Pastor’s Corner Elder Bob Moore

Zarahemla Branch Members of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

September 2006 NewsletterSeptember 2006 NewsletterSeptember 2006 NewsletterSeptember 2006 Newsletter

The

Ensign

The Paganization of Christianity

Heretics steeped in pagan precepts attacked the Church that Jesus built during apostolic times. Simon

Magus, who tried to purchase the bestowal of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:18-19), refused repentance and became a

chief opponent to the apostles. Apostle Peter repeatedly confronted and confounded the heretic. Simon advo-

cated a form of Pantheism and Egyptian mysticism that valued a secret knowledge, and fused those concepts

with selected Christian teachings. He even instituted is own rite for receiving the Holy Ghost and claimed that

his way of bestowing it imparted spiritual secrets. His successors, Dositheus, Menander, Cerinthus, Cerdo,

and Saturninus Justin added their particular interpretations to the Gnostic heresy. John, the Savior’s beloved

disciple, refused to bath in the same house as Cerinthus. Later came Basilides, Marcion and Valentinus. Poly-

carp, John’s frequent missionary companion, called Marcion “the first-born of Satan.” Irenaeus wrote his

great work, Against Heresies, to refute Valentinus’ teachings. The heretic published his doctrines about 175

in a book entitled Commentaries.

Most Gnostics advocated self-control as the means to purify the body in preparation for spiritual

enlightenment. Those initiated into the inner circle supposedly received a secret knowledge concerning spiri-

tual mysteries. They were required to abandon physical pleasures in preparation for their enlightenment. For

instance, Valentinus and Marcion required their initiates to endure “severe austerities, fasts, vegetarianism and

chastity.” The Christian ascetics who sprang up a century after Valentinus, first appearing in the Egyptian de-

sert, popularized self-denial as a way to holiness. Worse yet, they cemented the idea within the church that

spiritual enlightenment resulted from physical discipline. The rules of self-control advocated by the early

Gnostic heretics became acclaimed conduct among Christians who revered and idolized ascetic hermits.

Further confirmation that the Gnostic heresies flourished among Christian anchorites is provided by the

Nag Hammadi texts. These ancient writings were unearthed in Upper Egypt, December 1945 and claim to be

a secret gospel taught by the apostles to inner initiates and handed through the generations until being buried

between 350 and 400 AD. The 13 Nag Hammadi codices contain 52 books, including the Gospel of Thomas

and the Gospel of the Egyptians. The early Christian writers specifically identified both the Gospel of Tho-

mas and the Gospel of the Egyptians as apocryphal writings produced by heretics. Hippolytus stated,

“Concerning this (nature) they hand down an explicit passage, occurring in the Gospel inscribed according to

Thomas . . . This, however, is not (the teaching) of Christ, but of Hippocrates [a pagan philosopher].” Else-

where, he said, “They have these varied changes set down in the gospel inscribed ‘according to the Egyp-

tians.’” Nag Hammadi, the site of the discovery, is within 6 miles of the two monasteries founded by Pa-

chomius, the founder of the first monastery. These monasteries emphasized the same self-denial advocated by

Gnostic heretics and recorded in the Nag Hammadi texts. The date of their burial, sometime between 350 and

400, is one or two generations after Pachomius and suggests that ascetics from one or both monasteries not

only practiced Gnostic discipline, but had access to heretical writings.

(Pastor’s Corner continued on next page)

(Pastor’s Corner continued)

The heretics did not invent their doctrines, but took them from pagan sophists. Hippolytus showed that the

heresy of Valentinus was taken directly from Plato and Pythagoras, who, in turn, “derived these tenets origi-

nally from the Egyptians.” Elsewhere, he states that Basilides distilled his system from Aristotle. He also

demonstrated that Marcion’s precepts came from the pagan philosopher Empedocles. Empedocles also

“forbid marriage, the procreation of children, (and) the abstaining from meats.” Other pagans advocated self-

denial as the path toward holiness and spiritual enlightenment. They claimed that the teaching originated

with Hermes, whom the Egyptian hieroglyphics equated with Ham’s son, Cush. He was the interpreter of the

false religion that developed shortly after the flood. Hermes instituted an inner circle of initiates, who re-

ceived the greater mysteries after “a sever form of preparation, consisting of fasting, absolute chastity and

solitude.” After Babylonian idolatry became fully established, “initiation into the Greater Mysteries was . . .

preceded by fasting and by confession to a priest.” Even a brisk review clearly shows that the ancient pagan

practice of self-denial as a necessary preparation for spiritual enlightenment invaded Christian teachings to

become the chief goal of Roman monasteries.

