As September gives way to the first weekend in October, two important activities are now in preparation. We present in this issue of the News Briefs information on both the upcoming Priesthood Assembly and concurrent Women’s Retreat, scheduled for Friday (evening fellowship), Saturday and Sunday, September 30, October 1 and 2. Past gatherings for the men’s assembly meeting concurrently with the women’s retreat have proven to be very successful, and we desire to continue that format. Please find here the planned agendas (both at the Gathering Place) for the two meetings: the Priesthood Agenda, along with the composition of the Women’s Retreat.
The official program for the Women’s Retreat begins on Saturday morning and concludes at noon on Sunday. Their starting and ending times have been made to coincide with the priesthood’s program times, so that spouses will be able to share their transportation. The Women’s Program will feature the theme “Be Ready for the Tribulation.” There will be no joint sessions with the Priesthood at these assemblies. Saturday will feature a Drama for the Women’s Retreat. Their detailed program is enclosed.

For the priesthood men, this year’s theme is “Consider the Temple.” This selection is in response to divine counsel given in R-156: “The First Presidency and those so appointed, should begin to consider the functions of worship, priesthood and endowment associated with the ‘House of the Lord.’” Priesthood men will notice that Friday is set aside for “preparation,” Saturday will be for presentations and discussion on the theme, with a special demonstration of the ancient “Tabernacle and Its Types and Shadows.” Few subjects about not-yet-fully-attained goals will evince such an array of feelings as will our beginning preparations for a Latter Day Temple in the area of the Center Place. Recalled memories stretch from the original dedication of the Temple Lot site in western Independence by a party which included Joseph Smith, Jr. (the site being only two blocks southwest of our Remnant Headquarters Building), to the sacrificial erection of the Kirtland “House of the Lord” a few years later, in Ohio. The many vicissitudes that have engulfed the restored Church during the last 150 years have repeatedly caused finite plans for construction to be postponed. Even the availability of the previously-designated site, picked with divine guidance by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1831, remains uncertain. There will be a light, catered lunch on Saturday. Sunday will conclude with “Reflections on Our Priesthood Offices and Callings” and the morning will conclude with a Sacrament and Dedication Service.

A list of useful reference materials to various topics related to Temples is also being included; one booklet, The Tabernacle, will be distributed to priesthood for study, in preparation for the Priesthood Assembly program. We realize that many may not have access to some of the other recommended materials, but some are still in print and may be purchased, or may exist in some members’ religious libraries. Where obtainable in the few weeks before our gathering, they are felt to offer much valuable background information. May God bless us this year in this very important Assembly. May we come with such an attitude and preparation as to invite our Lord’s Spirit, even as we did for our last Assembly in Kirtland, Ohio.

• The Tabernacle (a 32-page Handout), by Bishops Sherer and Romer (to be distributed beforehand, by mail or at central congregations to priesthood members).
• The Temple: the Fulfillment of the Scriptures, (4th printing, 1988; 229 pp.), by H.P. Adolph W. Lundeen (Available at Price Publ. Co., Indep. MO, $7.50)
• The Temple for Today, (1982), by Elder Richard Price (Also Available at Price Publ. Co.; 142 pp., $7.00)
• Upon the Temple Lot: the Church of Christ’s Quest to Build the House of the Lord, by R. Jean Adams; 2010.
• Temples of the Restoration (3 parts) No. 9,10,11 Saints Herald, Volume 118, 197, by Steven C. Kellogg.

Someday, Brothers and Sisters, we will have our own Temple (House of the Lord), fulfilling the promise that when it is ready, He—the Lord Jesus—will return among us. May it be so!

Friday, Sept. 30 – Preparing for Endowing Power
6:00 pm – Registration
6:30 pm - Instruction – Fellowship Hall
6:45 pm - Assemble by Quorums & Orders into Sanctuary
7:00 pm - Service of Preparation
8:00 pm - Season of Prayer & Testimony
9:00 pm - Closing Instruction & Dismissal

Saturday, October 2 – What About the Temple?
8:00 am - Prayer Service
9:30 am - Temples Anciently – The Tabernacle, Solomon’s, Jerusalem – Bishop Kevin Romer
0:30 am - History of Restoration Temple Building – President Fred Larsen
11:30 am - Break for catered light box lunch
1:00 pm- Presentations and Discussion on Temple Functions: ( Per R-156)

