As the 2017 April General Conference of the Remnant Church drew close, the responsibility of the prophetic office to bring counsel and direction to that body of Christ began to weigh heavily upon me. After a period of meditation, reading some familiar scripture, and petitioning our heavenly Father, the following is given as the voice of inspiration to the councils, quorums, orders and membership of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
To the issue of leadership, ministerial callings, and assignments:
1. After much prayer and careful consideration on his part, High Priest Mark D. Deitrick has accepted the call to the office of apostle and should be set apart to that office and join the brethren of the Quorum of Twelve. His testimony of the Lord Jesus, and his previous experience in the missionary field, qualify him well for this calling.
2. The Presiding Bishopric of the Remnant Church is in a position to be strenghtened by the call of Bishop Andrew C. Romer to be a counselor to his father, the Presiding Bishop and Aaronic High Priest of the Remnant Church. To provide for a vacancy in the Presiding Bishopric, Dan D. Keleher is released from his position as a counselor, but will remain a bishop in the Order of Bishops. Brother Keleher has served well as a counselor and will continue his many responsibilities as a bishop.
3. President Ralph W. Damon has requested his release from the office of counselor to the president of the church and member of the Quorum of the First Presidency. It is reluctantly granted, but his deep devotion to the work of the Master, and his missionary outreach skills, will be transferred to new opportunities as he will be set apart to the office of patriarch and take his place among the brethren of the Order of Patriarch. His administrative skills and work ethic will be sorely missed from the First Presidency. His ministerial skills will surely continue as he enters into that role as a “father to the church and a revivalist.”
Further counsel to the church:
4a. The need for Aaronic priesthood ministry in the church is greater now than ever before. That need is to prepare my people for a greater endowment.
b. In addition to their power and authority in administering the outward ordinances, those men holding office in that priesthood have been presented new meanings in their callings in recent years. Their involvement in temporal ministries, home ministry, and working side by side with Melchisedec ministries, has been better understood and emphasized.
c. As is known, the president of the Aaronic priesthood is conferred upon the Presiding Bishop of the church. That role has been expanded recently to include the office of Aaronic High Priest. This dual role has allowed new and special insights into Aaronic and Melchisedec ministries.
d. In the days ahead, these two priesthoods, with the president of the Aaronic and the president of the Melchisedec working in close harmony, will bring to a better understanding the “Vision to the Kingdom.”
5a. It is recognized that the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has an aging membership. It is incumbent upon these “seasoned” saints to teach, nurture, and assist in navigating the younger generations in their commitment in working in, and for, the cause of Zion.
b. This generation is facing so many challenges as they attempt to live in the world and yet not be a part of it. Counsel given in Section 153:3 is even more applicable now than in 2009. “I, the Lord, desire to empower the youth and young people of the Church with the power of my Spirit to be abiding witnesses of the my Son, and his gospel. They must remain apart from Babylon, lest they fall prey to the enticings of men and the adversary. If they seek me, they shall find me, and I will give them strength to overcome.” It is to this end that the senior citizens of my church are called upon to assist in this cause.
6a. To the many saints in India, Belarus, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Brazil, and Canada, blessings upon your steadfastness and desire to enter into the fullness of my gospel. I, your Lord know the many challenges that you face in this endeavor. Know that my love for you is abiding and complete.
b. Places to worship, scriptures in your own languages, and missionaries to teach, are only some of these challenges. You should know that the faithful saints in this land have only limited resources that must be shared in many ways in building up my kingdom in these last days.
c. Those that lead you in your work must understand the need for you to live within your own culture and means, and to become self-sustaining in your part of my vineyard. Be assured that the Remnant Church will always be with you to guide, help, and give direction in your efforts to bring people to the enduring word and my gospel.
7a. Our belief in a literal kingdom of God on earth (Zion) is a driving motive for all that we do as a Latter Day people.
b. Through the prophetic office the Remnant Church has received much guidance and direction to that end. Even though we have received much, it seems we always want more. That is good, but there is much that has been given that we as a people have not heeded. Counsel given in Section 151:4a was then, and is now, applicable. “This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
c. A review by all Remnant saints is in order: Read, Study, Obey.
8. The church is in a period of positive growth in a number of places: quorum work, Women’s Council, Media Outreach, Bountiful, Missionaries in Training, a church video, Zion’s Academy, The Hastening Times, printed materials, and others. “This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
9. As a people covenanted in the waters of baptism, guided and comforted by the Holy Ghost, consecrated, and committed to the gospel of the Kingdom, let us go on to perfection, led by the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, even our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
Frederick N. Larsen
President of the Church
April 6, 2017