After Jesus ascended into heaven, a number of His disciples gathered in an “upper room.” They included the eleven apostles, a number of women, and Jesus’s mother and siblings. Luke tells us that they “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14, italics added).
Ten days later, “they were all with one accord in one place,” when they collectively received the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1). After that experience, “they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:46).
And when Philip later preached the gospel in Samaria, “the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which [he] spake” (Acts 8:6).
In all, the phrase “with one accord” appears 11 times in the book of Acts. The Greek word homothumadon (ὁμοθυμαδόν), which is translated “with one accord” in all but one of those passages, comes from two roots: homou (ὁμοῦ), meaning “together,” and thumos (θυμός), meaning “passion.” These people, who had followed the Savior together during His mortal ministry, were now united by a common passion: a desire to remember Him and to do His work. Their unity was a function of their shared mission.
Sister Reyna I. Aburto shared the following insight:
I think it is significant that the phrase “with one accord” appears several times in the book of Acts, where we read about what Jesus Christ’s followers did immediately after He ascended to heaven as a resurrected being, as well as the blessings they received because of their efforts. It is also significant that we find a similar pattern among the faithful of the American continent at the time the Lord visited and ministered to them. “With one accord” means in agreement, in unity, and all together.
“With One Accord,” General Conference, April 2018)
When Jesus visited a group of people on the American continent, after they had each approached Him and felt His wounds, “They did cry out with one accord, saying: Hosanna!” (3 Nephi 11:16). Later that day, in response to His invitation, “all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth…with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one” (3 Nephi 17:9).
Sister Aburto added:
As we work in unity, our purpose should be to look for and do the Lord’s will; our incentive should be the love we feel for God and for our neighbor; and our greatest desire should be to “labor diligently,” so we can prepare the way for the glorious return of our Savior. The only way we will be able to do so is “with one accord.”
“With One Accord,” General Conference, April 2018)
In the hymn “Come, Ye Children of the Lord,” we express our desire to be united with one another as we prepare for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth: “Come, ye children of the Lord, let us sing with one accord. Let us raise a joyful strain to our Lord who soon will reign.” I hope you enjoy this performance of the hymn, by the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square:
Today, I will strive for the unity experienced by disciples of Jesus Christ on both continents after His resurrection. I will seek to understand and follow the Lord’s will and to serve others with love, knowing that in so doing, I will find common purpose with other believers and be able to work in unity with them.
Too often as members we think we have come together in “one accord” when we gather together in church or Sunday School class. We forget the “second” part of that commission from the Lord. Namely to do so passionately – with vigor & enthusiasm for the spiritual task at hand.
That’s a great thought! Unity doesn’t just mean being together but also adopting shared goals and pursuing them with enthusiasm. Thanks for sharing that insight.