We have all experienced the magic of feeling unified and the heartache of contention and disconnection. My earliest memory of feeling truly unified was in a singing group in 8th grade. It was a wonderful feeling to blend, harmonize, and connect to create a beautiful sound.
When the Saints were leaving Nauvoo, Brigham Young established the Perpetual Emigration Fund to assist church members in their efforts to coming to Salt Lake. Lorenzo Snow was asked to gather the funds, which he felt was a difficult task since almost everyone was already very poor. He was amazed that the Saints were so willing to give even when they had so little. This was an example of church members coming together to serve each other.
Scriptures from the Lesson
John 17:21
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me"
In this scripture Jesus is praying for his apostles to become one with Him and the Father, but we can apply this to ourselves as well. When we are united in the gospel, others will come to understand and believe.
Romans 12:5
"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."
D&C 51:9
"And let every man deal honestly, and be alike among this people, and receive alike, that ye may be one, even as I have commanded you."
Become "one" doesn't mean that we all have to be the same. We are all different, and when we are of "one heart" our differences complement each other and we can do mighty things.
Ephesians 2:19
"Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God."
4 Nephi 1:17
"... neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God."
Mosiah 18:21
"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."
We become united when we serve and help each other.
Quotes from President Snow:
"We must understand that we have got to act upon certain principles by which we can bind ourselves together as a people, to bind our feelings together that we may become one, and this never can be accomplished unless certain things are done, and things that require an exertion on our part."
"Something has to be done by each party to secure each other’s friendship and to bind us together as a community."
"it is our business to learn to secure the peace and happiness of those around us"
"we need to sacrifice for others"
Example: The recent apartment home fire was an enormous trial for the family and the ward came together to help them. The mother's email to the ward highlighted how many small acts of service made a big difference to their family.
I love the imagery of our hearts being knit together. A ball of yarn by itself might be a pretty color, but it is nothing compared to the beauty of many colors knit together to create a beautiful blanket. By becoming "one" we do not lose our individuality . . . we become our best self. We NEED each other, we cannot be saved alone. Even our baptismal covenants are centered around serving and lifting each other as we "bear one another's burdens . . . " We can make a big difference in the world, when we are united together, each of us, all of us, through Christ and our Heavenly Father.
For more on this topic, please see "Our Hearts Knit As One" by Henry B. Eyring, October 2008.
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