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Show m n XL i i i tWWWIHWHWWWMWWHWW rJGL'JG i YCOGB . 1h j Book Of Mormon Message Rings True To Lamanite . C30DC3G0 i! (From F I :: . Religious News Service and the wires of the Associated Press and the United Press International.) Sunday Observance By JACK Christians should capitalize on economic concern to help maintain a proper observance of Sundays, the new vice president of the Lords Day Alliance said. CUSCO, Dr. Charles A. Platt, pastor Presbyterian church, told the meeting in New York City that and commerce know the only Sunday is to offer premium pay of running their business on the of Ridgewood E. JARRARD PERU Rivera Is a big man Hes even a bigger man spiritually. Lucio First Alliances annual leaders of industry way to produce on and are thus wary Lords Day. Mr. Rivera, a gold and silversmith, has done work for political leaders of the world, including Francisco Franco of Spain; Bela unde Terry, of Peru, and Henry A. Wallace, vice president to President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the U.S. This concern may not always be religious, he said, but there is still concern. The economic factor is in the forefront of the thinking of America today so we Chris tiaps and particularly the Lords Day Alliance must capitalize on this concern in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The work he treasures most is the medallion he struck for President Hugh B. Brown of the First Presiden- COCU Sunday : cy. April 20 was designated as Consultation on Church Union Sunday by the executive committee of nine Protestant the organization representing denominations exploring merger possibilities. His eyes light up when his work is complimented. Like a true artisan he takes pride in his work, but his eyes seem to burn as he tells of his conversion and baptism The annual observances are aimed at making congregations and regional church units aware of each other and of the call to union. Study and discussion of the Consultation (COCU) are also encouraged. into the Church. The test of a prayer for the special Sunday was released in Atlanta by the committee, composed of delegates from these churches: African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal; Christian (Disciples of Christ); Episcopal, Presbyterian, U.S., United Methodist, United Presbyterian and United Church of Christ. , He was raised in the majority faith in Peru, but as he grew older his in- terest waned. I was searching for sometliing. I didnt know what But a thirst for the things of the kingdom of God burned within me, he said. Record Year He met the elders and The combined value of 1968 hunger and clothing appeals conducted by the Community Hunger Appeal of Hiurch World Service was $5,820,000, it was announced in Chicago. read some of the pamphlets they handed out. Later one gave him some discussions and the Book of Mormon to read. There was something in the the people who came to the of story Western Hemisphere that rang true. chord. He is proudly veins. . very intense when he says he has Indian bloud in his -- I think it was the Lamanite blood that made the message ring within me Endorse Merger Voting on a proposed merger of the Presbyterian church in the U.S. and the Reformed Church in America shows considerable support for the plan in Georgia and throughout the 16 states where the Southern Presbyterian denomination is located. Presbyterian officials are optimistic that the merger will be approved at the local s level. Approval requires a majority or 58 of the 77 presbyteries. Atlanta-base- d three-fourth- Canonization Urged The Church of England (Anglicans) lias been asked to canonize the founders of the Quaker and Methodist religions in a report from its Liturgical Commission. In addition to asking sainthood for George Fox and John and Charles Wesley, the report asked canonization for John Bunyan, author of Pilgrims Progress, and 31 otliers including the missionary-explore- r of Africa, David Livingstone. The recommendations will be discussed at the Anglican Church Assembly in February. : Lucio Rivera, Church member in Cusco, Peru, works on one of his famed pieces of jewelry. . . . : . lie said this struck a familiar Of the total, $3.6 million was devoted to the drive on hunger the largest income of cash and commodities since the banner year of 1948 when $1.5 million was contributed. Valuation for clothing was $2.2 million for the year. The Church World Service Clothing Appeal is now administered by the Community Hunger Appeal. It is a part of Church World Service, relief arm of the National Council of Churches. ; true, Mr. Rivera continued. He did as the elders directed and asked for Divine guidance as to the truthfulness of the message. My wife was a member of the dom- inant faith. She and I always talked about the Church. I would have her read parts of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. She always said it was good and a person would have to be very pure to be a member. But she would remain the same religion as her parents out of respect for them. For these reasons I could not be baptized, because in my mind 1 could not be of one faith and my wife of another. I consulted the Lord with my problem. In my prayer I told him about my problem. I had many desires to be baptized. I knew I had to be baptized. I knew it was the truth. I also knew I had to he a member of His Church. My wife and I conversed but I couldn't convince her. I pleaded with the Lord that He would answer me, he said. Then very softly, he continued, The Lord answered me, but very hard and with much pain. My wife died. After her death I was' baptized. This was a terrible test. So that I might be baptized, my wife died." Mr. Rivera, ' a counselor in the branch presidency, said the changes which ccme over a person when he accepts the Church are amazing. He changed many of his customs when he was baptized. I changed the old for new. They are better methods and customs. I feel better because I keep the command- ments of health. No wine, no tobacco, no coffee. I am much better now than before, he said. "A new member can experiment with the Church, with the great change and then determine without doubt, that it is the Church of Christ. I know, without a possible doubt, that the true Church of Christ has been put on earth. I have felt it many times in my heart. I know that the Lord lives, and that He helps us with our every action. I have learned to do things justly and also learned to love my fellow man. I have also learned that we should let our Heavenly Father take part in our lives. I have felt changes intellectually, big changes morally, and great desires to be honest. My life was a rebirth after baptism. For this great change I am very thankful I am very thankful for the priesthood that I bold and for the opportunity that have to love our Father in Heaven. i ; One of the most important parts of the Church 'is the obedience, faithfulness and gentleness. With these things one can go forward toward perfec-- . tion, he said. One of bis great desires Is to go to the temple one day and do the work for his ancestors. He praised the missionary system and the work noting that the greatest work the Lord has created is the plan of salvation. He is watching and guarding the. Church so that it will go further. It is a tool for peace," he said. ; : ; He said he knows the Church will progress and that the people of the earth are seeking th; truth. He loves the Book of Mormon," has read it through twice and studies it by subject all the time. , I am proud of the Lamanite blood I have. This book is a promise to my people as well as to all people. The Lord has inspired prophets to write it and have it come forth in this day,l Mr. Rivera said. , , . ; WEEK ENDItyfJ .MARCMV W t- - CHVRCH-- U J |