“We long for the ultimate blessing of the Atonement—to become one with Him, to be in His divine presence, to be called individually by name as He warmly welcomes us home with a radiant smile, beckoning us with open arms to be enfolded in His boundless love. How gloriously sublime this experience will be if we can feel worthy enough to be in His presence! The free gift of His great atoning sacrifice for each of us is the only way we can be exalted enough to stand before Him and see Him face-to-face. The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us. It is a love which is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and, above all, forgiving.”-James E. Faust
I keep feeling this strong push to unify my home. I have to admit, I feel like my home is unified, because Mark and I put great effort into staying close as a family; however, over the last couple of weeks, I have prayerfully discovered areas in my life, marriage, home, church, and community, where I can be more unified. I believe this is a huge part of Lucifer’s plan–to create division that separate us from each other and make us feel either alone, or isolated from those of other “groups”. Interestingly enough, if we pay close attention, we will often find that these “groups” we may have longed to be part of at one time are not really orchestrated by Heavenly Father, but by Lucifer. The Lord has asked us to be one with him, which is only made possible as we become one in our marriages, homes, churches, and communities.
What does this mean?
He uses a great analogy in Corinthians, were he compares the body to the church. He is asking us to recognize each other’s strengths and weaknesses and then do our best to become one.
1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
I like to use the analogy of a basketball team, because it’s a sport that requires unity if you a team wants to be successful, yet each position is uniquely different and necessary. I enjoy college basketball so much more than the NBA for this exact reason, they rely on each other to do their part, and to do their best. If each player takes care of their role, then the team will have success. As we go through this unity idea, I will refer back and forth with these two analogies.
I believe unity starts with the individual. We live in a confusing world, with mixed messages from all kinds of sources. Thankfully, the Lord has given each of us different spiritual gifts and then tells us that we can prayerfully ask for more as we use them to serve and bless others. As we seek strengthen our weak areas, and learn to use our gifts to build the kingdom of God, we will find that the Lord will bestow more spiritual gifts on us. One of the greatest struggles within our own hearts is deciding which way we face and whom to follow at any given moment or situation. Periodically, as we examine our lives, we may find that we have times when we are following Christ and times when we have allowed Satan to have some power over us. We can’t live a life with a “residence in Zion and …summer cottage in Babylon” (Neal A. Maxwell) As we prayerfully seek the Lord’s enabling power and help to discern how to follow Him more completely, and as we make the personal commitment to follow the Lord at all times, and in all places, we will find ourselves at peace within. It’s amazing the battle that can be stirred up within our own hearts, and quieted with the help of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Second is marriage. Satan has been attacking marriages and families forever, but there has been some triple team defense going on lately. As we look at our marriages and assess where we sense divisions, we can then ask the Lord with real intent what we can do to help mend those divisions. Often it requires a great deal of humility on our part. I have a ton of experience in this department, because this has been my greatest struggle in my life.
Mark and I come from different faith paradigms. This has been extremely difficult over the years, because we both love the Lord and we each want to lead our family in the direction that fits best with our individual faith background. We greatly desire unity within our family as well, but neither of us are willing to budge and come together to share the same faith. I used to pray for Mark’s heart to be softened. Then I started to pray for “what can I do?” It was at that point that I realized that I had lots of work to do, and that I could work on softening my own heart. Then a couple years ago, I started thanking the Lord for Mark and his spiritual leadership in our home. I can’t believe what it did for me and our marriage. As I poured my heart out in gratitude, my attitude changed, and I could see all the awesomeness that Mark was bringing to the marriage and family. I was able to see that we are on the same team, we just have different positions to play. Recently, I made a firm decision to no longer allow this faith difference between us to be a tool that the adversary could use to build a wedge in our marriage. It’s amazing what happens when we fortify our marriage and strengthen the weak spots.
In your marriage, you may be on two different paths in any aspect of life including emotional, spiritual, physical, or financial, but there is no reason you can’t keep those paths running parallel to each other so you can enjoy each other’s journeys. If you work hard, they can even be close enough that you can hold hands on the journey and help each other if one falls.