The elevation of self-denial as the way to holiness and spiritual understanding made heroes out of

Christian ascetics. Ordinary church members started revering them. They not only lavished their memories,

but they hallowed their tombs. “Gregory Nyssen tells us, that after the persecution of the Emperor Decius

[249-251], Gregory [Thaumaturgus] Bishop of Neocasarea in Pontus, instituted among all people, as an addi-

tional or corollary of devotion towards God, that festival days and assemblies should be celebrated to them

who had contended for the faith, that is, to the Martyrs.” Since Peter, bishop of Alexandria, had prayed his

persecution-ending prayer at Mark’s grave moments before his martyrdom, the graves of the saints and mar-

tyrs increased in popularity as places for Christians to also offer prayers. By the time of Dioclesian’s perse-

cution (about 302-312), the sepulchers of the martyrs had become celebrated sites for prayer. People came to

believe that the saints and martyrs, whose steadfast confession had placed them in heavenly mansions, could

carry their supplications to the God heaven and intercede on their behalf.

If the graves were sacred places to prayer, logic suggested that church buildings were made more holy

by housing the bones of dead saints. “From the custom of praying in Cemeteries and Martyries, came the

custom of translating the bodies of the Saints and Martyrs into such Churches as were new built; the Emperor

Constantius began this practice about the year 359, causing the bodies of Andrew the Apostle, Luke and

Timothy, to be translated into a new Church at Constantinople.” In the fourth century, Eusebius recorded

that the Vatican housed the bones of both Peter and Paul. Every church throughout Christendom eventually

sheltered the graves of one or more patron saints. As a result, Christians came to idolize the dead, just like

paganism made idols out of dead heroes.

UPCOMING EVENTS You don’t want to MISS

September 9th

Zion Builders

Zion Builders will meet at the church at

10:00 a.m. for a morning of fellowship, fall crafts and pizza. See Kelly for further information,

September 17th

Potluck

There will be the monthly potluck immediately following the morning service. Plan on attending and enjoy-

ing wonderful food and exceptional fellowship.

September 23rd

Picnic and softball game It is time to enjoy a fall picnic with grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and all the

trimmings. Also get out your ball glove and limber up your throwing arm as a softball game will follow the

picnic. The picnic will start around 5:00 p.m., with the location to be announced later. Please bring a pot-

luck dish and a salad/dessert.

If you have anything to submit for the newsletter,

please call Marilyn 215-2299 OR e-mail it to Marilyn

(mholey1@comcast.net), or (marilyncounts@gmail.

com) put it in the NEWSLETTER BOX OR give it to

me at church.

Deadline for the October Newsletter will be Sunday,

September 24th, 2006. This Newsletter will be distrib-

uted on Sunday, October 1, 2006.

Thank you for supporting the congregational newslet-

ter.

Marilyn James and Rolland James

Musical Schedule

September 3rdSeptember 3rdSeptember 3rdSeptember 3rd Worship Jeri Gault Worship Jeri Gault Worship Jeri Gault Worship Jeri Gault No Service No Service No Service No Service

September 10thSeptember 10thSeptember 10thSeptember 10th Devotions Joy McKa Devotions Joy McKa Devotions Joy McKa Devotions Joy McKayyyy Worship Worship Worship Worship Jill Moore Jill Moore Jill Moore Jill Moore Evening Evening Evening Evening Jeri GaultJeri GaultJeri GaultJeri Gault September 17thSeptember 17thSeptember 17thSeptember 17th Devotions Devotions Devotions Devotions Jeri GaultJeri GaultJeri GaultJeri Gault Worship Worship Worship Worship Rachel HornRachel HornRachel HornRachel Horn Evening Jill Moore Evening Jill Moore Evening Jill Moore Evening Jill Moore September 24thSeptember 24thSeptember 24thSeptember 24th Devotions Jill M Devotions Jill M Devotions Jill M Devotions Jill Mooreooreooreoore Worship Helen Guinee Worship Helen Guinee Worship Helen Guinee Worship Helen Guinee Evening Jeri Gault Evening Jeri Gault Evening Jeri Gault Evening Jeri Gault

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Special Music September 1September 1September 1September 10th0th0th0th Lloyd StilwellLloyd StilwellLloyd StilwellLloyd Stilwell September 17thSeptember 17thSeptember 17thSeptember 17th HeartstringsHeartstringsHeartstringsHeartstrings September 24thSeptember 24thSeptember 24thSeptember 24th Men’s GroupMen’s GroupMen’s GroupMen’s Group

september BIRTHDAYS 14 Steven Woll 19 Drew Henson 22 Alyssa Canfield 23 Brandon Sharkey 26 Peggy Gerber 28 Chuck Perry

Ragged Old Flag

I walked through a county courthouse square,

On a park bench an old man was sitting there.

I said, “Your old courthouse is kinda run down.”

He said, “Naw it’ll do for our little town.”

I said, “Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,

And that’s a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it.”

He said, “Have a seat”, and I sat down.

“Is this the first time you’ve been to our little town?”

I said, “I think it is.” He said, “I don’t like to brag,

But we’re kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag.”

“You see, we got a little hole in that flag there

When Washington took it across the Delaware.

