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Jason R.
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THE
HEADQUARTERS:
[NOTE: This history is provided with the permission of Richard Weston as an unofficial history of the Latter Day Israel group. - JRS]
OUR
HISTORY
By Richard Weston
1820's
Our beginnings go back in time to the decade of the 1820's. Joseph Smith Jr. a
mere 15 year old boy had an experience at
1844
Joseph Smith prior to his demise had named his son, Joseph Smith III as his
successor to preside over the church. Joseph III was a very young boy at the
time of his Father's assassination. Sixteen years would pass before Joseph III
would come to the leadership of the church. Following the assassination of
Joseph and Hyrum Smith on June 27, 1844 the Quorum of Twelve under the
leadership of Apostle Brigham Young, President of the quorum, the church
remained in tact for a space of about 3 years. Man being the natural enemy of
God, an almost predictable power struggle emerged with several men campaigning
for the leadership roll in the church. This struggle brought about a number of
factions all with claims of leadership. Apostle Young a strong and charismatic
personality began his trek westward to
REORGANIZATION
BEGINS
1853
About 1853 several men of the original church began organizing the scattered
Saints and preparing for a conference to set the church in order. These men
visited with Joseph Smith III inviting him to come and take his rightful place
as President of the High Priesthood, Prophet, Seer and Revelator.
JOSEPH
III
1860
On April 6, 1860 Joseph Smith III was ordained and set apart as President of the
High Priesthood, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to the church. It soon became
necessary to embrace a new name to distinguish themselves from Brigham Young's
group in
SUCESSION
IN PRESIDENCY
1915
With the death of Joseph Smith III in 1915 his three sons succeeded him,
Frederick Madison Smith in 1915, Israel A. Smith in 1946 and W. Wallace Smith in
1958.
APOSTASY
1958
During the presidency of W. Wallace Smith the church gradually fell into
apostasy. Once again the membership was scattered in many directions. Whole
congregations withdrew from the main body and became independent branches.
SEVENTY
QUORUM ORGANIZED
1980s
During the ensuing years there was a number of groups organized claiming to be
the legal successor of the church.
1989
Considering the state of the church at the time, a study group known as the
Saturday night class began meeting in the early 1980’s. Growing out of this
Saturday night class a Quorum of Seventy was organized in obedience to a
revelation from the Lord received by Seventy M. Norman Page on September 9,
1989. The following men were members of the quorum: Norman Page, A. Lee Abramson,
Edwin Geiersbach, Marcus Juby, J. Rad Nelson and Richard C. Weston. With the
ordination of qualified Elders to the office of Seventy, the quorum increased in
number to eighteen before a General Assembly was called to convene on April 6,
1991.
DATE
SET FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1990
At a meeting in
CHURCH
SET IN ORDER
APOSTLES
ORDAINED
1991
The General Assembly of April 1991 set the church in order, calling the
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints out of order. The
General Assembly of October 1991 approved the calling and ordination of eight
Apostles as follows: A. Lee Abramson, Marcus Juby, William Whenham, Glenn
Hendrix, Doyle Launius, Dale Smith, Ronald Griffin and Donald Willamon.
PRESIDENT
OF THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD
ORDAINED
1993
The General Assembly of 1993 approved
the nomination of Marcus L. Juby, President of the Quorum of Twelve as
President of the High Priesthood, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to the church.
Marcus L. Juby was then set apart and ordained as approved by the common consent
of the membership. The next ten years the church went through many growing
pains. They experienced many highs as well as their share of lows.
PROPHECY
1999
Seventy Richard Weston received a prophecy on November 24, 1999 as follows:
Over
the past several years I have become extremely concerned about the direction of
the leadership of the church. In my daily consideration of our situation, I was
given too much prayer and supplication. I now believe the Lord has spoken His
will and direction for His church.
I,
God, am merciful, loving and just. I honor those who live in accordance with my
doctrine. I am angered by those that willfully betray my trust. Repent my
children and come unto me with full purpose of heart. Together we can accomplish
much. We can comfort those that need comfort; we can feed the hungry and free
the captive. Together we can give sight to the blind and make the lame walk.