1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
“Brethren, your first and foremost duty as a bearer of the priesthood is to love and care for your wife. Become one with her. Be her partner. Make it easy for her to want to be yours. No other interest in life should take priority over building an eternal relationship with her. Nothing on TV, a mobile device, or a computer is more important than her well-being. Take an inventory of how you spend your time and where you devote your energy. That will tell you where your heart is. Pray to have your heart attuned to your wife’s heart. Seek to bring her joy. Seek her counsel, and listen. Her input will improve your output.” -President Russell M. Nelson
I know this was given at a priesthood session, but it is equally directed at women. Let’s switch it a little. “(Sisters), your first and foremost duty …is to love and care for your (husband). Become one with (him). Be (his) partner. Make it easy for (him) to want to be yours. No other interest in life should take priority over building an eternal relationship with (him). Nothing on TV, a mobile device, or a computer is more important than (his) well-being. Take an inventory of how you spend your time and where you devote your energy. That will tell you where your heart is. Pray to have your heart attuned to your (husband’s) heart. Seek to bring (him) joy. Seek (his) counsel, and listen. (His) input will improve your output.”
Third is unifying the family. This is so hard, because when our children make choices that we know aren’t good for them, or that go against what we have taught them, we can feel physically ill with worry for them. However, we still need to be unified. Remember how hard life would be without your hands. The Lord made our bodies perfectly, just like he has perfectly put our families together. We need to have empathy, compassion, and understanding. Everyone has agency, even if they use it differently than we would hope for them. The Lord designed a perfect plan, and he knew some would make decisions that were contrary to the his path. When Christ was on earth, he lived among and blessed those that struggled the most. He loved all, especially those that were difficult to love. He has asked us to do the same, especially within our homes. We need each other. Our faith will unify our homes, and our faith should direct us to love our family members.
“We can strengthen family unity by living the simple principles of the gospel. Reading the scriptures together helps family members focus on the gospel and grow together. Praying together as a family creates within each individual a feeling of personal worth and power.” -Barbara A. Lewis (December 2016 Ensign)
1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Fourth is our church families. The church is designed so that no matter where you are in the world, you will have a family at church. It’s beautiful! This church family comes with all sorts of experiences and upbringings from all different traditions and cultures. We must not take offense where offense isn’t intended. Somehow, we need to be patient and loving with each other. If we will work together with one accord we will find that the work of the Lord will move at a rapid pace. I have found some of my dearest friends among my church family, in people that maybe I wouldn’t have had the chance to mix with if it wasn’t for church. We should remember, too, that everyone has trials and difficulties even if you don’t know what they are. Everyone has a past, some good, some bad, and some in between. All theses things make us into the teammate that the Lord knew we needed to be. If we will embrace each other and allow everyone to play their part, the church family will be united. As the individual church families unite, the gospel will explode, and the work of the Lord will move forth at an insurmountable pace.
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Fifth is our communities. This is one that has really surfaced in the last few years. Satan wants division everywhere, the more the better, for it benefits his plan. It is okay to stand strong for what you know to be right, but we must respect others’ strong stands as well, Remember, that each person is important, and that we need to work together. The best way to fix the divide that we feel is to love each other, to help each other, and to understand each other. I believe we can learn from one another as well.
1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
This is one of my favorite scriptures because it would break the walls that the adversary places in our hearts against others. He wants us all to be different. He also wants us to feel better than others. This scripture clearly states that it doesn’t matter how much you know, how righteous you think you are, or how high and mighty your career is, if you don’t have charity you have nothing. It’s all for naught if you don’t love others. Even better than that, it’s for naught if you don’t love ALL others. Through Christ’s example and teachings we learn that we must love, first and foremost. Love is what will unite us in our marriages, at home, at church, and in the community. Love is the key that unlocks the gate to the walls that have been built up by Satan. Let’s break them down, with a sledge hammer if possible, or one at a time if that’s the pace needed. Regardless of what is holding each of us back from being our best, I firmly believe that love is the answer to fix it.
When taking Luke to Mayo to find out why he had been so sick, the doctor there told me, “I have been a doctor here at Mayo for 30+ years, and I have never seen a disease, disorder, or dysfunction that exercise doesn’t help.” I feel that this is the same message that we are getting from the ultimate doctor, the supreme healer, Christ is asking us to love, because there is nothing that love can’t heal.
1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
“May we choose to stand with the prophets and live according to their words until we become unified in faith, purified in Christ, and filled with the knowledge of the Son of God.” -Carol F. McConkie
-Sherri Jorgensen
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