God seeks to bring people together. Satan seeks to divide us, because we are easier to conquer when we're alone. Jesus taught that a house divided cannot stand. We can follow Him by bringing people together instead of separating them.
The Earth Shall Rest
Contention is exhausting. Any parent will tell you: When your children aren't getting along with each other, it saps your energy. As Enoch saw a vision of the tumultuous future of the world, he heard a complaint from an unlikely source: the earth itself: "Wo, wo is me, the mother of men," she said; "I... Continue Reading →
Unity
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.Psalm 133 Precious ointment, overflowing and... Continue Reading →
Becoming United
A few days ago, I wrote about the complementary natures of men and women and the need for both to value and leverage the strengths and perspectives of each other. Today, I want to write about what that looks like in a marriage. Sister Jean B. Bingham pointed out that Adam and Eve reacted differently... Continue Reading →
Unity
On the last full day of His mortal life, the Savior gathered His disciples for a meal. He washed their feet. He instituted the ordinance of the sacrament. He taught them and answered their questions. And then, He prayed for them and for all people who would believe their words: That they all may be one;... Continue Reading →
The Stick of Ephraim
The prophet Ezekiel received the following symbolic instruction from the Lord: Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one... Continue Reading →
“With One Voice”
When King Benjamin called his people together at the end of his life, he had a receptive audience. They loved and respected him because of the way he had served them for many years. That collective love and respect led to unity. After he reminded them of their need to have their sins forgiven, "they... Continue Reading →
“The Country Was Divided” – Ether 7:20
After arriving in the promised land, the first generation of Jaredites needed to make some foundational decisions about their new civilization. One of those was their form of government. The people wanted to choose a king. Their spiritual leader, the brother of Jared, opposed this idea. "Surely this thing leadeth into captivity," he warned (Ether... Continue Reading →
“All Things Common” – 4 Nephi 1:4
The people who interacted with the resurrected Savior on the American continent lived together in unity for the rest of their lives. Their children and grandchildren followed their examples and enjoyed the blessings of a harmonious society. "There were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another." This... Continue Reading →
“United in Mighty Prayer and Fasting” – 3 Nephi 27:1
After the Savior ministered to a group of people on the American continent for three days, Mormon tell us that He continued to visit them. "He did show himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them" (3 Nephi 26:13). One of those visits occurred as His... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 