“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” -Romans 11:26-27

I have some insights that have been given to me, not just to me alone, as I will share my experience regarding this concerning Rosh Chodesh. Prefacing what I want to share about the instruction given concerning Rosh Chodesh, I write this to make some suggestions about how the service should be observed according to what is written about in the scriptures, particularly in light of what is presented in the Sealed Book of Mormona coming to us from Brazil. This is an area I have particular interest, and I have taken to heart with serious study and prayer concerning what is being given. I am moved  to present my case about what I observe that could be improved regarding how we handle this going forward.

Since the Sukkot in October, I have added to my understanding through my engaging in a study of Torah and Kabbalah to better understanding the Hebrew language and the hidden meanings that are part of the teachings that most people do not understand about what the Hebrew language tells us thru symbolism, and the Gematria of the Hebrew letters and language. Since undertaking this endeavor my senses and awareness have been heightened and I have felt a gladness of Heart by what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me in greater understanding of what the scriptures are bringing to us with this lens, this perspective of seeing it through the eyes of Torah. It literally has turned my understanding of the scriptures on its head as now I see it and understand it in a completely different way than I did before.

Getting to the point I want to make in this communique, I want to share an experience I had this week as I was in my study group studying Torah with the weekly Parsha that was given to us to use as the focus of our study for this week it was written in Exodus chapter 30:11 using the Tanakh as a basis for our scripture reading that day. It was referencing the half-shekel. As we began reading through that section, beginning with verse 11 in light of what we were discussing about the Rosh Chodesh, and the importance as we are commanded in the scriptures of honoring this new Moon by the celebration of the ordinance of the sacrament on that day and declaring the sighting of the new moon. Not by including additional sermons or teachings or Sunday school lessons, but for focusing particularly on the purpose of the meeting and nothing in addition to it, except as led by the Spirit. Maybe some testimonies, or prayer as part of the sacrament ordinance. There are other times for those other kinds of things to be presented.

The service does not need to be long. It can be short and to-the-point. The seal Book of Mormon presents the purpose of the new moon service is to honor those newly baptized or those who have newly come in to the fellowship of those believers who have chosen baptism in particular and to honor them on this particular day (Acts of the Three Nephites 12:25). The other thing I wanted to say about this  is regarding what came through to our awareness as a group, was as we were studying this particular Parsha, as it relates to the half-shekel. The Holy Spirit revealed even though it was not literally written in the word that at this particular service there should be a count taken of those who have made this choice to honor the Sabbath and to be added to the number of the membership who are in attendance and are honoring the Commandments of the New Moon service.

If you read in verse 12 … “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying: When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them” (Exodus 30:11-12 KJV). What was revealed that I’m writing about is that this counting referred to in the scripture is regarding the time of taking it that is at the time of the new moon and that is one of the reasons for this particular service to be honored and to honor those who have newly come into the community, Ecclesia.

I present this for your consideration.

In Christ I am.
Victoria Ramirez

Note:

a. The Sealed Portion of the Book of Mormon mentioned here is not canon for the Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship. However, because we have an open canon, members draw from a wide variety of sources. We do not insist that anyone use or refrain from using any book that draws them closer to Jesus Christ. This version of the Sealed Book of Mormon may be found on Amazon or click here for the PDF.