Met at the home of Wayne Bartrow,

September 11, 1999

The meeting convened with Joseph F. Smith, Dwight Deitrick, Peter Gould, Wayne Bartrow, and Gary Wheeler all in attendance – George Rawlins, Bill Whenham Jack Evans and Leroy (Buddy) Ormsbee were unable to attend.

Wayne circulated the latest treasurer’s reports, and then opened the meeting with prayer.

Brother Joseph noted that the UC meeting minutes have not been published to the members. Peter promised to send these to the members. Joseph also reported on the invitations to the September priesthood school at Woodbine, IA and all-day worship on October 2^nd in Buckner, MO. The All-day worship schedule is as follows:

Prayer - 9:00 – 11:00

Preaching - 11:00 – 12:00

Song Service - 2:30 – 3:00

Preaching - 3:00 – 4:00

Joseph will also be speaking at Israel’s Gathering south of Buckner on the Buckner/Tasney Road, October 17^th. The October 8-10^th Meetings in Geneseo, IL were noted, as well as October 23-24^th meetings at the Port Huron restoration branch, in Port Huron, MI. Wayne and Joseph will be organizing the schedule for the October 2^nd meetings.

We then discussed the October 8^th – 10^th retreat in Geneseo, IL.

Friday Schedule:

Arrival 6:30 p.m. -…

Saturday Schedule: 

Breakfast - 7:30 – 8:30

Prayer/Testimony - 9:00 – 10:30

Preaching - 11:00 – 12:00 (Bill Whenham)

Lunch - 12:00 – 1:00

Fellowship/Rest - 1:00 – 2:00

Jeopardy - 2:00 – 4:30 (S. Wages)

Rest - 4:30 – 5:30 (Mark/Peter – youth activities)

Supper - 5:30 – 6:30

Song Service - 7:00 – 8:30 (Joseph Smith)

Preaching - 7:30 – 8:30 (Randall Porrett)

Campfire - 9:00 – 10:00 (Mark/Peter)

Sunday Schedule:

Breakfast - 7:30 – 8:30

Prayer/Testimony - 9:00 – 10:30

Preaching - 11:00 – 12:00 (Jack Evans)

Lunch/Farewell - 12:00 –

Note: Wayne will coordinate presiders for all meetings.

We discussed and heartily approved of the suggestion of prayer meetings at the Kirtland temple. Joseph will pursue this item. We then adjourned to the afternoon meeting with prayer by Peter.

(AFTERNOON)

Opened with prayer by Dwight. Peter asked about Committee elections/terms. Assorted discussion followed.

Joseph asked about organizational work. He suggested because of the desire of many to draw together into one body, we need a direction to move to begin to accomplish this. We need a nucleus upon which to build.

Buddy noted the Church of Christ (Restored) elder’s conference voted their desire to have an elders conference meeting with others to address differences standing in the way of unifying into one body. Suggested that an authoritative body is needed to coordinate this effort.

Dwight suggested that we form a list of questions to discuss in this regard – to present to the elders of various groups to determine the desires of the various groups toward this end (i.e. "fact finding"). He furnished a very good list of questions as an example – see attachment. Joseph asked whether we are committed to solicit invitations for the Committee to meet with various groups (i.e. the CofC – restored) to understand these issues and organize our approach for these meetings.

Assorted discussion of Dwight's suggested questions and this matter in general followed. We agreed as a committee that we would meet with the CCR priesthood and present the unity Association’s goals, objectives, mission, vision, and working harmony articles to get their feeling/concurrence as a test case for discussions with other groups. We still need to outline our approach on this test case.

Brother Joseph suggested that we each work on an agenda for such a meeting for our next meeting, as the next step in our efforts.

The meeting adjourned with prayer.

Peter Gould, Secretary - Committee for Unity.

Attachment: Question suggestion by Dwight Deitrick

QUESTIONAIRE FOR RESTORATION PRIESTHOOD

PART I

1. Description of Questionnaire

1. Who being sent to.
2. What will be done with the results
3. May be filled out and sent in anonymously????
4. Etc…

1. History of Unity Association

1. How it came into existence
2. Committee for Unity

1. Makeup of members (number of members on the committee and number of restoration groups represented)
2. How it was formed.
3. Responsibilities of its members.

