Quotes from her talk in blue :)
Joseph Smith said, “Supposing that Jesus Christ and [the] angels should object to us on frivolous things, what would become of us? We must be merciful and overlook small things. It grieves me that there is no fuller fellowship—if one member suffer all feel it—by union of feeling we obtain pow’r with God.”
That small sentence struck me like lightning. By union of feeling we obtain power with God. This world isn’t what I want it to be. There are many things I want to influence and make better. And frankly, there is a lot of opposition to what I hope for, and sometimes I feel powerless. Lately, I have been asking myself searching questions: How can I understand people around me better? How will I create that “union of feeling” when all are so different? What power from God might I access if I am just a little bit more unified with others?
Joseph Smith lets us know the Savior and the angels love us and work with us despite the ridiculous things we do and suggests we follow that example.
Unity brings power 1+1=5
We can accomplish so much more when we work together.
Sister Eubank addressing unity is a bold move at a time of civil unrest, political difficulties and polarizing opinions.
My own Relief Society president recently said: “The thing I … promise … you is that I will keep your name safe. … I will see you for who you are at your best. … I will never say anything about you that is unkind, that is not going to lift you. I ask you to do the same for me because I am terrified, frankly, of letting you down.”Joseph Smith told the sisters on that June day in 1842, “When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, O what pow’r it has over my mind“… The nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more are we dispos’d to look with compassion on perishing souls—[we feel that we want] to take them upon our shoulders and cast their sins behind our back. [My talk is intended for] all this Society—if you would have God have mercy on you, have mercy on one another.”
Sometimes, this is done by small, day-to-day simple acts of love.
Let’s establish a habit of stopping and repenting quickly when we find ourselves speaking negatively about each other, being critical of neighbors, ward members and leadership. This is so important because others, especially children, pick up on our attitude.
A common enemy is a great unifier. The adversary would have us contend with and have unkind feelings toward each other. He would have us make enemies of each other rather than realizing that he is our greatest enemy. C.S. Lewis’s description of hell is misery, contention, arguing, choosing to live as far away from each other as possible.
Video clip of rowers described in book, Boys in the Boat
Rowers must rein in their fierce independence and at the same time hold true to their individual capabilities. Races are not won by clones. Good crews are good blends—someone to lead the charge, someone to hold something in reserve, someone to fight the fight, someone to make peace. No rower is more valuable than another, all are assets to the boat, but if they are to row well together, each must adjust to the needs and capabilities of the others—the shorter-armed person reaching a little farther, the longer-armed person pulling in just a bit. Differences can be turned to advantage instead of disadvantage. Only then will it feel as if the boat is moving on its own. Only then does pain entirely give way to exultation. Good “swing” feels like poetry.
Unity doesn’t magically happen; it takes work. It’s messy, sometimes uncomfortable, and happens gradually when we clear away the bad as fast as the good can grow.
This makes me think of learning to weed as a child. My parents made sure I pulled the weeds by the roots. It’s hard work, not just superficial weeding.
We clear out our own bad as fast as we can grow better things in our habits and thought processes.
Each of us is going to have deeply wounding experiences, things that should never happen. Each of us will also, at various times, allow pride and loftiness to corrupt the fruit we bear. But Jesus Christ is our Savior in all things. His power reaches to the very bottom and is reliably there for us when we call on Him. We all beg for mercy for our sins and failures. He freely gives it. And He asks us if we can give that same mercy and understanding to each other.
Jesus put it bluntly: “Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.”
Ours is one of the few churches left that define wards and stakes by boundaries. Like families, you may have the unreliable sister, the overly competitive brother etc. We are “forced” to get along with all sorts of people, not just people similar to us or our own choosing.
Unity: agreement, harmony, peace, solidarity, understanding; awareness, insight, perception, mercy, compassionate, forgiving, benevolent
Benevolent: big-hearted, helpful, generous
Magnanimous: generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness
Elder Pinnock asked, “Are we one with our neighbors? Is the street where you live a little more peaceful because you dwell there?” Phrase from song, “You’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be.” To the people we meet and greet and live nearby, do we as covenant members of the Lord’s restored church, bring heaven into their lives?
Elder Christopherson video clip
I believe the change we seek in ourselves and in the groups we belong to will come less by activism and more by actively trying every day to understand one another. Why? Because we are building Zion—a people “of one heart and one mind.”
As covenant women, we have broad influence. That influence is applied in everyday moments when we are studying with a friend, putting children to bed, talking to a seatmate on the bus, preparing a presentation with a colleague. We have power to remove prejudice and build unity.
Everything testifies of Christ. President Nelson reminded us this morning of our need to remember not only the palms from Palm Sunday but His palms, on which are spiritually graven our names. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. This is not just a phrase. He actually paid for our pain, heartache, vulnerabilities, being taken advantage of etc. What He is telling us is specific and a real price was paid. As part of our covenants we take His name upon us. When we truly love God, then we love His children. The second great commandment is to love our neighbor. Just as he washed the feet of the apostles, our small everyday acts of love, preparing food, recording memories of a grandparent or reading with a child, etc. are the same as if serving the greatest life that ever lived.
