to its light source to recharge.Unlike the candle, the light from a flashlight cannotbe blown out by a breeze.

What makes a flashlight different from things thatglow in the dark is that it shares its light witheveryone. The flashlight will light up a dark room tohelp others see their way. If you have ever been in agroup of people walking on a dark path, you willnotice that they are all drawn to the flashlight’s lightand will hover as close as they can behind it as theytry to navigate the path. People can’t help but bedrawn to the light to prevent themselves fromstumbling around in the darkness. People that seehow brightly the flashlight shines will eventually wantflashlights of their own so they can help bring morelight to the darkness.

Another cool thing a flashlight does is that it canbe a source for things that glow in the dark. You canput a flashlight up to something that glows in the dark

to keep it glowing a little longer before it eventuallyneeds to go back out into the sun to get fully recharged.

Flashlight Christians are also charged by the Son(the Son of God) through prayer, church attendance,and study. They fill the darkness of the world withtheir light as they share that light with others. Theycause other people to desire to have their ownrelationship with God so they too can be a source oflight for others. They also provide spiritual strengthand light to the glow-in-the-dark Christians whoseglow is beginning to dim, so they can stay glowinguntil they can get back to their main source of light tobe recharged. As long as flashlight Christians continueto go back to their source of light on a regular basis,they can continue to shine with the light of God untilthe day they die.

So ask yourself, are you a brightly glowing candlethat lights a room, but is easily blown out by the weightof the world? Or maybe you glow in the dark, shiningbrightly for only yourself? Or are you a flashlight thatshines brightly for yourself and others?

I have decided that I am a glow-in-the-darkChristian like that sign talked about, and according tothe sign, that should be good enough. But I think thesign was wrong. I think that just being glow-in-the-dark is not good enough. I don’t want to just glowwithout purpose, never sharing my light with those thatneed it. I want to strive to be a flashlight and illuminatea room with light, sharing that light with others thatneed it.

Are you happy with the type of light you bring tothe dark world, and if you are happy with your light, isyour light shining as brightly as it can, or is it time torecharge?

Therefore, let your light soshine before this world, that

they may see your goodworks, and glorify your

Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:18

24 Zion's Call

The Principle of The Gathering -by Edith M. Watkins (Reprinted from Living Testimonies, Book One)

“Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the great I AM, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins, who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice, and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer.

“Wherefore the decree hath gone forth from the Father that they shall be gathered in unto one place, upon the faceof this land, to prepare their hearts, and be prepared in all things, against the day when tribulation and desolationare sent forth upon the wicked” (D&C 28:la, 2d).

Through my growing up years, I was thoroughlytaught the principle of gathering to the Center Placeand the ultimate reality of Zion. Therefore when Imarried, I endeavored to be a good steward, keep abudget book of our finances, and resolved to pay ourtithing in full. It took several years, but my husbandand I accomplished that goal. I looked forward to theday when we would receive the call to gather, and yetI wondered how it would ever be possible for such awonderful dream to really happen for us.

During the Church Conference of 1976, I came toIndependence and stayed in the home of churchmembers. I attended a prayer meeting at a localcongregation with my host family. During thetestimony session, I felt impelled to stand. I statedhow blessed are those privileged to live in the CenterPlace. Suddenly I found myself saying, “WhenConference is over I will return to Ohio, where I live,but it is no longer ‘home’ to me. The Center Place ofZion is home.” Then I sat down, amazed at what Ihad said.

I never dreamed how quickly God can move in ourlives to fulfill our desires if we are sincere. Before Iwent back to Vermilion, Ohio, my host familysuggested that my husband and I come back and spendour week-long summer vacation with them. We couldpossibly look for property to buy. (Charles and I hadsufficient funds for a down payment if we foundsomething within our financial means.) I laughed andsaid, “Charles always plans for us to visit his momand other relatives in West Virginia during thatweek.” But I agreed to mention it to him.

When I finally got the courage to mention the idea,Charles quickly replied that he always looked forwardto going to West Virginia. I just left it in God’s hands.If He wanted us to go, then He’d open the way. Oneday Charles remarked that if I wanted to spend our

vacation in Independence, Missouri, it would be okaywith him. I was surprised and overjoyed, feeling thatGod’s hand was surely in the matter.

We came, and one day our friends suggested wetake a ride and look at property. We looked at severalplaces, and then we came to a small house on a largecorner lot which needed some fixing up. The realtorsaid the owner had just dropped the price from $8900to $8000. Since I was the money manager, I said thatthe price was still too high for us. The realtoranswered that there was no way the owner wouldcome down again, but he took our name and phonenumber. Then we dropped the whole matter. Whenwe returned to Ohio, the thought kept crossing mymind repeatedly: “Go back.” I couldn’t erase it.

In a few days, I received a call from the realtor.The owner agreed to drop the price a couple ofhundred dollars. For some reason, I told him that wecouldn’t go over $7500 (the amount of our savings),and we hung up the phone. About three days later therealtor phoned again. “Lady,” he said, “You must beliving right. The owner will take $7500.” I waselated. This had to be the sign for me to go back.

Charles was working, but my son, Dick, was freeto go with me. He and his family had already beenmaking plans to move to the Center Place soon. Ianticipated letting his family rent this house at areasonable rate until Charles and I could move in ayear or two. Upon seeing the house, Dick remarkedthat he was sure I could find a better place if we justlooked around. I was a bit downhearted, but agreed tolook some more. After all, I had received a sure signto come back.

Our friends suggested contacting another realtorwho was RLDS. They said that she prayed for herclients, so we called her. We spent all day Saturday

Zion's Call 25

searching, but had no luck. On Monday, the realtorphoned saying she was sure she had found the placefor us in Buckner. We looked at it and thought theproperty was very nice, but I was sure that we couldnot possibly afford to buy it at $20,000.

The realtor pursued thematter seriously, askingme what I thought oursmall home in Ohio wouldsell for. I replied that itwould probably be about$12,000. Her responsewas, “Twelve thousand and seven thousand fivehundred would leave only a five hundred dollarbalance. Surely you could handle that!”

When we returned to Ohio, I immediately put an adin the local paper. Our friends insisted that I ask$16,000, to which I reluctantly agreed. I felt that$12,000 to $14,000 was sufficient. Our little five-room and one-bath home was remodeled and lookedvery nice. I prayed, “God, if You want us to move tothe Center Place, please send us a buyer soon.” Ithought three to six months would be soon. Well, inthree days we had five prospective buyers. One hadthe cash and wanted occupancy in three weeks!

We went into shock. Charles said, “How can I quitmy job and expect to find another at fifty-nine years ofage?” Plus, we would be giving up his five hundreddollar yearly bonus.

I could only say to him, “Charles, this matter hasbeen in God’s hands. If He caused our house to sellin three days, then I’m sure He intends to see that youget a job when we get to Missouri. We need toexercise faith about this because we truly believe inthe gathering and in Zion. What better way can wewitness for the cause of Zion?”

It was late August. What a task it was to be readyto move out by September 19. We packed and thenrented a large U-Haul truck. A friend who was aprofessional mover loaded the truck for us. My son,Dick and his family had already moved to Buckner,but he flew back to drive the U-Haul for us.

We arrived in Buckner on September 20. We hadto wait until the next day to move in our new home,since the former owner was still moving out. Dickcontacted the Buckner congregation and a few menarrived to help us move in. Immediately members

came with canned fruit, vegetables from their gardens,potatoes, and apples to help carry us through untilCharles could find a job. That night I stood out in ourbackyard, looked up to the starry heavens, and weptfor joy. I thanked God for being so good to us. Hehad allowed us the privilege of coming and living inHis land for Zion.

In three weeks, Charles had a job. He workedthere until he retired in 1986. I never imagined inApril 1976 when I stood up in that prayer meeting thatby September 21 of that same year we would truly behome in the Center Place. God surely moves in Hismysterious ways His wonders to perform. What ablessing it has been to be here with faithful Saintsthrough these trying times! The principle of thegathering is very real and true. Zion will be!

That Zion May Become a Reality-by Priscilla (Pat) Carrick, Independence, Missouri

One evening after listening to a group discussionconcerning Zion, I came home so disheartened that Icried out to our Heavenly Father, “How can even Youbring us together that Zion may become a reality?”

After retiring to bed with this heavy load ofconcern, I had the following dream. The dreamcentered round a huge box which was to be pushedthrough a door. It was so big that it almost filled upthe opening. Many people were straining with all oftheir might, on all sides and corners, trying to get thishuge box through the open door. They were seeminglyunaware that actually all of their might was beingused to push against each other, accomplishingnothing.

It was made known to me that the huge boxrepresented all of the accumulation of beliefs andinterpretations concerning all Christians’ under-standings concerning the Kingdom of God. The opendoor represented the entrance to Zion.

Suddenly, along came Jesus Christ, and as every-one looked to Him, with the tip of His finger, the boxwent easily through the door.

What are we willing to give to live in love andunity with our Savior Jesus Christ, King of Kings,Lord of Lords, forever and ever?

26 Zion's Call

Never Alone -by Francis Harper, Iowa

Our fifteen-year-old granddaughter, Whitney Ronk,came to me in early December 2011. She shared adream she thought might be of spiritual significance.In the dream, she and some of her friends weretogether at a shopping mall enjoying each other’scompanionship. A person dressed in white wasnoticed at some distance from them. I encouragedWhitney to pray for the interpretation of her dream.