It
is vital to the mission of My church that you work together with each other and
with Me in harmony, with an eye single to My glory and your reward will be just
and your cup overflowing. With a voice of warning I remind you to keep a
vigilant watch over my church lest Satan enter into the body like a cancer and
attempt to destroy my church from within. Remember my children, I am God and I
change not, neither do I walk in crooked paths.
I
am unchangeable; the same yesterday, today and forever. My servant, the
president of the church, Marcus Juby, is being manipulated by some that are
possessed of an evil spirit, even the spirit of Satan.
Marcus,
my son, go to your quiet place and pray for release from this force that holds
you captive.
My
servant, Joseph Smith, Jr., experienced this force of evil while in the grove at
To
the members of my body: Love, compassion and forgiveness bring about
reconciliation. I have called Marcus Juby to be My prophet in these last days,
to set My church in order, even as I called My servant, Joseph Smith, to restore
My gospel to the earth..
Remember,
while my servant, Joseph Smith, was vacillating, I called him to repentance and
forgave him and restored his authority to act in my stead. I will forgive my
servant Marcus if he repents and humbles himself before me. You must likewise
forgive him and together work to establish the cause of
SEVENTY
DISMISSED
QUORUM
ORGANIZED
2000
In the year 2000 four members of the Quorum of Seventy were un-lawfully released
from the Quorum of Seventy they are: Leonard Liedeke, Nolan Glauner, Glenn
Hughes and Claude Krause. A Quorum of Seventy was organized by the above four
men, along with Richard Weston and William (Bill) Green to make preparations to
set the church in order once again. There first order of business was to call
the First Presidency and the Quorum of Twelve out of order. The "First Quorum of
Restoration Seventy" had received forty-four revelations of counsel* and
direction from the Lord for the Quorum of Seventy. The Presiding Bishop Thomas
Noftzer gained the consent of the 2001 General Conference to remove anyone from
the membership that is not active or has associated with other organizations.
The six men of the Quorum of Seventy mentioned above and their wives were among
those released from the membership rolls.
*Funk
and Wagnalls New Practical Standard Dictionary defines Counsel as: An advisory
declaration made by Christ
PRESIDENT
JUBY RESIGNS
2001
By the year 2001 Marcus Juby gave his notice of resignation following the
unlawful act of the Presiding Bishop Thomas Noftzger by removing members from
the membership with out due process of church law or a letter from the member
requesting their name be removed. Upon his resignation he called the First
Presidency out of order and in compliance with church doctrine (Ref.
DC43:1a-43:2a)
[Sec
43:1a] O hearken, ye elders of my church, and give ear to the words which I
shall speak unto you: for, behold, verily, verily I say unto you, that ye have
received a commandment for a law unto my church, through him whom I have
appointed unto you, to receive commandments and revelations from my hand. [Sec
43:1b] And this ye shall know assuredly, that there is none other appointed unto
you to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken, if he abide in
me. [Sec 43:2a] But verily, verily I say unto you, that none else shall be
appointed unto this gift except it be through him, for if it be taken from him
he shall not have power, except to appoint another in his stead;
Brother
Marcus left a letter of council naming the Quorum of Twelve to preside over the
church as the ranking presidency. With Marcus' resignation the Quorum of the
First Presidency was disorganized in accordance with church law. The two men
that served as Marcus' counselors Thomas Morman and Woodrow Howell were set
apart as counselors not presidents. These two men along with the Quorum of
Twelve choose to ignore the letter of counsel left by Brother Marcus upon his
resignation. When Brother Marcus learned of their rejection of the counsel he
gave at the time of his resignation, he then called the Quorum of Twelve out of
order.
IN APOSTASY
2001
Ten years after the setting in order of the church in 1991 only three men from
the first eighteen were left. The church was once again in a state of apostasy.
MARCUS
JUBY AND THE
SEVENTY
QUORUM UNITED
2001
Shortly after Marcus resigned he and the Quorum of Seventy were in contact with
each other. Marcus had humbled himself and repented of his failures, having
written an open letter to the membership explaining his reason for resigning and
asked their forgiveness having let the church fall into a state of apostasy. In
the Spirit of repentance, asking forgiveness, Marcus called upon the Lord, in
mighty prayer.