And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key

Sat watching it writing_Oh Say Can You See_.

And it got a bad rip in New Orleans

With Packingham and Jackson tuggin’ at its seams.”

“And it almost fell at the Alamo

Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on through,

She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville

And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.

There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,

And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag.”

“On Flanders Field in World War I

She got a big hole from a Bertha gun

She turned blood red in World War II

She hung limp and low by the time it was through.

She was in Korea and Vietnam.

She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam.”

“She waved from our ships upon the briny foam

And now they’ve about quit waving her back here at home.

In her own good land she’s been abused - -

She’s been burned, dishonored, denied and refused.”

“And the government for which she stands

Is scandalized throughout the land.

And she’s getting threadbare and wearing thin,

But she’s in good shape for the shape she’s in.

‘Cause she’s been through the fire before

And I believe she can take a whole lot more.”

“So we raise her up every morning,

Take her down every night.

We don’t let her touch the ground

And we fold her up right.

On second thought I DO like to brag,

‘Cause I’m mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag.”

Written by Johnny Cash

Devotion Schedule for Septem-ber

09/10/06 Rolland James Family 09/17/06 Patrick McKay Family

Helen Guinee

Helen (Bruns) was born in Beaver, Iowa and raised in Butler, Missouri. After high school, she went to Graceland College for two years, then to X-Ray training at KU Med Center where she worked as an X-Ray technician for nine years. Then she went back to school to get her bache-lor’s degree in music education at UMKC. Helen taught music in North Kansas City and Tempe, Arizona. Then on to Arizona State University to get her education certification in elementary education. She also started on her masters in music at Arizona State and achieved fifteen hours towards her masters. She was married in 1968 and moved to Hobbs, New Mexico where she lived for twenty eight years. While there Helen taught private piano lessons for twenty years. After being divorced, she moved back to Independence and then to Butler where she now resides. She worked at Lee’s Summit Hos-pital and Butler Memorial Hospital as a mammo-grapher, then taught piano lessons while living in Blue Springs. Helen is now retired, but still plays piano and organ for church. She has been active as a branch music director, district music director and in the stake as a music direc-tor. She also likes to walk, ride bikes, swim and read. Her children are: Tim, Robin, Billy, Barbara, Jeannie, Mary Lou and David. Grandchildren include: Cory, Erin, Ely, Shan-non, Shelby, Brent, Regina, Jesse, Chris, Kenny, Marcie, Marisa and Jacob. Helen has a sister, Mary Maxwell who lived in Independence.

Rodney Shannon Family

Rodney was born in Independence, Missouri and raised in Blue Springs. Shannon (Blanton) was born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in Kansas City and North Kansas City. Rodney met Shannon at her birthday party. They were married in 1978 in North Kansas City and again in 1992 in Independ-ence. Rodney serves our branch as a teacher. He worked as a mechanical and architectual design engineer, but is now dis-abled and retired. Shannon worked as an L.P.N. In home care but also is disabled and retired. He enjoys reading and landscaping and she likes crafts. They have three children: Jeremy, Justin and Shawn, with one grandchild: Nathan (Shawn`s son) who is one and a half years old. Relatives in the area include: Lane and Bessie Stark (Rodney`s parents) and Jerry and Patricia Moore (sister and brother-in-law).

ACTIVITY CALENDAR Zarahemla Branch september

S M T W Th F S

1 2

3 I Corinthians 15:52-54

9:15 Prayer Service

10:30 Worship Service

Presiding: Bob Moore

Preaching: Brad Gault

NO Evening Service

4

5

6

7:00 p.m.

Prayer

Service

Chuck Perry

Presiding

I Thessalonians 4:16-18

7 8

9

10:00 AM

Zion Builders at the

church

10 D&C 28:2a

9:15 Morning Worship

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship Service

Presiding: Dean Falconer

Preaching: Chuck Perry

6:00 Evening Service

Presiding: Chuck Perry

The News in Scriptures

11

12 13

7:00 p.m.

Prayer

Service

Tim Canfield

Presiding

Matthew 24:40

14 15 16

17 Joel 2:1

9:15 Morning Worship

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship Service

Presiding: Ken Simmons

Preaching: Bob Moore

Potluck after service

6:00 Evening Service

Presiding: Patrick McKay

Religio

18

19 20

7:00 p.m.

Prayer

Service

Bob Moore

Presiding

Alma 15:52-53

21 22 23

5:00 PM

Picnic and Softball

game

24 Isaiah 18:3

9:15 Morning Worship

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship Service

Presiding: Chuck Perry

Preaching: Harry Williams

6:00 Evening Service

Presiding: Bob Moore

The News in Scriptures

25 26 27

7:00 p.m.

Prayer

Service

Patrick McKay

Presiding

DC 32:1c-d

28 29 30

Zarahemla Branch Members of The Reorganized Church

of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

502 Southwest 17th Street

Blue Springs, MO 64015