A few weeks later, at a Yuletide Retreat, Whitneywas given another dream. In the second dream, shewas at the same mall as in the previous dream. Thistime she was alone except for the person dressed inwhite and other shoppers. Her friends were no longerwith her.

I was pleased with the interpretation Whitney wasgiven. She feels the second dream was a prophecy ofher future. She was given notice that she might belosing some of her friends as she endeavored to walkin the footsteps of Jesus, but the Lord will neverforsake her. He will always be her friend.

The possibility of losing friends will tempt somewhose resolve to follow Jesus is not strong. I recall atestimony shared by a young lady years ago. She hadsuffered great emotional pain when she lost aboyfriend due to her strong Christian values. Shedecided to begin attending some of the weekendparties. She even began to drink with the party crowd.

Then one day one of her friends, who had noticedthe change in her lifestyle, came to her and expresseddisappointment. She said, “We have always lookedup to you.” This was enough to cause the young ladyto return to the Christian lifestyle she had previouslyembraced.

Those who walk with God often find themselveswalking without the company of their fellow men.There are many notable examples of this recorded inthe Scriptures. Enoch asked the Lord, “Why is it thatI have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, andall the people hate me . . . And it came to pass thatEnoch went forth in the land, among the people, . . .and all men were offended because of him . . . [andthey said] there is a strange thing in the land, a wild

man hath come among us” (Genesis 6:32, 39, 40 Inspired Version).

Noah was not a popular preacher. Neither was Jeremiah: “Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon . . . that was in the court of the prison; and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire; so Jeremiah sunk in themire” (Jeremiah 38:6).

The Saints of God are called to be a “holy nation,a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9). I had the privilegeof meeting A. W. Tozer when I was young man. Hewrote, “The truly spiritual man is indeed something ofan oddity. He lives not for himself, but to promote theinterests of Another . . . He finds few who care to talkabout that which is the supreme object of his interest,. . . so he is avoided and the gulf between him andsociety widens” (The Saint Must Walk Alone, A. W.Tozer).

We need more “wild men” on the earth today—men who walk and talk with God, as did Enoch.

“God Will Take Care of You” -by Delores Champ, Bates City, Missouri

God has been so good to me—especially recentlywith my old vehicles. My Neon has had an oil leakfor quite some time. Since my husband passed away,his son Daniel Jr. has been helping me, so I asked himif he thought he could fix it. He told me what parts topurchase, and since I also have a Mustang and a Jeep,I parked the Neon and was driving the Mustang. TheJeep has had a wheel wobble if it is at a certain speed,and its fuel economy isn’t the greatest, so I only driveit occasionally to keep the battery charged (unless it iswinter, then the Jeep’s four-wheel drive comes inhandy).

Friday, June 30, 2017, I was driving the Jeep to afriend’s house from work and was almost there whenthe wobble became very intense, so I slowed down alot. The driver behind me even turned on his/hervehicle’s emergency flashers and stayed behind meuntil I exited the freeway. I slowly drove to the

Zion's Call 27

In happy moments, praise God.

In difficult moments, seek God.

In quiet moments, worship God.

In painful moments, trust God.

In every moment, thank God!

friend’s home, and we took his car for our activity. Then I drove it slowly home. I told Daniel Jr. about it, and he told me the parts to order for the Jeep.

The following week, I had a couple of errands todo on my lunch hour. I was driving the Mustang. Igot to the first place and steam was rolling out fromunder the hood. I prayed, “Lord, just get me to thenext stop, and then get me to O’Reilly’s, and pleasedon’t let me ruin anything on the car in so doing.” Hedid get me to the next stop to pay a bill and toO’Reilly’s, and of course, I thanked Him right thenand there.

The O’Reilly’s staff determined my water pumpwas leaking, so I bought a new water pump andcoolant. Since the Neon and the Jeep were prettymuch out of commission, the rest of the week I justkept putting water into the coolant reservoir andradiator until Daniel could deal with it.

That Saturday and Sunday, July 8 and 9, I was ableto drive the Neon again. Daniel Jr. had fixed the oilleak, but in doing so, had discovered I had a brokenmotor mount so it was a good thing I wasn’t drivingthe Neon anyway. (Coincidence? No, I know better!)That Sunday he fixed the Mustang, and shortlythereafter, the Jeep. So all three vehicles should havebeen ready to go. Right?

Monday, July 10, I drove the Neon most of the wayto work when it broke down. I ended up having tohave it towed home, but while waiting for the towtruck (a long time due to miscommunication), I hadseveral people inquire about me. (I was in a CVSdriveway.) Since I expected the tow truck any minute,I said I was fine. One lady even offered me a bottle ofwater. I had some already so I declined her offer, butthanked her.

After a text conversation with Daniel Jr., I endedup walking a short distance to buy transmission fluidand get cash to pay the extra it was going to take topay the tow driver. (My home was over my mileagelimit on Roadside Assistance with my insurancecompany.) It was a hot day, but I thanked God therewas a breeze and that it wasn’t rainy, or dark, orwhatever other bad circumstances there could havebeen.

I turned down an offer by someone to help push meout of the way (expecting the tow truck soon), butwhen another person offered to do that later, Iaccepted. Finally, the tow truck driver showed up andtook me and my car to my home. Then I got into theMustang, which had just been fixed the day before,and went to work—after missing the morning, mostlywaiting for the tow truck.

God also has protected my home. With the recenthigh wind, I did not lose power and had no damage.With the recent heavy rain, I had very little water getinto the house. Some people had flooded basementsand cars. I did have some driveway damage where thecreek crosses under the driveway (and over thedriveway in heavy rains), so I drove the now-fixedJeep for three days until Daniel Jr. was able to smooththat out.

It turns out the Neon needs a transmission or elseI need to replace it with another car. On Monday, July31, the mail carrier brought an unexpected check—acheck from a class action lawsuit for a sizeable sum!Sure, I could use that money, but the check was madeout to Daniel Champ (my deceased husband) as theaccount it dealt with was in his name. Not to worry,Daniel Jr. is also a Daniel Champ, so I told him tocash it and apply it toward transmission repair oranother vehicle—whichever he determined was thebest course of action.

To reiterate, God has been so good to me. “Allthings work together for good to them that love God”(Romans 8:28).

28 Zion's Call

Always Pray “Thy Will Be Done” -by Irma Ruth Renshaw (mother of Shirley Heater)

Reprinted from the booklet “Prayer Changes Things” compiled by the Senior Adults Committe of Omaha-Council Bluffs Stake in 1983.

My father Warren Henry Walling was dying ofcancer. None of my family were aware of it. I wasattending Iowa Braille and Sightsaving School atVinton, and was home for a two-week vacation forChristmas. My father was an elder in the church.

This was to be the last sermon he was to preach—acottage meeting held at the home of Brother ArthurRuby. He did not feel like going that night, but said,“It is God’s will.” As we walked along, it seemed asif this would be our last opportunity together for sucha conversation as this, and it actually was. He told menot to worry about my sight—that he believed it wasnot God’s will for me to be healed.

My father was a very humble man. The ministry ofJesus Christ was his priority. He lived and lovedevery minute of this work, telling the good news toothers and bearing his testimony and witnessing forJesus Christ.

The words “I do not believe it is God’s will for youto be healed,” came to me as sort of a blow.However, I actually had not given the idea muchthought. I know that in Christ all things are possible.“But Jesus beheld their thoughts, and said unto them,With men this is impossible; but if they will forsake allthings for my sake, with God whatsoever things Ispeak are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

The following spring, my father joined our MasterJesus Christ in his heavenly home. It was not that Ididn’t believe my father’s words, “I do not believe itis God’s will for you to be healed,” but being thestubborn person that I am, I had to test my faith andfind out for myself what God’s will was for me. Imust admit that finding out his purposes in my lifewas a long and painful ordeal. Truly it is better toknow than to always wonder, “Is it God’s will?”

Brother Minton preached my father’s funeral. Hewas a very kind and understanding person and feltvery close to my father, almost like a super-being,sensing and knowing my father’s feelings, or in otherwords his very heart. It is very wonderful indeed to

have such a friend as Brother Minton. He visited ourhome many times during my summer vacation. It washis testimony concerning the healing of sight toanother person which convinced me to beadministered to [by the elders] for my sight. A fewdays later, the appointed time was set. My sister,Edith Calfee walked with me to his home. BrotherMinton and Brother Charles Putnam annointed mewith oil and administered to me. Nothing happened!

It was difficult for me to admit to myself that Ididn’t have the faith to be healed. I must never giveup finding out just what God’s will was for me.“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt believe all things Ishall say unto you, this is possible to him thatbelieveth” (Mark 9:20).

I did not feel at ease or comfortable at Sundayschool, church, or at women’s meetings. I always feltthat someone might be thinking, “Maybe she doesn’thave the faith to be healed.” This really bothered mefor many years. “Why do I have to feel this way?” Iseemed to be more comfortable around the blind.

After I was grown up, I met Quentin BunnellRenshaw for the second time, having met him firstwhen I was thirteen. We felt so at ease and seemed tounderstand each other so well, we just knew that ourmarriage was meant to be. Quentin was blindphysically, but believe me, he could sure see a lot withhis mind spiritually.

There is much to be learned about the avenue ofprayer. One night Quentin and I decided to kneel byour bedside and pray about our sight. This was to beour secret.