GENERAL
CONFERENCE 2002
2002
The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held a General
Conference at Independence, Missouri on April 5-7, 2002 The Restoration
Quorum of Seventy was instructed by the Lord;
Go
to the General Assembly in April and if the church as a body rejects you they
have rejected me, saith the Lord.
Marcus
Juby and the Seventy along with other members of the church were denied voice
and vote at the conference. There were no signs of forgiveness, love or
compassion shown by the leadership or the membership of the conference. All
attempts at reconciliation failed as it fell upon deaf ears.
SETTING
IN ORDER
2002
The next day Sunday, April 7, 2002 a prayer service was held at the home of
Brother and Sister Juby. Forty-two saints were present which included seventeen
priesthood members, another fourteen saints requested membership within the
following weeks. Brother Juby presided over the prayer service. Following the
prayers and testimonies of the saints Brother Juby asked the congregation if it
were their desire to move forward, their response was in the affirmative. He
then asked if they would accept all priesthood members present in their office
and calling. Again the response was in the affirmative. Brother Juby then stated
that the meeting would now go into a business session and then turned the
meeting over to the First Quorum of Restoration Seventy. President Richard
Weston presided, calling the meeting to order. As the first order of business,
Brother Weston presented a motion calling the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints out of order.
WHEREAS
the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has departed from
the doctrine and teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We hereby call
them out of order.
WHEREAS
because of their actions at General Conference on April 6, 2002 at
WHEREAS
the First Quorum of Restoration Seventy functioning as the Third Presidency
and ranking Presidency take this action to set the church in order under the
commandment of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the actions of the First Quorum of Restoration
Seventy be known and accepted by the people as the legal and rightful
continuation of the church restored in 1830 by the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr.
The
motion carried with the congregation responding in the affirmative
saying; "Praise The Lord." Brother Weston then asked if the congregation
would accept Marcus Juby as President of the High Priesthood, Prophet, Seer and
Revelator to the church. The congregation responded in the affirmative saying; "Alleluia."
PRESIDENT
OF THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD SET PART
2002
President Weston called Brother Juby forward and proceeded to set him apart as
President of the High Priesthood, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to the church.
Patriarchs Leamon Johnson, Cleve Parker and Robert McDonald assisted President
Weston, he being the spokesmen. Seventies Nolan Glauner, Leonard Liedeke and
Cluade Krause stood in support of the setting apart. Patriarch Cleve Parker
suggested that to avoid any contention or rebuttal at a later date a High Priest
should be the spokesmen. The congregation agreed with the suggestion and Apostle
B. Leslie McArthur assisted by the Patriarchs mentioned above set Brother Juby
apart a second time. Seventy Nolan Glauner stood and stated for the record that
the Seventy were given the authority from God t o set in order and ordain all
offices and officers of the church.*
*
Council to the Seventy #24:9 dated 19 May 2001.
President
Weston then turned the meeting over to President Juby. The congregation was
asked to be prayerful about a name for the church also that every effort be made
to meet in General Assembly possibly this summer. The place and date to be
published in the Green Olive Branch a newsletter published by the First Quorum
of Restoration Seventy.
PLANNING
CONTINUES
2002
The next day April 8, 2002 the Quorum of Seventy met with President Juby and
Patriarch Johnson at the home of President Hughes in Independence, Missouri.
This would be the first of a series of joint meetings leading to the General
Assembly in the summer of 2002.
The
meeting was opened with prayer and a good spirit prevailed throughout. President
Juby shared with us concerning a name for the church. As he mediated on the
subject and engaged in prayer to the Lord, several names were given. Among the
names given was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Israel. President Juby
made a phone call to find out the availability of the name. He was told the name
was available. With this information President Juby took the necessary steps to
secure the name should the membership vote to adopt it. President Weston shared
his experience relating to the same name. Prior to leaving South Carolina
President Weston had also mediated on the subject of a name. After much prayer
the name; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Israel was very clearly given
for consideration of the membership. A list of priorities to be accomplished was
agreed upon. The meeting was closed with prayer.