1. Goals and Objectives of the Association
2. Who we are NOT - (explanation of not being another organization and not being called to "reorganize the church")

PART II

1. Possible questions:

• Name: (optional?)
• Priesthood Office:
• Years held:
• Other offices and dates of ordinations:
• Restoration group now attending:
• How many priesthood serving in your group -- Aaronic _____, Mechesidec _____?
• How often do you study your scriptures?
• Do you have a daily habit of prayer?
• Is fasting a part of your walk with God?
• Are you content in the situation you find yourself in with respect to your priesthood?
• How often do you have interaction with priesthood outside of your own congregation?
• Do you deep a regular schedule of making priesthood visits? How often?
• Do you welcome the authority of any "outside" priesthood as far a s helping in priesthood accountability - checks and balances?
• Are you a convert to the church?
• What is the size of your congregation and what has been your growth rate?

1. Based on the information provided, on the "committee for unity" statement, do you support its objectives? Why, or why not?
2. Is there too much apathy within the membership of the Restoration Saints to be concerned with the gathering together - to become one body?
3. What constitutes the "Restoration Church"?
4. Why are we divided as Restoration Saints?
5. Why do we remain divided?
6. If our stated purpose is to "unify" the saints and Christ has said that we must become "one" - What constitutes being "one" (check the scriptures).
7. If the Unity Committee efforts are worthy of support, what recommendations would you made to help in these efforts?
8. Do you see a need for the church to reorganize?
9. If so, what procedures do you feel would need to be followed?
10. Do you feel that we should incorporate as an association or stay unorganized as we are now?
11. Do you believe that we will be able to keep our restoration branch identities and still become "one body" in Christ?
12. How do you feel as a member of an independent Restoration group about meeting with another independent group to worship together?
13. If you have a problem with doing this please state. Would you be willing to meet with the Unity Committee to discuss said problem?
14. Do you think the Lord favors any particular segment of our Restoration groups to be instrumental in bringing unity of the saints?
15. Do you feel that the priesthood (meaning you) might be content to stay within their own groups rather than reaching out to all restoration groups?
16. Do you feel that the Lord wants it that way?
17. Have the Priesthood failed in their God-given leadership roles?
18. What is your opinion on the "authority" of the Priesthood?
19. Do you believe that since 1830 there are those who had this authority and lost it?
20. Can you name who?
21. Do you believe there are varied differences in beliefs that are found existing among the different Restoration groups and congregations? (man-made or God-made)
22. Do you believe we can put these differences "on the shelf" and recognize and respect the authority of one another's priesthood in the worship and mini9stry of our Lord?
23. If not, which of the differences do you find to be doctrinal differences that will separate us?
24. Are there differences that do not affect priesthood authority and are not essential to combined worship such as the following:

• The "one God" theory?
• Acceptance of the D&C?
• Acceptance of the D&C through #____?
• Acceptance of the Book of Commandments?
• Serving "wine" for communion?
• Office of High Priest?
• Office of Patriarch, etc.?

(Back up your thoughts with scriptural references)

1. Which of the following would you consider to be an "insurmountable" obstacle?

• Changing the church name.
• Priesthood ordained beyond "elder".
• Prophets.
• Must have organized church with apostles.

1. Who can we accept as an elder?
2. Would you be willing to serve as an Elder - giving up a higher office?
3. Would you be willing to let God choose higher offices and let people vote on that calling?
4. There are many Restoration churches today - splinter groups dating back to the martyrdom of Joseph - (Temple Lot, Mormons, etc.) Who would you accept?
5. What if they repented of past affiliations?
6. Do you believe the RLDS will be cleansed from within?
7. Do you believe the RLDS is dead and the church will be reorganized?
8. Do you believe the RLDS will never be representing God's true church?
9. Is there any authoritative body to reorganize the church?
10. What can cause one to lose his priesthood authority?
11. What constitutes "transgression" of priesthood according to the scriptures?
12. Can a priesthood member found to be in transgression repent and continue in his priesthood?

• Which cases, yes.…?
• Which cases no….?

1. Would you sponsor a committee from your group to form a structure?