Several years later, I decided again to beadministered to. It was one evening after prayermeeting. I asked Brother V. D. Ruch if he wouldadminister to me. Later Brother Clyde Harding droveme home. It is difficult for me to express in words mydisappointment. How could this happen to me whenI believed so sincerely, with all my heart that I couldbe healed? I studied the Bible, Book of Mormon and

Zion's Call 29

“And thy will,

O Lord, be done,

and not mine.” Jacob 5:26

the Doctrine and Covenants. I read so many scripturesabout the miracles of Jesus—healing the blind, thedeaf, the lame, and all types of diseases, and castingout demons. I read that Jesus was the same today asHe was two thousand years ago.

One morning after giving our children Shirley andQuentin, Jr. their breakfast and sending them toschool, I sat down to think and meditate and try toreason things in my mind. All of a sudden, the thoughtof Jesus Christ hanging on the cross came to me, andI thought about His words in Matthew 26:39, “O myFather, if this cup may not pass away from me, exceptI drink it, thy will be done.”

I realized then that I had been praying wrong. Whyhadn’t I thought of this before? I immediately changedmy prayer and said, “Not my will, Father, but Thinebe done. For my answer, please help me to think of ascripture.”

Second Corinthians 12 came to me. Still feeling alittle doubtful, I picked up the Bible. “I’ve just got toknow,” I thought. Bringing it close to my eyes, inverses 7, 8, and 9, I read as follows:

And lest I should be exalted above measurethrough the abundance of the revelations, therewas given to me a thorn in the flesh, themessenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should beexalted above measure. For this thing I besoughtthe Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient forthee; for my strength is made perfect inweakness. Most gladly therefore will I ratherglory in my infirmities, that the power of Christmay rest upon me.

I phoned our pastor Brother Ruch and told himwhat had happened. I asked him if he believed thiswas my answer, and he replied, “Yes.” I was happy!It was so wonderful to know that Jesus had told methe same thing He had told Apostle Paul. It was aglorious feeling! I need not feel ashamed anymore thatsomeone might think I didn’t have the faith.

God may not always answer our prayers as wewould like, even if we have faith, but He always hasa good purpose and He never makes mistakes. Laterit was announced that Brother Olan Salsbury was tobe there on Saturday morning, and anyone desiringtheir patriarchal blessing should phone for an

appointment. I sensed a strong feeling that I should dothis and asked God if I could have another witnessconcerning my sight. So I talked to God in secret inprayer.

The following Saturday morning I met BrotherSalsbury at the church door. Along with BrotherRuch and Brother Salsbury, I went to a small room inthe basement to be used for the recording of ourblessings. There were six of us, all sitting in a smallcircle.

As Brother Salsbury laid his hands on my head,they felt firm and very strong, as did the Holy Spiritwhich was given to him with power. Quoting the firstparagraph of my blessing, it says, “Sister Irma, theLord God of heaven is pleased that you have comepresenting yourself and seeking a special blessing ofHim who has created you. God knows the handicapsthat you have had in life. He has seen and understoodthe longings of your soul. While you do not fullyunderstand why some things are, yet when you shallawake on the other side and know as you are known,you will then be constrained to say that the Judge ofall the earth has done right.”

He told me many wonderful things. I was also toldthat when [God] blesses me, I am to pass thoseblessings on in testimony. I have learned a greatlesson through the avenue of prayer: Always pray“Thy will be done.”

30 Zion's Call

Letting God

Have Control

-anonymous

Several years ago I had a terrible t r a g e d y i n m y family. There was a situation that I was strugglingto deal with. I wasn’t sleeping at all and just keptthinking about the situation and what hadhappened. The anger was overcoming me. I don’tlike the feeling that I am unable to get past asituation. I am somewhat of a control freak, andthis was completely consuming me.

I had been praying over and over about this.One night I awoke with an audible voice tellingme to “place it at the foot of the cross.” I wasn’tsure exactly what that meant, but I knew that itcame from God. So I began to pray for Him toshow me how I was to do this.

At this point, I was reminded of a sermon yearsago that was around Easter. I can’t tell youanything from that sermon other than we wereasked as a congregation to write our burdensdown on a sheet of paper and then to place themat the foot of the cross. I remember doing this andremember the blessings that came from thatexperience.

So every time something came to my mindregarding this tragedy, I would visually write it ona paper and place it at the foot of the cross. Littleby little the anger has dissipated. I was receivinga blessing, yet I was still having these negativethoughts. Although I wasn’t filled with as muchanger, there was still anger. I felt as though I wasfighting God for control.

Finally, I asked the Lord to completely takethis from me—the anger and the control. I knewthat if I didn’t surrender the control aspect of this,I could never have His full blessing. So everytime I felt the anger and negative emotionscoming on, I would speak to God and say, “Hereit is again. I am placing it at the foot of the cross.”

Little by little this tragedy has turned into mytestimony of God’s goodness and of the greatthings He wants to do for us.

God has continued to bless me with othernighttime visions which have led me to comfort.I am not completely healed from this, and everyonce in a while things will start to creep up on meagain. I know that is Satan’s influence, and he istrying to undo what God has done in me. Thenthe vision of placing it at the foot of the crosscomes into my mind’s eye, and the struggle istaken from me.

The most important thing all this has shown meis that I am the one who needs God’s directionand who needs to let Him have control. I havelearned that it is not my place to judge otherpeople’s reasoning. Sometimes people might dothings for the right reasons but in the wrong way.God has shown me that I need to focus on gettingmyself right with Him, and then He will take careof the rest.

Thy Will Be Done-by Margaret Pointon (Reprinted from Living

Testimonies, Volume One)

When we moved from Oregon to Idaho, we

planned to live the remainder of our lives there inthe beautiful Rocky Mountains. But the Lordintervened by giving me a dream that was deeplyimprinted upon my mind. In this dream, I was inan enormous structure in the land of Zion stirringa potful of thin soup. This pot was a thirty- toforty-gallon steam pot. The Lord brought to myunderstanding that I would be preparing meals forthose gathering to the Center Place, bringingnothing with them.

Because I wanted to have as much experienceas possible, I volunteered for the job of camp cookat several youth camps and reunions. I wanted tobe ready when the Lord called me. He had alsobeen preparing me for this time by placing me in

Zion's Call 31

a university, where we served thirty-five hundredmeals a day.

Several years passed, and there was no call tocome to the land of Zion. I began to wonder ifperhaps I'd been mistaken. Knowing the Lord hastold us to test the spirits, I went to Him in prayer.No one knew of my thoughts or my prayer. Thiswas between the Lord and me, and I asked Him toverify it to me in some way if this dream was fromHim. Being busy preparing as the cook for theMontana Reunion, my prayer was soon forgotten.

A day or so before we left for the reunion, myhusband was praying for me concerning myreunion responsibilities. Knowing nothing of myspecial prayer to God, he did not realize it whenhe received the answer to my prayer. He was toldthat someone at the reunion from Independencewould remember my name, and this would be themeans of placing me where God wished me to be.He was also told that my dream was from God.

We still did not know when we should gatherto the land of Zion. One day, my husband heard avoice that said we would not be in Idaho muchlonger. So we planned to move the next spring,just as soon as my job was finished. There was noworry about selling our home, as our daughter andson-in-law planned to buy it. But when the timecame, they incurred a large, unexpected expensein their business, and it would have been unwisefor them to take on the added expense ofpurchasing a home.

Many people wanted to buy our home, butcouldn't raise the money. We finally made severalsacrifices and someone was able to buy it—wethought! But one thing after another went wrong.Each time we would pass one hurdle, somethingelse would happen, until the situation becametotally ridiculous.

We had been more or less camping all summer,so that we would be ready to leave at a moment'snotice. Finally we decided that if things had notworked by the nineteenth of September, we wouldunpack and wait for more specific directions fromthe Lord. At 8:00 a.m., September 19, wereceived a call saying the paperwork for the saleof our home was ready.

At 4:00 p.m. that day, we were on our way tothe land of Zion. We later realized that there wasa special reason for us to leave that particular day.My husband has problems with his back.Sometimes he is not able to ride in the car anydistance at all. But not once in the three days oftravel to Independence did he suffer any pain.

We arrived Sunday, September 21, and went tostay with relatives. On Monday, they took us tosee several church-related places in the area. Thatevening we went to see the Center PlaceRestoration School. There was to be a schoolboard meeting that evening, but someone hadforgotten the key to the building. We came whilethey were waiting.

While we were visiting with them, a lady Irecognized from the Montana reunion arrived.She saw me, and said she remembered me fromthe reunion. Had we come at any other time, orhad the key not been forgotten, that meetingwould not have taken place. The ladyrecommended me to the school board members.This led to an interview and to my job as cook forthe Center Place Restoration School.

In considering a new kitchen for the school, anopportunity came to purchase several items ofused kitchen equipment. I’d looked at the itemsseveral times, but had gone again to check acertain item, when I glanced in the direction of thesteam pot that had been one of the purchases.Almost like a bolt of lightning, the picture of thesteam pot in my dream came into my mind. Ibelieve the Lord brought this to my memory toremind me that this was the pot that I had seen inmy dream.

The Lord’s timing is exact and precise. Whenwe listen and allow Him to direct us, and as we give our lives to Him to use as He chooses, He works in many ways His wonders to perform.