1. Worship
2. Ordinances
3. Endowment

Sunday, October 2 – Reflection on our Priesthood Offices and Dedication
8:30 am- Our Calling for Today and Tomorrow
   (Melchisedec – Sanctuary, Aaronic – Fellowship Hall)
9:30 am- Joint Assembly Discussion – Are We Ready for the Temple?
10:30 am- Recess
10:45 am - We Unite with Communion and Dedication
11:45 am - Dismissal – Until We Meet Again

Friday, September 30
6:30 – 7:30 pm    Registration & Orientation
7:30 – 9:00 pm    Luau Campfire
9:00 pm    Refreshments & Visiting
10:00 pm    Lights Out

Saturday, October 1 8:00 – 8:20 am    Worship – Young moms
8:20 – 8:45 am    Continental Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 am    Women’s Council Presentation
10:15 – 11:45 am    Class One – Emergency Preparedness - Temporal
12:00 – 1:00 pm    Lunch – catered
1:15 – 2:45 pm    Class Two – Emergency Preparedness – (Temporal cont.) – Bishop Kevin Romer
3:00 – 4:30 pm    Emergency Preparedness, Spiritual – P/E Jim Rogers
4:45 – 6:45 pm    Supper (on your own)
7:00 – 9:00 pm    Drama
9:00 pm    Refreshments and Visiting
10:00 pm    Lights Out

Sunday, October 2
8:30 – 9:45 am    Prayer Service
9:45 – 10:15 am    Continental Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30 am    Preaching Service – P/E Jim Rogers

New Remnant Group Established in Panama

Over the weekend of September 1-5, 2011, Apostles Leland Collins and Ralph Damon were invited to travel to the Central America nation of Panama to meet with families and individuals who became acquainted with the Remnant Church several months ago through our website. During their time in Panama, they were able to meet with, and share the gospel with, approximately twenty individuals. The outcome of this trip brought into the fold of the Church seven new souls and added two men to the ministry of the office of Elder.

After flying into Panama City on Thursday, September 1, Brothers Collins and Damon then flew into the city of David on Friday. There they were met by John Daniels, their host, guide, and interpreter for the weekend. After establishing themselves in a hotel, they began their ministry by meeting with two different families during the day on that Friday. Later that evening, at Brother Daniels’ home, they met with other interested individuals who stopped by to visit and talk “church.” It would be very appropriate to share that the good Spirit was evident in great abundance throughout these conversations as well as the entire weekend.

Saturday afternoon found families gathering at their hotel to continue visiting and learning more of the distinctives of the Remnant Church, thus giving them opportunity to ask questions and share their excitement of being able to learn of our beliefs and doctrine. After six hours of visiting together, the evening closed with everyone gathering together at a restaurant for dinner and continued conversation.

Sunday morning’s services found seven individuals who made the decision to be baptized and confirmed into the Remnant Church. The Baptismal Service was held around the hotel’s swimming pool and the confirmations followed in the hotel room. Through the leading and insight of the Holy Spirit, two men were also ordained to the office of Elder. We are pleased to acknowledge the ministry of Brothers John Daniels and Angel DeQuiel and anticipate their leadership in Panama will bring many, many more people into the fold. Following the ordinations of these men, they accepted the opportunity to preside over the Communion Service. It was a fitting way to close a wonderful day of worship and ministry.

There are other families and individuals who have a great interest in the Remnant Church and these two brothers will now begin sharing their testimonies and bringing the Melchesidec ministry to them. We look forward to hearing of the great success from the potential that is there in David and the nation of Panama. We would ask all the Saints to continue to carry this ministry, as well as all of our foreign ministry outreach efforts, in their daily prayers. Truly the admonition to “go unto all the world” is beginning to be fulfilled in these latter days.

GROUND BREAKING PLANNED AT BOUNTIFUL

This Dedication and Consecration Service was conducted at 10:00 A.M., Saturday morning at the Bountiful site on County Highway H in eastern Jackson County. In preparation for home building, access roads and utilities are already under construction.

PRAYERS NEEDED TO SUPPORT OUR SEVERAL MISSIONARY EFFORTS

Several missionary endeavors are underway by the Twelve and Seventy within the United States, and also in Africa, India and in Central America. Progress in these areas, as it occurs, will be reported in detail in forthcoming issues of The Hastening Times. The regular prayers of you and your families are needed to support this wonderful, but difficult, work. Pray for the Holy Spirit in abundance, to accompany and verify the witness of these brethren.