CONTENTION
2002
During the time from April 8th until June 25th planning continued to proceed
well until two weeks prior to the scheduled General Assembly on June 28th -30th.
A debate among the seventy concerning the Restoration Revelations ended with
three members of the quorum walking away. Some wanted to place them in our
history others were willing to accept them all. A possible solution was reached
as follows: - Accept Restoration Revelations 1-32, reject 33-36. The reason for
this debate was that the Restoration Quorum of Seventy believed the Lord had
commanded them to call the First Presidency and Council of Twelve "Out Of
Order"
prior to President Juby receiving 33-36. However the matter was never taken
before the membership. The Seventy, having been unlawfully removed from the
quorum was not able to call for a General Assembly. On Tuesday, June 25th the
following Seventy (Leonard Liedeke, Cluade Krause, Bill Green, Nolan Glauner,
and Richard Weston) meet with President Marcus Juby, Patriarch Robert McDonald,
Patriarch Leamon Johnson and Bishop Aaron McArthur at the home of Seventy
Leonard Liedeke in Lee's Summit, Missouri. When this proposal was presented,
President Juby objected and said; “If that's your decision, I will resign.”
Seventy Nolan Glauner said; he would resign if the decision was to accept 33-36.
The meeting got out of order and President Juby and Seventy Glauner walked out
and the meeting ended. Seventies Krause and Liedeke were willing to accept all
Restoration Revelations, Seventy Weston wanted to pray about it. The morning of
June 26 Seventy Weston stated that he felt the Lord had given him a solution to
the situation. The Lord said, "Insert a footnote after Restoration Revelations
33-36, directing the reader to read along with Church History". Following prayer
meeting that evening President Juby was asked if he could agree too inserting a
footnote after revelations 33-36. He replied; “Yes that it was agreeable with
him.” The remaining Seventies Krause, Liedeke and Weston believing the Lord
had given them the solution enabling them to go forward with the General
Assembly.
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY JUNE 28-30, 2002
2002
On June 28th the Saints began to gather and register for General Assembly.
Saturday June 29th a moderator was chosen by the membership and two secretaries
were appointed to record the proceedings. Patriarch Leamon Johnson was chosen as
moderator and Sisters Terry Johnson and Wanena Maymon served as secretaries.
The
Assembly was called to order on Saturday, June 29, 2002 by the Moderator,
Patriarch Leamon Johnson. It was stated that the Moderator would follow the
agenda drafted by the President of the Church, Marcus Juby. It was also stated
that each quorum would have one vote and the quorums could only vote the matter
yes or no (up or down).
The
assembled membership of the church approved the following business:
1.
Four (4) Resolutions.
2.
Affirmations (A. through G.).
Note:
Affirmation F. should have read:
And
we further accept Restoration Revelation one through thirty-six with a footnote
after numbers 33, 34, 35 and 36 instructing the reader to read church history
page 10.
3
Policy and Procedures 1 through 12.
4
General Church Budget 2002-2003
The
Budget was approved in a General Conference setting.
*
Resolutions, Affirmations, Policy and Procedures 1 through 12
PRESIDENT
JUBY STEPS DOWN
On
March 8, 2003 President Marcus Juby wrote to the members of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Israel informing them of his need to turn over the
leadership of the church to the Council of Twelve. Brother Marcus was struggling
with past issues concerning the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints. By early 2004 Brother Marcus Juby resigned as president of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Israel and withdrew his membership from the church.
NEW LEADERSHIP
Early
2004 Brother Marcus withdrew his membership from the church. Following Brother
Marcus’ withdrawal, Les Mc Arthur resigned his office as an apostle and now
serves as a high priest. The apostles requested the order of patriarchs to seek
the well of our Heavenly Father concerning leadership in the church. The counsel
given through the patriarchs was to release Patriarch Leamon Johnson to resume
his place in the Council of Twelve. Apostle Donald Maymon was chosen by the
quorum to be President of the Quorum.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SET FOR LABOR DAY
WEEKEND
September 3-5, 2004
This page updated: Wednesday, October 06, 2004