32 Zion's Call

God Stopped the Fire! -by Linda Ilgengritz, Missouri

A few years ago, we had a dry, hot summer here inMissouri. In my small town, we are allowed to burnour trash on particular days of the week. Generally, Ialways watch the trash barrel burn down a ways untilI feel it is safe, and then I go back inside. On thisparticular day, since it was so dry outside, I watchedit burn most of the way before I went inside.

The trash barrel is at the end of our property line inthe back yard. We have an acre and have a few shedsthat are fairly close to one another, as well as a larger,separate two-car garage in this area of the back yard.I had not been inside for very long when someonesuddenly came to my front door, rapping loudly and ina panic. She told me our whole back yard was on fire!

I hurried out back to see. And indeed, the fire hadquickly eaten up the entire grass from the propertyline, going southward. It was heading toward thesheds and eventually toward our home. This ladycalled 911 for me, and they arrived in minutes, but bythe time they had come, the fire had burned an 8x8foot and an 8x10 foot shed. I couldn’t believe howquickly the fire had spread! I don’t know how the firestarted. Obviously it only takes a few sparks to getthings going.

We have a small creek that flows between this areaand our garden. The fire stopped at the creek, but itcontinued to lap up the sides of our two, newer, larger10x10 foot sheds. I had been praying from the verymoment the neighbor lady told me about the fire, andGod brought several neighbors to help me. Whatperfect timing! People that would normally be awayduring daytime hours arrived even before the firedepartment came! One held the garden hose, sprayingour newer sheds down as the fire was lapping againstthem. This person ultimately saved those sheds fromalso burning down, though there was some minordamage to the siding. Our larger yard machines werein those larger sheds—the garden tiller, the ridingmower, a push mower, the wood splitter, and jugs ofgasoline! None of these were damaged, praise God!

The fire skipped across our property line (andcreek, at one point) and burned the dry grass in ourneighbor’s driveway. It amazes me, even today, tothink how much worse it could have been if the

neighbor’s home had caught on fire as well. The firecontinued to burn the grass on our property until itcame to the decorative stones that led toward the backporch of our home. And there it stopped! If the firehad continued farther, we would have lost our home,as well as the big garage and the newer sheds, becauseof their close proximity to one another.

I believe with my whole heart that God stopped thefire right at the decorative steps to our home. I’m sothankful. Being alone during the day, I would not haveknown what to do had it not been for the many helpfulpeople that happened to stop by and help.

Trust God!-by Marilyn Kline (submitted by her daughter

Sherrie Smith)

When John F. Kennedy was president of theUnited States, we were living in Florida. At the time,there were problems with Cuba. In fact, it was learnedthat Russia was building missile sites in Cuba, and theU.S. demanded they be removed.

There was a big civil defense program going on atthe time. The city of Jacksonville was mapped out incase of an attack and a plan was in place. An alarmalert would be sounded, and certain streets would bedesignated as only one way. We were told not to pickup our children at the schools, because they would bebussed to another area. People were building air raidshelters, stocking food, and making preparation toeven leave the state. It was quite frightening. Wedidn’t have funds to build a shelter or buy extra food.

One night, after I went to bed, I lay thinking of allthis and prayed, as I always do, for God’s protection.It was impressed upon my mind that God warned Lotwhen to leave Sodom before it was destroyed, and ifsomething drastic was to occur to Jacksonville, Godwould warn us to leave too, even if in the middle ofthe night. A calm peace came over me. I knew Godwould protect us whatever happened.

The missile sites were removed and nothinghappened. However, it was a good experience for me.I had prayed, trusted and believed God would care forus, and He did.

Zion's Call 33

Valiant in Testimony -by Francis Harper, Iowa

Those who have a testimony of Jesus are obligatedto share it. If we truly have a testimony of Jesus, wewill share it, by word and deed! I love the words ofthe psalmist, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy”(Psalm 107:2).

Jesus taught this: “For out of the abundance of theheart the mouth speaketh. A good man, out of thegood treasure of the heart, bringeth forth good things;and an evil man out of the evil treasure, bringeth forthevil things. And again I say unto you, That every idleword that men shall speak, they shall give accountthereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thoushalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt becondemned” (Matthew 12:29-32).

Our words are important. They are not only heardby our family, friends, neighbors, and fellow workers,but they are also heard and recorded in heaven!“Then they that feared [love] the Lord spake oftenone to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it,and a book of remembrance was written before himfor them that feared the Lord, and that thought uponhis name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord ofhosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and Iwill spare them, as a man spareth his own son thatserveth him” (Malachi 3:16-17).

Two teenage girls were sitting on a blanket at aWoodbine reunion many years ago. One of the girlstold an off-color joke or story. Her companion scoldedher for telling it. In her defense, the storyteller said,“We are alone.”

Her friend said, “Jesus is always with us and hearseverything we say.”

At this point the one who had spoken so foolishlysaid, “If He is always with us, I will take his picture!”She pointed her camera upward and snapped a picture.When the photograph was developed, the face andhead of Jesus could be seen in the configuration ofleaves in the tree above where the girls had beensitting. There are at least three eyewitnesses who sawthat photograph who are still living today.

What do we talk about when we meet with family,friends and acquaintances day by day? Weather?

Sports? Markets? World conditions? Family? Gossip? Or a testimony of Jesus?

The Lord will give us testimonies if we diligentlyseek for them. He will give us opportunities to shareour testimonies. He will also give us the wisdom andability to convey a timely, appropriate word to thosewho need to hear it. I often think of words recordedin Isaiah 50:4, “The Lord God hath given me thetongue of the learned, that I should know how tospeak a word in season unto thee . . . He wakethmorning by morning, he waketh mine ear to hear asthe learned.” We need to pray for these blessings.

Our testimonies must be supported by a godly life.A cousin, who served in the U.S. Navy during WorldWar II, told of a man who served with him. This manconstantly talked about Jesus, but was derelict in hisduties. His witnessing was ineffective.

A patriarch in our area suggested we all write athirty-second testimony of Jesus, that we might be“ready always to give an answer with meekness andfear to every man that asketh of you a reason for thehope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). A short, concisetestimony, accompanied by the Spirit, can lead afriend to the Lord.

I was impressed with this testimony: “ I am afollower of Jesus Christ, and my life flows out of thatrelationship. His life, death, and resurrection havechanged my life forever, and have filled my life withmeaning, purpose, love, hope, joy, peace andfreedom” (Kari Swenson, 25, Des Moines, Iowa, DesMoines Register, December 15, 2007).

Doctrine and Covenants, 76:6g says of those whodo inherit a lesser glory: “These are they who are notvaliant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore theyobtained not the crown over the kingdom of ourGod.” If we expect to inherit celestial glory, we mustbe valiant in testimony.

Editor’s Note: One way you can be valiant in testimonyis to write them down and submit them to Zion’s Callso that your testimonies can encourage many others!Addresses for submissions are found on page 2.

34 Zion's Call

Responding to the Lord’s Urgings -by John Hederson (Excerpts from his booklet “Eighty Years on a Leash,” submitted by Karen Stevens)

The fast passenger express from Bend, Oregon to Portland was roaring down the track with its whistle blasting a warning for the crossing. We were in an old Nash car going down a hill toward the tracks at teenagerspeed. We rounded a corner just before the tracksand Roy Dyer, who was at the wheel shouted, “Nobrakes!” The hydraulics on the Nash had failed.There was no time, no space, no thought to use thehand brake. We didn’t even have time to pray.

God must have seen what was happening,because just at the instant we would have rammedthat monster coming down the track, He grabbedus, and with Roy’s help, got us into a shallowgully parallel to the tracks.

However, if Lucifer, the old devil, had cut thathydraulic brake line to get rid of us, he wasn’tready to quit trying. We were so close to the trainthat the wind from every car that whizzed byshook us and it seemed we would be pulled intothem as they whistled by.

Fortunately we had just put ourselves intoGod’s hands. My brother Jud, our brother-in-lawKenneth Moye, and I had been baptized less thanan hour before this incident in 1935, and we wereon our way home. Perhaps Satan knew that if hedidn’t get rid of us, all three would one day be inthe priesthood.

This tended to prove that baptism vows aretrue, with the confirmation they become bindingon God as well as us. Our choice to enter baptismis a serious statement, not just a ceremony. Weare saying to the Lord, “I have faith that you areour Creator and God. Therefore, I choose you asmy Heavenly Father. I place myself into yourhands to mold me for Thy kingdom. I no longerown myself; I am completely your child. Youhave permission to freely mold me. Raise me intoa kingdom quality person.” This is offeringyourself up. God waits for this permission towork in our lives as children of His.

On the fourth of July of the year I was fifteen,my sister Olive shot herself following a disputewith her husband. The bullet lodged near herheart. I went out under a tree and knelt and beggedGod for her. I made a serious bargain with Godthat if He would heal her, I would go into theministry. The next day doctors removed the bulletand she healed rapidly.

I was serious about my commitment. I hadregular prayer about entering the ministry, but Ireceived no reply. After a year, I wondered if Godhad even heard me, or perhaps He didn’t want me,so I joined the Navy. However, I continued topray about it, because I certainly didn’t want to bebacking out on a solemn pledge to God. I mighthave withdrawn the pledge because of God’ssilence, but a nagging feeling that God wouldspeak kept at me.

I’m sure now that God was working behind thescene causing things to happen. My ship, whichnormally would have been at Pearl Harbor, left afew days before the Japanese attack. I was inmany of the actions in the Pacific, but was neverinjured. One time, I was overboard from the shipand rapidly being swept away, but rather thanfeeling frantic, a wonderful feeling of peacesettled over me, and in time, I was rescued.

