Talk on unity in the Church

Unity in the Gospel For the last several months, our country has been overrun with commercials, phone calls, radio spots, and even whole television programs dedicated to the latest Presidential Election. I know people of all political stripes and opinions who are members of the Church. Most of them were supporters of Mitt Romney, to varying degrees of dedication. Then I know Rob Tabor, a friend who I met as a fellow missionary in South Carolina. With others he started the groups Mormons for Obama and Mormon Democratic Alliance. Then I know several members who decided that even though Barack Obama and Mitt Romney were the only candidates who would get any airtime they were going to vote Third Party. Through the amazing social science observation tool called Facebook, I was able to observe their arguments, sometimes rather heated, about politics. Now that the elections are thankfully over I felt impressed to talk about unity in the Gospel. In October 2008 General Conference, President Henry B. Eyring suggests some ways that we can be united as members of the Church. The ‘Proclamation to the World on the Family’ states that family is essential to the Plan. Doctrine and Covenants 131: 1-2 says, “In the Celestial Glory there are three heavens or degrees; And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood (meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage) . . . “ Having not reached that particular checkpoint, I don’t have much to say about it. But having watched various members of this ward in their marriages has given me some ideas in how to proceed once I get there. For example, putting Christ first is an essential part of marriage. When King Benjamin called together his people in Mosiah chapter 2, it was noted that each family set up their tent with the door towards the temple. Logistically this was so they could hear and see King Benjamin when he was speaking. Beyond that there was spiritual symbolism. On every temple in use the words ‘The House of the Lord’ are inscribed above the door. The temple is Christ’s house, and in a special way it represents the Savior. When a couple bases their marriage on the Savior then anything that comes up can be overcome. I’ve never met any two people who agree on every single detail of life, but if a couple continually strives to follow the commandments they can be successful. I remember President Hinckley talking about Sister Hinckley after she died. He said, “In school she was the girl of my dreams, we spent our married life walking side by side, neither one or the other ahead or behind. Now, she has again become the girl of my dreams.” It is the middle of that sentence that really caught my attention. Even though some claims have been made about radical patriarchy in the Church, our prophet said that he and his wife were equal partners in their marriage. In the last General Conference, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was giving a talk about repentance. He had not mentioned marriage at all when he all of the sudden said, “I love you Jeannine!” He then went on to the rest of his talk about repentance. I have never heard a General Authority talk bad about his wife, and on the flip side I have never heard a wife of one speak ill of him. The start of practicing unity in the home is the best way to be able to extend it outside to the rest of the world. Several places in the scriptures command the church to get together to fast and pray often. The Savior gave this command when he visited the Nephites in the Book of Mormon. 3 Nephi 18:22 And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not; Jesus tells the Nephite Twelve Apostles that they should not have contention in relation to the name of the Church or the doctrine. Since Christ and His prophets and apostles are our leaders, we need to resist the temptation to be prideful towards others. Alma the Elder mentioned the command. “And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church. … “And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets. “Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people. “And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another. “And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of God.” (Mosiah 18:17-22) We can become more unified by doing service to others, both in and out of the Church. In his talk, President Eyring mentions world leaders who have praised the Church for their humanitarian efforts. Recently, several newspapers ran stories about the Church’s response after Hurricane Sandy. But large-scale service, although good to do, is not necessary. We need not wait for a hurricane, the Big Earthquake, or some other horrible calamity to occur before we do service. Little jobs and opportunities are continually surrounding us with opportunities to serve. During the best Sacrament meeting of the year the Primary gave us examples of service they have done, such as cleaning their room, the house, helping with a baby brother or sister, or being nice. As a start everyone can be nice to others. To our brothers and sisters not of our faith we can extend the service of inviting them to hear about the Gospel. I’ll admit I am not the best member missionary. Since I got home from serving full time I have found it hard to talk to nonmembers. I was always nervous even with the suit and nametag, when the person I was talking to knew what I wanted. But we can all start somewhere by praying and asking the Lord to put missionary situations in our path. It worked in South Carolina, why not in the South Bay? It all depends on a testimony of the Gospel and of Christ’s Atonement. “The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose, I will not, I will not, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”the last verse of “How Firm A Foundation” Hymn 85. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.