In 1952, when I was getting on a spiritual boostafter the Navy, my sister Olive called me andasked, “Why don’t we call Patriarch MarkYeoman in Portland and make an appointment toget our [patriarchal] blessings?”

I answered, “I don’t think I’m quite ready forthat. Let’s wait until I make better preparation.”First, I had to learn what a patriarchal blessingwas and second, I knew I must quit smoking. Thesmoking part was a problem. It took a year.

In the meantime I learned that the blessing wasfrom God given through a priesthood memberknown as a patriarch. It is like the blessings thepatriarchs of old gave to their sons, such as Jacobblessing each of his sons and prophesying their

Zion's Call 35

future, or Joseph of Egypt blessing his sonsEphraim and Manasseh.

While I was researching what the blessingswere, I was privileged to read some given to otherpeople. I found the blessings to be wonderful andvery meaningful to those for whom each wasgiven, but I was troubled by some that said ineffect, “If you do this, the Lord will bless you in acertain way.” The “if” bothered me because Iknow it is a tool fortune tellers use as an out ifthings don’t transpire as prophesied. I wanted thisto be a true blessing from God.

As I prepared for the blessing, I asked God toeliminate the “ifs.” I must have been pre-sumptuous, because in my prayer I also asked, “Isthere any way this could be given to me in adefinite way so I could know it came from you,perhaps as by an angel?”

When the Patriarch placed his hands on my head, he began the intro- duction then said: “Dear brother, be it known unto thee that the Lord is very pleased with thee for having come at this hour in thy life to seek at his hand such blessing as he has for his children and especially that one which he shall give unto thee, for be it also known unto thee dear son, that the Lord has charged one of his angelsconcerning the words which shall be given untothee in this thy blessing and they shall be readagain unto thee at the last day and thou shalt hearthem in power and assurance . . .”

The blessing proceeded with many prophesiedevents to take place in my life and near the endthere is the only “if.” It says, “If thou wilt preparethy heart as commanded the Lord will make ofthee a polished staff.” This “if” could not changeany of the prophesied events, so it was acceptableto me.

Within the blessing, one statement has alwaysbeen a driving force for me. Everything elseprophesied has already taken place just aspromised, and perhaps this one has also, but I

don’t know. It says, “We perceive, dear brother,that the Lord hath for thee a work to do in hisKingdom and that work shall not be taken fromthee nor left to another, but thou shalt be requiredto accomplish it and at the last day the Lord willask thee what thou hast done with the work hegave unto thy hand.”

One day about fifteen years after I received thisblessing, I was driving down a steep mountainroad in Oregon. On the left side of the road was adeep canyon that dropped off abruptly from thepavement with little shoulder. I kicked my speedup to seventy to pass another car. Just as I waseven with the other car, the driver suddenly pulledout to pass the car ahead of him. He hit the frontof my car, heading it out over the canyon. Itseemed like certain death for me on the rocksbelow, but in the midst of the action a loud voicerepeated to me exactly those word of my blessingemphasizing being “required to accomplish it,”and that the work would not be “left to another.”

Miraculously, I did not go over the edge, but Ihad only the Lord to thank for it. After stopping,I went back and saw the tires had left a track thewidth of half the left tires—the rest was over theside.

The words repeated to me then were still forthe future. That work had not been done at thattime. Since then I have done a number of thingsthat may possibly qualify me for havingcompleted this required work but I don’t knowand I am not satisfied that I have completed it.

Several years after my baptism, but before Iwas ordained into the priesthood, I becameextremely excited about the Restoration message.I felt a compulsion to take the message to Mr. M.E. Woodcock in Corvallis, Oregon. Mr.Woodcock was a highly respected Catholic in thatcity. He was a physically big man who had beena leading banker, and he was the Buick andCadillac Dealer as well as owning otherbusinesses. His home was a mansion-likebuilding in a park-like setting that took up anentire city block.

I was a young person with no experiencespeaking to anyone who I held in such high

36 Zion's Call

esteem. Actually I was fearful of speaking toanyone so great, and I had no experience whateverin teaching the Restoration story. However I feltcompelled to go out and teach it to Mr.Woodcock.

I was sure I would be brushed off if I called foran appointment, so I went to his home oneevening. No one, not even a servant, responded tomy knocking at the door. I was relieved and wentaway, but the urging remained with me, so I wentback the next evening, and the next.

Then a strange thing happened. I never didspeak to Mr. Woodcock but I had the feeling thatthe mission had been accomplished and the urgingleft me. I think God was testing me to provewhether or not I would carry out such a mission.

I think we are given some similar assignmentshortly after baptism, and if we carry it out we aregiven more and larger assignments as we grow infaith and ability. If we refuse to move on them,we squelch the Lord’s callings to us.

Sometimes individuals have asked, “Why don’tI receive the kind of experiences you have had?”I expect it may be they have not acted upon theurgings the Lord has given to them. I doubt thatthe Lord will give anyone directions for work thatlies over the hill if they don’t follow the directionsto climb the hill.

Discern what the Lord’s will is and respondquickly, and you will receive more!

Come Walk with Jesus

What is man, Oh God,That you have sent your Son,

That He would break the bands of death,And Satan overcome?

The scriptures say He’s knocking,As He stands outside heart's door.He’s tugging at the hearts of all,

Of both the rich and poor.

He gave us lips to praise Him.He gave us eyes for seeing. In Him we live and move,In Him we have our being.

Come, oh Holy Spirit, come.Descend from courts above. Steal into my troubled breast,

Oh fill me with Thy love.

Invade my heart, Oh God,A prisoner make of me.

Make of me a captive, Lord, And then will I be free.

If you would walk with JesusAnd ever there abide,

Deny thyself; take up thy cross,And you'll be sanctified.

The sands of time are running out, To wait we can’t afford.

Oh hasten and surrender now,Make Jesus Christ your Lord.

Come let us walk togetherAs we journey on life’s road.

Have the benediction of His peace, Even Christ the Lord.

–Ira Brosam

Be “easy to be entreated,

firm to keep the

commandments of God,

and slow to be led

to do iniquity; and . . .

quick to hearken unto the

words of the Lord.”

Helaman 3:7

Zion's Call 37

This is God’s Work! -by Ted Nelson, Missouri

In 1975, I was presenting cottage meetings in thehome of a family interested in the gospel. At thistime, my asthma was very troublesome to me. Onenight as I drove to the church to meet the otherpriesthood member assisting in the meetings, myasthma bothered me to the point that when I coughed,lights would blink in my head and my hands wouldbecome numb. I would have to stop along the roaduntil the coughing ceased.

Two elders, Wayne Davies and Frank Engelbretch,were at the church and they administered to me,annointing my head with oil and praying for me inaccordance with James 5:14. My partner and Iproceeded to the family’s home.

The subject of the evening was the apostasy orfalling away, but somehow we got on the subject ofZion. As we discussed Zion, the scriptures came tome in a marvelous way and without hesitation. Whilewe were there, I felt better than I had in a month (orfor months to come). Because my voice usually gaveout before the end of the evening, they alwaysprovided cold water for me to drink, but this night, Idid not even need the water provided for my normallyvery dry throat. The Spirit of the Lord was there inabundance.

As I drove home, the Spirit came to me and borewitness to me: “This night you have received aportion of the great power that my servant F. M.Smith received which enabled him to write the hymn‘Onward to Zion, Faithful and Strong.’ My Zion yetshall be.”

Though the experience lasted only a few minutes,I was assured of four things: This is God’s work. Theprophets of the Restoration were called to be Hisservants. Zion will be! And I, too, was needed to dothis work. Afterward, the words of the hymn seemedto be played in my mind. By the time I reached home,my asthma had returned. The physical blessing lastedonly hours, but the spiritual blessing is still very mucha part of my life.

Later as I considered this experience, I realized thatthis was also a sound assurance that God IS! This andother testimonies have caused me to realize that thisis Christ’s Church.

Onward to Zion

From The Hymnal, # 577

These words were an affirmation of faith duringgrowing pains of the Reorganization. They werewritten during the General Conference of October,1922. In the opening business session, Frederick M.Smith presented a document calling for changes inpersonnel in chief administrative quorums of thechurch. For ten days its merit as a “revelation” wasdiscussed in quorums.

One evening the president-prophet was sitting inhis living room troubled by the tone of theConference and the prospects of the church. Whilehe was listening to a recording of "Beautiful Dreamer"by Stephen Foster, these words took shape. Thephrase "Onward to Zion!" became a watchword.President Smith was saying "Zion yet shall be!" Thissong catches up the church’s faith in Zion, the dreamthat will not die.

Onward to Zion, faithful and strong, Zion the beautiful beckons us on; Onward and upward battle along, Zion the beautiful beckons us on.

Onward to Zion, to Christ we belong, With service the watchword, we fight against wrong;

Onward to Zion, march on with a song, Zion the beautiful beckons us on; Zion the beautiful beckons us on.

We have the promise that Jesus will come, Zion the beautiful beckons us on;

Let us be faithful, his will be done, Zion the beautiful beckons us on.

Jesus the Savior, meeting the throng, O may his coming be not delayed long;

To God be the glory, to him lift the song, Zion the beautiful beckons us on; Zion the beautiful beckons us on.

38 Zion's Call

Faith in Prayer-by Gary Rowlatt, Kingston Branch, Australia

I am delighted to hear people praying for a healing. It shows that they believe in God and arecommunicating with Him. YES! God WILL answeryour prayer, but He does not accept an ultimatum.We cannot dictate the terms of the prayer. Often itmay be a gradual process or take a long time.

We have to be patient and accept the method Godchooses to answer prayer. This is faith. We must havefaith that God will answer our prayer and faith that themethod God uses to answer our prayer is best for usand the recipient. “Now faith is the assurance ofthings hoped for, the evidence of things not seen(Hebrews 11:1). The same applies to prayer.

In 1972-1973, our youngest son became extremelyill. He would fill up with fluid as his kidneys were notworking. He had nephrotic syndrome—a conditionwhich in those days was not known. As a result, therewas not a cure.

Many people, both in the Church and nonmemberalike, kept praying for him. The doctors tried variousprocedures. This would cause the fluid to pass in amatter of hours, and he would be just skin over bone.This went on for eighteen months. He would blow uplike a balloon then reduce to a skeleton. Many asked,“Why doesn’t God answer our prayer?”

Finally at Christmastime, the specialist doctor said,“Take him home and love him, as you will not havehim after New Year.” Much prayer was continuallybeing raised up to God asking for an intervention.When the New Year came, our son was still alive andstarting to blow up again.

Our doctor said, “Would you be willing to try anew drug used on cancer patients? It has never beenused for this problem.” The prognosis was that hewould have NO immune system; he could lose all hishair; he could be unable to ever have a family; hemight not grow any more; or he could die. (Withoutthe treatment, he would certainly die.)

There was really no choice. We said, “Go aheadwith the treatment.” After numerous occasions of

nursing him in the hospital, this was the final choice.We all continued to pray.

The following days and weeks were extremelytense. Eventually his body returned to normal andthere were no more signs of the illness. God hadanswered our prayers!

It is important to note that our prayers were notanswered immediately. We had to be patient. We hadto learn that there were several parts to the answer.Our son was cured from the disease, but we had towait to see the prayer answered on the possible long-term side effects.

Year by year, the prayer was fulfilled. He grew.With no immune system for four years, he eventuallywas able to go to school. When he reached histeenage years, he started to grow whiskers and hairunder his arms. God then made it possible for him tohave a family (which he now has), and he enjoys lifeas normal. No, God didn’t give us ONE blessing; Hegave us many—but it was spread over time.

Don’t be impatient with God. Don’t demand howHe answers prayer. Examine why you are praying.This is what Psalms 18:1-4 and 6 says:

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and mydeliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I willtrust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation,and my high tower.

I will call upon the Lord, for he is worthy to bepraised; so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

The sorrows of death compassed me, and thefloods of ungodly men made me afraid . . .

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and criedunto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple,and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Romans12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, bythe mercies of God, that ye present your bodies aliving sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which isyour reasonable service.”

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“Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of hislong suffering towards the children of men? Behold I say unto you, I can not say the smallest part which I feel. Who could

have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and pollutedstate? Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over

that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls” (Alma 14:97-98, 101).

Light up! Light UpFor Jesus!

-by Edgar Pillsbury

Traditionally, Christmas is a season for lights—especially the light of Christ. May He ever brightlyshine. At the commencement of a recent Christmasseason, I watched my niece and her friend decorateand light my Christmas tree. From nowhere the words“Light up! Light up for Jesus” came to my mind.

And why shouldn’t we associate light with ourSavior? He, Himself, said, “I am the light of theworld” (John 8:12). His birth was accompanied bystarlight. He referred to Himself as the bright andmorning star. Therefore it is appropriate that we, whofollow Christ, should bring His light into the world’sdarkest shadows with a smile and with happy,encouraging, joyful words for those who are heavy-hearted.

But why should we be limited to the Christmasseason? Christ’s followers should be engaged inbecoming the light of the world throughout the year.There is always someone to whom we can bear valianttestimony of our Lord. Light which shines from yourlife surely will be a testimony to others that we are“soldiers of the cross” who endeavor to please ourLord and desire to uplift others whenever possible.

Let us ever think of ourselves as bright stars of hope which are leading others to Christ as did that star upon that night of nights so long ago when it lead the wise men to Him.

Precious Souls -by Edgar Pillsbury

In 2011, headlines proclaimed the heist of apriceless collection dubbed the Treasure ofBenghazi—nearly 8,000 ancient gold, silver, andbronze coins minted during Alexander the Great’stime were stolen. This incident stimulatedconsternation worldwide. It was claimed to behistory’s greatest archaeological theft of a treasurewhose worth was impossible to assess.

Upon reading about this daring robbery, I could nothelp but think that our souls are our greatestpossessions. Yet, sadly and unwisely, many people donothing to protect them from Satan’s pilfering, eventhough Christ found our souls to be of such greatworth that He died upon a cross for their protectionand preservation.

Without reservation, many people foolishly puttheir souls at risks by succumbing to Satan’senticements. Before long, the old deceiver gleefullyhas them securely in his grasp. Is it not high time thatwe recognize Satan’s grand theft? With repentance,baptism and a resolve to serve our Lord, our souls canbe rendered impervious to Satan’s overtures of theft.

Be aware of the evil one’s unceasing endeavor tosteal your soul. Do not permit him to succeed. Yoursoul is your most valuable asset.

Next time Satan has the audacity to tempt you,meet it with the same rebuttal Christ used when Hewas tempted: “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Luke4:8). Watch him flee.

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sightof God; for, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffereddeath in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain ofall men, that all men might repent and come unto me”(D & C 16:3c).

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Chosen Vessels unto God-by Connie Smith, Buckner, Missouri

Our theme for the Women’s Department this yearat Oak Grove is “Chosen Vessels for the Kingdom.”The following are our theme scriptures:

“But in a great house there are not only vessels ofgold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; andsome to honor, and some to dishonor. If a mantherefore purge himself from these, he shall be avessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for themaster's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2Timothy 2:20-21).

“...who knoweth whether thou art come to thekingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

Recently, I did a devotional on this theme for ourbranch’s Mother’s Day Brunch. I brought five vesselswith me that represented being chosen vessels untoGod.

Big Beauty— A Chosen Vessel

Back in the 1950’s my father, Joe Strahan, was stationed in Korea at the end of the Korean War. He was considered a “peace keeper.” When the men went on furlough they would go to Japan. Japan was safe for them but Korea was not, as many snipers infested the l a n d . W h i l e o n furlough, Dad went shopping. He purchased this vasefor his mother. The vase is thirteen inches tall andhand painted. Its monetary value is unknown to me.Its sentimental value is priceless.

When my parents passed on, my brothers andsisters and I went through their belongings and keptmany items. Among their things was an extensivevase collection. It had once been my GrandmaStrahan’s, then passed on to my dad and mom, andfrom there a very few vases ended up in my hands. I

never knew if Grandma collected vases because shehad a fetish for them or if she collected them becausemy dad had a fetish for them and would buy them forher.

This particular vase just sits on my piano lookingbeautiful. I never put flowers in it. I simply love itfor its history and beauty. Why is this vase a chosenvessel? To answer that, let me tell you a little story.

Several years ago I taught a fourth through sixthgrade class at Vacation Church School. During thecourse of this week we talked about our gifts andtalents. What are they? How can we recognize them?How can we dedicate our talents for the work ofGod’s Kingdom? How do they work together withothers’ talents and gifts?

As an object lesson I took a ball of yarn and heldonto the end of it. I shared a talent I have, and thenthrew the ball of yarn to someone else whilecontinuing to hold onto the end. When the otherperson caught the ball, he or she would hold onto thatpart of the yarn, share a gift or talent with the class,and throw the ball to someone else.

This process was repeated until everyone hadshared. The idea was that just as each person holdsonto a part of the yarn, so we are not only individuals,but connected to one another in Christ, making anetwork of opportunity to serve the Lord and oneanother.

As the yarn was passed to a certain young lady, Iasked her what gift or talent had the Lord given to her.She replied, “My beauty.” (For the record, she was avery beautiful young girl.)

As you can imagine, her response caused quite astir in our classroom. All of the other girls got ascowl on their face, and the boys looked down or upand were not going to say a word. I shot up one ofthose quick prayers that went something like this: “Ican’t believe she just said that and how am I going touse this one? Lord . . . help!”

The Lord is gracious! An idea immediately cameto my mind. I asked the class, “Can beauty be a gift

Zion's Call 41

that the Lord could use for His Kingdom?” No oneanswered. I asked them, “Does anyone remember thestory about Queen Esther?”

The light bulbs in their minds started to go off.“Yes!” I exclaimed, “She is the one who becamequeen because she was so beautiful. Her true innerbeauty however was revealed later when she came toa point in her life where she was asked to go beyondanything she had ever done before.”

Read about Queen Esther in the Holy Scriptures forher complete story. The conclusion of her story is oneof victory. The Jewish people were saved from theevil designs of people in positions of power andimpending destruction. In God’s strength, in God’swisdom, in God’s might, the enemies of the Jewswere destroyed (over 75,000 of them), while tens ofthousands of the Jewish people were saved.

Can beauty be a gift that God can use? Yes! QueenEsther was very physically beautiful, but we find inher life an inner beauty that far surpassed the physical.

Pitcher & Basin—Chosen Vessels

Have you ever gotten dirty? When I was young, my Grandma Strahan would invite each of her grand- children, one or two at a time, to come up and spend a week at her house. She would spoil us every day by making our favorite foods, teaching us solitaire card games, sewing, crocheting and more. She also made sure thatwe got to spend some time with our cousins. It was atreat that I looked forward to every summer . . . exceptthe bath.

At the end of each school year my brothers andsisters and I would kick off our shoes and runbarefoot. We played hard outdoors and got stinky,sweaty, and dirty. We only took a bath once a weekbecause we had a cistern and had to use watersparingly. But to stay at Grandma’s meant you had tohave a bath.

She tried to make it fun by using bubble bath andmore water than we ever got to use at home. She letme soak until I was wrinkled. Then in her sweetvoice she would announce she was coming in. It wasa mad scramble to cover yourself with the washragand bubbles. She’d kneel down on the floor and getout her vegetable brush, lather it up and scrub away—feet, knees, neck, behind the ears, elbows. After mybath, my sister got to take her bath. We lovedGrandma more than dirt can say.

I read about a woman in the Old Testament. WhenI first learned of her, she was a girl watching over herbaby brother as he floated in a basket in the NileRiver. Her quick thinking and action saved his life asthe Princess of Egypt picked the baby up out of thebasket. The next time I read about her, she was agrown woman and known among the Israelites as aprophetess, leading the women in song. Her namewas Miriam. I could tell that she and her wholefamily were chosen for a special work in saving thechildren of Israel from their bondage to Egypt.

Something happened though. Along the manyyears in the wilderness, Miriam began to think ratherhighly of her position among the Israelites. Shecounted her wisdom and opinions as greater than thewisdom of those appointed by God to be the leadersof their nation. She reprimanded Moses, her “baby”brother, for marrying an Ethiopian woman. She complained and even stirred up her older brother Aaron to complain. Her self-righteousness and prideful attitudes did not go unnoticed by God. He heard everything.

And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, andunto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out yethree unto the tabernacle of the congregation.And they three came out. And the Lord camedown in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in thedoor of the tabernacle, and called Aaron andMiriam; and they both came forth.

And he said, Hear now my words; If there be aprophet among you, I the Lord will make myselfknown unto him in a vision, and will speak untohim in a dream. My servant Moses is not so,who is faithful in all mine house. With him willI speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, andnot in dark speeches; and the similitude of the

42 Zion's Call

Lord shall he behold; wherefore then were yenot afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

And the anger of the Lord was kindledagainst them, and he departed. And the clouddeparted from off the tabernacle; and, behold,Miriam became leprous, white as snow; andAaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, shewas leprous. (Numbers 12:4-10)

Sometimes we get a little dirty in our hearts. Pride,envy, self righteousness, and being judgmental creepin. The pitcher and basin are chosen vessels that worktogether, just like repentance and forgiveness, just likesoap and water. Over and over we read in theScriptures, “Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of theLord” (Isaiah 52:11, D&C 38:9e).

Only God can wash our hearts clean, but our partis to repent from our sins and forsake them. It’s notalways easy, just like soaking in sudsy water never gotall the dirt off my skin. It took scrubbing fromsomeone other than me to really get clean. We mustrealize we can’t clean or save ourselves. Onlythrough the atonement of Christ’s blood can we everbe truly clean.

Another woman’s story came to my mind while preparing this class. Her name was Corrie Ten Boom, and she lived in Holland during World War II. Because of her involvement to help the Jewish people escape the Nazi’s from Germany, she, her sister Betsy, and her father were arrested and put into two different Nazi concentration camps where millions of people lost their lives.

In reading through her books, I was amazed at thecomfort and hope that she and her sister were able togive to those who knew no hope. In all the pain andsuffering she endured, she wrote of her greateststruggle—egoism; the habit of valuing everythingonly in reference to one’s personal interest;selfishness.

It was this selfishness that robbed her of her joy inthe Scriptures and in helping others. She wanted andcoveted food, blankets, warmth—all the things shefelt like she needed for herself and for her sister Betsy.

She felt justified in acting and feeling this way. Butthe more she gave into the dirt (selfishness) buildingup in her heart, the more miserable she became.

She prayed and gave all of herself to God, trustingHim to provide for her every need even in the darkestof places. When she repented, a great peace cameback to her, and not only peace, but joy. She began torealize that in spite of all she was enduring (hunger,pain, nakedness, shame, filth, cold, being deprived ofcolor, etc.), there was nothing the Nazi’s could do toseparate her from the love of Jesus Christ. Only hersin could do that.

After my parents had both passed on, I kept thepitcher and basin for two reasons: (1) It reminded meof Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and teaching themto serve one another and not to lift themselves upabove others. (2) It reminded me of my grandmawashing my feet and scrubbing me clean so I wouldbe fit to stay in her house and sleep on her fresh cleansheets. I hope these two chosen vessels willencourage you to seek out the Lord to cleanse the“dirt” from your heart.

Could ye say, if ye were called to die at thistime, within yourselves, that ye have beensufficiently humble?

That your garments have been cleansed andmade white, through the blood of Christ, whowill come to redeem his people from their sins?

Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you,If ye are not, ye are not prepared to meet God.

Behold ye must prepare quickly, for the kingdomof heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hathnot eternal life.

Behold, I say, Is there one among you who is notstripped of envy?

I say unto you, that such an one is not prepared,and I would that he should prepare quickly, forthe hour is close at hand, and he knoweth notwhen the time shall come; for such an one is notfound guiltless.

And again I say unto you, Is there one amongyou that doth make a mock of his brother, orthat heapeth upon him persecutions?

Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared,and the time is at hand that he must repent, orhe can not be saved;

Zion's Call 43

Yea, even wo unto all ye workers of iniquity;repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men;for the arms of mercy are extended towardsthem, and he saith, Repent, and I will receiveyou. (Alma 3:48-57)

They are they who received the testimony ofJesus, and believed on his name, and werebaptized after the manner of his burial, beingburied in the water in his name, and thisaccording to the commandment which he hasgiven, that by keeping the commandments, theymight be washed and cleansed from all their sins.(D&C 76:5b)

And go ye out from among the wicked. Saveyourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels ofthe Lord. Even so. Amen. (D&C 38:9e)

Broken to be Made New: The Wooden Vase

I have three older brothers. In

high school their friends came and went at our house. One friendship, however, has stood the test of time. His name is Brent. Brent is my oldest brother’s age, which is four years older than me.

My brothers and their

friends were all involved in drugs, alcohol and smoking. It broke my parent’s hearts tosee them in such rebellion. Many were the argumentsand fights at our house over their poor choices. Onebrother was able to rise above this lifestyle and stophis destructive behavior. My oldest brother, Don,died at the age of fifty in 2006.

Brent remained a faithful friend to my parents afterDon’s death. They would comfort each other just bykeeping in touch. Sometimes Dad would hire Brentto do odd jobs around the farm. Both of my parentstreated Brent like a son, and he loved them like theywere his own parents.

One of Brent’s talents is woodworking. He makeswood furniture, carves bowls, turns vases, etc. andoccasionally would give my mother one of his pieces.When Dad passed away in March 2014, Brent grievedwith us. To honor him and our family, Brent boughtflowers and put them in one of his most valued vases,then had it set out with all of the other arrangementsat Dad’s funeral. It was a sacrificial gift, as Brentlives a very humble life with a limited income.

As you can see from the picture, this vase is unique. It is made from a burl. A burl is an abnormal growth that can be found on many trees. They are bulbous in appearance and are caused by different things like bacteria or insect infestation.

Even after the cause is removed, the tree willcontinue to grow the burl. In a burl, the wood grainusually grows in circular patterns. Tree sap seems tohave no problem navigating the strange phenomenonand feeds and continues to grow the burl just like therest of the tree.

However, this circular wood grain makes a treeburl a coveted piece of wood for any woodworker.Parks and even private properties have problems withpoachers who cut the burls off leaving the treeswounded and exposed, often resulting in the death ofthe entire tree.

Bowls, vases and other pieces made from a burlsell for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars.No two vases or pieces will ever look alike. Each oneis unique and often will showcase holes in the piecelike the vase Brent gave our family.

Brent told me that in order to “turn” a vase like thisyou have to apply just the right pressure. Otherwisethe whole piece will shatter. Very few woodworkershave the skill to turn a burl into a vase. When Ilooked up the value of similar vases online, the pricesranged anywhere from $400 to $1500. This was atrue gift of talent and sacrifice from a man who ownsalmost nothing.

44 Zion's Call

The wooden vase represents a kind of brokenness.Just like the bacteria or insect infestation afflict a treeto form a burl, there are afflictions in life that justcome our way causing pain and suffering. Afflictionscome in many forms, such as diseases, accidents, thedeath of loved ones, the natural aging of our bodies,or choices other people make that cause pain insomeone else’s life (like abuse or neglect). There arefiery trials in life that each of us face from time totime, but the burl of affliction under the skilled handsof a master woodworker can become a beautiful andvaluable vase.

Broken to be Made New: The Shattered Teapot

I own a teapot that represents a different kind ofbrokenness. In a box in my father’s shed there hadbeen a teapot that was cracked. It had been brokenonce and repaired. I had taken it home, but now itwas shattered again and in pieces. Would it even beworth saving one more time? How could it possiblybe a chosen vessel?

The broken teapot tells a story about life. Manytimes we feel broken and crushed under the load oflife. At times our poor choices in life lead us in a pathof destruction. The sins that so captivate us turn andbring us into captivity. Sometimes I hear people saythings like, “Everyone else is doing it,” or, “This isnot sin, and I can do what I want to,” or they excusethemselves because it’s not going to “hurt” them.

Therein lies the deception. Sin leads to death—death of relationships, sometimes physical death. Itleads to corruption of morality, mental and physicalsicknesses. The list goes on. This brokenness comesas a direct result of rebellion in our hearts and lives.Like the broken teapot, our ability to function in theway we were created has been shattered.

Both the wood vase and the broken teapotrepresent affliction and brokenness. But the goodnews is there is hope. In Aaron Smith’s book, God’sPlan for Life, he compares the barley harvest to ourlives. There are steps in a plant’s life: the seed isplanted; the plant must be nourished as it grows; theplant produces “fruit” (in this case a grain).

But the process doesn’t stop with producing fruit.Next it has to be harvested. In the harvesting process

described in the Old Testament the grain is gathered(reaped) and stacked in shocks or bundles. Next it isthreshed. This is a process of beating the shocks toremove the grain from the stock. Once the grain isthreshed, it is ready to be crushed into flour. Onlyafter it is ground into flour can it be mixed into bread.Then it is then placed in the fire to be baked. Thisfinishes the process, as now it can be used to feed thebody. It could be called becoming the bread of life.

We must come to a point when we know that Godis using the circumstances in our lives—whether theyare the result of poor choices, the afflictions of life orboth—to make us, to mold us, and to create in us theimage of Christ, a prepared and chosen vessel toglorify the Lord. It is a polishing of our lives that fillsour souls with purpose and meaning and a beautybeyond outward appearances. This is where the fruitsof the Spirit begin to prosper in our lives.

Patsy Clairmont is a well-known speaker forChristian women’s events across our nation. How-ever, at one time in her life she was consumed withfears. She would have panic attacks so severe shecouldn’t leave her house. Eventually, she wasconfined to her bedroom and then to her bed.

Her story is one of spending six years ofovercoming these fears. One day, she prayed that Godwould show her how He saw her. The Lord gave hera vision in which she saw a cracked pot. It was intactbut cracked all over with little pieces missing here andthere. She bowed her head in despair.

But God said, “Look what I can do.” She saw a beam of light come down and fill the pot. A lid was placed on the top. At this point God asked her a question, “Where do you see the light?”

S h e r e p l i e d , “Through the cracks.” From then on, she began a ministry to help other people with brokenlives to realize that it is often through the hardest trialsof life that God’s light shines the brightest and willbring healing to themselves and others. God gave hera vision for a ministry that transformed all the painand suffering she had endured.

Zion's Call 45

Grandma StrahanGrandma StrahanGrandma Bruce

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; becausethe Lord hath anointed me to preach goodtidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bindup the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to thecaptives, and the opening of the prison to themthat are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,and the day of vengeance of our God; tocomfort all that mourn;

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion; togive unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joyfor mourning, the garment of praise for thespirit of heaviness; that they might be calledTrees of righteousness, The planting of theLord, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because hehath anointed me to preach the gospel to thepoor, he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives,and the recovering of sight to the blind; to set atliberty them that are bruised. (Luke 4:18)

The Sewing Basket—A Chosen Vessel

Years ago, my Grandma Strahan (my dad’s mom), decided she was going to make each of her nine grand- daughters a quilt. She let each of us pick out a pattern from her quilt book. When I sawthe double wedding ring pattern, I fell in love with it.“That’s the one I want, Grandma!”

She began on several quilts at the same time,concentrating on the oldest granddaughters first.After several years had passed away, Grandma hadmanaged to finish the first two and cut out most of theblocks for the others. She sewed everything by handas she didn’t have a sewing machine. She realizedthat she would never get those quilts completed as shehad hoped.

After I was married, she gave me a box thatcontained everything I would need to finish the quilt

top. Many of the blocks and interlocking blocks hadbeen sewn together. There were enough pieces andblocks to make a double-sized quilt. The box sat inmy closet waiting for a time when I’d be able to workon it.

As time moved on, my Grandma Bruce (my mom’smom) had a heart attack. I would take my two-and-a-half-year-old son to her home and clean for her oncea week. During this time, I told Grandma about thequilt. Being a professional seamstress, she wasexcited to help me expand the quilt to fit a queen orking-sized bed and get it all sewn together. We cutout more blocks and mixed them in with the onesGrandma Strahan had started. Finally the quilt topwas done. It was old-fashioned and bright with color,and I loved it. It went back into the box to await thetime when I could afford to finish it.

Almost to the date thirty years later, I finally tookthe quilt top to someone to have it machine quiltedand then to another person for the binding. I hadalways hoped to hand quilt it, but like my GrandmaStrahan, time had slipped away from me.

My grandmothers slipped away also. After both ofmy parents passed on and my brothers and sisters andI went through their things, I found this old sewingbasket of my Grandma Bruce’s. It filled me withmemories of both of my grandmothers. It wasGrandma Strahan who taught me to crochet, sew byhand, and embroider.

It was my Grandma Bruce who made countlessquilts, stuffed animals, dolls, crocheted baby blankets,and fun people pillows for my children, plus helpedme finish a project too big for me to do on my own.This basket now holds all of the tools I need for mycrochet and embroidery projects, and it fills my heartwith joy.

What makes this sewing basket a chosen vessel? The basket reminds me of the Scriptures. Just as thesewing basket holds all the tools needed for my

46 Zion's Call

projects, so the Scriptures hold all of the toolsnecessary to live a godly life.

The basket also reminds me that at the hands ofordinary people like you and me, great things can beaccomplished when we work together. The task ofbuilding Zion is too great for one person toaccomplish. It will take each of us working together,sometimes from one generation to the next, until theend is realized.

If I could sew a picture of Zion, it would look likethe double wedding ring quilt. Each circle of the quiltis unique and individual like each one of us. Eachcircle overlaps the ones next to it, like our lives areintertwined with each other. Each circle is connectedby the Holy Spirit, the gospel, Jesus Christ, and ourlove for one another.

My grandma used red and blue blocks for theconnecting pieces on this quilt. These four blocksstand out from the rest as they are twice the sizes ofall the other colored blocks that make up the circle.Each of those connecting blocks completes twocircles. Each circle intersects with four others (top,bottom and two sides).

Around the outer edge of the quilt is the binding.Our faith binds us together. We work together. Wejoy together. We suffer together. We lift each otherup. The things we do and say have a ripple effect onthe body—for good or for bad—in our families orchurch family and with those we interact with on adaily basis. Jesus came to heal (bind up) the bruisedand broken hearted. The Scriptures are our “sewingbasket” full of tools. Let us be found walking inChrist’s footsteps and binding our lives and hearts toone another in love.

“And he commanded them that there should be nocontention one with another, but that they should lookforward with one eye, having one faith and onebaptism; having their hearts knit together in unity andin love, one towards another” (Mosiah 9:54).

A note of interest: The woman who machinequilted my quilt showed me three or four designs thatwould look good on an old-fashioned quilt like thisone. One design jumped out at me. Itwas a simple flower that repeats itselfover and over. I knew this was thepattern that I wanted. It’s called“Grandmother’s Flowers.”

Step 1: Find the Pattern

Step 1 Spiritually: Read the Scriptures and learn what to do.

Step 2: Cut out the pieces. Sew the circles together. Use the tools.

Step 2 Spiritually: Implement the commandmentsin your life. Pray, seek, knock, work!

Step 3: Quilt and Bind

Step 3 Spiritually: Grow in love. Be connected and bound to one another.

Zion's Call 47

A Chosen People -by Elder Bill Jones, Oak Grove, Missouri

As Latter Day Saints, we believe that God wants a people who He can work through, whose understanding ofGod’s principles are such that it allows them to be unified in purpose or to be of one heart and mind.

God wants to work with and through such persons so they may help Him reveal Himself to mankind. This kindof people is called a Chosen People. They are not picked to be God’s favorites so He can work only for them. Theyare picked so God can work through them for others. By their efforts they become qualified to do a specific work.

They learn that God is consistent, that He works by a process, and that He is dependable. They must have a clearvision of how God works so that they may help others to see clearly how to work with God. Through their prayersthey learn to be concerned for others; they learn not to be self-centered; they learn that God can’t grant every manhis wish and still have unity among the people. They learn instead that prayer is a way to commune with God anddiscover His wishes for all men.

A chosen people need to sense their mission very deeply. We must be sure to not misunderstand, or to refuse,or to only choose to do just the part we want to do. We must not spend more time in talking than doing. We mustnot lose sight of our mission because of concern about status or privilege.

Roy Cheville said, “A people can get themselves in such a condition that God can no longer work through them.A chosen people have to keep fit and have to keep checking on the conception of their mission for God . . . Thosehelp God most who qualify to work with him by coming to see what he is setting out to do and how he is workingat getting it done.”

Connie’s finished quilt

Chosen vessels working together for the Kingdom of God

become a Chosen People

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A Second Witness of Jesus Christ

For more information about the Book of Mormon, or the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ

restored to earth in the latter days, write to Zion’s Call at the address below.

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The Book of Mormon . . .

“And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should

come unto Christ, who is the

Holy One of Israel, and partake of his

SALVATION, and the power of his redemption.

Yea, come unto him, and offer your

WHOLE SOULS as an offering

unto him, and continue in

fasting and praying, and

endure to the end; and

as the Lord liveth, ye will be SAVED. Omni 1:46-47